Final 743 flights.

[Ian Nicholls]

Apologies if this has been covered, couldn't find anything via
search.

From what I can see final 743 turns will be QF577/566 SYDPERSYD
on Boxing Day.

Anybody know of anything scheduled for 743 ops after 26 Dec??

[Dave C]

Boxing day is the last Day of operations, with all remaining flight engineers finishing on the 31st of December. They will keep a few crews around until February to do the delivery flights to the desert.

[Rhys Xanthis]

End of an era!

Always enjoyed my flghts on the 743...i've done a lot of sectors in recent years across the continent, but found avoiding them was much better time-wise!

Flying vh-ebu in first class was definetly a highlight!

[Tim Bowrey]

Ahh! Im going to LHR that day on QF1 so i'd better be able to catch it depart on its last flight. When will they acctually leave Sydney to go(wherever theyre going) without QF Titles assume like This photo (http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5988755&nseq=10)? By the way, any idea which ones will be next to go and which one will do the last flights?

[Andrew M]

Bye old friend :( Always a sad day when the last of a type leaves a fleet.

The old 73's will be next!

[Ian Nicholls]

Boxing day is the last Day of operations, with all remaining flight engineers finishing on the 31st of December. They will keep a few crews around until February to do the delivery flights to the desert.

Thanks. Have just bagged a seat on QF566.

[Blake Riley]

going to try book a flight on one and try some photo's of that amazing flightdeck will be sad to see them go

[Gareth U]

Flying vh-ebu in first class was definetly a highlight!

The classics (-200/-300) lost P/C in the early nineties. Know what you meant though!

The comfort factor of a jumbo and the PTVs certainly did not make up for the reliability issues. At least for me, anyway!

[Rhys Xanthis]

The classics (-200/-300) lost P/C in the early nineties. Know what you meant though!


Are you sure? It was probably in 1999, a short hop from syd-mel and then ebu continued onto Bangkok.

[Jason Carruthers]

27DEC ....5.7 SYD PER 1200 1440 QF 577 743*C



Looks like the 743's final day is 27/12






Jason

[Adam P.]

Recovered from the PER hangover yet Jason?? ;)

[Ian Nicholls]

Looks like the 743's final day is 27/12






Jason

QF.com and Worldspan show 763 ops on 27th.

[Tracey S]

Farewell VH-EBX as you departed Oz this evening on your final journey.
Having served Qantas for 22 years you will be missed by many.

[Andrew M]

Farewell VH-EBX as you departed Oz this evening on your final journey.
Having served Qantas for 22 years you will be missed by many.

Farewell old friend, as I always say, sad to see a plane on her final trip and will be very sad to see the 743's out of the QF fleet! As nice as new planes and gadgets are, old friends are always missed

:(

Would be interesting to know how many passengers have flown on her, someone feel like running some rough numbers ?

[PaulL]

was this going to Christchurch?

heard something about a 747-300 suffering panel damage at Sydney I can only find this http://theaussieaviator.net/showthread.php?t=23721

Cant find the news story

[Sarah C]

was this going to Christchurch?

heard something about a 747-300 suffering panel damage at Sydney I can only find this http://theaussieaviator.net/showthread.php?t=23721

Cant find the news story

EBW was going to Christchurch.

Farewell to EBX - it is sad seeing any aircraft leave the fleet, I will miss the classics thats for sure.

[Paul C.]

The bad thing is that they'll never come back. They'll just sit there in that aircraft graveyard in the USA facing uncertian futures.

[Sarah C]

Agree Paul - my dream is to see a 743, a 763 and a 737 join VH-EBQ up in Longreach but I know that will never happen.

[Bob C]

EBX is heading to Marana, Arizona for storge.

[Tim Bowrey]

EBX is heading to Marana, Arizona for storge.

When is that?

[phil.l]

If EBX is going out as QF6020 according to Flightaware its all ready in Honolulu.

[Bob C]

I believe it departed on Saturday, 22 November.

[Tim Bowrey]

Yeah it was parked at the Pond nose to nose with EBW yesterday afternoon but it still had all the Qantas titles and everything rather than when EBT went.

[Grahame Hutchison]

From www.16Right.com (http://www.16Right.com) ACARS ....

VH-EBX QF6020 22/11/2008 19:30 Qantas B747-338 ** Route Unknown **
-> Route YSSY to PHNL arrived at 0700 HST

[Jason Carruthers]

Does anyone know if QF plans to put EBW back in service (If they haven't already done so) or just leave EBV and EBY one as the operating aircraft the the other as a back up.


Recovered from the PER hangover yet Jason?? ;)

What Hangover :D Was up at 5:30 am on the Sunday.

[Dan Collins]

Farewell EBX. The only B743 of the four remaining I haven't flown on. I snapped her departing Sydney on 16/11/08, I think she was being used on an Air Pacific route as their own B744 wasn't in use.

http://www.400scalehangar.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=158&pictureid=3542

It's sad to think that in under 4 weeks they'll all be withdrawn from service.

Dan

[Tracey S]

VH-EBW, VH-EBY and VH-EBV are still in service.

[Greg Wood]

Hi Tracey

No 743s operated to Perth yesterday from Sydney, and today's flights from Sydney to Perth show 2 B737-800 flights: QF1163 & QF1161 due at 13.03 & 14.40hrs. VH-EBY operated the last Sydney - Perth v.v QF581/582 services on Sat 29.11.08.

Cheers Greg

[Paul Green]

Maybe they're just not going to PER!:eek:

[matthew mcdonald]

I am almost certain VH-EBY did Sydney-Singapore Frankfurt as QF 5 yesterday or the day before.

[Kelvin R]

Is boxing day still the finish up date or will they fly a few days extra? I wouldn't mind one last trip but my schedule has my travelling until Dec 29 at this stage.

[Ken K]

Correct. EBY did QF5/6, YSSY-WSSS-YSSY yesterday, with OJD on QF6/5 EDDF-WSSS-EDDF.

[Tracey S]

Hi Greg,
I said they are still in service, and did not stipulate any port in particular.

Currently VH-EBY is operating to SIN as a couple of the guys stated, and VH-EBV is on the QF25/26 MEL-AKL-LAX and return runs.
As for PER, VH-EBW is still at this point in time scheduled to do 577/566 on 5 December and again on 7 December. Whether that changes we are yet to see.

Regards.

[Ken K]

Currently VH-EBY is operating to SIN as a couple of the guys stated

Just a quick addition, that's from from BNE today as QF51. I believe QF51/52 will be B743 ops for the next three weeks.

[Dennis McLean]

If you look at the QF schedules you will find that 743's are on:-

51/52 BNE/SIN/BNE - Dly, until Mon 22 Dec, arrival from SIN

577/566 SYD/PER/SYD - Fri/Sun next week, Thu,Fri,Sun the week after and Fri 26 Dec only.

25/26 MEL/AKL/LAX/AKL/MEL - Mon, Wed, Fri next week, the week after and 22 Dec only.

Looks like then that the last 743 flight arrives SYD on Sat 27 from PER

Dennis

[Tom PER]

Anybody spot what's lurking in the back of this photo?

http://www.airliners.net/photo/-/-/1450766/L/

[Greg F]

Anybody spot what's lurking in the back of this photo?

http://www.airliners.net/photo/-/-/1450766/L/

After looking at your photo I decided to go for a wander, as you do especially with youtube! anyway look at this pic

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Boeing-737-130/1396249/L/

[Andrew H]

Fairly bleak future for EBX up that end of the Marana ramp.

[Sarah C]

A great photo there - interesting the Dreamlifter is there. It is such a sad sight seeing EBX there and more than likely is going to be pulled to pieces like the 747 next to it. On another note, I wonder if any of those buildings on the right are houses ;)

[Andrew M]

A great photo there - interesting the Dreamlifter is there. It is such a sad sight seeing EBX there and more than likely is going to be pulled to pieces like the 747 next to it.

I think someone should post the Dreamlifter pic on that "a.net forum" and then start the rumor that the 787 program is scrapped and the Dreamlifter is going to be scrapped too :D:D:D:D:D:p

[Brenden S]

So the last flight is PER-SYD, I guess that the aircraft rocks up into Perth at 1550 and departs at 1640?

[Greg F]

I think someone should post the Dreamlifter pic on that "a.net forum" and then start the rumor that the 787 program is scrapped and the Dreamlifter is going to be scrapped too :D:D:D:D:D:p

HAHAHAHA that is funny!!! :):):D:D

[Mick B]

Looks like the Classic is actually on the LAX run until 29 DEC.

From what I can see, it operates LAX-AKL-MEL, dep LAX 29 DEC and arriving AKL early on the 31 DEC. It then operates AKL-MEL arriving MEL at 0940 on 31 DEC.

Who knows, it might do a MEL-PER-SYD to finish up, or it might just ferry MEL-SYD to go into the hangar for the ferry flight preparation.

[Ian Nicholls]

Well, I do feel a bit of a muppet having taken a sidetrip off
a DONE5 to fly on QF566 PERSYD tomorrow....only to find
I should've gone to Auckland to get the last 743 flight. :(

Will be in the QF Club for a couple of hours prior and the
lovely QF system has allocated me 1A if anybody else is
on the flight and wants to say hi......

[Tracey S]

Farewell VH-EBY.
Thank you old girl for your 21 years 7 months of outstanding service with Qantas. Your final commercial service, MEL-AKL-LAX (QF25), completed today, which is also the final commercial service for the B747-338. VH-EBY to be ferried to MZJ from LAX and stored.

[Sarah C]

VH-EBY touched down in Marana about half an hour ago, after operating the QF25. 21 years of loyal service - the classics will be missed.

[Dan Hammond]

The end of an era here is the link to the Flight aware data http://flightaware.com/live/flight/QFA6012

[Mike W]

I saw the third QF 380 arrive at SYD the other day (my first live view of a QF example) as well as EBY as it left on a ferry to MEL. It was not lost on me I was seeing the last of the 743's and the first (for me) 380 at the same time.

Very sad to see the last of the polished engined beautiful 747-300.

[Dan Collins]

I'll miss them. The A330's on the SYD-PER route have nothing on the interior of the B743. I guess we were spoilt in that regard though.

At the airport, I'll miss their engines, and their SOUND! I last saw VH-EBV whilst spotting on Boxing Day and she'd even been all cleaned up. I think she operated SYD-PER-SYD, did she also do a LAX route?

Dan

[Tracey S]

Hi Dan,
Yes, VH-EBV did do the Boxing day SYD-PER-SYD run.
Both VH-EBV and VH-EBW's last commercial service was QF26 LAX-AKL-MEL.
VH-EBV will be the last bird to bid farewell.

Regards,
~ Tracey

[Dave C]

On the 29th there was a 300 parked at the Cargo terminal. Does anyone know which one that was? I assume it wasn't the last one to fly commercially, as it would have been in Mel. Is there still a 300 in Australia, or have they all actually departed our shores?

[Mark Grima]

Not from a product side. Cyclic IFE and Dreamtime business class seats still operating to this day is appalling.

I am glad they are gone!

Gotta say I am almost offended by that. Perceived luxury is only a small part of a overall service for many people. No one will deny you can get a more comfy ride then one of QFs old 743s but you can't get the history that they have bought to our shores, you can't get the sound that offer nor the nice shiny Rolls Royce’s.

Its the memories that people get every time they see a classic that they will miss.

I have not flown a 743 since my 11 Sep 2002 FCO-SIN flight. I am disappointed that on that occasion I didn't take down the rego.

So long.

Cheers

M

[chrisb]

Is there still a 300 in Australia, or have they all actually departed our shores?

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qantas/Boeing-747-338/0910763/L/

Is EBU still in Avalon? If it is, i assume it'll be waiting to become some coke cans...

I'll miss the 743's on PER-SYD/MEL runs.

[Krzysztof M]

On the 29th there was a 300 parked at the Cargo terminal. Does anyone know which one that was? I assume it wasn't the last one to fly commercially, as it would have been in Mel. Is there still a 300 in Australia, or have they all actually departed our shores?

Dave on the 29th it was VH-EBY, departed at 10am as QFA6??? (can't remember exactly). She rotated very early so presumably off to Melbourne.

Edit: Why not throw in a pic
http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn327/N495QS/Aviation/VHEBYDec291900.jpg

[Marty H]

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qantas/Boeing-747-338/0910763/L/

Is EBU still in Avalon? If it is, i assume it'll be waiting to become some coke cans...

I'll miss the 743's on PER-SYD/MEL runs.

Still down there but now the fleet is finished I would say she will be broken up fairly soon.

[Sarah C]

Lovely pic as always Krzysztof!

[James K]

Not from a product side. Cyclic IFE and Dreamtime business class seats still operating to this day is appalling.

I am glad they are gone!

Hmm Andrew. Just like Star Class masquerading as Business Class really :p

[Mike W]

[FONT="Arial"]

Mate I am afraid that unless you are a die hard enthusiast, the general consumer could not care either way. They want to get from A to B and predominantly prefer a good product and price for this service.



It'd be fairly safe to say, wer'e all die hard enthusiasts on this site. Hence the general sadness to see the last of a type finish up, especially one as magnificent as the 743.

[Mike W]

Dave on the 29th it was VH-EBY, departed at 10am as QFA6??? (can't remember exactly). She rotated very early so presumably off to Melbourne.

Edit: Why not throw in a pic
http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn327/N495QS/Aviation/VHEBYDec291900.jpg

It was QF6001.

[James R]

I always had a soft spot for VH-EBY - shame to see her go.

[D Chan]

Again I stand by my statement that it would be disappointing spending $14,000 on a return J class chair to Los Angeles and sitting in a seat/product that was introduced more then 10 years ago.

indeed that's correct but it would still be better than UA's :eek: offer (unless we're talking about their new product)

I can assure you there was nothing more painful then watching the old 742 be cut-up into tin cans.

There's actually a little bit more to this - with the 743 gone there will be no more Flight Engineers left in QF. They were endangered but now an extinct species!

[Seth Jaworski]

-EBW was sitting by the pond this arvo, any idea when she'll make her final departure?

[Jason Carruthers]

Does anyone know the status of VH-EBV last time I checked i'm pretty sure it ferried SYD-MEL after operating the final 743 domestic service. Is she still in MEL?

[Jamie D]

heres one they disposed of earlier - EBT at RME

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/5892932.jpg

[Bernie P]

heres one they disposed of earlier - EBT at RME

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/5892932.jpg

Have ANY of these old girls picked up a new operator, or will they all be broken up?

[Bob C]

According to an answer I received on another site, VH-EBV arrived MEL 29/12 on its last passenger flight which was QF26 from LAX and AKL and then ferried same day MEL-SYD as QF6019.

VH-EBW arrived MEL 28/12 on its last passenger flight which was QF26 from
LAX and AKL and then ferried same day MEL-SYD as QF6007.

VH-EBY ferried SYD-MEL as QF6001 on 29/12 to operate QF25 MEL-AKL-LAX also on 29/12.

That was the last passenger service of the B747-338 for Qantas and on arrival in LAX (29/12 local) VH-EBY then ferried to Marana as QF6012.

Thanks to GR for the information.

[Karl M]

VH-EBY ferried SYD-MEL as QF6001 on 29/12 to operate QF25 MEL-AKL-LAX also on 29/12.



I was this flight leaving while I was at work on that day.
I stood and watched it climb off RWY16 knowing it would probably the last time I would see one of the 743's.
Did not know it would be the last service for them all.

Will remember that moment forever!

[Krzysztof M]

Thanks Sarah, I was very lucky on that day. I just went to drop off a friend for her flight and kaboom! VH-OQC delivery flight and VH-EBY last ever flight out of Sydney. Funny coincidence though, those two.

Cheers Mike for the flight number clarification!

[Sarah C]

Thanks Sarah, I was very lucky on that day. I just went to drop off a friend for her flight and kaboom! VH-OQC delivery flight and VH-EBY last ever flight out of Sydney. Funny coincidence though, those two.

Cheers Mike for the flight number clarification!

Nice timing though........farewell to a classic, hello to the new!

[Anthony J]

VH-EBW will ferry out of Sydney to Honolulu on January 4 as QFA6020 at 1900.

[Bob C]

Now the $64 question.

Does anyone know what sort of hours/cycles the B747-338 fleet flew in service with QANTAS ?

Did any reach the 100,000 hour mark ?

I've obtained similar information from various sources over the years for other B747s withdrawn from service so presume that it won't be sensitive to report.

[Nigel C]

VH-EBW will ferry out of Sydney to Honolulu on January 4 as QFA6020 at 1900.

AJ, do you know when the other one in the jet base will go out?

Cheers

[Anthony J]

No Nigel, I couldn't find a flight in our system for it.

I'll keep looking. Maybe it will be mounted on a pole outside the Jetbase ;)

[Grant Smith]

Maybe it will be mounted on a pole outside the Jetbase ;)

A gift to aviation indeed ;)

[Bill S]

No Nigel, I couldn't find a flight in our system for it.

I'll keep looking. Maybe it will be mounted on a pole outside the Jetbase ;)

Can I have it .... please? :)

[Sarah C]

No Nigel, I couldn't find a flight in our system for it.

I'll keep looking. Maybe it will be mounted on a pole outside the Jetbase ;)

;) We can only hope - just leave it there QF! :p If they don't want it, there are plenty of us who have suggestions!

[Nigel C]

I'm sure the fireys could use it for training purposes...

I wonder how many burns of the frame they could get out of it?:eek:

[Andrew P]

VH-EBW will ferry out of Sydney to Honolulu on January 4 as QFA6020 at 1900.

at 1937

could hear a plane on non-normal route, look up

it was a QF747-300 flying over Pymble heading east

bye-bye

Banjo

[Andrew P]

spot on

Banjo

[Dave C]

Was at T2 at around 5pm. Saw them tow her for the last time from the engineering area to T1. Just arrived home, and she's already gone. Gulp.

[Nigel C]

It's interesting that the 743's are nearly gone for good, but geez, it's only a piece of used metal!

Teaspoon of cement, anyone?;)

[Jayden Laing]

Question:
How many 743's are left to be ferried out or is EBW the last one to go? Would love to photograph one just one last time

[Nigel C]

EBW went today, and I think only EBX(?) is left at Sydney.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Good bye EBW ....

Message label: H1 Block id: 8 Msg. no: M19A
Flight id: QF6020
Message content:-
#4PB
CLB
VH-EBW QFA6020
084522 04JAN09 YSSY PHNL 300 0 -A13 6
00167 20015 0742 349
1 0929 0957 0919 6656 04796 1568 568 069 192 458 07
2 0925 0967 0913 6580 04755 1563 642 068 128 491 08
3 093
-------------------------------------[04/01/2009 19:45]

[Bob C]

I think that VH-EBX departed Sydney for storage in Marana, Az about 22 November 2008.

So that only leaves VH-EBU which is rotting away at Avalon and will probably be scrapped there.

[Nigel C]

There is one more 743 still parked at Qantas west at Sydney.

[Marty H]

So that only leaves VH-EBU which is rotting away at Avalon and will probably be scrapped there.

Nalanji coke cans coming to a coke machine near you;)

[Bob C]

Hi Nigel

I misread my files ; I have VH-EBV operating its last service on 29/12 as LAX-AKL-MEL and then ferrying the same day to Sydney where it probably remains as you say.

Sorry for the mix up.

[Krzysztof M]

We've had a good weep together at the fence, so here we go for the very last time.


If you can't see it's the -300 approaching, you can certainly hear it.
http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn327/N495QS/Aviation/VHEBWJan42900.jpg

The final wave.
http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn327/N495QS/Aviation/VHEBWJan44900.jpg

That's it. No more.
http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn327/N495QS/Aviation/VHEBWJan45900.jpg

[D Chan]

Here's a few from me. Have not enhanced these so excuse the graininess. Luckily the sun came out at the last moment and made things a little better :D I don't have stairs so I decided to stay in the car park.

1. changing of the guard (-400s are the only 747s left / no more F/E in QF)
2. nose gear off runway, they will never touch Australian soil again
3. Recognise yourselves? :p

[Sarah C]

Once again, lovely photos Krzysztof! Those shots really do show the beauty of the 300. Isn't it nice when the crew give you a wave like that!

[Krzysztof M]

Thanks Sarah. A word of explanation here on the wave from the cockpit. Full credit goes to fellow photographer Brianna McLaughlin whose gorgeous smile and enthusiastic wave undoubtedly softened the hearts of these pilots!

Also tremendous thanks to her dad and grandpa for an awesome day of spotting and all your help!!

Till next time,
K.

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Thanks Sarah. A word of explanation here on the wave from the cockpit. Full credit goes to fellow photographer Brianna McLaughlin whose gorgeous smile and enthusiastic wave undoubtedly softened the hearts of these pilots!

Also tremendous thanks to her dad and grandpa for an awesome day of spotting and all your help!!

Till next time,
K.

I think the fact that the F/O's parents were at the fence alongside us might have also had something to do with the wave too Krzysztof, but we all had a great time too.

Cheers

[NickN]

Awesome photos, and a sad day for Australian aviation, such a great aircraft to see.

[Radi K]

How come they didn’t remove the QF logo's etc like some previous retired birds?

Great shots, funny to think QF was a 747 Classic ONLY airline not that long ago.

How times change...

[Paul C.]

These 743's served their time very well. Great shots of EBW still in its 1980's paint job. I bet you its a very sad day for the QF staff and members too. Soon they will be just sitting there and fading away in the desert as getting slowly used for parts.

[Will T]

This notice has just been posted to crew:

The final 747-300 Classic aircraft, VH-EBV will depart Sydney on Tuesday 20th January 2009 at 1900.

The aircraft will be ferried via HNL to Marana in Arizona for storage, joining EBY and EBW. EBX is also at Marana but has been sold to Evergreen International.

[Sarah C]

This notice has just been posted to crew:

Thanks for the update Will. Good to her EBX has a buyer.

[Andrew H]

Evergreen own the Marana facility and I doubt they have bought EBX with any intention other than to part it out.

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Evergreen own the Marana facility and I doubt they have bought EBX with any intention other than to part it out.

...unless they want to convert it into one of their 'supertankers'! :eek:

[Sam L]

Can anyone recommend a good viewing spot for the final lift-off 16R/34L?

[matthew mcdonald]

I'll be at the obbs deck.

[Jayden Laing]

Yeh i will be there taking photos of the old girl if anyone is interested in a chat.
Hope to see some of you there.

Jayden

[David M]

Any photos of the last departure yet??

David.M.

[Sarah C]

Double post - my computer is painfully slow right now.....

[Sarah C]

I am just back from the airport. I have to say I almost (almost) shed a tear this afternoon. I was so glad I was there for the farewell.

The aircraft left about 45 minutes late but it was worth it. The sun was setting so it will be great to see the different lighting from the beach and observation deck. I was at the mound and some of the effects were amazing!

After taxiing, the fire bridage gave it a nice jet spray - nice touch! It was very windy so the mist effect looked great. I hope the photos show it. Well done and thanks for that nice moment! :)

The aircraft then stopped right at the beach. I have a feeling they stopped on purpose for the crowd to get some photos - I am sure they appreciated it!

The take off was amazing. The crosswind was very strong - I don't know if it was deliberate (it might have been!) but the aircrafts wing tips tipped up and down after rotation. Very impressive sight!

Look forward to the photos from the board members - I will post some photos in the next 24 hours or so.

Thank you VH-EBV for so many years of great service. An end of an era.........the classics will be missed!

[Jayden Laing]

Well, tonight marked the end of another era. VH-EBV was the last airworthy 747-300 in Qantas' fleet to be ferried out to Marana. The take off was fantastic with the Captain waving the wings at about 500ft as VH-EBV climbed off runway 34L. The pilots took her for one last scenic flight over Sydney as EBV turned right to go out over the harbour then a gentle turn left to go out over the heads enroute to HNL. I took a couple of pictures but as light was fading fast, so too did photo quality. However I did my best with the situation & came up with these photos.

[Grant Smith]

I am just back from the airport. I have to say I almost (almost) shed a tear this afternoon. I was so glad I was there for the farewell.

Jesus... Sounds like you just attended a funeral...

[Jayden Laing]

yeh i got some photos from the observation deck in this thread,

Cheers,
Jayden

[Nigel C]

Jesus... Sounds like you just attended a funeral...

The sad thing is there will be a State Funeral tomorrow, and a lot of people are more worried about watching a fly-past.....
:rolleyes:

[Grant Smith]

yeh i got some photos from the observation deck in this thread,

http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=2312

Cheers,
Jayden

Why didn't you just add the photos to this thread? Was there really a need to start a new one?

[Grahame Hutchison]

Last ACARS from VH-EBV ....

VH-EBV QF6020 20/01/2009 19:49 Qantas B747-338 Sydney-Honolulu

A nice Sam Chui photograph of VH-EBV (http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/middle/6/0/8/1125806.jpg) departing YSSY back in September 2006

[Jayden Laing]

I forgot about this thread until i had the other one established. SORRY!!:)

[Sarah C]

Nice photos Jayden - thank you for sharing. My photos below:

[Jayden Laing]

I also managed to take these shots of VH-EBV as she was being taken to Gate 35.

[Dan Hammond]

Great photos guys:)

[Bernie P]

This was my first (and last) memories of my flight on a 743... It was back in 2005, flying into Narita (then onto Copenhagen...):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/3212984399_d543748180.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/3213839566_572f97bb39.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3213865930_7de4aae9a5.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3213865940_281b4fcb78.jpg

Gone, but not forgotten...

[Nigel C]

Ok, so the pilots can be re-trained onto other types, but does anyone know what happens to the flight engineers?

[Bernie P]

Ok, so the pilots can be re-trained onto other types, but does anyone know what happens to the flight engineers?

Would there be that much of a difference between a 743 & 744 (operationally of course...)?

[Sam L]

I was on the Obs Deck with Jayden and I was sad to see the end of an era with the last 743 depart - but what a departure! :eek:

As others mentioned, a couple of seconds after rolling the Pilot tipped his left wing toward the Terminal at an angle I didn't think I'd ever see a 747-XXX attempt so low to the ground. Having reached such an angle the plane swiftly banked back to the right to about the same degree.

Awesome stuff.

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Would there be that much of a difference between a 743 & 744 (operationally of course...)?

Just a small one - the 744s don't have Flight Engineers!

[Bernie P]

Just a small one - the 744s don't have Flight Engineers!

DOH!!!!

Ok, let me ask that again... DOES a 743 Captain/First Officer, have the ability/authority to fly a 744, simply walking up, sit down, and take off, or do they require additional training/certification>> :D

[Adam P.]

Nige,
F/Es were offered other jobs within Qantas... some took them, others didn't - I know a number went back to the RAAF to fly Orions.

No longer an 'endangered species', they are now 'extinct' - at least as far as Qantas is concerned!

[Andrew McLaughlin]

DOH!!!!

Ok, let me ask that again... DOES a 743 Captain/First Officer, have the ability/authority to fly a 744, simply walking up, sit down, and take off, or do they require additional training/certification>> :D

No, they need to be retrained and endorsed on the -400 - very different systems. I'm sure AJ and Will can elaborate...

[Nigel C]

Nige,
F/Es were offered other jobs within Qantas... some took them, others didn't - I know a number went back to the RAAF to fly Orions.

No longer an 'endangered species', they are now 'extinct' - at least as far as Qantas is concerned!

Ta. They've got a very specialised skill set which has a fast shrinking demand.
I wonder if any took jobs with freight operators like Malaysian who still use the classics?

[Anthony J]

No, they need to be retrained and endorsed on the -400 - very different systems. I'm sure AJ and Will can elaborate...
They have to do a full 747-400 conversion course of ground school and simulators, plus line training.

[Bill S]

No, they need to be retrained and endorsed on the -400 - very different systems. I'm sure AJ and Will can elaborate...

Most of the systems are much the same, but the human interface and a lot of the controller boxes are different.
And yes, it's a different type rating though they fly very much the same.

[Krzysztof M]

Speaking of flight engineers from the classics, do they have (or have to have) a license to fly? In other words, are they/do they have to be trained pilots?

[Owen H]

No they don't have to have a licence to fly as pilots... they don't sit in the pilots seats.

Some QF F/E's made the leap a few years ago and did their training to become pilots... had to go right back to the light aircraft and do all the training. Some of them are now Captains I believe.

And flying a 743 vs a 744 is like chalk and cheese. Similar enough in their handling and overall system design, but there are some systems differences, and major avionics differences, and different operating policies and techniques.

[Robert Zweck]

Years ago it was not uncommon to find an Ansett Flight Engineer to have a PPL.

[Krzysztof M]

Thanks guys. Wasn't sure if airlines have any preferences as to that, cheers.

[Shameel Kumar]

I've been busy packing, but I found time to get out there to farewell VH-EBV. As others have said, it was really special of the pilots to stop the plane to give us SYD spotters who were out there a great photo opportunity. Great afternoon all up.... will definitely miss those shiny bare-metal engines. :(

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/2908/adsc01912copyvw8.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5900/adsc01928copyqu5.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5373/adsc01970copyyp4.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6129/adsc01986copytf3.jpg

This was a special week for me as it is my final week in Australia before I make the permanent move to the States, so to see the final QF 747 Classic flight, as well as being at the Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout as VH-OQA did her fly-by tribute to Nancy Bird-Walton, it was a great way to wrap-up my spotting days at Sydney. :)

[Sarah C]

Thanks for sharing your pics Shameel! Good luck with the move as well, looking forward to your trip report ;):)

[Andrew M]

Very very good pics there!

All the best with the move to the USA

:D

[Dan Hammond]

looks like she made the final flight.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/QFA6020

[D Chan]

It's a pity I couldn't go to watch EBV leave. I wanted the newer 'Spirit of Australia' title.
Anyway here's my shot of EBW.
http://www.jetphotos.net//viewphoto.php?id=6469635

[Sarah C]

Shameless plug........For those who don't already get the best publication around ;), this months edition of Aus Aviation features the departure of the classics on the cover and there are some nice shots taken by Andrew in the feature story. Well done to all concerned for covering the classics leaving our shores. :)

[Tom PER]

Might be of interest.

3 of the QF B743's are listed for sale:

-EBV total time=90108hrs total cycles=17512
-EBW total time=86691hrs total cycles=16393
-EBY total time=86555hrs total cycles=15771

By comparision ZK-NBS a 1989 build B744=86330hrs and 11276 total cycles.

[Bruce Bramwell]

I wonder if any will be sold & seen flying again?

[Marty H]

I doubt it at the rate airlines are dumping B747's at the moment. Also the low number of B743's that are currently in operation also makes them more useful as parts.

[Tim C]

DJ not interested in any 743's for their booming routes Marty?

[Marty H]

DJ not interested in any 743's for their booming routes Marty?

No we dont fly '**** cans' just 'flying laptops':p

[Marty H]

Maybe Adelaide/Hobart; big loads and lots of freight... :)

Negative being served quite well with and E-190;)

[Bill S]

I doubt it at the rate airlines are dumping B747's at the moment. Also the low number of B743's that are currently in operation also makes them more useful as parts.

There's still (I think) a big demand for 747 freighters as there's nothing even close to doing what they can do. Even the Classics are still a good thing as long as they have the later engines.

[Tim Bowrey]

Sorry to bring this topic up but I thought this pic would intrest everyone.:(:(

Top left hand corner
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6444280&nseq=1

[Brandon Giacomin]

Here's another photo of a QF 743 at marana
http://www.airliners.net/photo/-/-/1496576/L/&sid=6b5a13d79c0c8d2edf6fcba80df9db66

[Jamie D]

The former vh-ebt has begun its date with the chopping block

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4804692/

if you click on the threadstarters user name you can see the photos a bit bigger

[Oliver Gigacz]

Very sad sight.

[phil.l]

Marana ?

[Fred C]

Rome. New York.;)

[phil.l]

Cheers Fred.

[Dave Dale]

For those who maybe interested, the final 747-300's in storage have been sold, as reported yesterday.

Qantas Airways Ltd. is bringing older 747-300 planes out of desert storage after finding a buyer for them, Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said today in a phone interview. The aircraft had been kept in Arizona. Accelerated build rates at Airbus and Boeing also point to more confidence in the rebound, he said

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-11/cathay-british-airways-recall-jumbo-jets-from-desert-as-traffic-rebounds.html

dave