747: Creating The World's First Jumbo Jet And Other Adventures From A Life In Aviation
by Jay Spenser /
2006 / English / PDF
90.1 MB Download
747 is the thrilling story behind "the Queen of the Skies" -- the
Boeing 747 -- as told by Joe Sutter, one of the most celebrated
engineers of the twentieth century, who spearheaded its design
and construction.
747 is the thrilling story behind "the Queen of the Skies" -- the
Boeing 747 -- as told by Joe Sutter, one of the most celebrated
engineers of the twentieth century, who spearheaded its design
and construction.
Born in 1921 in Seattle, Sutter grew up on a hilltop overlooking
the Boeing plant and flying field. It was a thrilling era of open
cockpits, silk scarves, leather helmets, and goggles. After
serving in World War II, Sutter joined Boeing, then a small
company, eager to build airplanes.
Born in 1921 in Seattle, Sutter grew up on a hilltop overlooking
the Boeing plant and flying field. It was a thrilling era of open
cockpits, silk scarves, leather helmets, and goggles. After
serving in World War II, Sutter joined Boeing, then a small
company, eager to build airplanes.
In July 1965, he was asked to lead the large Boeing team
designing the new 747. Pan Am wanted a new airliner as quickly as
possible. This all-new transport had to be far bigger than
anything in service or even on anybody's drawing board. To make
it fly, Sutter and his team would have to push far beyond the
technological boundaries of the late 1960s. Could it be done?
In July 1965, he was asked to lead the large Boeing team
designing the new 747. Pan Am wanted a new airliner as quickly as
possible. This all-new transport had to be far bigger than
anything in service or even on anybody's drawing board. To make
it fly, Sutter and his team would have to push far beyond the
technological boundaries of the late 1960s. Could it be done?
Almost everything about the 747 would be unprecedented. Its cabin
would be so wide that it would need two aisles. Its horizontal
tail would be bigger than the wings of most airliners ever built.
Jet engines big enough to lift it off the ground didn't yet
exist. Runways at the world's airports couldn't handle it, and
neither could Boeing's factories. They had to erect the world's
largest building just to produce it. A truly mammoth undertaking,
the 747 became one of the most successful airplane models ever.
Almost everything about the 747 would be unprecedented. Its cabin
would be so wide that it would need two aisles. Its horizontal
tail would be bigger than the wings of most airliners ever built.
Jet engines big enough to lift it off the ground didn't yet
exist. Runways at the world's airports couldn't handle it, and
neither could Boeing's factories. They had to erect the world's
largest building just to produce it. A truly mammoth undertaking,
the 747 became one of the most successful airplane models ever.
Sutter's vivid narrative takes us back to a time when American
technology was cutting-edge -- the 747 came on the market the
same year that men first set foot on the moon -- and jet travel
was still glamorous and new. With wit and warmth, he gives an
insider's sense of the larger-than-life-size personalities -- and
the tensions -- in the aeronautical world. Ultimately, 747 is an
inspiring story of grit and glory.
Sutter's vivid narrative takes us back to a time when American
technology was cutting-edge -- the 747 came on the market the
same year that men first set foot on the moon -- and jet travel
was still glamorous and new. With wit and warmth, he gives an
insider's sense of the larger-than-life-size personalities -- and
the tensions -- in the aeronautical world. Ultimately, 747 is an
inspiring story of grit and glory.