NA From Germany, joined Dec 1999, 9602 posts, RR: 10 Posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 2297 times:
In 2000 Aviation partners tested huge blended winglets on a 742 freighter, registered N639FE, a former Fedex/Flying Tigers/SAS airplane (no photo w. winglets available on a.net). Why has no 747 Classic ever been equipped with them. Too expensive? I mean, on a 747, winglets must save $$$, so why was the project quietly cancelled?
Bongodog1964 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2006, 3012 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 2275 times:
Probably because theres not much mileage left in 747 classics
The newest must be approaching 20 years old and there must be a severe fuel burn disadvantage compared to the latest 747 freighters.
IMO any upgrade would need to change the propulsion as well as adding winglets; and in all probability the airframe wouldn't have enough life left to justify it
Aeroweanie From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 1600 posts, RR: 52 Reply 2, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 2009 times:
747 Classics are a dying breed, so the market just wasn't there.
Dcrawley From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 371 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1933 times:
I could just imagine standing next to those 15 foot winglets. Incredible, thank you for the picture Aeroweanie.
"Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but they'll try to have them fixed before we arrive."
A342 From Germany, joined Jul 2005, 4655 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (6 years 5 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1631 times:
Quoting Bongodog1964 (Reply 1): Probably because theres not much mileage left in 747 classics
I think they have achieved a 7% saving in fuel burn, but don't quote me on that ! So just let's say they reduce fuel burn by 4%, on a thirsty 747 Classic, this means huge savings ! The classics of some operators will be around for some time to come, e.g. Kalitta or MK airlines, so I think the programme would have made sense. IMO the fuel price was't high enough at that time.
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