DID747 From France, joined Apr 2005, 400 posts, RR: 1 Posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 21868 times:
John is an aviation fan and a good pilot. when I see all the second hands 747-200, 300, 400 or SP at VCV, I think why doesn't he buy one of them to replace his old 707?
N747JT would be the first movie star private 747, isn't it?
Jetmatt777 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 2663 posts, RR: 36 Reply 1, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 21836 times:
Getting it into and out of his private strip might be a challenge. Also, fueling a 747 would cost a ton more.
Ronaldo747 From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 309 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 21807 times:
BalZ18 From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 143 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 21711 times:
I'm kinda curious as to why you would ask that? I mean its 100% valid as a question but I for one think that his 707 is quite possibly one of the most beautiful aircraft flying today. Having said that I'd love to to take one out of the boneyard. Not sure what I'd do with it but I'd love one! Just my friendly !
RFields5421 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 6150 posts, RR: 25 Reply 6, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 21114 times:
Yes, and Travolta has flown some of them, and will fly QF 747s again.
The 707 is a unique aircraft in today's world. A private 747 is just another plane. Also, the 747 is an order of magnitude increase in costs - fuel, landing fees and more.
John is not hurting, but even he has limits to his disposable cash.
Yvphx From United States of America, joined Jul 2009, 228 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 21005 times:
I wonder if J.T has an airliners.net account? Maybe we could get his opinion on this matter.
Cpd From Australia, joined Jun 2008, 4879 posts, RR: 44 Reply 8, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 20734 times:
Quoting RFields5421 (Reply 6): The 707 is a unique aircraft in today's world.
Not to mention QF PR people would probably have a bit of a heart-attack if he moved to get rid of it. Having the first and last B707-138B still in operational state and wearing the corporate colours is a big PR thing.
SEPilot From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 6260 posts, RR: 39 Reply 9, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 19646 times:
Quoting Jetmatt777 (Reply 1): Getting it into and out of his private strip might be a challenge.
Actually, it probably could do it easier as far as runway length is concerned. Runway loading is a different consideration. But operating costs would be at least twice as high; even with JT's wealth that would be a considerable factor. He doesn't fly the 707 all that often; I'm sure money is a big reason. And besides, there are 747's all over the place. Not very many 707's still flying. If I had his money and his choices I'd stay with the 707.
The problem with making things foolproof is that fools are so doggone ingenious...Dan Keebler
TSS From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 2870 posts, RR: 5 Reply 10, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 19512 times:
Quoting SEPilot (Reply 9): If I had his money and his choices I'd stay with the 707.
Not knocking the 707 in any way, but if I had his money and the inclination to own a classic jetliner, I'd go with a DC-8.
And I agree with all the previous posters that a 747 is just another jet airplane. Heck, even Ernest Angley has a 747.
Able to kill active threads stone dead with a single post!
Cpd From Australia, joined Jun 2008, 4879 posts, RR: 44 Reply 11, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 19472 times:
Quoting SEPilot (Reply 9): Actually, it probably could do it easier as far as runway length is concerned.
Lightly laden B747 aircraft have amazing takeoff performance. They lift off at what looks like walking speed, let alone the rate of climb which is very impressive.
StrandedInBGM From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 329 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 18914 times:
Quoting Yvphx (Reply 7): I wonder if J.T has an airliners.net account? Maybe we could get his opinion on this matter.
Here we go again.
It's 737s, 747s and 380s. Not 737's, 747's and 380's. Learn to use the apostrophe for crying out loud.
Jetmatt777 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 2663 posts, RR: 36 Reply 13, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 18882 times:
Quoting SEPilot (Reply 9): Actually, it probably could do it easier as far as runway length is concerned.
They have 7,500 feet. They could make it, but they also don't have any IAP's - landing a 747-400 without the F/D or any instrument aids would definitely be a challenge. The 707 might be a bit easier as it is way smaller and lighter. Also, the airport only has a 2 box VASI, and it is only on Runway 36, and not the reverse side.
As you also mentioned, runway stress/loads would probably make this even further out of reality than it currently is. The FAA already rated the runway condition as "poor".
DiamondFlyer From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 1294 posts, RR: 3 Reply 14, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 18597 times:
Quoting Jetmatt777 (Reply 13): They have 7,500 feet. They could make it, but they also don't have any IAP's - landing a 747-400 without the F/D or any instrument aids would definitely be a challenge. The 707 might be a bit easier as it is way smaller and lighter. Also, the airport only has a 2 box VASI, and it is only on Runway 36, and not the reverse side.
They could have a SIAP, which is only published to those who actually need it (in this case, pay for it). Much like where he used to live, Spruce Creek (7FL6), there is no published IAPs, but there is a private SIAP (GPS 5), which is only available to the people who live there. That said, I don't think you'll see him upgrade to a 747. The 707 just looks better, and is worth preserving in the future.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 2): Why would he? Why would he give up such a unique plane?
Obviously, he shouldn't give up the 707, but barring the parking, money, and runway issues maybe he could get the 747, too? The man's gotta have a small, sporty vehicle for showing off and another family-sized one for the trips that need a SUV^H^H^H 747.
KingFriday013 From United States of America, joined May 2007, 1277 posts, RR: 10 Reply 16, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 15697 times:
His 707 is very special to him. Keep in mind it is one of 3 or 4 airworthy 707-100s left in the world.
Fun fact: I remember the first time I bought an aviation magazine, it was Airliners magazine. John Travolta's 707 was the cover story
EMBQA From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 9286 posts, RR: 13 Reply 17, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 11239 times:
I'm not so sure he's flying the 707 all that much now with the cost of fuel. Last year before the death of his Son it was sitting for extended periods of time up in NC or DE. Now that you can no longer track his aircraft its hard to really tell when it flies.
Quoting RFields5421 (Reply 6): Yes, and Travolta has flown some of them, and will fly QF 747s again.
He has never actually flown a QF aircraft. He was made an Honorary crew member as part of the promotion when he did the round the world flight in his newly painted 'Qantas' 707. Part of the promotion was also to give him a type rating in the 747-400 which was done in a simulator. He does not hold a CAA license..thus he can not fly a QF aircraft.
Quoting DID747 (Thread starter): I think why doesn't he buy one of them to replace his old 707?
As far as other reasons....
1) Fuel cost would be astronomical
2) Maintenance cost would be astronomical
3) Operating cost would be astronomical
4) Many of the places he goes on a regular basis with the 707 will not take a 747
"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog"
RFields5421 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 6150 posts, RR: 25 Reply 18, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 11239 times:
Quoting Cpd (Reply 8): Not to mention QF PR people would probably have a bit of a heart-attack
Quoting KingFriday013 (Reply 16): His 707 is very special to him. Keep in mind it is one of 3 or 4 airworthy 707-100s left in the world.
Don't forget the B707 is tied to Qantas Airlines - thus the repaint. If he gets rid of the B707, his opportunity to fly the B747 as a goodwill ambassador for Qantas will probably go away.
I don't know if there is any cash between Qantas and Travolta - but the B707 is mutually beneficial to both of them.
And a B707-100 is much more rare in today's world than a DC-8.
N707PA From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 10633 times:
The only airplane that would be better than the -138B is a Convair jet. And that is definitely not going to happen.
SEPilot From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 6260 posts, RR: 39 Reply 22, posted (3 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 10151 times:
Quoting Jetmatt777 (Reply 13): They have 7,500 feet. They could make it, but they also don't have any IAP's - landing a 747-400 without the F/D or any instrument aids would definitely be a challenge.
Who said anything about a 744? He would be much more likely to get a 741/742 if he were to get one, which is highly unlikely. And a lightly loaded 747 of any description could land in 7500 feet. The brakes, flaps, and reversers on the 747 are far more effective than on the 707.
Quoting EMBQA (Reply 17): He does not hold a CAA license..thus he can not fly a QF aircraf
He doesn't even have a commercial license; he cannot fly ANY aircraft that is being used for commercial purposes. I believe that he cannot even be a required crewmember.
The problem with making things foolproof is that fools are so doggone ingenious...Dan Keebler
26 MrSkyGuy: At this rate, the forum is going to recommend every single type of "retired" jet around.. reality is simple. The 707 tickled John's aviation chin, so
27 DID747: Aaron 747 remember about 5 years ago, the same question was here on the discussion forum, because the two Qantas 747SP were available, so someone aske
28 UnattendedBag: You want my opinion? You want the truth? You can't handle the truth! Just because there are larger aircraft in the desert, doesn't mean John Travolta
29 Richiemo: Actually, forget his flying a 747. He better stop doing movies like "Old Dogs" or he'll not have enough money to keep the '07. Possibly the worst thin
30 AustrianZRH: He asked for John, not for Jack . On topic, the 707 is the best looking plane B ever designed, why replace it? I love it!
31 Nycfuturepilot: Actually, a few years back when he was doing the round-the-world tour with Qantas, the carrier offered him some kind of a deal on one of their older 7
32 777STL: Because John Travolta has nothing better to do with his time than talk to a bunch of airplane nerds on an aviation website, right?
33 EmSeeEye: John asked me to ask all of you to stop talking about him. It gives him a complex.
34 Pnwtraveler: This is like asking an antique car lover why they have a 1920's Ford when they could have a 1940 Lincoln that is bigger and has new features with more
35 AJO: (OT alert) It's obvious that you didn't see Battlefield Earth (which was written by the founder of the Scientology cult, hence J.T. playing the lead)
36 Atomsareenough: I don't really care too much about what airplanes Travolta chooses, but if I were a very wealthy person buying a 747, I'd definitely get a 747SP.
37 Cpd: hence why I mentioned it. When XBA was brought back, both planes met up in America - Capt. Warfield and crew posed for photos with JT, both planes no
38 Tiger119: - How does JT fuel the 707-138B now? Truck in the fuel or would he fly it the six miles to DAB? - Why can you not track his flights anymore? - I thou
39 Cpd: John Travolta No PIC Rating In B-707 (by Redcordes Aug 22 2006 in Civil Aviation)
40 EMBQA: He has requested that his aircraft be blocked from flight trackers...any aircraft owner can do this. It happened right after the death of his son las
41 Jfk777: The Travolta 707 is one of the most unique planes in teh world and when its time comes to retire I hope it ends up at the Musem of Flight in Seattle.
42 Cpd: But it is very dry up at Longreach, so shouldn't be much of a problem. The problem with Smithsonian and others is that planes go there to die. They g
43 DiamondFlyer: He doesn't live at 7FL6 (Spruce Creek). He now lives at 17FL, close to Ocala. I would imagine that he either has fuel trucked in, or leaves enough in
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