The 1970 short film The New Era: Flight Testing the 747 Superjet is a
documentary on the flight testing of Boeing’s 747 wide-body commercial
jet with commentary from the 747 flight test personnel. The film begins
with shots of the superjet taking off (
00:10), landing, and flying through the air (
01:21).
Boeing tests the first five 747s off the production line, with several
commercial airlines vying to be involved. Pan American Airways (
02:17) and Trans World Airways (
02:43) win the rights to collaborate. Some of the first tests conducted are wind tunnel testing (
02:50), airframe testing (
03:22), and wind-load testing (
04:10). Boeing and FAA flight crews meet (
04:30) to discuss additional upcoming flight tests. Engineers observe data from flight tests in a control room (
05:15). A 747 flies with snow-capped mountains in the background (
05:59). The next set of tests are high-speed flutter tests (
06:30). Boeing engineers are so invested in the 747 project that they with pilots immediately after landing (
07:10). Flight tapes’ data from flight tests (
07:26)
are entered into a computer to review the data and instrumentation. The
biggest change in flight testing is the data: the amount of data
obtained and how quickly it is processed, made possible with computers (
08:12), is far more advanced than in previous years. The 747 is tested in rainy weather (
08:35), taking off in adverse conditions. A 747 flies into Roswell, New Mexico (
09:04),
where people and businesses greet the arrival of the superjet with
great fanfare that includes a marching band. The 747’s landing gear is
tested (
10:37), and then breaking tests are conducted with various failure conditions applied (
11:30); an engineer inspects the 16-wheel assemblies (
12:10). The film then shows the installation of the wheel assemblies (
12:47).
A car drives out into a field near Roswell to check a wind station to
determine wind conditions. A 747 makes an approach and landing (
14:20). Engineers test the engines (
15:00), and as a precaution have a fire engine on hand (
15:20). Test personnel test the 747’s actual stopping distance (
15:50) next. Additional flight tests conducted on the longest runway in the U.S. (
16:46). The film then shows viewers the inside of the 747’s cockpit (
17:17). Interior tests are conducted (
18:08), including running hydraulics tests and electrical tests. A woman at the Boeing facility in Seattle reads film (
18:50)
from cameras on the plane to process data from the remote base test
sites. The next sets of tests are autopilot simulated malfunctions while
landing (
19:37), stalls to test the performance and characteristics (
20:02), landing in strong cross winds at Walla Walla (
20:50), and VMU tests (
22:05)—where the tail of the plane is forced to hit the runway. The final tests are testing for spray patters (
23:18;
24:51), and an icing test with fabricated ice buildup (
25:08). A view from the cockpit of the 747 while it taxis (
24:21) shows the excellent viewpoint and vantage the superjet has. An FAA administrator arrives at Boeing (
25:40)
for the final meeting to sign off on the final manual, the
air-worthiness certificate, production certificate, and type
certificate. The meeting, where several speakers address the group, ends
with the 747 receiving the FAA type. The film concludes with various
shots of the 747 flying and parked on the tarmac.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest
historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage
collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available
for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
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