I Gotta Stay Fly
Airplanes are so cool (and so big).
Howdy! Joey here, back for more Fun Fact Friyay. We’re taking to the skies today.
The wingspan of a 747 airplane is longer than the distance of the Wright Brothers’ first flight.
Remember when we learned about famous historical figures in school? Aside from Eli Whitney inventing the cotton gin, one — or in this case, two — of the more memorable inventors set the foundation for taking flight.
Wilbur and Orville Wright made their famous first flight at Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903. The flight lasted approximately 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet.
On January 22, 1970, the 747 brought us into the wide-body aircraft age with a flight from New York to London. The Pan American flight, dubbed “Clipper Young America,” changed air travel as we know it.
The first jumbo jet was built about 16 months earlier, on September 30, 1968. While we were jamming to “Midnight Confessions” and “Piece of My Heart,” aviation was getting a new look.
This aircraft, a 747-121 with the very fancy internal name RA001, had a wingspan of 195 feet and 8 inches — about 75 feet longer than the Wright Brothers traveled.
The next time you board an aircraft, take a moment to appreciate just how long that wingspan is. And then, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to extend your arms out and make airplane noises for the duration of the flight.
Very interesting! Had to read before bed and learn my fun fact of the day. Thanks, Joey!
Always a fun read to start my Fridays, Joey! 😁 (and yes, I think holding out your arms and making flying noises is the way to go!)