Kalitta Air's N709CK

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to March 2004, with Kalitta Air's 747-132SF, N709CK (c/n 20247, l/n 159), seen above taxing out to Runway 8R to return to LAX.

20247 was originally delivered to Delta Air Lines in November 1971 as N9900. Boeing acquired it in April 1977 to convert it to a freighter, and three months later, sold to Flying Tiger Line as N805FT. When Federal Express acquired Flying Tigers in 1989, it was transferred, and re-registered as N625FE. In May 1993, it was acquired by Air Hong Kong as VR-HKC. A year later Kalitta / American International Airways purchased this 747-132SF, and registered it as N625PL. In June 1998, it was re-registered as N709CK. From February 1999 to December 2000, it was leased to AIA's Kitty Hawk International subsidiary, then returned to AIA (which re-branded to Kalitta Air). N709CK flew with Kalitta Air until December 2008, when it was stored at OSC, and was scrapped there in June 2015. The registration has been transferred to a Kalitta 747-4B5F (c/n 26396, l/n 951).

UPS Airlines' N681UP

Our April edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to 2005, and features UPS Airlines' 747-121SF, N681UP (c/n 19661, l/n 70) seen above taxiing on Taxiway RT.

19661 was originally delivered to Pan American World Airways in August 1970 as N771PA. During its time with Pan Am, it was converted to a freighter (1975), and named "Clipper Donald McKay". In February 1983, it was sold to Flying Tiger Line, re-registered as N819FT. When FedEx Express acquired Flying Tiger in 1989, it was transferred to the former's fleet as N628FE. In May 1991, it was sold to UPS, and re-registered as N681UP, and flew with UPS until November 2007. Sadly, this 747 was scrapped in 2011.

50 Years!

Today, the Boeing 747 celebrates its 50th anniversary of its first flight!

HNL has seen practically every variant of the "Queen of the Skies", with Pan American and United serving with the -100, to Korean Air and UPS with the 747-8.

Happy 50th Birthday 747!

Fifty years ago today, Boeing Commercial Airplanes rolled out the first 747-100 at Boeing's Everett, WA assembly plant, in front of its employees, airline representatives, dignitaries, and the media.

The initial 747-100 service to HNL, began with Pan American World Airways and United Airlines. Over the course of this past half-century, HNL has seen all the 747's variants transit through. Here are a list of airlines who used the 747 to serve HNL (and KOA):

Pan American World Airways

United Airlines

Trans World Airlines

Continental Airlines

The Hawaii Express

Braniff International Airlines

America West Airlines

American Airlines

Northwest Airlines

Delta Air Lines

World Airways (1st)

Kalitta Air * [as Pacific Air Cargo]

UPS Airlines *

FedEx

Atlas Air * [as Qantas Cargo]

Polar Air Cargo *

Transamerica Airlines [also as Trans International Airlines]

Flying Tigers Airlines

Evergreen International Airlines

Southern Air

Canadian Pacific Air (CP Air)

Wardair Canada

Qantas Airways * [seasonal]

Air New Zealand

Japan Airlines

All Nippon Airways

China Airlines

Air Siam

Korean Air * [seasonal]

Singapore Airlines

* Airlines currently 747s servicing HNL.

Military and government 747s:

US Air Force

Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Republic of Korea Air Force
People's Republic of China [in Air China livery]

Qatar Amiri Flight * [VIP charter]

Saudi Arabian Airlines [VIP charter]

Royal Brunei Airlines [VIP charter]

New Livery For N747GE

General Electric's 747-121 testbed, N747GE (c/n 19651, l/n 25) is returning from three months of maintenance at XMN, and is sporting a new livery. The aircraft engine testbed stopped through HNL this past September.

General Electric's Engine Testbed

General Electric's engine testbed arrived from its home-base in Victorville, California this morning. After resting for the night, N747GE (s/n 19651, l/n 25) will depart for Guam in the morning. Unfortunately, N747GE flew in with its four factory equipped Pratt and Whitneys.

Despite being 45 years old, this 747-121 has only been with two operators. It originally was delivered to Pan Am as N744PA in March, 1970. It managed to remain with the company until Pan Am ceased operations in December, 1991. General Electric then purchased it in March, 1992 and refurbished it to be used as the company's engine testbed.  

747's 1st Flight 45 Years Ago

Boeing's first 747-100, N7470 (c/n 20235, l/n 1), made its first flight 45 years ago today.

Presently, HNL has 747-400 service from United Airlines, Korean Air, China Airlines, UPS, and Atlas Air; and 747-200F service from Kalitta Air.

Atlas has substituted their 747-8Fs on occasion for their Qantas Cargo flights.

No passenger 747-8I service has been scheduled to serve HNL.

General Electric's N747GE

The General Electric Aircraft Engines 747-121 test bed, N747GE (c/n 19651, l/n 25), made an overnight stop at HNL yesterday after arriving from HKG, via GUM. The 41-year-old Jumbo Jet is seen above headed back to its VCV base. It's been reported that N747GE is bound for retirement, and will be replaced with a former Japan Airlines 747-446 (JA8910, now N356AS).

19651 was first flown in March 1970, originally delivered to Pan American World Airways in June 1972 as N744PA, and named "Clipper Ocean Spray". When Pan Am switched to the "billboard titles", N744PA was one of the first batch of PAA's 747s to receive the new livery. It would serve PAA until the airline's demise in December 1991. In March 1992, General Electric acquired this 747-121. It was registered it as N747GE, and it was configured as an engine testbed platform. All new jet engine types produced by GE were tested in the "number two" position. In one instance, N747GE was testing a GE90-115B in January 2003, which the new engine suffered a fuel leak and fire, and was stuck at HNL for a few weeks.

Kalitta Air 747-122(SF)

N712CK (c/n 19754, l/n 60), the third oldest 747 in commercial service, taxies by on a recent Kona wind day. This Kalitta Air 747-122SF has over four decades in operation. It began service with United Airlines (delivered in August 1970 as N4704U); then Pan American World Airways (acquired in December 1985, named "Clipper Belle Of The Skies"); Polar Air Cargo (converted to freighter and leased from Jet Midwest, August 1994 as N845FT); and now as a "Connie" for CKS (November 2002). Not bad looking for a 40-year-old girl huh?

General Electric's N747GE

General Electric's 747-121 powerplant testbed, N747GE (c/n 19651, l/n 25), is in town today. It arrived from VCV, and parked on the North Ramp.

19651 was originally delivered to Pan American Airways in June 1972 as N744PA. It was named "Clipper Ocean Spray", and served with PAA until 1991. GE acquired the 747-121 in December 1991, and received its current registration in March 1992.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...