Illustration: United Airlines Boeing B-747Sp Friendship One N137Ua
ID 310559471 © Laxramper | Megapixl.com
Friendship OneWhen United bought the pacific routes from Pan Am in 1986, the 747SP’s came along with them. When the opportunity came for the 747SP to set a world record, United jumped at the chance by “loaning” the airplane to pilot Clay Lacy and his crews.Of course, the goal of this flight was to set a new record for flying around the world, but there was more to the flight than just setting a record.Friendship One, as the flight would be known, would raise money for the children’s charities sponsored by the Friendship Foundation. Passengers could book a seat by paying a minimum donation of US$ 5,000.The 141-person manifest included such notable names as Apollo 11 astronaut Neal Armstrong former test pilots Bob Hoover and Gen. Laurence Craigie and Moya Lear, widow of Lear Jet founder, Bill Lear.In addition to United providing the aircraft, The Boeing Company, Pratt and Whitney and Volkswagen of America donated fuel and other required flight services.The time to beat for this flight was 45 hours, 25 minutes and 55 seconds, set by a Gulfstream III business jet.Captain Lacy said: “Our goal is to shave at least six hours off the old record.” The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in Seattle established an elaborate ground base communication center called Mission Control to provide hourly updates and track the progress of Friendship One en route.The 23,125-mile route was selected based on historic wind patterns the stops (Athens and Taipei) were chosen because of their strategic locations, refueling facilities and good weather
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