Up Close To Connect With A Boeing 747

Geoffrey Thomas

By Geoffrey Thomas Tue May 30, 2023

From Captain Christiaan van Heijst we have a super video of a Boeing 747 walk around which is done before each flight.

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Christiaan explains: "Up close and personal with the Boeing 747-400. Every flight, one of the pilots or a mechanic makes a visual walk-around inspection of the airplane, checking for leaks, dents or anything else that seems out of place. A procedural bonding ritual between man and machine, knowing they will rely on each other the coming few hours aloft. She's looking good tonight, let's go."

Christiaan is one of the world’s leading aviation photographers and more of his work can be found here.

You can follow Christiaan on Instagram here: @jpcvanheijst

Airlineratings.com was developed to provide everyone in the world with a one-stop shop for everything related to airlines, formed by a team of aviation editors, who have forensically researched nearly every airline in the world.

Our rating system is rated from one to seven stars on safety – with seven being the highest ranking. Within each airline, you will find the country of origin, airline code, booking URL and seat map information. The rating system takes into account a number of different factors related to audits from aviation’s governing bodies, lead associations, as well as the airlines, own safety data. Every airline has a safety rating breakdown so you can see exactly how they rate.

Over 360 of the airlines on the site that carry 99 per cent of the world’s passengers have a product rating. Given that low-cost, regional and full-service carriers are so different we have constructed a different rating system for each which can be found within each airline.

Airlineratings.com has information on over 30 types of aircraft from the latest Boeing 787 to the A380 and smaller jets.

Best of all, there are simple answers to many of the quirky questions including:

  • “What are all those noises after takeoff and before landing?”
  • “Why do you have to put the window shades up for landing and takeoff?”
  • “What is a winglet and what is it for?
  • “Why is it so costly to fly short distances?”
  • “How often is an aircraft maintained?
  • “How strong is a wing?”
  • “How do they test aircraft”
  • “How often do plane tyres need to be replaced?”

Have questions or want to share your thoughts?

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