Two aviation history questions...

[mliva1031]

Hey everyone,

Two main, random flight questions (with a few ancillary questions...)

1) Does anyone know what the official first "jumbo jet" was? Was it the 747-300? And what were the primary differences between THE first jumbo jet and its most recent predecessor? Was it all purely cabin size/speed or was instrumentation drastically different or improved?

2) Does anyone know (specifically year/model or even just generally) when automated altimeters came to be used? I.e. when the shift went from just analog dials to the automated voice shouting out readings?

Just trying to settle a gentleman's bet over here! Any insight much appreciated.

Thanks!

[BSW727]

As far as I know the first was the 747-100. The -300 wasn't in service until sometime in the '80's.

[ViperPilot]

The big differences between the 747-100 and the most recent model 747-400 are mainly in the cockpit (glass vs. analog), a stretched flight deck, winglets, and additional passenger seating.

As far as the analog vs. 'automated' altimeter... do you mean when "Bitching Bob & Betty" (fifty, forty, thirty, etc.) started being used? If so, that is part of the TCAS system.

[C]

As far as the analog vs. 'automated' altimeter... do you mean when "Bitching Bob & Betty" (fifty, forty, thirty, etc.) started being used? If so, that is part of the TCAS system.

Not quite - TCAS is an aid to avoiding aircraft v aircraft collisions. More likely to be part of a GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System) in an approach mode. In the old days they used to be called Navigators!

As for the 747, I think it's always been the Jumbo Jet, and I suspect the term was derived by either Boeing PR or the press at the time.

[ViperPilot]

C,

So sorry about that! I looked at the wrong info. 

Alan

[mliva1031]

interesting--- thanks for your help guys.

(i lost the bet....)
: )

also, just found the real (or one of many) bitchin' betty, which i thought was kinda interesting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0AK4yxB ... re=related