Any B747 SPs flying ?

[Speedbird1]

Maybe I celebrated too much, but I think I saw a B747-SP over Coney Island New Years' around 2 PM. I was with the Polar Bears for their annual swim and JFK was departing Rwy 31L. I think I spotted a 747-SP heading towards Sandy Hook. Is this possible? It had 4 engines.

[Speedbird1]

I am correct. I researched on Passur and that was a B747SP I saw. It was a Saudia cargo flight, SVA 7793 from JFK to LAX. It passed over Coney beach just before 1400. Glad I wasn't dreaming.

[NIKV69]

A few of them are still flying. Yahoo and Google are your friend.

[hiss srq]

Saudia, Yemen, Iran Air and Sands spring to mind. I am sure there are others which I have undoubtedly missed. That SP you saw would not be a Cargo flight but actually a Saudia Royal Flight.

[SengaB]

What you saw was the Saudi Royal Flight's 747SP VIP.
They have 2 of them.
It arrived around 11:30am and departed around 1:45pm the same day.

From memory..
Qatar Amiri Flight VP-BAT,
Iranair
Syrian Air
Sands
P&W Canada Test Bed
N747A
Yemenia
Bahrain
Oman (still I think)
FAA N747UA (Grounded Testbed)

Senga

[Tom_Turner]

NASA - N747NA was still flying as late as 2008. retired?

No more UAE....
___________________________________
My two sketchy favorites.... (Senga I believe you got them both?)

Star Triple Seven P4-FSH still in (highly limited) service to the good Rev.

Global Peace Ambassadors N4522V for sale in Tijuana after a fiasco at Thunder Bay.

Tom

[Speedbird1]

So I wasn't imagining seeing a B747SP departing JFK. I haven't seen any at JFK for years. I knew from the shape that it was not a B744. Thanks for the info. I wish I could learn more about that royal Saudia flight. I took it for granted to be a cargo flight.

[PhilDernerJr]

Good eye, Speedbird. Glad you got to see it!

[Speedbird1]

Happy New Year, Phil and to all the members here. I am always ready to share whatever I know with you guys. I appreciate having the privilege of participating in this, my favorite site. Although being an aviation enthusiast is rough nowadays, it is still a most fascinating hobby. There is always something new to learn and to share. Cheers!

[SengaB]

Tom,
I have the UAE N747SP A6-SMR but I do not have the NASA SOPHIA 747SP yet- One if these days.
I also have the global Peace Ambassadors 747SP but not the P4-FSH.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aviophotog/sets/72157610276370115/detail

Senga

[diegodangers]

i helped push back the saudi SP a few weeks ago at EWR. beautiful plane

[hiss srq]

I totally forgot about the SOFIA bird. Shes been around like that for a while now with the black peice on her side. I remember reading an article in an aviation publication years and years ago it seems (At least 10) on her.