Post #1419678

2026-04-04 19:20 UTC

@flyhigh @rpmik VFR in a jet is rare. In Nov 2007 I saw a 747SP in unrecognizable livery taking off from SJC, where I had never seen a 747 before. The surprise continued when it turned out to be flying VFR on the "Bay Tour" route, usually flown at ~3000ft by GA piston-singles. The low altitudes of the route led to a string of news media stories where they traced reader/viewer questions (and 911 calls) to the tour out of SJC. Fry's Electronics was just showing off their new plane to friends.

Replies (2)

@ikluft@avgeek.social 2026-04-04 19:29

@flyhigh @rpmik Someone got a pic when N747FU came back a few weeks later. Then it was obvious why I wasn't quick to recognize the livery. It was actually white + stripe with decals when taking a group on tour. That time it was Ballet San Jose - one of the Fry brothers was on the board. Later it flew decals for SJ Sharks when it took them on tour. Then it was Fry's Electronics decals until they sold the plane to NASA for parts for SOFIA, just before SOFIA was cancelled. https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/6123504

Open ##1419679
@flyhigh@universeodon.com 2026-04-04 22:24

@ikluft @rpmik It is rare mostly because jets burn huge amounts of fuel at low altitudes. We did it because it was a short flight, we couldn't get an IFR clearance because of traffic, and the owner needed to make an overseas airline flight out of EWR.

Open ##1419680