Cool: Wamos Air 747 Pushed Back Manually - 747

Cool: Wamos Air 747 Pushed Back Manually

Ben Schlappig — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:20:25 +0000

While overall demand for air travel is low at the moment, we are seeing a number of rescue and repatriation flights to pick up stranded travelers, as well as a bunch of extra cargo flights to get supplies around.

Continue reading: Cool: Wamos Air 747 Pushed Back Manually

Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.

Ulev — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 12:41:20 +0000

Bring Back the MD 80’s my favorite, from seating 2 starboard, now with middle seats ‘socialized’ back to 2 on port side..these recently ‘retired’ aircraft can fill the void experienced by the 737 MAX debacle...bring back my Fav AA 1087 !

greg99 — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 20:14:14 +0000

Back in the 80's, powerbacks were common at Port Columbus Airport (CMH) on TWA. It wasn't until much later that I learned that it wasn't universally done.

Kevin — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 21:46:31 +0000

At my hometown airport in Monterey, CA, back in the 90s, the United 757s and A320s would typically push back with one engine in reverse thrust. Fun to watch.

UpperDeckJohnny — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 05:58:07 +0000

Remember a QF 707 at SFO who couldn't wait for pushback so powerbacked on reverse thrust, and blew out the windows of the terminal! Lucky: might find a clip?

Don Adamson — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 05:54:45 +0000

One person can push a 747 back. The airplane is so well balanced and engineered it is very easy to get moving by just one person. I've done it but I must say the first time I saw it done I was amazed.

Shake — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 23:17:12 +0000

@Alex, "900,000 lb is a lot for 24 or so people to move…" It might be easier than you think, since rolling friction << sliding friction. High school physics haha

Billiken — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 22:57:36 +0000

And now that question which has plagued us for so long now finally has been answered!

SBS — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 22:50:49 +0000

One of the cool things about Porter departures from Toronto City airport - planes reverse propeller pitch to back away from the terminal.

David — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 22:30:16 +0000

They probably didn't have a 747-400 tow bar. Tow bars are rated for each aircraft differently and are designed to give way at a specific loading to prevent damaging the plane itself in case the tug operator makes a mistake. Using a 787 tow bar on a 747 would likely cause it to snap under a normal pushback. Conversely using a 747 tow bar on a 787, while possible, would not give way before the 787 nose gear is damaged if the tug operator makes an error.