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AIRCRAFT

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Boeing 707-441
1960-1979

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Continuing its pioneering initiative in jet age, in 1960 VARIG incorporates the fastest aircraft of all, the Boeing 707. On June 22, 1960 the first Boeing 707-441, registered as PP-VJA, arrived at Galeão airport, already bringing paying passengers from New York. VARIG changed on purpose sequence files, using the "J" for "jet". The number "41" at the end of the model number indicates that the aircraft was produced by VARIG.
The Boeing 707 Series 400 (PP-VJA, PP-VJB and PP-VJJ) were equipped with Rolls Royce Conway MK508 engines, more economical than Pratt & Whitney turbojet and also increasing B707’s range. This allowed to fly between Rio de Janeiro and New York nonstop for the first time in history. The flight lasted now about 9 hours only. To ensure nonstop flight, VARIG's B707-400 operated at the maximum levels, requiring all engines power and almost the entire length of Galeão International Airport runway.
After the arrival of the second unit, PP-VJB, VARIG offer three weekly nonstop flights between Rio and New York on July 20, 1960. At that time Caravelle also flew to New York twice a week with a stop in Bethlehem, Port of Spain and Nassau and Super Constellation twice a week with a stop in Port of Spain or in Bethlehem and Trujillo.
In the 60s Galeão’s runway has undergone an expansion, then B707 temporarily used Brasília airport to flight to New York.
In November 1961, Boeing 707-441 also started to operate in Rio de Janeiro - Los Angeles route, with stops in Lima, Bogota and Mexico City.
In the 70’s Boeing 707 began to be progressively replaced by wide-bodies. PP-VJB crashed near Lima in 1962 and PP-VJA and PP-VJJ were sold in 1979.

 

Operated units

03

Constructor

The Boeing Company, USA

Engine

four Rolls-Royce Conway MK-508-40, 17.500 pounds of thrust

Wingspread

145,74 feet

Length

152,92 feet

Height

42,42 feet

Cruising speed

546,83 miles/hr.

Flight reach

6,524 miles

Maximum flight altitude

41,996 feet

Cruising radius

12 h 45 min

Empty aircraft weight

143,353 pounds

Maximum take-off weight

331,722 pounds

Technical crew

05 (2 pilots, 1 flight mechanic, 1 navigator and 1 radio telegraph operator)

Maximum number of passengers

219

Maximum number of passengers (VARIG’s configuration)

138

Maximum capacity of fuel tank

19,909 gallons

Normal consumption

1,300 gallons/hr.

Minimum runway length

10,039 feet

Minimum landing strip length

6,233 feet

 

 

 

 

 

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