Chris Spradlin

Dad | 747-400/-8 Pilot | Licensed Dispatcher | Photographer | World Traveler | AvGeek | Weather Geek | ERAU Alum - PRC |  | Tesla |

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

Tonight marks the end of an era, the final 747 rolls off the assembly line. As a jumbo pilot it’s sad to know there will be no more built, but at the same time I’m grateful I get to fly such a magnificent machine. Joe Sutter left us a great legacy!

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

The Queen will always be the best looking airliner of all time, but if I had to pick a runner up...the Airbus A350 would be it. She’s got some beautiful lines.

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

To say it’s been snowing a bit this week in Anchorage is an understatement. Polar 747-8F N851GT is hiding behind a mountain of snow awaiting its next flight down to the lower 48.

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

Always a beautiful view when arriving over the South China Sea into Hong Kong.

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

When a FedEx MD-11 cuts us off over Russia, we just sit back and wait as our faster cruise speed allows us to pass them up in just a few minutes. #B747 #Queenoftheskies

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

@loufrankel Ha! I didn’t even catch that! Very appropriate for sure.

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

There’s nothing that evokes the romance of commercial flight much more than walking up to a 747 parked at the gate waiting for its next long flight to far off lands. Long live The Queen! #B747 #Queenoftheskies

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

@PragueorBrno Yes it was! Good eye.

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

A Russian & American standoff in Houston. The AN-124 vs B747-400. I know which one looks best!

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

After a divert to Melbourne, a quick refuel and one wild ride into Sydney, we ended our long day with a welcoming rainbow. @miami_rick fought a crazy wind to bring the queen down to a safe landing on 16R. #eventhebirdsarewalkingtoday

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

@miami_rick @www16Right @SydneyAirport Hey @miami_rick do you mind if I join ya? That landing sounds like a good time!

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

The 2nd Amazon Prime Air 737-800BCF just arrived in Anchorage this morning on its way from China to the U.S. It is temporarily registered N843DM but will become N5113A. I think the new paint scheme looks good under the lights. #avgeek

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

So much avgeek goodness in this pic taken yesterday at Tokyo Narita. NCA 747-8 taking a new load of cargo while the brand new ANA A380 sits waiting its entry into service. That livery almost makes the A380 look good! Almost... #AvGeek

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

@parojask Indicated was about 135kts which is not our slowest. I’ve seen landing indicated speeds as low as 119kts before.

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

A Cessna or 747? Our groundspeed on final last night got down to 96kts! It felt like we were just hovering. Impressive how slow an empty 747 can fly. #avgeek

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

A unique perspective of the different winglets on the 747-400 vs 747-8. #avgeek #747at50 #WhyILoveThe747

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

I guess I should share some of my 747 pics today to celebrate the 50th birthday of the 747. Here’s 747 no. 1, a JALways -200, the famous 747SP, and the beautiful -400. #WhyIlovethe747 #747turns50 #QueenOfTheSkies #avgeek

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

As we approach the 50th birthday of the 747, I have the privilege today of flying the most unique version of The Queen, the Boeing Dreamlifter or Large Cargo Freighter - LCF. Notice it has no winglets similar to the classic 747’s.

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

Dawn over the arctic? Nope over North Dakota yesterday on a record cold morning. Temp at FL350 was -48°c, temp on the ground was not much warmer at -33°c.

[Chris Spradlin @747400Pilot]

The sun warming up the belly of our bird on a beautiful afternoon in Alaska. #QueenOfTheSkies