How fast is a 747 going when it touches down?

What speed does a Boeing 747 land at? A 747 'Jumbo Jet' would typically land at a speed of about 145kts-150kts (166mph-172mph), depending on the landing flap setting selected.



A Boeing 747-400 or 747-8 typically touches down at a speed between 145 and 160 knots, which translates to approximately 167 to 184 mph (268 to 296 km/h). The exact "touchdown speed" (VREF​) depends heavily on the aircraft's landing weight, the flap setting (usually Flaps 25 or 30), and environmental factors like headwind or runway altitude. A fully loaded 747 landing at its Maximum Landing Weight (MLW) of around 630,000 lbs will require a higher speed to maintain lift than a "ferry flight" with no passengers and low fuel. Pilots typically fly the final approach about 5 knots faster than the stall-threshold speed to provide a safety buffer. At the moment of touchdown, the pilot "flares" the aircraft, raising the nose to increase drag and bleed off a few extra knots of speed, ensuring the main landing gear makes a smooth contact with the runway. Once the wheels are down, spoilers and thrust reversers are deployed to rapidly decelerate the massive "Jumbo Jet" to taxiing speeds.

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At cruising altitude, most commercial airplanes fly at a speed of roughly 500 to 600 mph. When landing, however, they must reduce their speed. A typical 747, for instance, has a landing speed of about 160 to 170 mph. And upon touching the runway, airplanes must quickly brake until they come to a complete stop.

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Landing. While landing, speed is largely affected by the aircrafts current weight, commercial airplanes typically land between 130 and 160 mph (112 to 156 knots).

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Typical takeoff air speeds for jetliners are in the range of 240–285 km/h (130–154 kn; 149–177 mph). Light aircraft, such as a Cessna 150, take off at around 100 km/h (54 kn; 62 mph). Ultralights have even lower takeoff speeds.

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As the plane descends into ground effect, it may actually accelerate if the engines are producing enough thrust, since in ground effect the plane requires much less power to keep flying. Power from the engines will translate into speed, if not height.

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The higher you fly, the more efficient it is The reason planes cruise at high altitudes is that they burn less fuel and can fly faster, as the air is less dense. At 30,000 feet and higher, it is also possible for aircraft to avoid weather systems, making it more comfortable onboard.

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The higher a plane flies, the faster it can fly—to a point. “Less-dense air at higher altitudes means the actual speed the aircraft is traveling over the ground is much faster than the aircraft speed indicator shows the pilots in the cockpit,” says Kyrazis.

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A Boeing 747 has a cross height of 35,105 ft, while the Embraer climbs 190 to 39,370 ft. The Airbus A380 can even fly at 43,097 ft.

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Aircraft are put through extreme testing during their certification, but such limits are never intended to be actually faced. The 747 -100, for instance, was tested up to Mach 0.99, almost breaking the sound barrier. Other 747s, such as Air Force One, have approached the sound barrier but never crossed it.

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The North American X-15 may be the fastest plane in the world, with speeds at 4,520 mph and Mach 5.93. It's an experimental aircraft used and powered by NASA and USAF.

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The word heavy means a larger aircraft type, with a Maximum Takeoff Weight of 160 tonnes or more. These aircraft create wake turbulence from their wings and require extra separation between following aircraft, and the use of heavy reminds other pilots of that fact.

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The Boeing 747 is a four-engine wide-body jet airliner that has been in service since 1970. It is one of the most recognizable and iconic aircraft in the world, and has earned the nickname “Queen of the Skies”. The Boeing 747 can fly on one engine only, but it is not recommended or desirable to do so.

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Planes are *optimized* to fly at certain heights to maximize the efficiency of their engines and their fuel consumption. So jet planes can fly a lot higher than propeller planes, so they do. They fly between 20,000 feet and 40,000 feet because they are designed and optimized to do just that.

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In jet aircraft, an overspeed results when the axial compressor exceeds its maximal operating rotational speed. This often leads to the mechanical failure of turbine blades, flameout and total destruction of the engine.

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The biggest reason for flying at higher altitudes lies in fuel efficiency. The thin air creates less drag on the aircraft, which means the plane can use less fuel in order to maintain speed. Less wind resistance, more power, less effort, so to speak.

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2 Many pilots plan for a higher cruising altitude at night, simply because suitable emergency landing sites may be fewer and farther between. The difference between cruise at 8,500 and 10,500 feet may not seem like much until you have to glide back to Earth at 800-900 fpm without power.

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If you are a frequent traveller who enjoys a window seat, you might have noticed other aircraft while in air. Flying in the crowded skies over Europe or North America, it is quite common to see other aircraft whizzing past, either above or below.

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Rain doesn't usually affect a flight much. Combining with hefty winds causes extra challenges to flight planning. The combo can even cause a change of route or a delay if the conditions are extreme. But generally speaking, airplanes are well-equipped to deal with a bit of the wet stuff!

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The speeds needed for takeoff are relative to the motion of the air (indicated airspeed). A headwind will reduce the ground speed needed for takeoff, as there is a greater flow of air over the wings. Typical takeoff air speeds for jetliners are in the range of 240–285 km/h (130–154 kn; 149–177 mph).

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