Published In Midwest Flyer Magazine Online October/November 2021 Issue
OSHKOSH, WIS. – UPS flew one of its “Queens of the Skies” – a new Boeing 747-8F – to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, arriving at Wittman Regional Airport July 27, 2021. Among the operating crewmembers onboard was Captain Katie Wrobel of Anchorage, Alaska. Other inbound crewmembers included Capt. Chuck Parker, with Capt. Mike Starnes as a safety observer. Outbound crewmembers included Capt. Jodi Budenaers, Capt. Kevin O’Donnell, and safety observer Capt. Greg Malter.
The 747-8F was open for tours that afternoon, as well as all day on July 28 and the morning of July 29. It was obviously the centerpiece of EAA’s main display area of commercial and military aircraft. The aircraft departed Oshkosh prior to the July 29 afternoon airshow and the arrival of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft.
The UPS 747-8F fit well with EAA’s “Salute to Humanitarian Aviation.” UPS has delivered more than 450 million COVID-19 vaccines to date, and 30 million tons of personal protective equipment used by health care professionals during the pandemic.
The 747-8F has a hinged nose section that flips up to allow shipments of extra-large or extra-long freight to be loaded and unloaded.
In 2016, UPS ordered 14 Boeing 747-8 Freighters. UPS later exercised options to order 14 additional Boeing 747-8F aircraft, providing additional capacity in support of accelerating demand for U.S. and international air services. By the end of 2022, UPS will have added more than 50 additional aircraft to its fleet, including 747s, 767s and MD-11s, adding capacity for customers on both U.S. and international routes.
“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of UPS Airlines, we are seeing unprecedented demand for our air products,” UPS Airlines President Brendan Canavan said when the B747-8F order was announced in 2016. “The new freighters will allow us to continue upsizing aircraft on routes and will create a cascading effect that will boost capacity on regional routes around the world.”
“UPS has clearly tapped into the power and efficiency the 747-8 Freighter brings to the market,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Kevin McAllister. “We’re impressed with how UPS is leveraging the airplane in its operations, and also excited to see them bring additional 767s into their fleet.”
