The only way up to the doors!

The Planes

Of course, we came to see the planes. Richard cranked up the only way to get into a 747 through the entry door, an ancient loader, and we put-putted out across the ramp to the Polar air Cargo 747-100. Hanging on for dear life, he lifted us up to the door on the plane and opened it up. We stepped inside. This plane was still pretty complete and had a open cargo deck. One could see all the way from the front to the tail. The cockpit was up a ladder from the main deck. Steve and the rest of the guys went directly to the cockpit area, while I hung around and shot some photos before following them up the ladder to see what they were up to.

The planes in Greenwood are kept closed up if possible because of vandals. Climbing the ladder to the upper deck was like ascending into a blast furnace. Richard had popped the emergency escape hatch in the roof, but it was still sweltering up there. Steve was fiddling around with the seats in the cockpit, and started flipping switches and stuff. We talked with Newell about what could be used in simulator cockpits, and poked around. One of the things that struck me was the airplane smell. How can you put that into a simulator? When we started talking about measuring the cockpit, it was suggested that we go over to another 747 that had more parts taken out so was easier to get overall dimensions. No problem!
 

The cavernous interior of a Cargo 747

Back on the rickety loader and over to the next 747. This one was a passenger configured ex-United 747-100. Stepping into this one was an eerie experience. The passenger area was still mostly complete, with rows and rows of seats running off into the dim interior. The oxygen masks were dangling from the ceiling and miscellaneous parts were scattered here and there. Climbing up the spiral stairs to the cockpit area was cooler in this plane because the cockpit windows had been taken out, and the exit door behind the cockpit had been opened. A pretty good breeze came through as Steve got out his tape measure and I took photographs. One of the interesting things about this plane is that we had the opportunity to crawl down into the equipment bay, located down a hatch just behind the nose gear. Not much to see with no electrical power. There was a door in there somewhere with access to the forward cargo hold, but I couldn't see anything. It was dark. Unlike in the movies, access to the rear cargo deck was impossible since the two sections are completely separated by the center fuel tank!
 

The interior was starting to be pulled apart

When we were done looking at that plane, we broke for lunch. The nearest place to eat was in Greenwood itself, and we drove over with instructions from Richard to a good restaurant. Of course, we had forgotten money, and so we got the grand tour of this sleepy Southern town as we took the scenic route looking for an ATM. We finally got some cash and ate.

On the way back to the airport it decided to rain. This was cool, as it lowered the temperature and kept the sun off of us. We met back up with Richard, climbed on the loader and went to the ex-Olympic A-300 that was parked in front of the hanger. I had asked to go in this because I wanted to see what one looked like, as I was not very familiar with Airbuses. The A-300, like the 747's we looked at, was an older plane, with lots and lots of dials. We poked around in here, and took some photos. This plane was still "live", and had the engines on it. It had been started the day before to test the engines. The cabin looked like it could be returned to service tomorrow.
 

Newell, Steve and Richard talk cockpits!