Plane and Pilot

Friday's Fabulous Flyers! 

Bharat Lakshmanan

Agraduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Daytona Beach FL, 2017, with a degree in B.S. in Aeronautics, Bharat Lakshmanan, is destined to become a Airline Pilot! His passion flies, as does the amount of effort this young man has taken to become part of history. We often wonder what fuels aviation passion, or more importantly where it begins. Today we can see both. 

Bharat:

"I have been interested in aviation since I was a little kid. I went to a lot of airshows, and flew to India every Summer to visit family. At first, I was not certain on what exactly I wanted to do in the aviation field. In 2004, I made a road trip to Washington D.C. to meet some family."

During my stay there, we went plane spotting at Gravelly Point Park at Ronald Regan Washington National Airport. As I lied down on the grass and watched all the airplanes fly right over me during takeoff or landing, I said to myself 

“This is what I am going to do when I grow up.”

This is when my interest in flying developed. At the age of 12, I went for an introductory flight lesson in a Cessna 152 at Ormond Beach Municipal Airport. After making that flight I just got hooked to flying. I am currently pursuing my Instrument Rating, and plan to attain the rest my certifications and required flight hours to get employed by the airlines.

"Just a couple days ago, on September 5, 2017, I had the honor to take part in the most unique opportunity I could have ever gotten in my entire life. I got to fly on the very last domestic Boeing 747 revenue flight for Delta Air Lines from LAX-DTW operating as flight DL1352." 

"This was my very first AND very last flight on a U.S. operated 747, and I could not have been any happier than flying aboard Ship 6309 (N669US) as she performed this historical journey. It was a very bittersweet moment knowing that this would be the last time I may ever step foot on a U.S. operated 747 again flying from Point A to Point B, and it’s very sad to see this gorgeous flying machine going extinct from passenger service."

"The Boeing 747 is far more than just an airplane. It is a true aviation icon that has really revolutionized the aviation industry and how passengers fly. Delta really went the extra mile to make sure this flight was special for everybody."

"From special gate announcements, to early boarding to allow passengers to view the upper deck and cockpit, to speaking to the cabin and flight crew about their personal experiences, as well as the ground crew giving their final salutes to the legendary Queen of the Skies as it departed LAX for the very last time." 

"I do not think I could have made any better decision than to be part of this historic flight operated by one of my top favorite U.S. airlines. Kudos to Delta for giving me such an amazing and memorable opportunity. Keep climbing!" Bharat Lakshmanan

The Plane on the Last

Domestic Flight 

Actually began in NRT...

With celebrations and

 heartfelt goodbyes along the way... 

She was Leid In Honolulu

The celebration continued and

 more heartfelt goodbyes were felt...

LAX was the Beginning

of her Last Domestic Flight

OFF To Detroit She Flew

With a Most Awesome Crew!

As a Legacy Comes to an End

The Future Stands Proud ...

Bharat, Thank you for sharing 

your Journey.

I will be looking forward to

 flying with you in the future. 

Smooth Skies and Happy Flying! 

History of the B747 

For all who want to read an incredible book about the man behind the B747, Joe Sutter, and the history of how integrity, and doing the right thing, was the foundation of the B747 here you go. I highly recommend this book!

Enjoy the Journey!

XOX Karlene