Jumbo

Iconic. World Class. Legendary. Discover the soaring highs and enthralling history of the 747 - otherwise known as the Jumbo JetIn the 1960s, beset by crippling financial challenges and ceding the supersonic race to the European Concorde, US aviation was flailing. Until, in a modest corner of Boeing's factory, engineer Joe Sutter dared to think big. The aircraft he developed - the 747 \"Jumbo\" Jet - was about to have an immeasurable impact on air travel as we know it.Over its fifty-four-year history the 747 has weathered storms and hijackings, seen disaster and saved lives. Its use democratised air travel for the masses, carrying everything and everyone from space shuttles to presidents, to enough passengers across its lifetime to equal half the world's population.Scott Bateman, pilot and author has flown the 747 for over twelve years. Here he weaves reportage, history and personal accounts into an utterly unforgettable story.

Scott Bateman has been a professional aviator all his adult life. He began working as an air loadmaster on C-130 Hercules in the RAF in 1990, then was selected to train as a pilot in 1997, serving in the RAF for 18 years. Following his military career he worked as a pilot and fleet manager for a large airline. He now blends his aviation career with a successful career as a television producer through his company, 9-Line Media. Born and raised in a small village in Scotland, Scott now lives in the West Country with his wife and three adult children.