John Travolta Donates N707JT

tatave · Sat May 27, 2017 2:00 am

John Travolta has decided to donate his 707-138B (N707JT) to HARS, located near Sydney in Australia.

"It gives me great pleasure to make this exciting historical announcement that my beloved Boeing 707 aircraft has been donated to the Historical Aircraft Restoration society (HARS) based in the town of Albion Park, approximately 90 miles (140 km) south of the city of Sydney in Australia."

Read the full release here:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/hars/joh ... f=NEWSFEED

smokeybandit · Sat May 27, 2017 2:23 am

So who's paying to rehab it to fly it to Australia?

PEK777 · Sat May 27, 2017 2:25 am

So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

TWA772LR · Sat May 27, 2017 3:13 am

PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

Better to put it on display to show children in Australia their piece of aviation history than to let it be made into beer cans.

flyingclrs727 · Sat May 27, 2017 3:24 am

It one of the 707-138's bought second hand by Braniff.

2175301 · Sat May 27, 2017 3:33 am

Actually, this is probably a relatively cheap acquisition for the museum - including the cost of restoring it to flying condition. I suspect a lot of the work it requires to return to flight status is routine and parts are relatively available. Such museums are fairly well known for understanding the cost and value of what they are getting.

Have a great day,

tatave · Sat May 27, 2017 3:51 am

Agreed, this looks like a "straightforward" restoration for HARS- the 707 last flew in December. Plus, they restored their Constellation from a state so poor that it wasn't even worth anything in scrap metal.

D L X · Sat May 27, 2017 3:56 am

So, is that the end of Travolta flying himself around? If I'm not mistaken, he lives in a fly-in-fly-out community.

Chemist · Sat May 27, 2017 5:04 am

He has other aircraft.

RWA380 · Sat May 27, 2017 5:44 am

Here is a 2014 article showing his fly in home, shown is a Challenger with a 707 parked by the pool, that's my kind of awesome.

http://www.businessinsider.com/john-tra ... nes-2014-9

This article, has the same info, but a nice aerial view of his entire property, which is Aviation geek cool.

This 2016 article states that he owns 5 aircraft, which I'm sure included N707JT, so he'll have a really big available parking spot at home, I suggest a low cycle & fully redone 73G with aux center tank. That'll give him TATL range & 1 stop to Asia.

https://www.aviationcv.com/aviation-blo ... ltas-house

According to yahoo answers, he was in talks to purchase a 74L but the deal fell through.

Even this archived A.net thread from over a decade ago, mentions the 74L & his type rating on the 744.

viewtopic.php?t=351611

a36001 · Sat May 27, 2017 6:01 am

This is amazing news! This particular 707 will be treated like a baby by HARS! And will look stunning next to VH-OJA. Can't wait for it to arrive!

n729pa · Sat May 27, 2017 6:22 am

What's the interior like? I assume its kitted out in some forms of vip arrangement is it?

bennett123 · Sat May 27, 2017 6:26 am

A many B747SP still in one piece.

bralo20 · Sat May 27, 2017 7:06 am

RWA380 wrote:

Even this archived A.net thread from over a decade ago, mentions the 74L & his type rating on the 744.

Travolta isn't type rated on the 747, according to the FAA he's qualified in:

Medical
Medical Class: First, Medical Date: 4/2017
MUST WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES FOR NEAR AND DISTANT VISION.

Certificate: PRIVATE PILOT
Ratings:
PRIVATE PILOT
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
AIRPLANE MULTIENGINE LAND
INSTRUMENT AIRPLANE

Type Ratings:
P/B-707 P/B-720 P/CE-500 P/CL-600 P/EA-500S
P/G-1159 P/HS-125 P/LR-JET

Limits:
ENGLISH PROFICIENT.
AUTHORIZED EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT: SO-G2.
B-707 SIC PRIVILEGES ONLY.
CE-500 (VFR ONLY).

fraspotter · Sat May 27, 2017 8:59 am

bralo20 wrote:
RWA380 wrote:

Even this archived A.net thread from over a decade ago, mentions the 74L & his type rating on the 744.

Travolta isn't type rated on the 747, according to the FAA he's qualified in:

Medical
Medical Class: First, Medical Date: 4/2017
MUST WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES FOR NEAR AND DISTANT VISION.

Certificate: PRIVATE PILOT
Ratings:
PRIVATE PILOT
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
AIRPLANE MULTIENGINE LAND
INSTRUMENT AIRPLANE

Type Ratings:
P/B-707 P/B-720 P/CE-500 P/CL-600 P/EA-500S
P/G-1159 P/HS-125 P/LR-JET

Limits:
ENGLISH PROFICIENT.
AUTHORIZED EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT: SO-G2.
B-707 SIC PRIVILEGES ONLY.
CE-500 (VFR ONLY).

At one point though I believe he was type rated on a 747. Maybe not anymore but at one point he was. He was even offered a used 747 by QANTAS but declined.

TheFlyingDisk · Sat May 27, 2017 10:13 am

fraspotter wrote:
At one point though I believe he was type rated on a 747. Maybe not anymore but at one point he was. He was even offered a used 747 by QANTAS but declined.

I believe it was part of the Qantas ambassadorship. And yes, they offered a 747 to him but he can't afford it.

Straight from the horse's mouth - https://youtu.be/3i0BVOK-Qnc?t=48m53s

ClassicLover · Sat May 27, 2017 11:04 am

The best web site all about the Qantas Boeing 707's is VH-JET#1 & Her Sisters which is well worth a visit.

The site has the histories of all the Qantas 707s including some very rare colour pictures of the interior of a Qantas 707 in 1960 which I found fascinating. It's a really good web site.

This means that both the first Qantas 707-138B and last will both be preserved in Australia. The other is at the Qantas Foundation Memorial in Longreach along with a Qantas Boeing 747-200. It's a place I really want to visit someday!

Iemand91 · Sat May 27, 2017 11:10 am

Sad to see it go but on the other hand; a much better future in store than previous speculations.

It's been stored at Brunswick, Georgia for months/years now.
Does anyone know when her last flight was?

John Travolta's Boeing 707-100 by Hunter Brame, on Flickr

United_fan · Sat May 27, 2017 11:53 am

It was ferried to Georgia a few months ago from his home. I heard it had corrosion problems. I don't remember of it was of parts or lack of money to fix it. I like JT,but what big movies has he been in lately? A 707 costs a lot of money to keep and fly.

Revelation · Sat May 27, 2017 12:02 pm

PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

Very strange post to read on an aviation web site. He's been carrying that "burden" for several years, presumably because he loves aviation in general and the 707 in particular. If you define giving a historic aircraft to a museum then I hope a lot more "dumping" happens in the future. And sure, math comes in to it. It very well be that it's too big a drain on the funds. So what? We all have to make trade offs in life, even famous actors. I'm glad he's done what he's done.

Interflug74 · Sat May 27, 2017 2:14 pm

Revelation wrote:
PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

Very strange post to read on an aviation web site. He's been carrying that "burden" for several years, presumably because he loves aviation in general and the 707 in particular. If you define giving a historic aircraft to a museum then I hope a lot more "dumping" happens in the future. And sure, math comes in to it. It very well be that it's too big a drain on the funds. So what? We all have to make trade offs in life, even famous actors. I'm glad he's done what he's done.

nicely said

DTWLUVER · Sat May 27, 2017 2:30 pm

Would be a nice addition to the EAA Airventure Museum in OSH you think ? What a attraction it would be and a boost somewhat to OSH economy .

N757ST · Sat May 27, 2017 2:31 pm

fraspotter wrote:
bralo20 wrote:
RWA380 wrote:

Even this archived A.net thread from over a decade ago, mentions the 74L & his type rating on the 744.

Travolta isn't type rated on the 747, according to the FAA he's qualified in:

Medical
Medical Class: First, Medical Date: 4/2017
MUST WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES FOR NEAR AND DISTANT VISION.

Certificate: PRIVATE PILOT
Ratings:
PRIVATE PILOT
AIRPLANE SINGLE ENGINE LAND
AIRPLANE MULTIENGINE LAND
INSTRUMENT AIRPLANE

Type Ratings:
P/B-707 P/B-720 P/CE-500 P/CL-600 P/EA-500S
P/G-1159 P/HS-125 P/LR-JET

Limits:
ENGLISH PROFICIENT.
AUTHORIZED EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT: SO-G2.
B-707 SIC PRIVILEGES ONLY.
CE-500 (VFR ONLY).

At one point though I believe he was type rated on a 747. Maybe not anymore but at one point he was. He was even offered a used 747 by QANTAS but declined.

You don't lose a type rating. You lose currancy but not the type. Aka, he was never type rated.

xdlx · Sat May 27, 2017 2:33 pm

Somehow his "expense" must have been written off by any good accountant. Logistics tend to become troublesome after the initial "sponsorship honeymoon" is over.
To his credit, he did devote a significant amount of resources to see this "dream" come true, seeing that four holer on short final at Jumbolair was a sight to behold. Again after the novelty is worn, your energy to continue with the project is redirected to other endeavours.

FGITD · Sat May 27, 2017 2:52 pm

xdlx wrote:
Somehow his "expense" must have been written off by any good accountant. Logistics tend to become troublesome after the initial "sponsorship honeymoon" is over.
To his credit, he did devote a significant amount of resources to see this "dream" come true, seeing that four holer on short final at Jumbolair was a sight to behold. Again after the novelty is worn, your energy to continue with the project is redirected to other endeavours.

Hasn't he owned it almost 20 years? I would hardly consider that a novelty, or a "sponsorship honeymoon"

Sure it was a great deal to get Qantas to pay for maintenance, but sooner or later maintaining a single air frame delivered in 1964 was going to become too expensive for anyone.

akelley728 · Sat May 27, 2017 3:04 pm

PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

Seriously? What would you suggest as an alternative?

BravoOne · Sat May 27, 2017 3:05 pm

Well for what its worth over on another forum that has a dedicated Aussie section, the people are very happy and appreciative of this donation. HARS has tackled several really difficult recoveries and restorations so this should be a cake walk for these talented folks. Congratulations are due all around. I had flown this airplane before JT owned it so I'am especially pleased to see it survive and would give my right arm to just ride on it once more.

Flighty · Sat May 27, 2017 3:21 pm

He deserves full credit for achieving this dream. Of course it cannot last forever. Stunning that it is still airworthy and that he has successfully owned it this long. It must have cost SO much money.

Good for JT for honoring the 707's history. It is a milestone and a very graceful looking machine.

bunumuring · Sat May 27, 2017 3:25 pm

Hey guys,
I'm over the moon about how this!
My nearest airport gaining a 707!
Hope that a 737 and a 146 join the fleet soon... Preferably in Ansett colours!
Cheers,
Bunumuring

dashdrvr · Sat May 27, 2017 3:44 pm

I suspect a lot of entities do this. Typically an almost worthless/depreciated airplane can be donated, and a tax write-off for an overinflated value can be received. Look around the country old Fedex 727's are sitting at most airports being used as CFR training modules. I suspect Fedex got a nice tax write-off for those. They had to position the aircraft there, remove the engines and proprietary equipment before abandoning them.

longhauler · Sat May 27, 2017 3:46 pm

Revelation wrote:
PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

Very strange post to read on an aviation web site. He's been carrying that "burden" for several years, presumably because he loves aviation in general and the 707 in particular. If you define giving a historic aircraft to a museum then I hope a lot more "dumping" happens in the future. And sure, math comes in to it. It very well be that it's too big a drain on the funds. So what? We all have to make trade offs in life, even famous actors. I'm glad he's done what he's done.

Wery well said .... John Travolta is an aviation enthusiast just like us.

He will likely always do what is "fun" over what is financially best. It looks like the return of this aircraft to its original home is a grand gesture. My guess is that he would have made more money selling it for scrap and the engines to the American Military ... but he didn't! Bravo.

Also interesting to note. He originally owned the L749A on which I got my type rating. How cool is that? Who here wouldn't want to own a 749A or a 707!

global2 · Sat May 27, 2017 4:22 pm

The site has the histories of all the Qantas 707s including some very rare colour pictures of the interior of a Qantas 707 in 1960 which I found fascinating. It's a really good web site.

Thank you for sharing that. You're right, great photos of the interior. I always loved those oval ceiling lights, and look at all those fluffy pillows in the hatracks!
It also reminds one of the days when the airlines all tried to create distinctive interior decor for their aircraft using various colors and textiles. Today's interiors are so monotonous and institutional in feel.
There are also some interesting publicity photos here for one of my favorite movies: "AIRPORT".

bobnwa · Sat May 27, 2017 4:27 pm

PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

Where do you get this idea? Do you have some bone to pick with Travolta?

TigerFlyer · Sat May 27, 2017 5:20 pm

Revelation wrote:
PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

Very strange post to read on an aviation web site. He's been carrying that "burden" for several years, presumably because he loves aviation in general and the 707 in particular. If you define giving a historic aircraft to a museum then I hope a lot more "dumping" happens in the future. And sure, math comes in to it. It very well be that it's too big a drain on the funds. So what? We all have to make trade offs in life, even famous actors. I'm glad he's done what he's done.

x2. John Travolta has a net worth of $170 million. He doesn't need the tax write off. This was a kind and generous act, and many people will get to see and appreciate this beautiful bird.

Cunard · Sat May 27, 2017 5:29 pm

PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

It is not math.

It is Mathematics or even Arithmetics NOT math.

DTWLUVER · Sat May 27, 2017 6:16 pm

longhauler wrote:
Revelation wrote:
PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

Very strange post to read on an aviation web site. He's been carrying that "burden" for several years, presumably because he loves aviation in general and the 707 in particular. If you define giving a historic aircraft to a museum then I hope a lot more "dumping" happens in the future. And sure, math comes in to it. It very well be that it's too big a drain on the funds. So what? We all have to make trade offs in life, even famous actors. I'm glad he's done what he's done.

Wery well said .... John Travolta is an aviation enthusiast just like us.

He will likely always do what is "fun" over what is financially best. It looks like the return of this aircraft to its original home is a grand gesture. My guess is that he would have made more money selling it for scrap and the engines to the American Military ... but he didn't! Bravo.

Also interesting to note. He originally owned the L749A on which I got my type rating. How cool is that? Who here wouldn't want to own a 749A or a 707!

That he is . Got quite a few chances to meet Mr Travolta or John in two different locations the first is at EAA Airventure in OSH, a very nice man in person shoot we talked for almost a hour on various different aviation subjects. The second is at a retail store at ORD by the Hilton. Was shopping at the time there and he came in the owner of the store came to me normally I would have you leave when he is here since you are also one of my regular customers and a good one at that I will let you stay just do not bother him . I did not have to he came over to me and shoot we talked there again for what it seemed hours. Found out a lot about John. To this day we still communicate back and forth.

lightsaber · Sat May 27, 2017 7:02 pm

Flighty wrote:
:checkmark: He deserves full credit for achieving this dream. Of course it cannot last forever. Stunning that it is still airworthy and that he has successfully owned it this long. It must have cost SO much money.

Good for JT for honoring the 707's history. It is a milestone and a very graceful looking machine.

That is my perspective. 20 years is long enough to prove he was serious about the 707. The man owned enough other aircraft to prove his Aviation credentials.

I'm happy this plane has found an appropriate home.

Lightsaber

greg85 · Sat May 27, 2017 8:43 pm

Surely, if he has a 747 type rating. It is on an Australian license, not his US license. I would think an Australian license would be required to fly a Qantas aircraft.

A shame to see the 707 go. I wonder ho many hours the airframe has by now?

11725Flyer · Sat May 27, 2017 9:13 pm

DTWLUVER wrote:

That he is . Got quite a few chances to meet Mr Travolta or John in two different locations the first is at EAA Airventure in OSH, a very nice man in person shoot we talked for almost a hour on various different aviation subjects. The second is at a retail store at ORD by the Hilton. Was shopping at the time there and he came in the owner of the store came to me normally I would have you leave when he is here since you are also one of my regular customers and a good one at that I will let you stay just do not bother him . I did not have to he came over to me and shoot we talked there again for what it seemed hours. Found out a lot about John. To this day we still communicate back and forth.

What did you find out about John that we aviation enthusiasts would like to know? And, what do you two talk about when you communicate?

DTWLUVER · Sat May 27, 2017 10:46 pm

11725Flyer wrote:
DTWLUVER wrote:

That he is . Got quite a few chances to meet Mr Travolta or John in two different locations the first is at EAA Airventure in OSH, a very nice man in person shoot we talked for almost a hour on various different aviation subjects. The second is at a retail store at ORD by the Hilton. Was shopping at the time there and he came in the owner of the store came to me normally I would have you leave when he is here since you are also one of my regular customers and a good one at that I will let you stay just do not bother him . I did not have to he came over to me and shoot we talked there again for what it seemed hours. Found out a lot about John. To this day we still communicate back and forth.

What did you find out about John that we aviation enthusiasts would like to know? And, what do you two talk about when you communicate?

I have said all what I am going to say on my encounters with him out of respect. I will leave it at that move on .

Channex757 · Sun May 28, 2017 12:52 am

United_fan wrote:
It was ferried to Georgia a few months ago from his home. I heard it had corrosion problems. I don't remember of it was of parts or lack of money to fix it. I like JT,but what big movies has he been in lately? A 707 costs a lot of money to keep and fly.

My guess would be that it's now due a major check. If corrosion has been found, that would bump the bill up significantly. Parts won't be easy to get and some will need expensive fabrication to replace those rusty sections.

That starts to be a big bill for anyone to swallow beyond a charity or trust that can bring in unpaid volunteers, and drum up sponsorship. John has done an excellent job keeping this bird in the air and now it's time for it to follow the one that was repatriated from England to Australia. That was rebuilt by volunteers so there's still enough experience out there.

b747400erf · Sun May 28, 2017 2:44 pm

Revelation wrote:
PEK777 wrote:
So basically, he doesn't want to be burdened with the cost of owning it, maintaining it, etc. Easy way to dump it and be heralded as a generous hero because of his celebrity status. The cost to maintain and operate such an aircraft for a year far exceeds its value. It is math.

Very strange post to read on an aviation web site. He's been carrying that "burden" for several years, presumably because he loves aviation in general and the 707 in particular. If you define giving a historic aircraft to a museum then I hope a lot more "dumping" happens in the future. And sure, math comes in to it. It very well be that it's too big a drain on the funds. So what? We all have to make trade offs in life, even famous actors. I'm glad he's done what he's done.

You made a mistake replying to the pot stirring poster.

smokeybandit · Sun May 28, 2017 4:14 pm

What are the chances this bird flies to Australia or just gets put in boxes and put on a container ship?

2175301 · Sun May 28, 2017 4:33 pm

smokeybandit wrote:
What are the chances this bird flies to Australia or just gets put in boxes and put on a container ship?

It flies.... It may fly on a maintenance ferry permit; but, it will fly.

I have to agree that this actually looks like that they flew the plane to Georgia for a check; found something that makes it overly uneconomical to repair and re-certify using the paid repair format (but not so serious that the plane cannot actually fly).

Have a great day,

n92r03 · Sun May 28, 2017 8:29 pm

Interesting that one can see it in the Google Maps (app) view. Center of facility, just east of Gulfstream.

Iemand91 · Sun May 28, 2017 8:41 pm

n92r03 wrote:
Interesting that one can see it in the Google Maps (app) view. Center of facility, just east of Gulfstream.

Direct link:

Iemand91 wrote:
It's been stored at Brunswick, Georgia for months/years now.

45272455674 · Mon May 29, 2017 9:49 pm

smokeybandit wrote:
What are the chances this bird flies to Australia or just gets put in boxes and put on a container ship?

It will fly there and will continue to fly.

Travolta added:

“I am truly excited by this project and am just so pleased that this beautiful aircraft, for which I obviously have very fond memories, will continue to fly well into the future."

It appears that whatever untold problems this plane has (which we won't speculate on) are going to be sorted out and fixed.

N1011 · Mon May 29, 2017 11:34 pm

I hope before it leaves the states, they will allow the public to see it once more.

TurboJet707 · Tue May 30, 2017 9:29 am

That's a nice gesture of mr Travolta.
I hope that this gorgeous 707 will continue to fly once in a while. While there are many piston engined airliners (DC3, DC4, Constellation etc) still flying as living aviation heritage, there are virtually no classic jets left that can still be seen (and heard ;-)

) flying. Yes, I know the reasons, they're extremely expensive to operate and to maintain, they are very noisy, smoky and all, but still I think it's a real shame that we can't experience the great beasts of the glorious early jet age anymore. The early jet airliners are of great significance for the history of aviation (actually far more important than, for example, the Constellation) and yet, there is not a single DC8, B720, CV880/990 or Caravelle in flying order anymore. Perhaps this is because the general public does not immediately recognise a 707 or DC8 as something historic, they still look modern, unlike a DC3 or Connie.

TurboJet707 · Tue May 30, 2017 11:09 am

ClassicLover wrote:
The best web site all about the Qantas Boeing 707's is VH-JET#1 & Her Sisters which is well worth a visit.

The site has the histories of all the Qantas 707s including some very rare colour pictures of the interior of a Qantas 707 in 1960 which I found fascinating. It's a really good web site.

Fully agree! That is a great site that I have been following for years. The extensive report on the restoration (at Southend, UK) and subsequent repatriation of an ex-QF 707, VH-EBA, is an absolutely fascinating read! Well recommended for all lovers of classic jets: http://www.adastron.com/707/qfm/qfm.htm

This VH-EBA was QF's very first 707, while N707JT (originally VH-EBM) was the last 'short' 707-138 that was delivered to Qantas. QF took more 707s later on, but these were of the longer and more advanced 707-338(B) Intercontinental type.

Who is online

Popular Searches On Airliners.net