This post is triggered by bits of recent readings about the legendary American Airline...the Pan Am. Whenever and wherever, including in our virtual aviation circle, one comes across the famous (and iconic) blue and white (globe) logo, it evokes a unique sense of nostalgia. As a (bygone) epitome of "luxury and glamour" in early intercontinental travel, it is rarely matched (or even will ever be matched). Pan Am, until its dissolution in 1991, remained a cultural icon of the 20th century air travel. The rise and fall (especially the fall) of this giant are characterized by some of the most fascinating (and tragic) events in the entire history of modern aviation, among which the Tenerife disaster and Flight 103 will remain, forever, indelible, as a couple of most traumatic and poignant reminders. In fact, as a consequence of the Tenerife incident, sweeping changes were made to international airline and aircraft regulations, mandating aviation authorities around the world to introduce new requirements for "standard" (and unambiguous) phrases...that are taken for granted today. One might say what's in the language, but, in aviation, linguistic communication, can be a matter of life and death...that's of so vital importance, especially in these days of globe-trotting extra-long haulers. Here, below, are a few examples cited, from the Tenerife incident, as being contributory factors:

1. Air traffic instruction must not be acknowledged solely with a colloquial phrase such as "OK" or even "Roger", but with a readback of the key parts of the instruction, to show mutual understanding.
2. The word "takeoff" is now spoken only when the actual takeoff clearance is given, or when canceling that same clearance (i.e., "cleared for takeoff" or "cancel takeoff clearance"). Until that point, aircrew and controllers should use the word "departure" in its place (e.g., "ready for departure").
3. Additionally, an ATC clearance given to an aircraft already lined-up on the runway must be prefixed with the instruction "hold position".

Anyway, this post is not directly about Pan Am nor about Tenerife incident, but about an interesting and significant (other) part of Pan Am history, specifically about the less known airline Panagra, short for Pan American-Grace Airways (Panagra is an Acronym consisting of the initial letters of the name, "Pan" + "A" + "Gra", see a/c markings in the image below). The airline, originated in 1928, operated for nearly 40 years as a (fruitful) joint venture between Pan American World Airways, and Grace Shipping Company. It was Pan Am's strategic partner in the critical air-route expansions into South America. In 1967, Panagra would be absorbed by Braniff International (= "Braniff I"), and 20 years later, in 1987, Braniff Inc. (= Braniff II"), would also make an unsuccessful bid, to acquire Pan Am. Ironically, shortly afterwards, first, Braniff Inc. would cease to exist in 1989, and 2 years later, Pan Am would also follow suit with its own demise, in 1991.

Panagra achieved many impressive firsts in aviation e.g.,

1. In 1929, Panagra was the first airline to commercially cross the Andes.
2. In 1933, Panagra was the first to install radio and weather stations in the Andes and airborne weather radar systems in the a/c... (We cannot imagine what flying would be in the formidable Andes without reliable weather data. I recall, here, when my (long ago) Tara Air flight, out of Kathmandu, to Lukla, was (fortunately) cancelled in the last minute, based on active weather reports from (destination) Lukla airport...).
3. In 1947, Panagra was the first to use South American flight hostesses.
4. In 1952 Panagra became the first airline in South America to operate the DC-6B.
5. And, for my special interest, here, Panagra, in 1960s, was also the first to introduce the DC-8 jets to South America. Thus, my own DC-8...🙂...came to my mind. Not having flown the (AS) DC-8, one of my favorite quad-jets, in a long while, I then looked for a Panagra DC-8, and obviously a (more) history conscious repainter, did not disappoint me. I did find a livery of Panagra which I've illustrated in this post.

Per Panagra timetables, the airline was operating DC-8 "El Inter Americano" (first class) jet service (bed-sized "Sleeper Births" and restaurant-style "Fiesta Lounge"...oh well...those were the days...) between various destinations in Latin America and U.S. You will spot the (cursive-lettered) "El Inter Americano" marking under the captain's side windows, in my lift-off shots, below. In more modern times, Eastern Air Lines would take cue from Panagra, and also distinguish its service elegance by offering (similarly named) "El Inter Americano" service on all its South American flights...

And, for the locale of my post, this time, I've chosen to acquaint myself with the mountains of Italy (earlier, having (virtually) conquered the mountains of Spain...🙂...in another recent post) ...btw, recently, I also did come across a set of wonderful (MSFS) pictures of the Italian mountain scenery. Italy has two major (and majestic) mountain ranges, the Alps in the north and the Apennines down the center. The highest 7 peaks in the Italian Alps are (KÖNIGSPITZE, PIZ PALÜ, ORTLER, GRIVOLA, GRAN PARADISO, DENT D’HÉRENS, CASTOR), and the highest peak in the Apennines is (CORNO GRANDE). On the (excellent) INS system of my DC-8, I've entered the LAT-LONG co-ordinates of all these 8 WPTs into the (INS) CDU, for sequential and seamless navigation, from one mountain to the next. For visualization, I've also plotted these 8 WPTs, on a SimBrief MAP (see screenshot), as the WPTs would appear en-route, geographically, on a fictitious flight from Venice (LIPZ) to Rome (LIRF). Notice my DC-8, after lifting off 22L (LIPZ), on activation of INS (i.e. the Mode Knob turned to AUX-NAV position, see Autopilot/Pedestal panel close-up shot), banking right (i.e. northward) headed to the first of these 7 mountain peaks, exactly 94nm away (see also the, later, close-up INS CDU shot with inter-WPT distance [01] = 01nm (i.e. just atop the first peak, notice also the radar display showing mountains),....and so on...the INS guided me along faithfully and sequentially, from one peak to another...

I've shown a few images from near the Italian Alps peaks in shots (#11, #12, #13, #14). A singular image of the Corno Grande peak, in the (central) Apennines, less than 100 miles to the northeast of Rome, is shown in shot (#15), with the DC-8 seen overlying this mountain.

It was all bits of good fun, flying and learning...! Hope you enjoy this account and this collection of pictures, of these spectacular Italian mountains, and of my DC-8 in the color of Panagra, a forgotten airline that was truly the spirit of Pan Am (and also of its visionary founder, Juan Trippe), in their quest for expansion into South America...and over the (then invincible and impassable) Andes mountains...

Thanks for your interest and good flying...!!

Edited May 21, 20224 yr by P_7878

Very nice set of shots! 😉 

"Panagra Green" is my favourite color on the Braniff Jellybean jets 🤙🏻 love seeing people giving the DC-8 some love!

6 hours ago, Alaska738 said:

Very nice set of shots! 😉 

Thanks, Alaska, for the comment...!!

 

5 hours ago, TOGA-saurus said:

"Panagra Green" is my favorite color on the Braniff Jellybean jets 🤙🏻 love seeing people giving the DC-8 some love!

Glad to know the Panagra Green is your favorite...🙂...and appreciated the note, Jesse...!

Indeed, following the merger with Panagra, Braniff acquired the early-model DC-8-30s, and also respected Panagra's earlier order of 5 DC-8-60s. Braniff introduced several new colour shades utilizing Panagra's green and yellow shades and named them accordingly Panagra Green and Panagra Yellow. 

Here, below, is an example, I found, of a Braniff DC-8-50 in the Jellybean Green uniform.

Edited May 22, 20224 yr by P_7878

Another great set of shots  👍🏽  and i like this plane - another one that is missed in MSFS..

cheers 😉

Thanks a lot, pmplayer, for the comment...!!

Terrific set of shots Sir !! . 

Great shots of an old classic, P_7878!

johnb and bernd: Thanks much for the incremental comments...🙂...!!

***Old School C😎😎L***

Wow....That Braniff Livery brings back Great Memories.