NASA 747SP SOFIA Test Flight, Touch 'n' Go, & Final Landing at Christchurch Airport [4K]

Signalling the end of Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy's (SOFIA) operations outside of the USA, this check flight came after an unfortunate end to it's dual mission role in Christchurch, New Zealand. Sustaining damage during an in-flight storm, uncertainty rose about its remaining flights, ultimately choosing to not extend the stay and fly back to Palmdale via Honolulu three days later.
This was truly a once in a lifetime experience for me as soon afterwards NASA flew the last of its missions from Palmdale on 28 September 2022, officially ending SOFIA's operations.
ENJOY!
Support me: / @mijithd
*****AIRCRAFT INFORMATION*****
Airline: NASA
Aircraft: Boeing 747SP-21
Reg #: N747NA
Manufacturer: Boeing
Engines: 4x Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7J
Flight number: NASA747 Christchurch (CHC) 11:02am - Christchurch (CHC) 12:54pm
**Filmed on 8 August 2022 NZST**
EQUIPMENT USED
Camera: Nikon Z7
Lens: Sigma Contemporary 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Mount Adapter: Nikon FTZ
Microphone: Rode Videomic Pro+
Tripod head: Manfrotto Nitrotech 608
Tripod legs: Manfrotto 536 - MPRO Carbon Fiber
Half ball: Manfrotto 500BALL 100mm
Social media
Facebook: / mijithd
Twitter: / mijithd
Instagram: / mijit_hd_photos
Also check out
My Channel: / mijithd
My Playlists: / mijithd
MiJiT HD COPYRIGHT 2022. For authorized use of any part of this video, please contact me.
#ChristchurchAirport #CHC #Christchurch #NewZealand #PlaneSpotting #Aviation #Avgeek #Aircraft #Airbus #Boeing #AirbusA320 #AirbusA321 #AirbusA330 #AirbusA340 #AirbusA350 #AirbusA380 #Boeing737 #Boeing747 #Boeing757 #Boeing767 #Boeing777 #Boeing787 #A320 #A321 #neo #A330 #A330 #A340 #A350 #XWB #A380 #737 #737 #747 #747SP #757 #767 #777 #787 #Dreamliner #NASA #SOFIA #StarAlliance #Oneworld #Skyteam #Landing #Takeoff #GeneralElectric #RollsRoyce #PrattandWhitney #4K

[@aviationfan997]

Wow! The sound of the JT9D jet engines!

[@ASJEAviationHQ]

Great footage. I was on that hill on the day as well, it was quite a surreal experience. Good stuff.

[@steven_playz2775]

First