Pratt & Whitney Canada celebrated the 45th anniversary of the world’s last airworthy Boeing 747SP Flying Test Bed 4 aircraft on February 4, 2026.
Flying Test Bed 4 (FTB 4), one of the most iconic platforms in aviation test and engineering history, marked its 45th anniversary as of February 4, 2026. The aircraft’s operator, Pratt & Whitney Canada, proudly celebrated this special milestone.
A 45-Year Engineering Legacy in the Skies
Produced in 1981 as a Boeing 747SP, this special model — of which only 45 units were manufactured in total — is among the last airworthy examples today. Configured as Flying Test Bed 4 by Pratt & Whitney Canada, the aircraft has been at the center of the company’s flight test programs for more than a decade.
FTB 4 serves as a critical platform for the development, integration, and flight validation testing of next-generation engine technologies. In addition to its standard engine configuration, the aircraft offers unique testing capability with a third test engine integrated into the fuselage.
Contribution to Next-Generation Business Aviation with the PW812D Engine
In January 2020, flight tests of the PW812D engine, which will be used on the Dassault Falcon 6X business jet, were successfully carried out on FTB 4. This test configuration, notable as the third engine in aircraft visuals, made a significant contribution to the development of next-generation business aviation performance.
Thanks to these tests, the engine’s efficiency, reliability, and performance parameters were validated under real flight conditions and made available for civil aviation service.
A Special Place in Aviation Test History
Flying Test Bed 4 is not only a test aircraft; it is also regarded as a living icon in the development of aviation engineering, innovation, and sustainable engine technologies. With its 45-year operational history, FTB 4 continues to be one of the symbols of engineering and technological advancement in the skies.
