747SP.com -- 9.29.2006-- The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) 747SP has left it's hangar in Waco sporting a fresh white paint job.

The aircraft, which has been performing taxi tests and completing its D-check, was rolled-out in a small ceremony on September 25th, wearing a crisp white coat of paint with a blue cheatline, and the old NASA logo with a smaller DLR logo on the tail.





Sources close to the program say the plane will make its first test flight before year's end. In February of this year, funding for the program had been cancelled by the Bush Administration. However, a series of supplemental funding outlays as well as outrage from the scientific community has helped keep the program running.





The aircraft, which now wears the registration N747NA, started off as Clipper Lindbergh, N536PA, of Pan Am. In February of 1986, the plane was sold to United and eventually registered as N145UA. Of the 747SPs in the United fleet, this aircraft was the only one to get the updated grey and blue livery.

In 1994 the plane was retired from the United fleet and put into storage. The aircraft was then purchased by NASA in 1997 and ferried to Waco, where it has remained ever since.