Fifth pod

A replacement engine hitches a ride on a Qantas 747

For the great majority of endeavours, aviation is the domain of symmetry and streamlining, while weight and drag are the constant enemies of efficient flight. And yet on the rare occasion, necessity becomes the mother of an unconventional invention that turns heads and creates conversation. Such is the case when a Boeing 747-400 takes to the skies with an additional engine attached to its wing, albeit a ‘spare’ that does not produce thrust.

The Fifth Pod

As long as airliners have been powered by jet engines, a common design has called for the mounting of the power plant on the wing. Connected to the airframe by ‘pylons’, the engine is encased in a cylindrical cowling designed to house components, maximise engine performance and minimise any resistance to the airflow. This arrangement is sometimes referred to as a ‘pod’.