"Ian MacLure" wrote in message
...
"Neil Gerace" wrote in
:

[snip]

That's why they're using the BBJ airframe and not the regular -700
one, I'm guessing. The BBJ has the fuselage of the -700 but the wings
and gear of the larger -800. Similar to the mods Boeing did to the
747-100 to make the -SR, for short, frequent cycles.

There is a world of difference between the stress spectrum
inherent in airline usage and the MPA environment.
Its not just the cycles.

The 747-SR also spent most of its life at low altitude and near-maximum
mass.