August 29th, 1973- The arrival of the company's very first Boeing 747-100 aircraft- N800FT. The "giant" was delivered bearing the Tiger Shark logo.
In 1974, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 747. The Flying Tiger Line then put in orders for brand new Boeing 747-200F freighters designated the Boeing 747-249F, which at the time were among the heaviest commercial airplanes flying, weighing in at 823,000 pounds. These aircraft had the powerful "Q" (Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7Q) engines and heavy landing gear and could simultaneously carry both 250,000 pounds of fuel and 250,000 pounds of cargo loaded through both the nose door and the side door at the same time.
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- Engineering and maintenance departments contributed to the construction of a innovative cattle ramp, designed by Jack Springer and Dick Feurerherm, which eased the loading process.
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- Bob Prescott received a special commendation from the United States Military Airlift Command (MAC) in recognition of 25 years of dedication to national defense from The Flying Tiger Line Inc.
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- Shamu took a first ride on Flying Tigers. The project was made possible through the hard work and determination of the Tiger “Can-Do-Spirit”.
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- A special sling was made to load Shamu
November 9, 1977, President Carter signed into law the legislation which deregulated airfreight in the U.S.
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- On March 3, 1978, one month after Flying Tigers was named the largest airfreight carrier in the free world, the airline’s founder, Robert W. Prescott, died.
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- During the late 70’s there were two “firsts” for women at Flying Tigers: The First jet freighter pilot, Norah O’Neill.
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- The first female aircraft mechanic, Diana “Ace” Nichols.
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- The first all black crew, October 16th, 1979: Captain George Rayner, 1st Officer Frank Campbell and 2nd Officer Fred McClurkin.
