One historical journey. One legendary airliner. Your level of challenge.
This flight is designed specifically around the new version of the Boeing 707-320C in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and recreates the extraordinary transatlantic journey of Pan Am Flight 1736 on March 27, 1977.
The real PA1736 was operated by Boeing 747-121 N736PA Clipper Victor. For this MSFS 2024 recreation, we deliberately substitute the 747 with another icon of Pan American’s jet age: the Boeing 707-320C.
THE HISTORICAL ROUTE
New York is not an invented starting point for this recreation. The historical journey of Pan Am 1736 actually began in Los Angeles (KLAX) and continued via New York JFK (KJFK) to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (GCLP). At JFK the aircraft was refuelled and underwent a crew change before departing across the Atlantic.This recreation begins at that genuine historical stop and concentrates on the transatlantic sector during which the events leading to Tenerife unfolded:
KLAX → KJFK → GCLP
Our flight: KJFK → GCLP
Set up your Pan Am 707 at JFK and aim for a 07:42 UTC departure, matching the historical departure time of PA1736 from New York. Your planned destination is Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (GCLP). Your alternate is Tenerife Los Rodeos (GCXO). For the next several hours, settle into the 707 and experience a classic transatlantic Pan Am operation across almost 3,000 nautical miles of ocean. Everything is routine.....Until it isn’t.
12:30 UTC - LAS PALMAS CLOSES
At approximately 12:30 UTC, a bomb explodes at Las Palmas and the airport is closed. Do not immediately turn toward Tenerife. Continue toward Gran Canaria while awaiting further instructions. The Pan Am crew historically preferred to remain airborne and wait for Las Palmas to reopen because they had sufficient fuel available. For this recreation, at approximately 12:40 UTC, the situation changes:
DIVERT TO TENERIFE LOS RODEOS - GCXO
Your carefully prepared arrival into Gran Canaria is gone. You are now several hours into an Atlantic crossing in a Boeing 707 with a new destination. Check your fuel situation. Reconfigure your navigation. Prepare Los Rodeos. Recalculate the descent and set up the approach into Tenerife. Aim to reach GCXO at approximately 14:15 UTC, matching the historical arrival time of PA1736 at Los Rodeos.
CHOOSE YOUR 707 CHALLENGE
The beauty of this flight is that you decide how difficult you want it to be.
LEVEL 1 | HISTORICAL ADVENTURE
Choose the GPS-equipped 707. Concentrate on operating the aircraft and experiencing the historical sequence of events. Modern navigation assistance makes the Atlantic crossing and unexpected diversion considerably easier to manage.
LEVEL 2 | CLASSIC JET
Use the 707’s classic navigation equipment wherever possible, while allowing yourself modern assistance when you need it. Stay ahead of the aircraft, maintain situational awareness and handle the change of destination yourself when Las Palmas closes.
LEVEL 3 | 1970s CAPTAIN
Choose the non-GPS version of the Boeing 707. Now exactly the same journey becomes a serious classic-airliner challenge. No magenta line and no convenient modern Direct-To when your destination suddenly changes. Navigate the Atlantic with the classic equipment available in the 707. Keep track of your position and, when the diversion arrives, establish your new course toward Tenerife. Then manage the descent, radio navigation and approach into Los Rodeos from the old-school cockpit.
NOTAM: There is no required difficulty level. Want to experience the story? Take the GPS. Want more involvement? Go classic. Want to turn PA1736 into a genuine 1970s navigation challenge? Leave the GPS behind.
HISTORICAL ROUTE: KLAX → KJFK → GCLP
THIS RECREATION: KJFK → GCLP → DIVERT GCXO
The flight plan says Gran Canaria.
History says Tenerife.
Choose your 707. Choose your challenge. Fly into history.