Jumbo Jet flies away

It took only a few seconds for a massive plane to get off the runway and fly away.

The white and burgundy Boeing 747SP left Kelowna International Airport just after 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, headed for Hamilton, Ont.

Weather woes in Hamilton prevented the giant aircraft from departing on Tuesday.

The Boeing 747SP was in Kelowna to be refitted after its purchase from the royal family of Qatar by CSDS Aircraft Sales and Leasing of California. The Qatari royal family had been asking $18 million for the big bird, but CSDS paid $5 million for it after another sale to an African head of state for $10 million fell through.

The jumbo arrived in May, attracting plane watchers to see one of the largest planes to ever land in Kelowna.

KF Aerospace was taking care of the jet and gave it a brand new paint job while at YLW.

Only 45 747SP aircraft were built between 1974 and 1989, and only 10 are believed to still be in active service.