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Archives at The Museum of Flight


SHANNON Engineering, Inc. Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 1995-09-07

Content Description

The SHANNON Engineering, Inc. Collection is comprised predominantly of textual documents and a small number of visual materials that describe the work of Jack Shannon, the founder of the company, and his business’s engineering designs and aircraft manuals from 1970-1992. The textual materials are made up of company reports, hand-drawn technical designs, aircraft manual drafts, charts, certificates, correspondence, hand-written notes, clippings, and articles. The visual materials consist of 14 photographs, 172 photographic negatives, and 46 slides. The files have been grouped into three series that reflect the major projects of the company: Series I. Quiet 707 Noise Abatement Program, 1981-1992, Series II. Boeing 747 Deck Modification Project, 1986-1987, and Series III. Assorted Flight Manual and Design Projects, 1970-1982.

Documented in the collection are the company’s engineering designs related to its hush kits for noise abatement of the Boeing 707 aircraft that led to the “Quiet 707” and “Super Q”, as well as the company’s designs for critical structural modifications of the Boeing 747 aircraft for heavy loads. In addition, there are materials related to the company’s contracts to produce flight manuals and engineering designs for various airplanes, helicopters, and engine types, such as the Jetstar 73, various models of the Learjet, and preliminary designs for the Transonic Corporate Jet. The collection includes documentation on work between SHANNON Engineering, Inc. and other companies including Quiet Nacelle Corporation, Robertson Stol, Boeing Company, Columbia Helicopters, Incorporated, Dee Howard Company, Gates Learjet Corporation, Tracor, Inc., and the Federal Aviation Administration for approving the company’s designs and manuals.

Dates

  • Creation: 1970-1992

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research but has not been fully processed. Access to the collection may be limited or may require additional processing time. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Historical Note: SHANNON Engineering, Inc.

SHANNON Engineering, Inc. was an aviation company based in Bellevue, Washington that was established by Jack Shannon in 1970. Jack Shannon was a former employee of the Boeing Company and decided to create his own engineering firm. When international noise regulations became more stringent in 1985, SHANNON Engineering, Inc. began developing specialized “hush kits” to muffle the noise of Boeing 707s during takeoff. The company also focused on aircraft performance analysis, testing, certifications, and flight manuals. The company ceased operation in 2008.

Biographical Note: Jack Shannon

Jack Shannon was the founder of an aviation engineering company, SHANNON Engineering, Inc., based in Bellevue, Washington. Prior to establishing his business, Shannon worked for the Boeing Company as an engineer and pilot.

Extent

2.4 Cubic Feet (4 5-inch letter size document boxes, 1 2-inch legal size document box, and 1 oversize box (20" x 16" x 3"))

Language

English

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Related Materials at Other Institutions

SHANNON Engineering, Inc., records, #8746. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

Separated Materials

The following materials have been separated from the archival component of this collection and are kept in the Library:

  • Shannon Position Report, no. 05, January 1989.
  • Aviation and Space Technology Week. McGraw-Hill Publication, May 27, 1985.
  • assorted manuals


The following items have been separated from the archival component of this collection and are kept in Objects storage:
  • 44" wingspan model of Ed Swearingen's Odyssey
  • 747-300 model
  • Quiet 707 model


Please contact us for more details.

Processing Information

Technical diagrams have not been unfolded, humidified or flattened.

Title
Guide to the SHANNON Engineering, Inc. Collection
Status
Completed Level 2
Author
Charise Dinges
Date
06/2025
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Edition statement
1st edition

Repository Details

Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository

Contact:
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-5874


The Museum of Flight | 9404 E. Marginal Way South | Seattle WA 98108-4097 | 206-764-5874
Contact us with a research request
curator@museumofflight.org