Boeing 727, Boeing Then vs. Boeing Now
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- The Boeing 727 was designed and built with a philosophy that I don't think exists with Boeing management any more, or at least it doesn't exist with the people calling the shots over there.
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Corrections:
Boeing stopped using customer codes in 2016.
That "767" is a 777, it doesn't effect the video though as the flaps are very similar between the two planes.
What an incredibly interesting video, those triple slotted fowler flaps are so gorgeous, your quip about the Trident was hilariously brutal.
That's funny. You may have noticed that was recorded in a different room than most of the video. That's because you're hearing the toned down version.
I am 57 and was fortunate, as a child, to be raised in an affluent family. We traveled, by air often to visit relatives. Moline to Nashville, via either Chicago or St. Louis. Boeing 727's, 737's and an occasional Douglas. All jet propelled.
For the 727, watching that wing literally come apart on approach and then together again upon climb out. Magnificent!
My last 727 flight was Northwest, Reno to Make Minneapolis. Seats and carpet had been removed from the rear of the cabin. It was this plains last passenger flight. Landing, no firetrucks, no fanfair. Just the Captain's announcement of the last flight and a long look back from him after exiting the jetway.
Thanks for this video...
BfD
I have been retired for 15 years now but I flew jets for a living for 38 years. Thirteen of those years were in the 727, with the years spread among all three cockpit seats. It is my favorite airplane and a heck of a machine. It had delightful fllying qualities, was superbly designed and beautifully crafted. And it could take a licking and keep on ticking - it always got you back onto the ground with a reuseable aircraft. Thanks for the memories!!
Former 727 driver here… Your flight engineer was having an off day if the APU fire light illuminated inflight - it, normally, meant that he forgot to shut the APU down before takeoff. Yes… She was fast. We had the last birds off the assembly line. They had the Valsan conversion to JT-8D-217 engines - LOTS of thrust. We “barber poled” everywhere back then. We would often get into Mach buffet “unintentionally”😆👨✈️.
I have heard that if you retrofit with mpodern style winglets you gt the same roll coeficient as the F-14
@@gkiltz0 Now THAT’S one I’ve never heard!
My favorite airplane
Flyer, not driver. Driving is for business. Traveling is for personal. Constitutionally.
Sounds like a vibe
Hello Greg,
I enjoyed your video on the 727. Great information.
I flew for Mexicana Airlines starting in 1975 as a Flight Engineer on the 727-100.
Six months later I was upgraded to First Officer and then after only five years I was Captain.
I flew the 727 a total of 17 years and and about 6,000 hours until 1992.
Then I started flying the Boeing 757 and 767 and finally the Airbus 320.
I retired in 2007 at 60 years age.
The airplane I enjoyed the most flying was the Boeing 727.
In Mexicana Airlines since the 1980’s we had 727-200 equipped with JATOS to comply with the second segment after take off in case of an engine failure in high altitude airports (Mexico City).
Six rockets, three on each side under fuselage behind the wing.
When the JATOS expired (when not used), we would fire them in training flights (not simulator) simulating engine failures.
Thanks for your videos.
Yours
Cap. Mariano Travesi
The 727 has a special place in my heart. I lived near the airport at Long Beach, CA. I was an aviation fanatic from a young age and part of that came from both of my elementary schools being nearly under the approach path of the airport. Nothing made my day more than when a PSA or Western Airlines 727 came roaring over the playground during recess, trailing those good old fashioned JT8D smoke trails.
My uncle Stan (WW-ll P-51 pilot) started flying TWA DC-3’s after the war and continued with TWA all the way to his retirement (enforced then at age 60). His only breaks from flying came with the occasional “layoffs”.
He talked of the major “washing out” of their pilots when the prop-to-jets conversion came. He survived that change… leaving the “Super-Connie” behind and flying mostly 727’s up to his 60th birthday.
His favorite remained “the Connie” that he referred to as, “the most forgiving”.
He’s gone now, up
“to touch the face of God”.
Ron Smith
P.S. My dad was a flight instructor during WWII; and I have private pilot ticket… owned a 172 for a couple years… but medically disqualified for a long time now… sure do miss it !
I've worked on that plane in the title !!! I worked for NWA for 20 years, learning the finer points of a sheetmetal mechanic on the 727. There isn't a place in or on that plane i haven't worked. I loved them !
That's awesome. Thanks for sharing :)
@@billotto602 I worked in Fuel Metering at MSP until they locked us out during a BRAC strike. Wound up in the chemical industry for 16 years then back into aviation at Mesaba.
In the 727 you don't put down the flaps, you disassemble the wing.
@@brucefelger4015 Right ! Not much left with everything front & rear down !
Great video Greg. My dad flew for Western/Delta and as a non-rev I swear i flew on every 727 in big W's fleet. I always remember the takeoff acceleration was always just a little bit extra. Another 10/10 on a classic. Thanks Greg!!
Greg, you are spot on about Boeing not caring like they used to. I know for a fact the MD merger was its massive trip up, especially allowing them run all management. Its a shame but now a lot of my buddies who are being put on newer birds (especially the newest 777) referred to them as DC-10s with a 777 label. Very sad indeed
Hi Gregg. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I operated, flew on as FE, and maintained a 100 series ex brannif plane for over 13 years, all over the world. Such a gracious old lady who never let us down. We did all our own C checks, engine changes etc in house, and the plane was one of the cheapest corporate jets we owned, even accounting for all the aging programs, corrosion programs etc. I love this plane. I spent many happy hours in the cockpit, and enjoyed every trip. Cheers
John.
As I young lad in the late seventies (maybe 10 to 12 years of age), I was on a family vacation in Spain. We traveled from Madrid to Malaga on an Iberia Airlines 727 as part of the trip. A close family friend on the trip was a Captain for a U.S. carrier and got us a tour of the flight deck after our departure. As a young kid, I was quiet and just listened to the discusion between the professionals, but somehow I ended up in the jump seat all buckled up. Eventually the family friend returned to his seat in the cabin and left me in the jump seat as we began our descent. I remained quiet but ecstatic as the plane was landed at Malaga. I will never forget the view out of the cockpit window as we made our approach to the runway. It is a cherished memory from my childhood.
Someone attempted to mug me in Malaga. Other than that, cool place.
my guess, they could read the excitement in your face, ha.
In the early 80's i got to sit in the co pilots seat, but in a 747! We were on the way back to London, it too has stuck with me as an amazing experience, I'll never forget and that would never be possible today ☹️
I was a mechanic on a 727 for many years and then became a Flight Engineer. The 2 biggest problems with the original 727's were the APU door. The APU had and exhaust door that opened up on the right wing when operating. Many problems with the door and switch. Later they removed the door and installed louvers. Another problem with the original 727's were the thrust reversers. They finally modified that problem.
That 727 is still mounted indoors on the second floor the museum of science and industry in Chicago. You can walk around and occasionally sit in the pikot's seat. They used to have pilots there discussing the aircraft with visitors on the weekends. It's a really cool exhibit.
Your video is the best on the 727 subject. I love you mentioning about the importance of wing design. Most people only see the fuselage as being a plane. But it is the wings that fly, the wings are the aircraft. The fuselage is a negative factor causing drag and adding weight,. We added that tube only for cargo and passengers, and a neat way to connect the tail plane🙂
The wing is indeed the advantage of the Airbus today…. How things have changed.
I remember as a young boy flying alone to visit dad I loved Continental 727s and watching the wing flaps moving about. That takeoff performance was exciting too.
My first commercial flight was on a 727 KC to Denver in 1976. What a cool aircraft. It's still my favorite with the 757 being close behind.
I love your channel Greg ! The “767” photo you used to discuss wings , flaps, etc. is a 777 . To be fair , I could identify planes , as a child, before many people could see them . I lived on the downwind leg of what were 18L&R in Tampa , in the 60’s -80’s ; flights coming up from Miami , Ft.Lauderdale , Ft.Meyers even Sarasota , for a time , were served by 727s of National and Eastern Airlines .As a child , I could here planes on the the downwind , because of how loud they were, well before they’d arrive at a point above my home, especially the 727 ; but only when fully configured for landing ; however, occasionally, a hotshot pilot would come over low and probably just under 250 , leaving me no time to run outside to catch a glimpse as he began his left base, making it hard to imagine how he’d slowed and configured the thing to land ; but , 72’s could do that, and probably the only type that could .
Dammit, you're right, that's a 777 and I said 767. Anyway, the correction has been added to the video description and the flap designs are about the same anyway so it doesn't effect the video content. The 727s could slow down really fast, so we could the outer marker at pretty high speeds and still land with no problem.
Doors and hatches are no joke on pressurized aircraft. When I was at Delta I saw 3 contractors fired on the spot and walked out for acidentally untourqing the bolts on the bulk cargo door mounts. Those tolerances are so critical and percise that they had to have engineers evaulate it for repair.
I flew on B727 in 2002 on my honeymoon out of DFW on Champion Airlines. That aircraft was a rocket just like the B757. They later flew that same aircraft into the desert to simulate a crash test. I still have the flight information plus tail number to confirm this. I now work as a ramp tower control and get to see lots of old aircraft going to cargo. DFW still has a 727 on display at our FTRC if you want to see one in person.
Boeing once basically said, "We pay our people more than our competitors, but make such a good airplane that airlines will still line up to pay more for it." and it was true. It's so sad and disappointing that nobody would believe it today.
Great video, as always, Greg. I like the occasional video that isn't just the same format or subject. Variety is the spice of life. Thanks
The 727 is the most beautiful jet airliner ever made. At least to me.
🤓 💯 🤓
I remember reading an engineering book on the plane, one of the main things it was optimized for was landing at LGA. Of course the airstair didn't get much use after D.B. Cooper exited it in flight.
I spent 13 years flying the 3-holer, 11 of those years as captain. It was a great airplane and a joy to fly.
Hmm, I know a Jim Bonney from DHL Airways.
@@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles Must be some other guy. I worked at ASTAR Air Cargo😁
My favourite aeroplane
Greg there is a procedure for running the APU in flight for two engine ferry. Enjoyed your video. Several of your photos were airplanes I flew. The 727 was good to me and my flying career. I was in a whirlwind fast training cycle and made Captain in 1985 flying for the contractors for UPS at SDF. Very likely we crossed paths in the middle of the night in a crew room somewhere. In '98 I was flying the DC-8, another one of my favorites. I have way too many 727 stories for this comment section. I'm old and retired now, finishing up on the 747. My longest 727 flight was a ferry, SFO-PHNL. 6+22. landed with 3300 in the center tank, that was a tight one. That airplane(727-100) lived in Honolulu and did island cargo runs.
I never did a two engine ferry. My wife felt it would invalidate my life insurance. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but it made sense to me. I never saw that procedure though. Anyway, I was at Kitty Hawk and DHL, so I did my time in Toledo, Ft. Wayne, CVG, that postal hub out in Mather and so on. We probably did cross paths.
Living near Glasgow Airport I saw [ and heard] Tridents several times a day - I can't remember seeing a 727 although I'm sure I must have.
I found the video to be most interesting. My father and brother were pilots on both the B707 and B727 and flew them for many years without any major incidents. However, if you lived near a European airport during the 60s and 70s you would see lots of Tridents, Caravelles and BAC 1-11s, though the majority medium range aircraft would probably have been the B727.
Flew 727's a lot of times on many airlines that don't exist today. I really miss those days compared todays airlines. Now I try not to fly if I can help it, it's just not the same. The airlines, fellow passengers and in flight services are dismal at best.
The 727 was a workhorse of interstate routes from the mid-60s to early 80s in Australia. I was a budding flight instructor for much of the middle of that period (Victas, Skippers, Sundowners and Bonanzas) and worked at Hawker De Havilland (now Boeing Aerostructures Australia), who manufactured wing ribs and rudders for the -200 series (under 'offset' arrangements). I have three abiding recollections of 727s:
- It was the first jet in which I flew as a passenger. After being only dragged around by a piston driven propellor, they were a delight of smooth flying and effortless power.
- Working on Boeing contracts transformed HDH from a 'English Disease' workplace into something truly competitive. All the bits we made inspired confidence in the aircraft. The 727 was a seriously solid piece of construction; although the F chords (top and bottom of the wing spars) were not the easiest thing to construct (and were the 'critical path' in our manufacturing process).
- A group of four of us had been invited for a night visit to the radar centre at Sydney Airport. Back in those days fitting a 'lightie' in amongst the traffic to Sydney Airport was easy. After a pretty night flight over the harbour in calm conditions, we were vectored around across Botany Bay, crossing the path of a 727 that was just landing way off to our right on a cross runway (34). Wingtip vortices were not as well known back then, and we flew straight through those left in its wake. Fastest slamming up/down/up roller coaster ride (probably all in under a second or so) I've ever been on. All of us immediately looked out at the wings of the Sundowner (or was it an older Musketeer??) to see if they were still there and still straight. 727 wings sure produced some turbulence in landing configuration.
The "3 holer" has to be one of the most pretty jet liners in history. That classic Boeing nose, the beautiful wing planform, (w/slats and awesome flaps), as well as the centerline thrust of the 3 engines.... they looked strong, fast, and safe. Modern twins, if you do have an engine out have to fly on only 50% thrust rather than the 66% in the trijet. A great design and a Great aircraft!
Greg, just fyi, you got me into flying. 😃 I'm working on my glider cert then going powered. If you read this, I would love to see a video on gliding. I'm sure you could find some sort of historic angle that people would find fascinating. Take care, J.
Wow, thanks, that's quite a compliment. The only glider stuff I have talked about is in the Me163 series. Even then, it's not much.
Great video Greg. I still have cargo (and zero-G) 727s come into the fbo where I work fairly frequently. many of the photos you used are of planes that I know well. Simply my favorite airliner. One of these days however its going to be the last time that I see one, and that saddens me already.
Greg, I noticed a LOT of Continental Airlines pictures. Did you fly for Continental? I worked for Continental Express out of ASE, RIW, & FNL . You are so right, you couldn't swing a dead cat in the 80's without hitting a 27...lol. Love the little jab at the Computer malfunction of the 737...😂. I flew on the 727 more times than any other aircraft, and even took the Air Mic (727), flight from Guam on the Island Hopper once. The wing on the 27 was an engineering miracle, SO freaking complex, but GOD, what an incredible range of capabilities! No aircraft in commercial service today has anything close. You are spot on with your assessment of Boeing. Once American manufacturing made the best, & dared charge for the quality. Now Wall Street calls the, "earnings" shots, it's been calling the shots for American corporations since the early 90's. In the 60's quality products were rewarded with high stock market returns, now Wall Street just wants profit without the quality. Ok, I'm done ranting.
Thanks, and no, I never worked at Continental, I just have fond memories of the "Proud Bird with the Golden Tail".
I'm an International traveler. I always hang back when exiting a plane to thank and congradulate the Pilot for an excellent job in getting me to my destination. 😊
I have very strong memories of flights on 727's in the 80's. This jet was like a rocket ship at take off and quiet inside. May be now we can look back at this time as the golden era of Boeing. And as we all know what Boeing are making now is vastly different and sometimes awkward. Boeing really need to focus again and pay far more attention to the basics.
@@Plutogalaxy I'm a non smoker, the back 5 or 6 rows of the aircraft were always setup for smokers
The first time I flew on a 727 in the '70's what was most notable was the steep climbout and inside the cabin it seemed as if I were looking uphill.
This just reminded me that I have debarked a plane from the rear stairs! Forgot all about that!
Coincidentally, I just got thru watching "Last Week Tonight" about today's Boeing. Stark contrast. I think the guys that made the 727 and 747 would no longer recognize the company.
The Boeing 727 procured a very smooth ride, second to the French Caravelle, and the softest landings, due to similar wing shapes. In the sixties and seventies, they were my two favorite planes. The planes that came after were brutal, in comparison. I flew on the opening flight from London to Nice in 1959, and by mere luck boarded the last flight of a Caravelle for Air France, between Marseilles and Paris Charles de Gaulle, in the seventies or early eighties. After the lightest landing ever, when the passengers finished cheering and applauding, the captain made an announcement: « Ladies and gentlemen, you will never again in all your life experience such a landing: this was the last flight of Caravelle for Air France, and this was my last flight as a pilot. This is my retirement day. » Very emotional.
I did a short stint as a UPS plane loader in the early 00's and one of the planes I loaded was a 727. The other one was a modern A300. It was night and day differences on everything, even the interior. I much preferred loading the 727. Despite being a cargo plane it had actual interior paneling instead of exposed everything.
Boeing today is "a finance company that happens to build airplanes". That's what happened to Boeing.
That's exactly why mister boeing left company.
Yep, I work for a finance company that happens to build cars. I know the feeling.
My dad worked for American Airlines in the early 80’s and through 2013ish time frame. We flew on many 727’s in the 80’s and 90’s and many S80’s/MD80’s. We had a flight on a 727 delayed about an hour. We took off and the Captain come’s on the intercom later and tells us we are arriving on time and if you look out the window you will see we are traveling about 600 mph. My mind was blown. We were hauling ass and you could see it. I loved flying on the 727. Now when we moved to DFW I could always tell when a 727 was taking off because how loud they were. But it was music to my ears every time. We lived right near the end of one of the runways at DFW International Airport. A great airplane and I miss them. Also great seeing three heads in the cockpit. 727👍🏻👍🏻
Great video, Greg! Thanx! The 727 was one of my favorite jets as a passenger.
Just retired last year after 33years at a major. Fondly spent 9 years on the 727, half at the panel and half in the right seat. No FMS or GPS, just basic VOR and ADF. Loved ever minute (mostly). Loved your detailed history and great photos. Thanks. I do remember that Caravelle parked just south of where RWY 27 is now at CVG!
Loved the 727! My Dad worked for Eastern Airlines which had many of these aircraft in service when we were flying as s family. Those were the days! 💙
I was lucky enough to fly as a passenger on the Caravel, Trident and 727 (and the BAC111 great little plane). All three were very quiet, especially if you sat towards the front. I well remember my first 727 flight, the wing looked not much different to the Trident until it was time to land, things came out of everywhere. I remember a flight back from Germany on a Lufthansa 727 and being handed a newspaper with the front page containing that photograph of a 727 just before it crashed.
An old workhorse. Best seller until the 737. Interesting video. I didn't know all that. Thanks! All my friends began their airline careers in the cockpit of one as well. All ex-military pilots. Still holds up as the sportiest looking airliner today. Those all computer crafts scare me. Computers crash.
I am an airplane nut, and I was in the U.S.Army from 1980-1994, and I rode on quit a few airplanes during those years. But lucky enough to ride on a B727 once during that time, far as I can remember. And I'll never forget, whether from the crew or the airplane itself, it had to be the smoothest airplane ride I ever had! From takeoff to landing. Was from Barstow California to Hunter Army Airfield, but forget the airline. Was some charter outfit I think. And oh yea, all those latrines in the very back was just so friggin' easy to access too I'll never forget that either😊
I love the 727 but I feel Boeing reached it's peak with the 757.🥰🤗. Today's Boeing, (2024), is a shadow of it's former self. It's Boeing in name but McDonnell Douglas at heart.😮😞
In September 1979, I was travelling from Malaysia to Los Angeles CA USA. We had a stopover at San Francisco Airport where we deplaned and switched to a Western 727 to LAX. I still remember that flight as that was the 3rd time on an airliner (the 1st was the Singapore Airlines 737 from KUL to SIN, then on a Singapore Airlines 747 from SIN to SFO with a stopover at HNL). I was attending Northrop University to study Aeronautical Engineering. (No, I didn't complete it, but switched to a BSET program that started with a 58 week long A & P course.) Still am avgeek to this day.
How old am I? Old enough to have flown on all of the aircraft shown lol. As a 12 year old I flew in dc3 and 10's from Toronto to JFK by myself. My uncle Reg Williamson was a mechanic at Air Canada for 36 years. So I remember the whisper jet well. I also remember one loosing an engine in flight. At 70 yrs I've flown on pretty much every Boeing product. The triple 7 was my pick to China and back. Now I am on the Gulfstream 650er. Thanks for this video. Memories! Carter.... Canada
My father flew these for the bulk of his career at his airline. He said it was fast. He had started out on the Convair 880 when he got out of the Navy in '68. He said the 880 was very fast. He flew all the jets in that airline's stable, but most of his time can be broken down between the 727 and the 737. He loved the 72, and his retirement gift was a huge photograph of a 72 leaving a very new DFW. I am sure he would have appreciated your video, and agreed with your assesment.
As a pilot and former pro racing driver I want to thank you for your hard work.
Great argument. In Australia the 727 was and remains an icon BECAUSE of the principles of that equation. New innovative airlines here exploited that equation to the max - even literally creating and maintaining the longest ever regular 727 distance run in Western Australia - we knew what Boeing was saying with this craft and built airlines around it. Now airlines are based not around engineering but frequent flyer points. In Australia as a kid it was aspirational to want to be a flight engineer on these not a erm U tuber 😅
❤ there well designed planes ✈️ yes! 🙌
B-727 was a bloody Sherman tank. Flew one for a cargo company years after it retired from pax service. Based in Havana and flying all over South America. That thing was bulletproof reliable. (AllCanada Express) It was easy to hand fly also. Like a big Cessna 172.
For any pilot who actually enjoys the physical manipulation of an aircraft, the 727 is an absolute joy. Probably the last airliner designed with the pilot in mind. A marvelous bit of engineering. Pilots who loved flying, could actually navigate without a magenta line, and look out the windscreen to land never left her for the heavies.
Amen
D.B. Cooper loved this airplane.
Bravo, very informative and entertaining even without the charts and graphs. Well done.
This is great. I never gave much thought to the 727 and thought more of how revolutionary the 707 was. Even better hearing someone talk about flying it as well.
Flew these often in Australia from around 1973 where they were operated by TAA (Trans Australian Airways) and Ansett, its now defunct main rival.
Regarding the comment about aircraft design without computers. Even in the early 1980's, computers were wimpy enough that a lot of the instruction engineers received universities in design for structures, dynamics and aerodynamics, involved ways to simplify the calculations to save computer time. Even large mainframes had much, much less computing power than the average smartphone of today.
Always funny how more niche requirements will produce counterintuitive airplanes. I really like the BAe 146, really emblematic of this sort of thing.
Did this many times as a flight engineer on the 727. Moved APU master switch from OFF to ON to START around 100 feet above ground just prior to landing (gear is down). APU crank light would illuminate and APU would start spinning, but fuel valve would not open in flight. No rise in EGT. As soon as the main gear squat switch compressed, the fuel valve would open, and you’d see a rise in EGT, AND THE APU would accelerate up to normal running RPM.
In converse, if you forgot to shut down the APU after main engine start and took-off with the APU still running, it would remain running.
These comments are for later 727’s that had the APU exhaust door removed in favor of louvers on the upper surface of the right wing.
So the 727 is the plane that proves the old adage that if it looks good it will fly good. Such a pretty form born of passion perhaps.
I liked the part about the TWA switchology. I was a mechanic at NWA. One day I went next door to TWA for some contract maintenance. When I sat in the seat and turned on the beacon as a warning before turning on the b-pumps I had a "what the ...." moment. TWA also had their indicator lights configured as fault lights instead of indicating on or off.
“Fiduciary duty to the shareholder” are the five most evil worlds ever uttered.
The Caravel failed because its range was amazingly short. The company thought airlines would love it for short European routes.
Contrary to public belief, the fiduciary duty (in legal terms as enforced by the SEC) stops at Boeing's board being obligated to provide shareholders with accurate financial reporting and of all potential risks to the company's viability. No law made Boeing move its headquarters to Chicago (read: away from the people doing the actual work), engage in perpetual stock buybacks for the lack of better ideas and not meaningfully invest in the company's long-term viability.
As a young fella I got to fly on 727 aircraft between central Australia and Adelaide in the 70s and early 80s, mostly for attending boarding School. Loved those Aircraft, fast and they sounded beautiful when climbing out after takeoff, the exhaust note was very loud and had a distinct crackling sound with a nice smoky plume. I also had the privilege to visit the cockpit and the pilots were very kind to explain the flight instruments to an amazed child who later in life got into a technical career working with similar technology.
It might be a cheesy cliché, but the thought of a band of engineers armed with nothing but slide rules, drawing boards, their knowledge and the motivation to break into uncharted territory with such confidence is just heartwarming (and at the same time saddening).
I still have a slide rule and an engineer's drawing board in my house (yes, the latter takes up a lot of space😅)
I still have my Log-Log-Trig slide rule from college and working days. Unfortunately it knows more math than I remember.
FWIW - I wondered how the engineers managed to get enough air into the center engine without it just chocking inside the curved duct work.
@@gregwarner3753 S-ducts are their own subject 😄
From what I understand, the trick is to avoid separation at low airspeeds.
So glad you did this episode Greg! I love the 727. Sadly I can't say I ever flew on one. If I did I was too young to remember. I actually remember when Greyhound briefly ran a fleet of 727s out of Winnipeg around the time I live there, so I remember them flying overhead.
My first ever flight was a short hop on a 727 from RIC to Charlotte, NC in the 80s. Pretty sure it was American Airlines but could be wrong on that. Everything since has been 737 or newer
The 727 is one of those aircraft that just looks fast sitting on the ground which means she is almost certainly fast in the air and do it with quite an elegant look.🥰
Love the comment about doing extra things in the Sim, never a truer word spoken!
30yr pilot here 777 PIC, words I repeat to all my new F/Os.
727s flew in and out of the small regional airport in my hometown. There was about 4 or 5 flights a day. They were beautiful aircraft, and I loved watching them takeoff and land. The where really loud compared to other small airliners, no matter where you where in town you could always hear when the took off or throttled up on touchdown.
It's interesting Boeing tried to combat cheap foreign labor in Europe. Now Airbus does the opposite by making some of its planes in Alabama.
I can remember back in the day living in DFW area when you heard a jet taking off or landing it was a 727. First jet I ever flew in was a 727, loved that thing.
I'm 50. I remember flying in the 727. I still think it's one of the better looking commercial jets.
My dad was a UAL Captain. He said the 727 was his favorite airliner of all time.
Very much enjoyed this video. Would like to see more 😊
My first trip to New York's J.F.K was onboard an American Airlines 727 back in 1982, that was so smooth, relaxing and impressive. Now, it's like please let whatever crazy and quickly build aircraft the companies use get us to and back from where we're going!
When I was a kid in Venezuela, the 727 was the ubiquitous airplane in every airport, and the DC-9 to a lesser extent.
Loved the smell of fuel next to the airport, and the noise could be felt in the chest. Once saw a TU-154 with heavy smoke and I was confused as it is the same configuration but bigger. T shaped tails were so common in that time and now they are not…
Great videos! The 727 was probably the best looking airliner to ever grace the skies. Built like a brick sh_t house. The Hoot Gibson upset fall from FL390 and the over wing bomb on a TWA 727 out of Rome (I think) in late 60s' shows that at least the "old" Boeing has it act together.
Wow, really dialed it up to 11 at the end of the video, without being unduly critical of Boeing. Nicely done.
Thank you soooo much for this video. 727s took me from Newark to Orlando so many times before I was 12 years old. I used to sit as close to the windows so I could ID the aircraft as they came in. Thanks for the memories buddy!
It's a pity some of Boeing's management of 727 era aren't still employed by Boeing today. The disasters of the 737 might never have occurred, and the reportedly ongoing Dreamliner issues. Very interesting video.
Your right. They need to go back to old school Boening. They need to make airplanes top priority. Not CEO stock options.
@@usaerospace6707 100% correct, a great company getting ruined by boffins.
There was about 3 years in the mid-60s that I installed control cables, nose gears, etc. We were cranking out 727s every day & 1/2.
I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Thank you.
Fascinating. Used to refuel NWA and Continental 727s in college at KBZN. Thanks, Greg.
I am just fine with you straying off of 'technical stuff'.
The entire aircraft industry interests me.
Not just the tech of the planes themselves.
And in that light - thanks for this video.
☮
7:48 I feel quite privileged at hearing this because as a kid growing up in the 70's/80's and living under the flight path into Glasgow airport in Scotland i would see British Airways Tridents flying in and out all day long, BA used them as their shuttle to London Heathrow, the thing i remember most about the trident was the deafening noise they made as they flew past so much so they ruined many a movie by not being able to hear what was being said usually at a crucial moment, our house also had metal frames which would sometimes rattle and hum when the jets of the day flew in and out.
Was my favorite aircraft such a smooth and quiet ride.
I became an aircraft mechanic in 91, and the first jet l worked with was the 727-200,lovely plane to work with..!!!❤❤❤🎉
The Caravelle at CVG was scrapped 12 years ago.
As for D B Cooper.
His name was Richard Floyd McCoy.
"Probable cause" has two videos about McCoy.
I remember there were a series of 727 crashes on approach where they came in too slow and the airflow into the center engine was disrupted when they raised the nose. The solution was to increase approach speeds. This was right at the beginning of the 727 era and though wasn't a design issue, I think the published numbers were below where they should have been.
My next door neighbor flew one for Piedmont. One day one of the rear wheels wouldn't come down so he bounced it down the runway in Norfolk more than once to no avail. Finally did the landing and did a super job keeping the aircraft under control. A great airplane and as you mentioned, quiet on the inside and noisy on the outside.
Being on the east side of the 'pond' I have flown in Tridents (including those with four engines!) and Caravelles. Caravelles were nice to fly in, very quiet, had big triangular windows and rear air stairs, the same as the 727. But 727s were more like sports cars. They zoomed into the air!
I love the foreign labor theme in this video. And, no, I wasn't thinking of Europe when you mentioned that because immediately thought of companies TODAY. 😊 Great video. Thank you for it.
Unfortunately it's not just Boeing that has gone down this path. I think you could make a good case that this is MBA disease. If an MBA imparts such a deep understanding of business, then why are almost no companies started by MBAs? If MBAs are primary useful for people who are staff (non-decision making) then why do so many companies allow them to be in the important jobs like CEO?
I loved 727's. PSA😊 TOOK IT at least once a month for years. Backdoor loved it but not like db cooper. Old ontario airport you used to walk on the tarmack. My coudin started as an enginedr on a 727 at delta. When i was a out 8 we went to europe. We took caravels intra eurpoe. Enjoyed their take off , very high angle.
There's three planes I love and they are the 747, L-1011 and the 727. They have the most beautiful elegant lines and they make a beautiful noise😊
I personally miss the MD-80.
It is said that HS were so confident about Trident - they showed the plans to Boeing in the hope of collaboration.
Boeing said no and ran with the idea.
HS's biggest customer wanted a smaller version and crippled the market potential.
Awesome video, Greg. Great videos here recently and we appreciate them - safe flying!
I used to see those Caravelles taking off out of LAX, Airborne Experss. I've had A failures and had to crank the gear down. I flew it 9 years, about 3 years in each seat. Best flying jet of all the airline jets I flew. The 100 was the only one that could go up to FL410. And usually about the time we were light enough to go up there, it was close to the top of decent. So if up that high, it was always short lived. Big change in the FF. Normally it never got below 2500lbs hr. per engine. But at 410 it would be 2200lbs hr. The 727 did have a viscious dutch roll, so it had two rudders and two yaw dampers. Upper rudder and lower rudder.