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United 727 Lands at Chicago’s Meigs Field, October 15, 1992. Shot by Mark Suszko, IIS Video.
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- Опубліковано 19 сер 2024
- You can see the great short-field capabilities of the 727 making almost an aircraft carrier style trap on the Meigs runway in high gusts and crosswind, October 15, 1992. It was a donation from United Airlines to the Museum Of Science And industry. The tire smoke from first contact has barely dissipated as the thrust reversers pop, the engines slam into full power for reverse braking, and all the boards and spoilers hang out to drag the plane to a stop by the mid-runway turn-off.
The 727 had a small fuel load, to make it lighter and give a lower wing loading, which shortens the landing roll out but also reduces penetration into headwinds and means more sensitivity to turbulence and gusts… The officials stepping off after the steep and exciting approach and roll-out looked a little green to me, but happy.
Those low passes along the lakefront skyline are something that was never seen before… or again, ever, after 9/11.
My favorite passenger jet and favorite airport. I got to fly in and out of Meigs a few times over my state career, on one of the State’s own King-Air twins, and it was always a thrill. The runway looks like a postage stamp during final approach, and you’re convinced you’re going to hit the water. But you never do. I was so sad to see the airport closed, and infuriated by the underhanded way it was done. It really was a very valuable asset to the City.
I had a better camera angle on the landing, set up hours before, but at literally the last minute a stills photographer changed his assigned position and ended up in my shot, ruining the frame, so I had to pick up the camera, sticks, and the attached recording deck, and re-position a few feet over, then try and re-establish focus, in just a handful of seconds.
I returned to Chicago and this plane, to document the beach landing of the 727 on it’s barge after having the engines and many other heavy systems removed over in Indiana - and it’s slow traverse up the beach and across Lake Shore Drive, into a hole cut out of the side of the Museum. Maybe I’ll find a copy of that footage some day. It was all given to MSI courtesy of IDOT Aeronautics for their exhibit documentary projects. Meanwhile, I re-create this day all the time in x-Plane Simulator.
Thanks for posting this video!
I was the pilot of this flight from Chicago O’Hare to Meigs Field. I will explain some of the reasons how this flight was made:
I was an Air Force pilot for 22 years, flew numerous airplanes including the KC-135, RB-57F, U-2, F-104, and SR-71. I am a graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School. I have just over 1,000 hours of combat flying time in C-130s in the Vietnam War. The latter may have been the reason my boss chose me to fly the Meigs delivery. It was not my idea.
Meigs’ runway length was just over 3,000 feet with Lake Michigan as the overrun. Dispatch had erroneously put about 12,000 pounds more fuel than I requested (they were working off of some standard fuel load, which I did not want). There was only a crew of 3 onboard, and the galleys and seats were still installed. There was a 15-knot gusty crosswind from the left, and as you can tell from the video, the aircraft responded sluggishly with full flaps (40º). I knocked off 10 knots from the published approach speed (standard short-field landing procedure) which, in retrospect, due to the gusts, was a mistake because as I attempted to “flare,” the airplane just continued to the runway and was subjected to the bounce and the crosswind. If I had it to do over, I would not have reduced the approach speed. I landed about 50 feet from the approach end of the runway and completed the landing roll in just under 2,000 feet. My goal was to land the aircraft in as short a landing roll as possible, and that goal was met.
There are thousands of people each year who visit the magnificent display in the Museum of Science and Industry, which is a tribute to United Airlines. I have not received any remuneration or accolade for this flight or video, but it is part of the record and deserves to be seen by anyone interested.
BC Thomas
Here is a link to the news reports of this flight: ua-cam.com/video/NV4tgjSPgks/v-deo.html
Thanks for the back story! I have seen the jet at the museum in Chicago. The 727 was indeed a great plane for some of us connoisseurs of the smoky, screaming jet age, although I l grew up in the transitional era, late-70s- early 90s. Still remember my first 727 flight operated by Royal Nepal Airlines, from Delhi to Kathmandu, overflying the Himalayas, back in 1983 ! I loved the planes back then just for the sheer variety of technical design. Today all planes look almost the same, twin engine computer controlled " airships" with whisper quiet engines.
Congratulations sir..And thank you from one vet to another for your service and the contributions to the flight industry 🙂
Thanks for bringing her home! I was curious if the C of G was a problem on this flight without PAX or the full cargo and fuel load? And did the extra fuel they put in significantly affect your wing loading and wind penetration?
@@skylarking12 My memory about the specifics of the fuel loading is vague, but I remember some mention that we had to keep extra fuel in the forward tank, something like 10,000 lbs. That would be unusable fuel. I don't think that the position of the center-of-gravity was a problem, and the handling characteristics were normal.
@@Smeegle653 Thank you!
"Ted, that was probably the worst landing in the history of this airport, but some of us here, particularly me, would like to buy you a drink and shake your hand"
Great quote! (and unfortunately quite relevant)
I just want to tell you both, good
luck, we’re all counting on you :)
@@hisandherscoaching lel
Awesome Airplane line 👏
I was never happy as a child. Christmas, Ted. What does that mean to you? For me it was a living hell. Do you know what it’s like to fall down in the mud and get kicked in the head with an iron boot?
@@brinsonharris9816 Of course you don't, no one does. It never happens. Sorry, Ted, that's a dumb question... skip that. (!!!!!)
I was at PWK for flight training for my private ticket. I remember my instructor having us do touch and goes on 36. And my first landing at Meigs was a greaser! Then after getting my SEL rating, I was flying into Meigs for a dinner downtown with my wife, just to do it. Taking off at night we left 18 and turned left into the pattern to head back home and realizing I'm IFR over the water. The skies were clear but it was so pitch black over Lake Michigan turning downwind. If you don't see the lights of the skyline you are truly IFR. It was just black, no stars, no distant lit roads. That taught me a valuable lesson. Meigs was a awesome airport. I met one of the Tuskegee Airmen there in the terminal. There was a small airshow that day and I shook the mans hand. It was Mr Mcgee. What an honor and to listen to him tell me a battle he was in. Me and only me. Like a normal conversation over a cup of coffee. I was in "Friends of Meigs" when it all went political trying to keep the airport open. I still have the shirt. What a great airport it was and I miss it.
I've worked for United as a Mechanic for several decades now, getting close to retirement. I miss the 727, worked on this one and have flown on it a few times.
This (727) was the plane I rode with dad and the family on some early vacation trips to Iowa and Colorado and I have a particular fondness for it. On the Iowa trip, we flew to Cedar Rapids on a red-eye flight, accompanying dad on a business trip. While he went off to work, we stayed at the Holiday Inn, which had a clover-leaf-shaped pool. Cutting out a lot of stuff in-between, the upshot was, my brother and I were drowning in that pool, and a lady relaxing on one of the pool lounges figured it out before anyone else, dove in, and rescued me and my brother. Turned out I recognized her; she'd been our stewardess on that same United Red-eye flight, she was coincidentally there resting up for her next assignment. I've had a fondness for United ever since then. Dad had to break away from his work conference to meet us at the hospital where they pumped my brother's stomach. He didn't take us on many more trips after that: one of the kids always wound up getting into some kind of trouble. Sorry, dad.
Thank you for what you do! Since I’ve flown United all my life, chances are you’ve helped maintain a plane I’ve ridden and kept me safe!
Unfortunately United has been the poster child of how not to run an airline now because of piss poor management from Stephen Wolf, Glenn Tilton , Oscar Munoz and now Loser Kirby
I wrenched on a few 727s at American at D/FW. I miss them too! They was a good safe aircraft to fly. Remember when the flight reset the assym brake cb inflight and they went into a dive. The pilot was on the floor wrestling the yoke and they put the gear down to slow the airspeed as the airspeed was off the charts (close to the speed of sound) they lost the gear door and if I remember right, part of the inbd flap. They made it though! Great airplane!
@@joncdav1 They built 'em right in those days. Today the 727 is still used to fly zero-G parabola trips.
Slam dunk, lightweight without passengers and cargo, probably not a lot of fuel on board either. Anyway, it was a big joy to watch and probably even more fun for the pilots. Great video, thanks.
Ya, that strip was short for a 727!
I still love those old United colors
I miss the 727 it was one of my favorite airliners to fly on when I was a kid such a beautiful and awesome aircraft
My last 727 flight was a business trip from ATL to IAH and Back. Delta 727 in April 2002.
@@abbasrizvi9389 the 727 was a good aircraft it was gone too early the crappy dc9 didn’t get retired until 2014 it was no where near as good as the 727
Agreed, very cool looking plane
As a young teenager I was a frequent flyer on eastern 727s, Curaçao to Miami, and cris crossing the U.S. east coast
The 727 is a beautiful plane. Love her lines.
Thats N7017U! now hung in the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago Il.
Wow, cool I remember the day they did that. I have been in that plane which is displayed a the Museum of Science and Industry.
The bounce was spectacular! Because of you Mr. pilot you made the landing historical and memorable. Best wishes!!!
I have 7000 hours flying as Capt, First Officer, and Flight Engineer on the 727, and enjoyed every minute. Boeing put so much more in its best creation the 727. Retired United Airlies Captain 727, 737, 747 26,000hrs. David Alonso.
Much respect.
Thanks David. I need your help to become a pilot.
Flew on the 727 many, many times growing up. I miss the sound of those JT8D engines spooling up for takeoff and the “whoosh” sound they make on final after full flaps. A great airplane & great video. Loved it!
There is nothing like the whine of a small fan engine taxi-ing on the ground and then spooling up for take-off.
Most beautiful jet airliner ever made.
Agree!
I think it is the worst.
@@greatsteamreal nope
@Grandma yes
Lockheed L-1011 takes the cake for me!
Thanks for posting! I too, love 727s and was fortunate to land at Meigs on a beautiful clear night in a corporate prop!
I was hanging out there shooting video of takeoffs and landings when a Beech Starship came in. Everybody just kinda stood still to oogle it.
@@skylarking12 We were in King Air.
Very great piloting! Hats off, y'all! Many thanks.
I had Flight Simulator 3 in 1990's. Meigs is very familiar to me, as a PC-sim-pilot. Planes was Cessna 182 Skylane RG, Sopwith Camel and Learjet 25. Great times, it was great to learn how to fly to the Urbana/Champaign airfield in VFR, from beacon to beacon. And land in ILS glide path in O'Hare, too.
So slow he basically stalled it right at the end! But a necessary action. What a great video! Thank you for sharing!
Planes today are nowhere as comfortable as planes of yesteryear. It was so glamorous. It was such a joy. I traveled for business. On The trip home I was exhausted. I would get my rest. Today you are flying sardine style. It's very difficult to find a comfortable position. I miss the old planes.
So cool to see this video again! I was working PR for my Museum of Science and Industry client in those days, so I was involved in this from the start (the meeting to discuss even attempting this) to hauling the 727 across Lake Shore Drive a year later, to the opening of the 727 exhibit in the museum. It was a memorable experience for sure.
A lot of decisions had to be made, and a lot of things had to go just right for this seemingly simple landing to even take place. For starters, the FAA was not thrilled with any of this. The runway at Meigs Field was too short for a 727. I remember thinking, "okay so much for that idea." We had considered other airports close to the lake - like MKE and a couple others, but we needed a runway literally at the waterline of Lake Michigan.
Why? Because after it landed, this 727 was loaded onto a barge and towed across 75 miles of a choppy Great Lake to a facility in Michigan where the plane was refitted to look as it was when it was first flown in the mid-1960s. Then it was rolled back on the barge for its return trip to Chicago, where the barge was beached like a D-Day landing craft on the 57th Street Beach across from Science Drive.
As it was towed by big tractors, The 727's landing gear was kept from plowing deep into the sand by huge steel plates, plenty of 2x12s, and even sheets of plywood. Traffic was rerouted as crews tried for hours to keep the wheels from burying themselves. It finally rolled across Lake Shore Drive - about 12 hours late - as city crews pulled down streetlights and stop lights to make way for the 727 T-tail.
Once it reached the back of the museum, a wall of this century old building had to be removed so that the plane could be lifted to the third floor and slid into its new home hanging above the museum floor. If this had happened today, it would be a Netflix documentary. It was a very interesting engineering project.
But I digress. Eventually, the plan was approved, partly because my client Dr. Jack Khan - who was president of the museum - had oodles of clout with the city, and partly because of the exceptional flight crew he recruited to deliver the aircraft. The captain was a USAF test pilot, and the FO was a United Airlines instructor, if I recall.
The day of the event we had winds from the west at 15mph gusting higher, meaning a 90-degree crosswind on runway 36 - the only runway at Meigs. The word was the crew put more emphasis on touchdown speeds than crosswinds, since the biggest concern was always running out of pavement on a runway designed for Cessnas and Lear jets. As a result, Captain Thomas said he wanted to touchdown as early as possible, with full flaps and the slowest speed as he felt was safe and practicable for conditions. That slower approach speed and flaps was at least party why the plane looked a little floaty on final.
Runway 36/18 was technically 3500 feet, but if you used every scrap of pavement, including the displaced threshold of runway 18, I think it was closer to 3900 feet. Then you look at the published minimums for a B727-22 like N7017U, and it says runway is 8,005 ft (!). But that's for takeoff full of fuel and people. And the only flight where you need not worry about takeoff with is the aircraft's final flight. Right? ;)
I was a student pilot at the time, so I understood most of these variables, and I was translating a lot of it to the news media I was wrangling on site. It was all too easy, and the final wheels up flyby they did at 50 feet off the deck had the media cheering. ... Yeah, until that wing dip. All of us standing with the media on the east side of the runway gasped. I remember all the news media - reporters and camera operators - using body English to level the wings and pull that nose to the centerline. I really thought for a moment we might see a wing strike, so when on top of that the nose came off to the right it was a very long one or two seconds.
But we were overreacting. If you watch closely, the rudder goes hard left, as Captain Thomas held the nose wheel aloft until he was able to swing the nose back to the centerline, where he set it down like butter. Those guys were total pros. I don't think he even used 2500 feet. In fact, he exited the runway before he even reached the final taxiway, which I took as a silent message to the aviation world that, "Yeah, no sweat. What's everybody looking at?"
A day to remember for sure.
Dave, I was also there for the beach landing, I shot footage over the entire twelve hours, from every possible angle. I had WLS playing on a pocket transistor radio and my mic was picking up their radio personalities discussing the move on-air all afternoon on my sound track. We gave it all to someone at IDOT Aeronautics or someone at the Museum, for use in documentaries. I wonder if you know if any of that footage of mine is still around? I was working for the Illinois Information Service at that time, and after we did a news package with it, all that footage went to MSI and I'd love to get a copy of it to post up here some time. Surely, as a museum, they kept it all... somewhere?
ua-cam.com/video/KW4PGrWLfgs/v-deo.html
@@skylarking12 I hope you get a copy to post! That interests me nearly as much as the landing! I'm loving everything (comments, etc.) related to this post! FYI, I saw a 727 land in Virginia in Boeing colors when Piedmont was trying them out - 1964!
Always my favorite plane. Loved flying on them and loved working them.
The air stairs were very impressive to a pre-teen boy like myself, felt like walking up the ramp into the Millennium Falcon to a kid of today.
As a video guy for the last 40 years it never fails that a "still" guy will plop in front of you. Had it happen all the time working for the Air Force. "Oh, you can edit around it"! Grrrrrrrrr! Once at a large event a guy from a local news station got in the area set up for me and other military. Id move and he'd move right back in front of me. Repeatedly I said he needed to move. I went hand held for a shot and the clown was right there. So, I quickly turned left and walloped him on the back of the head with my battery (BIG BATTERY), "oh, sorry " he finally got the message and my general gave me a thumbs up! The other thing they do (as I continue my rant) is fire away with motor drive as you're trying to record natural sound.. It never fails! Great job getting what you were able to get and thank you so much for sharing that with us!
Still photographers... aren't. Thing is, he only has to worry about one thirtieth of a second. I have to worry about *every* thirtieth of a second.
I would not have the patience lol
Your story reminded me of an incident at a press conference almost thirty years ago; guy kept stepping in front of my lens and blocking my shot, to get his mic closer to the person speaking. After the third time, I turned on the 1K "sun gun" on top of my camera, tilted it down, and did an impression of the ant meeting the magnifying glass under the noon sun. He was gone from my frame in about four seconds.
@@skylarking12 EXACTLY WHAT I said at staff meetings. The guy had to retire to get out of the way!
@@skylarking12 Ohhhhhhhhhh! I still have an old "STUN gun" still with a 20lb battery belt to run it. LED equivalent is SO much nicer in every way 😍! I keep saying that I will retire but with the economy like it is, I'm reluctant to do so.
How did UA-cam never show me this video? Amazing! Especially that low pass. Thanks for uploading it.
YOU TUBE, HUI UBE
First 727 i went on as a child was to majorca with dan-air, first plane was a bac 1-11, also to majorca, again, dan-air, i loved the 727, such a great plane.
Great video and story! I used to live in Chicago and have visited the Museum and this 727 several times. I never knew that it landed at Meigs Field. I thought it was flown to an airport in Indiana, repainted, cut in half (longitudinally), then put on the barge which delivered to the lake shore across from the museum. Then, they closed LSD, brought it to the museum, where one of the marble columns had been removed to get the 727 inside, where it was mounted to a wall and stands to this day as an operating exhibit, and one of my favorite anywhere!
I wish I had the beach arrival video for you: it wasn't cut in half until it got inside the museum: on the barge it came with both wings still on it and the fuselage in one piece, sitting on it's landing gear. Most of the work done at the yard was in taking the engines out and removing the fuel tankage and lines as well as all the main cabin furnishings, and modifying the wing spar, I reckon. The port wing got removed once it was delivered at the museum. I wonder where that wing ended up...
A beautiful and iconic aircraft.
These Pilots proving the age old adage that any landing you can walk away from is good enough.......
The 727 was designed for very short field commuter runways, and can actually land in half the length of this strip. But what I love is seeing the pilot walking the rudder, hanging all the boards out, and fighting that crosswind, slamming those thrust reversers on just as the wheels touch, to make it as close to a carrier landing as you can get. The United execs that came off the plane were pretty green in the gills after the low passes and that short approach, but everyone was happy.
@@skylarking12 they had test pilots fly it over there...shouldve had a senior line captain doi it... sad its last landing was probably the worst.
Mr Thomas. Thank you for your military service.I was blessed to have had the opportunity to work with many very professional people in my 31 years at United Airlines as a line pilot. You got it there! We used to call it a stabilized approach, on speed and spooled up. You were way to slow. Everyone makes mistakes, but now yours is forever on UA-cam. The cross wind was negligible, max 30 knots. Normal flaps 30. Flaps 40 was all drag no lift to land on beaches of Alaska
Well that was cool. Thanks for posting. 👍👍
The 727 is always my favorite aircraft. Airliners back then like cars were a work of art. Today everything is boring. All look alike.
Could not agree with you more
Me in good old MSFS98. Loved Meigs Field with the iconic black tower as it was one of the few detailed and populated airports in FS98.
That was nothing short of out of this world, for a lack of a better explanation.
I was on my way to work in 1980’s St. Petersburg, Florida when I was stopped in my tracks by the approach of a UPS 727 to the St. Pete/Clearwater Airport. That morning there was an 800 foot overcast and this guy was coming in on the downwind leg at about 500 to 600 feet, smoke pouring out of all three engines!! I pulled over to watch in amazement. Not having passengers to worry about I’m sure normal flight rules were totally out the window. When he made the left base leg turn toward the runway like a fighter jet it looked like his left wing tip was going to touch the trees and telephone poles. Still my biggest thrill in aviation after all these years.
I still think the prettiest airplane of all time! 👍
The VC-10 and Caravelle were prettier I think.
I used to fly to Mexico City on 727's all the time in the mid to late 80's. Let me tell you, leaving Mexico City was a white knuckle take off. That bird used every inch of the runway to get off the ground.
I used to see 727’s all the time… now, can’t remember when I last saw one in the air. Sort of how VHS movies used to be everywhere. Time moves on. Nice video.
I kinda miss the adventure of going to the video store on a Friday or Saturday night, then waiting in line with the various tempting snacks as you inch your way closer to the checkout, trying to catch a glimpse of what movies others were going to be renting... or how about those dashes to the section that was curtained-off, hoping you wouldn't be noticed by anyone you knew. 😁
727-100! Everyone once in a while, VP-BAP which is a Super 27, flies out of VNY. I get to see her taking off to the South and doing a climb out to the east on her way to Europe. VNY has noise and speed restrictions but the Super 27 wants to fly and climbs with the greatest of ease. 727 in flight is a rare sight now so I always pause and watch.
don't be so harsh on the pilot landing; the short 3 holer had manual speed brakes, so if you didn't time it just right you'd get that bounce. Happened to me plenty of times. With auto speed brakes the system deploys right away with wheel spinup so less bouncy. God I miss flying that bird, greatest airplane I ever flew
As a passenger in the 80's I really enjoyed those 727 flights on "People Express"
Wonder if anyone remembers half off on weekends. 👍
The first airliner I ever flew on was a United 727. That wobbly approach tells me there must have been a very windy day.
Maximum performance short field landing, very challenging to land at an airport not designed for 727.
They don’t call it the Windy City for nothing
@@terrybrust3433 Yes, you can see the high sink rate, AOA and up elevator just prior to touchdown.
A fairly common problem at lakeside airports. It’s convenient to build the runway parallel to the shore, but the winds are always either coming from offshore, or blowing out over the lake, and are thus rarely ever aligned with the runway.
Burke Lakefront Airport here in Cleveland has that same problem. It has a 6000 foot runway suitable for 73s, 75s, and similar (and they bring in C-17s and C-5s for our yearly airshow), but the airlines long ago decided they didn’t like the constant crosswinds.
My last 727 flight was May '95 SFO to DFW.
Remember my first in '70 with United Air Lines, (3 words) our old name, based at ORD. 😢 Another life in another world.
Amazing they got to do a flyby in such busy airspace!
The tower at Meigs was specifically in charge of traffic around that loop area, and the demo flight and landing were pre-planned and scheduled. One of the arguments against the Mayor's closing of the field "for safety" (lame lie of an excuse) was that there would be LESS radar and visual coverage of flights around downtown by shuttering the airport and tower.
It wasn’t a flyby, it was a go around, no one would authorize a flyby , very expensive.
@@davidcass4958 Wrong: it was not a missed approach, there was a deliberate fly-by before the landing, a nice low one with a chandelle-like pull-up turn at the end, to make for the pretty pictures for the news... then it came around again for the landing approach. It was all pre-planned and approved, and the reason I was sent to photograph it.
@@skylarking12 so OBVIOUSLY, a fly by.
@@rixxroxxk1620 the gear didn't come down until after it came back around for the landing approach so yeah, it was a fly-by, very low.
That was a bouncy landing!
Excellent piliot. Excellent short landing under very difficult conditions. I doubt any of you armchair critics could have done so well..
The last time I was in the museum I was in the 727, in the early 70's I flew on one.
It was cut in half and now hanging on the wall of the Museum of Science and Industry. My favorite museum in Chicago.
Interesting video. I've landed at Meigs a number of times in the 1970's but in a piston twin. I think the 727 takeoff would be even more interesting, particularly to the north over the trees. Too bad the mayor of Chicago ripped up the runway one night to close the airport. It was very convenient for businessmen going downtown.
An airport on Northerly Island was always a bad idea. Daley was right to close it.
I remember these from the late 90s, I loved seeing the tail end of these planes when they were in the air. You could always tell which ones were tri engine jetliners, sadly they aren’t anywhere in the sky anymore. These looked really cool.
This is not a TriStar....it's a Boeing 727. The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was a much bigger & heavier aircraft that never would have been able to land at Meigs. The L-1011 was made for intercontinental routes. The 727 was designed specifically for domestic routes and smaller airports (but not as small as Meigs).
@@jamesf.ryaniii7918 my bad, I should’ve read thru it again, I mean the triple engine jetliners in general. They were easy to spot at a low altitude.
Bit of a crosswind, he was crabbing the 72 all the way down. Might explain the slightly chaotic landing. Good landing all the same
Looked fine...nothing to be alarmed about.
Imo the 727 was the best looking jet Boeing made .
Back in the day, it was the big dogs (747, DC-10, etc.) that got all the attention. They took up a lot of space at the gates, could carry hundreds of passengers, and tote many tons in the cargo hold. They were loud and very impressive on takeoff.
However, for most airlines, it was the 727 that brought home the bacon and made air travel cost-effective. The plane was versatile, reliable and easy to fly, with a load factor that was low enough to ensure most routes could show a profit. I spent many an hour with a 727 strapped to my behind during my 20-odd years of corporate travel. Never once did I have less than 100 percent confidence in that machine. It was the DC-3 of the jet age, and only the ravages of time and economics forced it into retirement.
Anyone who is visiting Chicago needs to visit the Museum of Science and Industry to not only take in the exhibit that features this bird-the museum did an wonderful job in presenting it, but to see all the other fascinating stuff the museum has acquired over the years. If you are also into trains, be sure to see the huge model railroad that represents transportation at double-digit speeds.
Also, be sure to bring a sidearm with you so you can defend yourself against the fine, upstanding Chicago citizens who might try to relieve you of your valuables, life, etc.
Agree with almost everything you said, as a Born Chicagoan I would say the crime thing is overblown propaganda, however. But to keep it to flying, I really think what's ruined civil/commercial aviation is two things: de-regulating the airlines, sure, but also, the emphasis on hub-and-spoke versus direct flights. Hub-and-spoke is excellent for cargo, not so much for people. I think a case could be made for a niche service that's only direct flights.
Cursing all the way back to the ramp for the bounce, I'll bet
Well done, Captian. That was an amazing, white knuckle, landing.
Wow!! I watched planes land at Meigs for years but never knew it could handle something this big, much less take it off, or did they have to truck it out in pieces? LOL
Yes, the 727 was a beauty and really fun to fly in.
it was rolled onto a barge that pulled up to the island, and taken away to be disassembled, then the partly-disassembled jet was barged to the beach across from the Museum of Science and Industry, towed across all the lanes of lake Shore Drive and into the museum thru a hole cut out of one wall. I got to see that entire process.
@@skylarking12 Thanks so much for this update. I've been through the display at the MS&I (as well as the U-505). I was curious why they would have landed it at Meigs, if it wasn't any emergency or part of the Air & Water Show.
@@propman3523 Because it was close to the museum.
@@skylarking12 I remember watching the towing process - quite a big operation! And a good way to procrastinate during grad school ...
It all started here at Meigs Field for me 😅 way back in MS FS 2000
Sublogic Flight Simulator II for the Commodore 64 (1985) here.
Below is from Capt. BC Thomas:
Boeing-727 (Number: N7017U) crew Captain: B C Thomas, First Officer: Bill Loewe, Second Officer: Greg Hammes, September 28, 1992. The aircraft landed at Meigs Field, Chicago to be an exhibit for the Museum of Science and Industry. Why the airplane bounced on landing, from the pilot, BC Thomas: I was an AF pilot for 22 years, flew numerous airplanes including the KC-135, RB-57F, U-2, F-104, and SR-71. I am a graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School. I have just over 1,000 hours of combat flying time in C-130s in the Vietnam War. The latter may have been the reason my boss chose me to fly the Meigs delivery. It was not my idea. Meigs’ runway length was just over 3,000 feet with Lake Michigan as the overrun. Dispatch had erroneously put about 12,000 pounds more fuel than I requested (they were working off of some standard fuel load, which I did not want). There was about a 15-knot gusty crosswind from the left, and as you can tell from the video, the aircraft responded sluggishly with full flaps. I knocked off 10 knots from the published approach speed (standard short-field landing procedure) which, in retrospect, due to the gusts, was a mistake because as I attempted to “flare,” the airplane just continued to the runway and was subjected to the bounce and the crosswind. If I had it to do over, I would not have reduced the approach speed. I completed the landing roll in just under 2,000 feet from the approach end. There are thousands of people each year who visit the magnificent display in the museum, which is a tribute to United Airlines. I have not received any remuneration or accolade for this flight or video, but it is part of the record and deserves to be seen by anyone interested.
I was flying a lot out of GYY when they barged the airplane over to Burns Harbor for storage and restoration work. Transient pilots that were passing thru the area along the lake shore would sometimes call the tower at GYY and report a downed plane. During the first pass down the runway at CGX, an airplane is briefly visible behind and above the 727 and it appears to be a P-51. There was a local gentleman form the north suburbs named Vlado Lenoch that owned and flew one, maybe it was him.
The original 727 had nose brakes as well. I don't believe that this plane had them. It had very impressive short-field performance on landing. That wing was amazing. The takeoff performance wasn't as spectacular as it is today with those engines. Today's fans have a lot more shove early in the take-off roll. The 777 uses so little runway that it makes you scratch your head. I Flew the 727 from the right seat for a few years and miss it to this day. The front two seats were a great place to work.
Steve, you're in my house; I don't allow commenters to insult each other here. That guy's been deleted but I ask for decorum here, thanks.
Just want you to know.....We're all counting on you
This should be a landing challenge on MSFS2020.
Landed a Lear 31a there a few times back in the day...good times.
Use to watch the 727 "Whisper Jet" of Eastern Airlines around 1968 from Hobby observation deck as a 10 year old.
What a sarcastic name, "Whisper Jet". Would love to know the origin of the name. Live near MSY now under the flight path. 30 years ago we had the 727 window rattlers heading 010 to keep us awake. Do not miss the sound but enjoy seeing a Kalitta 727 occasionally overhead.
Oh this is the one that went into the museum? Awesome!
Yes. I came back and shot the arrival on the barge and the trip across Lake Shore Drive... but I had to give the museum all that tape and maybe they have it but I no longer do.
@@skylarking12 Does it have that livery in the Museum, or was it restored to 1963 vintage?
@@tomservo56954 you can search for the full documentary and tour on the museum of science and industry's youtube channel
The -100 (shorter original version) was more fun to fly and easier to land than the -200 and the max speed was .90 Mach.
Nice job shooting this. I feel for you having to hustle to a new shooting position in a hurry. Pretty airplane. I’ve toured it in the museum several times.
Meigs was a fun place. Landed there a few different times in the late 80’s.
I landed a Cessna 172 at Meigs once (a really 172, not Flight Simulator). The winds make it a bit tricky, but it was fun!
I remember when Daley bulldozed the runway🤨
great job at landing !!!!
Aircraft OK and no injuries. Perfect landing
i was there for this even got to go up on the plane arvd from SPI on Great Lakes Airlines
Well done.
Anyone remember People Express ? They had a bunch of those 727. Always a good flight for me.
Rode one of their 747s from Newark, NJ to London, UK in the Summer of 1983 for $149. Took a Greyhound bus from Los Angeles (a 3-day ride) just to take advantage of that promotional fare.
@@TheUtuber999 Wow. Good times.
Hairy approach by the look of it! Looks like a thrust reverser bucket got jammed? I love the 727, Great looking aircraft 👍
I think he left that one closed to help make the turn, but I'm not a pilot.
@@ceddyharris6340 I thought the same.
@@ceddyharris6340 That was also my guess as I'm sure he needed all the turning radius he could get from the plane to navigate the tight turn from runway to taxiway.
Either they forgot to stow it or were so light that they reckoned they'd have too much power for taxi at idle thrust. No way it's to help with a turn. Nose gear is perfectly good at that. Also, those aren't actually the buckets. They are aerodynamic fairings applied to early 727s. The actual reverser is hidden inside the engine.
Ah, Chicago Meigs Field... The airport where I did my flight training in Cessna 172 and even landed a 737 in MSFS 95.
Kept left thrust reverser open. She looked practically new.
If you were to tell someone that you were going to land a trijet passenger plane on a runway designed to be used by business jets, people would think that you are coo coo, but when they actually see the real thing, they later would say "well he wasn't lying"
If there was a jet made for short-runway service it was the 727.
You should have uploaded November 24 2021 for the 50th anniversary of the Dan Cooper 1971 hijacking!! On a 727.
I didn't shoot that. These are old files from my job that I shot. Somewhere I have a shot of Me shaking hands with Gorbachev when he cane to the ADM plant in Decatur on a tour with then-Governor Ryan. This was after Gorby was no longer the leader of Russia, but a private citizen working on grain export deals.
@@skylarking12 I saw you uploaded November 23 2021....1 day shy.
I’ve seen worse landings on better Runways. As a former 72 captain hell of a job. Landing Flaps 40 makes the ship a completely different animal.
I used to fly a small Citation business jet. Seems to me I remember going into Méigs and having to work a little bit to get the citation in there. I can only imagine someone doing it in a Boeing 727.
I imagine it has a lot to do with what kind of lift and drag devices you have, what your best angle of attack is, the wing loading and the power curve you have. The Citation can't be flown the same way as the 727, not exactly. Every plane has its own performance envelope relative to type. Why I am I telling you, you already know, this is a slippery bizjet, not typically flown at a high angle of attack, and maybe the thrust reversers aren't as effective? Did you feel you needed more runway?
@@skylarking12 Plus some of the smaller biz jets don't even have reversers.
Not sure why but I guessing a bad wind sheer ???? Great Job hats off to the pilot
Dam! He put on reverse thrust before the nose wheel touched the ground.
That's how we do it...
No big deal on those planes.
They did all the time on the 737 200 classic when landing in Toronto even though it was a long runway
I few several times to Meigs. Amazing place. Nothing better when attending conference like CES. Flew in with my Aztec, Saratoga, King Air. History suggests Dailey Junior is a war criminal mayor for what he did.
Thanks you for posting this. Although, got my angst going thinking about what happened. Today, with LGBFJB easier to have angst build up.
That landing is perfect: It could easily be in a "Worst-Landings" compilation, or come back 30 years later and people will think it's a perfect example of the short-field capabilities of the 727.
Nevermind the near-miss wingtip strike. 🫣
Can put a 727 on a postage stamp.
Excellent!
Those last moment moves!
And it's not in the simulator; no "do-overs"!
Beautiful airplane.
Yep! ...that was a bit sloppy, but well done in bad conditions.
Must have been a lot of turbulence as the pilot seem to be battling it all the way 🙈👀
Strong crosswind.
Thrust reverser on #2 engine? I think you can just barely see it retract about a second before the #3 reverser retracts. How rare is that?
Not rare at all. All 727s had it apart from the re-engined ones.
@@davidkavanagh189 Both reversers came on during the initial landing roll, one reverser on the left was kept open to help turn the plane on taxiing, kinda like twin screws on a boat.
@@skylarking12 There are three reversers. The part you can see is just an aerodynamic faring that was only on early build 727s. It's not the reverser itself but it's likely the actual reverser(hidden within the engine) is still deployed and either they forgot to stow it properly or idle thrust on all three engines was too high for taxi after landing so they left a reverser opened. Biz jets do this often. I can assure you it is NOT to help them around the turn. These planes can do U turn in the width of a runway using only
the nosewheel and there was nothing at all extreme about the taxiway layout at Meigs.
The thrust reversers can be used in flight, squat switch on the nose gear to deploy Ground Spoilers in addition to Flight Spoilers. The fastest and slowest capable wing Boeing build’t.
Thrust reverser looks stuck open.
I think he left it open to assist with a tight ground turn.
Not line pilots...chopped the power thirty feet in the air and damn near dragged the flap. Really light jet would have no trouble stopping on the runway.
I bet you could land your couch in a parking lot. You are just awesome and we thought you were a lazy lump.
As a former UAL employee these aircraft are like my children. On the Nose Wheel Door United has a Aircraft Number or Fleet number if you will, does anyone know what plane this is? Please Note: I'm not speaking of the Tail Number, but instead the Company Number.
7C17. Can be seen in a Google Image search.
Or might be 7017.
That landing looks like my flight simulator visual landings lmao
Long description but no mention of when this was nor why it was stripped of seats. What was the reason for the short landing?
It was heading to the nearby Museum of Science and Industry, where it was subsequently installed as an exhibit.
Meigs field was not exactly O'Hare runway size .... it was made for smaller planes, not commercial jets.
@@lrwhit6456 Meigs runway was only 4,400 feet.
Looked like they were trying to catch the wire on an aircraft carrier. That’s the type of landing you look at the co pilot and say “ehhhhh, that was pretty firm!”
If you'd ever experienced the approach into Meigs, you'd think it WAS a carrier trap, only much slower.
Who wants to fly to the Windy City? Conditions are a little windy.
Has nothing to do with wind/ meteorology. If you’d bother to do some research, you’d know the true meaning of that phrase. REAL (read : lifelong) Chicagoans know the true meaning/ origin of this phrase and know that it has NOTHING to do with weather.
@@paulu7751 Lighten up, Francis! The line Jay quoted is from "The Simpsons". You dig?
Your flatulence would not be welcomed either.
Yes, I forgot, along with Chicagoans famous friendliness. 🙄
@@lebojay You stay in Moscow. You veddy friendly.
What year was this?
1992
hard landing !
There is a cargo 727 sitting on the tarmac by the fed ex terminal. Here at san antonio airport. Not sure if it bring used or not still.
The Zero-G company flies a slightly modified 727 to make those zero gravity parabola flights. Scott Manley did a piece on it.