c5load From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 917 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 2 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 14302 times:
From the limited memory I have about 727s, I remember them usually doing runs such as DTW-FLL, MSP-DEN, ORD-PHX, etc. Did any airlines operate them coast to coast though? I read that its max range was ~2400nm, and it's ~2200nm JFK-SFO.
"But this airplane has 4 engines, it's an entirely different kind of flying! Altogether"
FoxBravo From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 2806 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (3 years 2 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 14256 times:
The only airline I can remember doing that on a regular basis was MGM Grand Air, which flew 727s between JFK and LAX in a VIP configuration. With normal loads, however, I don't think coast-to-coast routes were doable. NYC-DEN was more typical.
Flyinround731 From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 241 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 years 2 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 14162 times:
Not quite coast-to-coast, but this video shows a CLT-SFO USAir flight operated by a B722
AVLAirlineFreq From United States of America, joined Jun 2008, 787 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 years 2 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 14117 times:
Again, not quite coast-to-coast, but I did fly LAS-ATL on a DL 727.
N92R03 From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 250 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 years 2 months 2 days ago) and read 13710 times:
I flew a DL 727 SLC-MSY-TPA in March of '99 or '00. I remember taxiing back and forth from north to south in SLC as the winds shifted prior to our take off. Good memories...
swabrian From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 299 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (3 years 2 months 2 days ago) and read 13684 times:
Northeast flew 727-95s nonstop from MIA to LAX--word had it that they had received permission to shut #2 down during flight to reduce fuel burn. While Delta didn't serve stricly coast to coast, they did operate a 727-232A (with an extra fuel tank in the forward portion of the aft cargo bin) nonstop from PDX to ATL, which would have been coast to coast if it flew due east/west.
quickmover From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 2464 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 years 2 months 2 days ago) and read 13540 times:
Quoting swabrian (Reply 7): Northeast flew 727-95s nonstop from MIA to LAX--word had it that they had received permission to shut #2 down during flight to reduce fuel burn
It's a three-holer mate. Fly on one engine? Yes, but only downhill aiming for somewhere to land!
Not quite sure I belive that anyone would shutdown no. 2 in flight. Would mean loss of lubrication with a windmilling engine, which is not a good idea. Would also create quite a lot of additional drag, perhaps to the point where it would negate any fuelsavings. Never heard of it, and I flew the bird for 5 years.
If we lost a donk during flight (never happened to me btw) our SOP would be to proceed to neareast suitable alternate.
From receips and radials over straight pipes to big fans - been there, done that, got the hearing defects to prove
A B727 either -100 or -200 on one engine could extend the glide distance, or course more glide extension the lighter the aircraft. But, even in a ferry configuration, it couldn't maintain altitude single engine. Also, you had only one chance for a landing and it had to be spot on.
The airline I worked for way back used to do B727 two engine ferrys. For a two engine ferry, both of the runnable engines had to pass a special inspection - screens, BSI, etc. - and not be on a maintenance watch list. However, they made at least one single engine landing that I am aware of and maybe a second (memory fade).
richiemo From United States of America, joined Jul 2008, 195 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (3 years 2 months 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 13022 times:
This thread brings a tear to my eye. How I miss the 72. I always debate to myself; what really was the greatest looking plane ever. L1011 is up there, as is the DC 10 and 757. But in the end, the combo of the three holes right in a traingle and that large vertical stabilizer. Magnificent.
PHLBOS From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 7253 posts, RR: 25 Reply 15, posted (3 years 2 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 12806 times:
Quoting bigbird (Reply 9): DL also used to fly a 727-95 daily nonstop from ATL -SAN.
That's a former-NE bird might I ad.
Quoting Tomassjc (Reply 10): I flew a National 727-35 redeye non-stop from LAX to FLL in Sep. '79. I don't recall if they operated it non-stop westbound or not.
IIRC, National (the original, of course) had a slogan in its pre-SunKing logo/livery days that stated that they flew Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast in reference to its northeast-southeast-southwest transcon flights. I believe they used 727s to accomplish this at the time.
"TransEastern! You'll feel like you've never left the ground because we treat you like dirt!" SNL Parady ad circa 1981
September11 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 3623 posts, RR: 23 Reply 16, posted (3 years 2 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 12799 times:
Quoting Tomassjc (Reply 10): I flew a National 727-35 redeye non-stop from LAX to FLL in Sep. '79. I don't recall if they operated it non-stop westbound or not.
isitsafenow From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4984 posts, RR: 26 Reply 17, posted (3 years 2 months 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 12799 times:
Quoting swabrian (Reply 7): Northeast flew 727-95s nonstop from MIA to LAX--word had it that they had received permission to shut #2 down during flight to reduce fuel burn
I'm sorry but I cannot see the FAA giving permission to shut down an engine with pax on board on a daily basis merely to get from point A to point B non stop..
The fact is the Yellowbirds stopped at Houston for fuel.
Take that last sentance to the bank.
safe
If two people agree on EVERYTHING, then one isn't necessary.
Please continue discussion there. I will now lock this thread.
Any additional posts that are made to this thread after this post will be removed for housekeeping purposes, as this may happen due to a short system lag.