Is it true that Boeing 707 flight controls are not powered?
If so, are there tabs to make control forces more manageable?
Thanks.
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RE: 707 Flight Control: Powered?
Being somewhat of an expert with B707 aircraft (flew 'em for ten years), the 707 had only a hydraulically assisted (powered) rudder.
Ailerons/elevators were manually operated.
Control assist for these was provided by servo tabs and balance panels.
Controls were heavy...yes.
Ailerons/elevators were manually operated.
Control assist for these was provided by servo tabs and balance panels.
Controls were heavy...yes.
RE: 707 Flight Control: Powered?
Did the original 707-120 have a powered rudder? The 367-80 didn't, did it?
RE: 707 Flight Control: Powered?
No, some of the very early models did not initially have a powered rudder.
This all came unstuck when the British ARB (Air Registration Board, now CAA) refused to certify the 707 for ops on the British register without hydraulic rudder power, and refused again the original Boeing design for hyd power assist, specifically the Q-feel scheduling.
Captain DP Davies, then the head of the certification branch of the ARB, was rather demanding regarding handling qualities of transport jet aircraft.
Boeing 'agreed', and fitted rudder hyd assist on all models thereafter.
Those who know just a bit about large heavy transport jets, might recognise the Davies name.
He was the author of "Handling The Big Jets", a classic read for those who are technically inclined.
This all came unstuck when the British ARB (Air Registration Board, now CAA) refused to certify the 707 for ops on the British register without hydraulic rudder power, and refused again the original Boeing design for hyd power assist, specifically the Q-feel scheduling.
Captain DP Davies, then the head of the certification branch of the ARB, was rather demanding regarding handling qualities of transport jet aircraft.
Boeing 'agreed', and fitted rudder hyd assist on all models thereafter.
Those who know just a bit about large heavy transport jets, might recognise the Davies name.
He was the author of "Handling The Big Jets", a classic read for those who are technically inclined.
RE: 707 Flight Control: Powered?
Are the control forces required to fly the 707 similar to flying the 737 in the manual reversion mode?
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- Happy-flier
- Posts: 287
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RE: 707 Flight Control: Powered?
Interesting ...
Have 707s still flying been fitted with powered controls, or are they still handling them via muscle power nowadays? How about the DC-8s still flying?
Have 707s still flying been fitted with powered controls, or are they still handling them via muscle power nowadays? How about the DC-8s still flying?
RE: 707 Flight Control: Powered?
All 707's still flying have only hydraulicly powered rudder (hydraulic assist actually, manual operation possible, but very difficult with an outboard engine inoperative). All the other control surfaces (except spoilers) are manual.
I personally trained brand new First Officers directly onto the 707, with only 290 total flying hours previously.
They all passed, after 30-40 actual circuits in the traffic pattern (after sim training), as the sim at that time was not all that proficient. 300 hours minimum were then spent in line training before they were released for normal line flying.
They all passed, because the company insisted that they not be released to line flying without being totally proficient...no matter what the cost.
I personally trained brand new First Officers directly onto the 707, with only 290 total flying hours previously.
They all passed, after 30-40 actual circuits in the traffic pattern (after sim training), as the sim at that time was not all that proficient. 300 hours minimum were then spent in line training before they were released for normal line flying.
They all passed, because the company insisted that they not be released to line flying without being totally proficient...no matter what the cost.
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- Starlionblue
- Posts: 21469
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RE: 707 Flight Control: Powered?
They all passed, because the company insisted that they not be released to line flying without being totally proficient...no matter what the cost.
As it should be of course. As they said in the military: "Do it again. Do it correctly" until you either fell down exhausted or got it right.
As it should be of course. As they said in the military: "Do it again. Do it correctly" until you either fell down exhausted or got it right.
RE: 707 Flight Control: Powered?
411A,
that DP Davis indeed. Ah, the poor Boeing 707 engineers! I'd love to have him on the certification board of the aircraft I'm flying in. I'd be less thrilled by having him on the board which I try to get a design approved by...
Cheers,
Fred
that DP Davis indeed. Ah, the poor Boeing 707 engineers! I'd love to have him on the certification board of the aircraft I'm flying in. I'd be less thrilled by having him on the board which I try to get a design approved by...
Cheers,
Fred
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