Missed post #727 by a bit

[c9]

The Boeing 727 was, for a very long time, the most popular jet-liner in the world. The 727 first took the skies during the 1960s, much earlier than its bigger and more famous sister the Boeing 747.

The 727 design arose as a compromise between United Airlines, American Airlines, and Eastern Airlines over the configuration of the successor to the Boeing 707. United Airlines wanted a four-engined aircraft for its flights to high-altitude airports, especially its hub in Stapleton International Airport. American wanted a twin-engined aircraft for efficiency reasons. Eastern wanted a third engine for its overwater flights to the Caribbean. Eventually, the three airlines agreed on a trijet, and thus the 727 was born.

[...]

The 727 is also one of the loudest commercial jetliners, so most models in the United States must be fitted with Hush Kits to reduce engine noise if they are to land at most airports.

Read more at Wikipedia.

Comments

[miket61.livejournal.com]

The only time I ever flew on a 727 was a Kiwi flight from Atlanta to Newark.

My ex was supposed to get me a buddy pass on USAirways to fly to Philadelphia. Instead, he was a lazy shit as always and while the person I was travelling with bought a ticket, I ended up with a buddy pass on Kiwi.

The other person got to the hotel at 11am. I got there at 4pm, because I had to take the bus to the train station to New Jersey Transit to Septa to get there. The return trip was equally annoying.

Fortunately, the person I went with got to see a bit of Philadelphia while we were there, which turned out to be very useful almost exactly three years later...

[roosterbear.livejournal.com]

I love it that you're an airplane geek. Me too!

The 727 is also one of the loudest commercial jetliners

I concur. Back when I was a flyboy, I once had to take a middle seat in the last row of a 727, on a Delta flight from Seattle to Dallas (and it was a redeye, too) because I was afraid I wouldn't get out of there otherwise, and yeah, it was very loud. And outside, as a ramp agent? How they hurtss uss, preciouss. Even with ear protection. They are nifty planes to work from a geek standpoint with lots of cool features, but they are very very loud.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Although I'd go bonkers, I sometimes wish I lived closer to a busy airport. When we drive to Toronto the 401 goes right past Pearson, and all manner of jets fly right overhead roughly once per minute. It's fun. leapfish hates it because I watch them more than I watch the road. :)

[roosterbear.livejournal.com]

Heh. When we drive to Delaware to visit quillon's folks, we pass Newark Airport, and I'm the same way. Q is driving, so that's not an issue, but he gets irritated as I call them out: "That's a 757. There's an Airbus 320. Ooooh, there's an L10-11 honey! You don't see those much anymore!"

As much as I don't miss the rednecks I worked with, I really do miss working on the ramp sometimes. The geek factor was very high.

[jamincan.livejournal.com]

Back when my family would frequently drive between Ottawa and SW. Ontario, we'd frequently stop for a break at Pearson and go to the top of Terminal 1's parking garage and watch the planes from there. Both my Dad and myself were thrilled; looking back I'm surprised how patient the rest of my family were.

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

Looks like Air Canada is buying some new and modern planes:
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q2/nr_050425h.html

Too bad they won't get any of the 787's until 2010 (assuming they are still in business then). Looks like they are moving away from Air Bus models that they seemed to have a lot of right now.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Nobody will have 787s for at least 3 more years (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_787). They certainly do have a lot of Airbuses (Airbii?) but there's some evidence to suggest there were kickbacks and under-the-table shenanigans on Mulroney's behalf back when that deal was signed, when AC was still a crown corp. I was worried they were going to go exclusively Airbus, which would have made for a more boring fleet.

(also, this will help Boeing stay competitive, as Airbus just became the bigger company of the two. The more competition the better)