AirTran announces new service to Key West

[Headfake14]

EYW grooved?

 

[CitationLover]

Flew the F-28 in and out of there long time ago, don't remember anything unusal, except some of the locals.

Does that include all the chickens?

 

[B52GUNNER]

I lived there for a year. Those #*&^% chickens were hard to get used to. They start at about 3am and go on from there. After a while you kinda get used to it. It is a great place to visit. Living there is something else.

 

[CA1900]

EYW grooved?

It is, yes.

 

[eaglesview]

4801-foot runway? Should be interesting. The 727 would have better numbers because it's a 3-engine jet. I'd be surprised if a 737-700 wasn't seriously weight-restricted out of there, even just going to ATL.

I'm sure you meant to say the two engine jet would have bettr numbers.

 

[EatinRamen]

Doing the ASR into there is gonna be fun with the Navy Key West Approach controllers, that cant figure out how to get you in. I love it when it gets a little cloudy there and they start having you hold because of the "volume of flights" THen Miami Center takes control and you get right in.

I would imagine AirTran is certified to conduct RNAV approaches and would therefore be able to fly the RNAV approaches to 9 or 27.

 

[Lear70]

Originally Posted by CA1900
4801-foot runway? Should be interesting. The 727 would have better numbers because it's a 3-engine jet. I'd be surprised if a 737-700 wasn't seriously weight-restricted out of there, even just going to ATL.

I'm sure you meant to say the two engine jet would have bettr numbers.

No, he meant it the first time he said it, 'cause he's never flown the 727 and doesn't understand the aerodynamics. He's thinking 3 engines = more thrust = better performance numbers.

What he doesn't understand is that 3 old JT8D's weren't that much of an increase in thrust over 2 engines on the 737-700. Combine that with the 727 being the LAST of the "true" swept-wing commercial airliners, even a -100 was pretty runway critical with 4800 feet.

While the 727 was an awesome aircraft to do short-haul flights with lots of payload, it's not the best short-field performer ever made (the 737-300 and later are much better short field aircraft than the 727 ever was).

Even so, it's going to be right at the ragged edge of the aircraft's performance on a fairly regular basis. Hope that whoever gets those trips watches the weather and runway analysis pretty closely. Better safe than sorry...

 

[BlueYonder]

I don't see what everyone is so concerned about. I mean you have all received short field training haven't you? Wasn't it done at the same time as international operations training?

 

[eaglesview]

No, he meant it the first time he said it, 'cause he's never flown the 727 and doesn't understand the aerodynamics. He's thinking 3 engines = more thrust = better performance numbers.

What he doesn't understand is that 3 old JT8D's weren't that much of an increase in thrust over 2 engines on the 737-700. Combine that with the 727 being the LAST of the "true" swept-wing commercial airliners, even a -100 was pretty runway critical with 4800 feet.

While the 727 was an awesome aircraft to do short-haul flights with lots of payload, it's not the best short-field performer ever made (the 737-300 and later are much better short field aircraft than the 727 ever was).

Even so, it's going to be right at the ragged edge of the aircraft's performance on a fairly regular basis. Hope that whoever gets those trips watches the weather and runway analysis pretty closely. Better safe than sorry...

Well sir I know what he meant I was trying to cut him some slack.

 

[Lear70]

Well sir I know what he meant I was trying to cut him some slack.

Oh I know you did, I just like giving GT a hard time,,,

 

[carl p]

Yep, less weight & more thrust means the 737 is better suited for the job over the 27. I flew the DC-9-15 (-10 w/cargo door) into 5,000 ft with no problems. Of all the jets I've flown, the guppy is my choice for short fields. We used to operate the 727 into some short runways out in Micronesia, I miss those days...

 

[Ty Webb]

Oh, it'll be a breeze . . . . until you're boarded and fueled, and learn that it just quit raining heavily about an hour ago, the wind is variable and gusty and the tires or brakes are on a STW, but "within limits" . . . and you decline to depart, and become the next hostage, accused of a "job action".

This will get interesting.

 

[Metro752]

I really hope AirTran starts beating other carriers brains in by offering "mainline equipment" service into cities that have a lot of RJ flights.

 

[Hugh Johnson]

Yep we did , and the 737 could easily do it.

Didn't those 727's have nose wheel brakes?

 

[Colonel Savage]

Nose wheel brakes were origionally installed by Boeing, but later removed.

 

[shuttlepilot]

Flew the Emb170 in and out of there for US airways Express, never was an issue, never used anywhere close to the whole runway...

 

[Lolikoka]

Original Piedmont

The original Piedmont used to fly EYW to/from MIA with 737's - back in the 70's and 80's.

 

[gt1900]

Alaska used to fly 73's into Dutch Harbor. Its only 3900 ft. 4800 ft should be a piece of cake!

 

[T3700]

Alaska doesn't train their pilots via a handout.

 

[rajflyboy]

I can't see a 737 having the numbers to do this if the runway is WET.

Looks like more Hard Landings on Air Tran Flights! No problem since your FOM REQUIRES hard landings.