Heyas FBN,
I agree with you that the DC-9 can heat up enough to roast chickens in a nanosecond. However, if you are agressive in managing the envrionment, it's not too bad.
1) Run the apu ANYTIME on the ground when the external air is not hooked up. That means running it as you pull in, park and until the ext air is actually blowing.
2) Leave it run it on the taxi out. Idle power on the ground with no APU, and you'll roast. 3 bleeds + 2 packs = reasonable airflow.
3) OPEN the @#@(*# overhead cockpit vents. Too many guys say "its too noisy". You don't have to open them all the way, but crack them so there is SOME airflow. Goes for the wintertime, too. How hard is it to reach up and close them for TO, as opposed to roasting on a 30 miniute taxi in DTW?
3) Use the sun shades. They work amazingly well, and I would recommend them to our MD-88 comrades (NWA Tech Ops makes them).
4) Don't let the airplane get hot. Pre-cool pre-cool pre-cool.
My last 2 summers on the -9 have been OK following the above rules.
Nu
Good advice. I would add, don't be intimidated by some APU Sheriff.