McDoug vs Boeing ?

[ShawnC]

I have to agree with Fraxflyer about how loud it is. I was sitting in one of the exit rows and was as loud there as it seemed next to the engine in the MD-80 series.

I remember the docs (one of my Grandfathers was the VP at the factory in SoCal) on the DC-9 when it came out it was supposed to the the quiet travelers aircraft, I don't think the 717 lives up to that, very noisy in the back.

 

[LR25]

It was a few years ago, before Boeing bought Mc DD, an engineer for them said there was a plan to reintroduce the DC-8 as an MD-20.

It would have a new modern wing of course and it was going to be a twin. With that being said, it would still hual more the a 757.

In 97 until about 99 there abouts, when you recieved parts from "Boeing" for a DC-8 or 9, it would be from the "Douglas Products Division". Well what was funny, the place I was flying a DC-3 for started getting notices and revisions or anything pertaining to the old Douglas as "Boeing", there was no more Douglas Products Division, it kind of felt bad that they were calling it a Boeing.

Just go to any airshow, they will announce every military A/C there as Boeing, F-18, 15, AV8, C-17, F-4, A-4, whatever, there all Boeings.

 

[crash-proof]

Boeing DC-3????????

 

[typhoonpilot]

I know quite a few guys at the factory that have flown all models of the DC-9 line. I left before I had a chance to fly the 717 so I can't comment on it specifically except to say that it is 4 feet 9 inches longer than a DC-9-30. The FMS and Flight Guidance Panel is more in-line with the MD-11 than the MD-80/90. The " Cert 2 " ( I believe that is what they were calling it ) was planning to go to a more fly by wire design to reduce the man hours required to rig all the cables as well as reduce empty weight. I'm not sure if they ever went ahead with that. I believe the 717 has eliminated the ventral stair as well.

I have flown the DC-9-10, DC-9-30, MD-81/82/83/87/88, and MD-90 and MD-90EFD as well as the 737-300/400 and the hands down winner for handling is the DC-9-10 with the DC-9-30 being a close second. I flew the exact same DC-9-10 for two years straight and it had an amazing dispatch reliability. Granted we had a genius mechanic ( the kind that can actually trouble shoot and fix things ) as opposed to the remove and replace type.

There is a really good book on the history of the DC-9 line up to and including the 717 written by Thomas Becher titled " Douglas Twinjets " . If you are a fan of the series it is a must have for your library.

The Douglas Products Division became the Long Beach Division when Boeing North was thinking about putting some 737 production in Long Beach.


Typhoonpilot

 

[ElecJet]

Boeing or McD D? Either one works for me. Both are far better in balancing technology while still keeping it a pilots airplane than the Airbus in my opinion. But I'm just an old school pilot that likes to fly the airplane not watch a computer do it for me.

 

[FearlessFreep]

I think it comes down more to individual aircraft types than one specific manufacturer.

Think about it. Yes you don't see a lot of 707's around. But you do see plenty of 727's, 747's & old 737-200's

As far as jets go I think it would be very hard to find anything tougher than the 'ol Diesel Eight.

I think that all manufacturers have had some real outstanding models and some not so great ones.

Early in the DC-9 life there were a number of problems. I don't see a lot of people extolling the qualities of the DC-10.

All the aircraft manufacturers have made valuable contributions to the development and evolution of transport category aircraft, it would be impossible to say which one is the best.

I think that it all depends on what your flying at the time for where your loyalties may lie.

Personally I have two favorites and not specifically in any order.

Boeing 747

Douglas DC-8

Both great aircraft!