Steep Connie

[Huck]

I stand corrected, with my ignorance showing.

I can, however, claim to have seen two Connies in formation once, at OSH about 1990 or so. Must not have taken a good look.

And yes, our 100's have nose brakes, but they are deactivated, as is the flaps 40 position. The 72 was originally designed for strips 5000' or less.

And you've got plenty of time to fly them. They're the DC-3's of the jet age. When the last Airbus goes to the boneyard, the crew will jumpseat home on a three-holer....

 

[Rick1128]

There is something about round motors, especially four and perfectly in sync. It is better than Sominex.

As for the 727, nose brakes were an option for all models. Wasn't purchased all that often, most if not all have been deativated. And the blocking of the flaps 40 is a field mod. When Boeing increased the landing weight from 123K to 132K the flaps were restricted to 30 above 123K. For standardization most companies made it policy to only use flaps 30 for landing. However, it was my understanding that most of those companies did not block the 40 position to allow for situations that might require flaps 40. But I have run across a couple of a/c that had flaps 40 position blocked.

Besides, the 727 really didn't need nose brakes. If you crossed the fence on the numbers, then started slowing down very slowly. Placed the mains right on the numbers and got agressive with the brakes (right up to the anti-skid) and the T/Rs, it would stop prety quickly. I have stopped them in just under 3000 feet. And it could be fun to do once in awhile. And before you start jumping up and down about abusing the a/c, this was at maintenace request. Besides if you don't exercise the anti-skid regularly, it will not work when you need it.

 

[Vector4fun]

Some 20 yrs or so ago, Lufthansa did a lot of type training at the airport where I worked. There was one 727 IP with a distinctive voice who would often fly the last trip around the pattern of the last training session. He flew a closer downwind than most C-172s, and always turned off at the first intersection, which I believe was about 3500' from the approach end, AT NIGHT!

I still remember hearing the "whumps" and seeing the flashes from the compressor stalls.

Guess he wanted the newbes to know what a 72 could really do!