Bandit_Driver
Gold Member
Just completed my Observation ride and I am now officially a 727 Captain. 
Typed in the B-727
- Thread starter Bandit_Driver
- Start date
jwp_145
GhostRider in the Sky
Congratulations are very much in order here! You sir are a very lucky individual for having the opportunity to comand such a great aircraft. Good luck in your new command and make JC proud!
Additionally, would you care to write up a little story about your favorite things about the 727 and tell us of some of your experiences in the bird? That would be an extremely interesting read!
Again, congrats!
Additionally, would you care to write up a little story about your favorite things about the 727 and tell us of some of your experiences in the bird? That would be an extremely interesting read!
Again, congrats!
ASpilot2be
Qbicle seat warmer
Congrats! You are a lucky man.:rawk:
Orange Anchor
New Member
Just completed my Observation ride and I am now officially a 727 Captain.
Is this your first left seat? If so, congratulations. You are aviating with a true classic. It will do what you ask as long as you ask the right things. It WILL bite if you don't pay attention.
But you are going to be sitting one day soon, flaps 25 or 30, gear down on final, all trimmed up on the ILS, engines around 2500-2800lb/each and let go and watch that magnificient beast just sit there and ride the beam. While all your buddies are talking about glass and autolands you will just smile.
Yep, it is noisy (above 300kts and if you can fly it in the A mode you will see indicated above 400), it will go high (I had one at FL410 once or twice and it said it was not completely happy with my choice), it is stable and it will STOP. Congratulations on checking out on a classic. Merry Christmas
Add my congrats to the list. It truly was a great bird to fly; I cherish those hours, both sideways and up front.
For you PI types...a true story...
In '85 when the JAL birds were not delivered on time for the West Coast runs, my girlfriend (a PI F/A) and decided to go to SFO for a long weekend. (Anyone who remembers back then knows that if the headwinds were too high, the fuel stop was DEN. All the passengers got a "so sorry” letter and 50 bucks if you were if First and 20 bucks in Coach…we went nonstop…damn…First was full of non revs…we HAD a party…
Anyway, coming back the old girl was full. The Captain, F/O and S/O had their wives…no seats…and about 15 non rev’s, including us. Needless to say, the crew wasn’t moving without their spouses. New plan…
5 of us, plus crew in the cockpit
2 in each lav
3 standing in the rear galley
1 in the front
Yep, the old days. PI was TRULY a family.
Closing thought and a bar question that will earn you a cold one.
Fly her by the numbers and you CAN roll her on to some really sweet greasers.
Bar Question: (only old 72 drivers will understand)
Q:What is the NON ESSENTIAL bus on the 727?
A: The one that brings the First Officer to the airport !!:yup:
Enjoy her.
For you PI types...a true story...
In '85 when the JAL birds were not delivered on time for the West Coast runs, my girlfriend (a PI F/A) and decided to go to SFO for a long weekend. (Anyone who remembers back then knows that if the headwinds were too high, the fuel stop was DEN. All the passengers got a "so sorry” letter and 50 bucks if you were if First and 20 bucks in Coach…we went nonstop…damn…First was full of non revs…we HAD a party…
Anyway, coming back the old girl was full. The Captain, F/O and S/O had their wives…no seats…and about 15 non rev’s, including us. Needless to say, the crew wasn’t moving without their spouses. New plan…
5 of us, plus crew in the cockpit
2 in each lav
3 standing in the rear galley
1 in the front
Yep, the old days. PI was TRULY a family.
Closing thought and a bar question that will earn you a cold one.
Fly her by the numbers and you CAN roll her on to some really sweet greasers.
Bar Question: (only old 72 drivers will understand)
Q:What is the NON ESSENTIAL bus on the 727?
A: The one that brings the First Officer to the airport !!:yup:
Enjoy her.
Bandit_Driver
Gold Member
I was a captain briefly in the 135 world but this is my first time in the left seat under 121. It has taken me nearly 10 years to get here and it feels great and makes all the struggles worth it.
I've saw FL390 on my first day in the left seat. I have never seen anything above FL390 in either seat of the 727. As you know you have to be under 120K just get to FL390. I can't imagine ever being able to get it up to FL420, the old girl just doesn't have the wing for it, IMO...
The old girl is quite stable on approaches, has a great radar, and simple autopilot that can find the runway even with high x/winds. Being they are cargo birds we are stuck in mode B most of the time. It is loud enough above 320, I can't imagine 400, it must be deafening. As for brakes, it will just about stop on a dime if you ask it to. Out of all the planes I have flown so far, the 727 has the best braking system. The wing is also an engineering marvel in the way it can change shape for landing and get ref speeds down near 120 kts when you are light.
Good times. I have heard similar storries from some of the older guys at our company what used to fly them for Eastern and are now FE's due to FAA rules.
The FO has the easiest job on the plane.
Window Heat
Pitot Heat
When do we eat...
Orange Anchor
New Member
we were light, few pax and winds were about 20-30kts down the runway. I landed 23 with moderate braking, flaps 40 (the FAs didn't complain) and we cleared a ROMEO. And this was a -200 without the nosewheel brakes.
http://flightaware.com/resources/airport/CLT/APD
/AIRPORT+DIAGRAM/pdf
As you well know, you have to go beyond your turn point or risk putting a truck off the taxiway. Jim, our now deceased legend at PI, was doing his type ride with the FAA at INT when you had to do 3 bounces to complete the type. Jim turned too early on a dark wet night and put one of the mains off the taxiway. The tri-motor quickly mired up to the hub. Jim nonchalantly turned to the FED and said, "Well.. I guess I flunk taxi."
Jim was not one to worry about much.
Bandit_Driver
Gold Member
Very nice...unfortunately due to stage three requirements we can no longer use flaps 40, except in an emergency. Most of the 727's I have flown stop at 25, 28, or 30 depending on the stage III mod...
I can't imagine being that relaxed with a fed after an error like that....What did the fed do? Of course those were different times so the fed may have found it amusing.
My pet peeve is marshalers that don't understand how to marshal a large jet.
I can't imagine being that relaxed with a fed after an error like that....What did the fed do? Of course those were different times so the fed may have found it amusing.
My pet peeve is marshalers that don't understand how to marshal a large jet.
n57flyguy
Well-Known Member
The first time I marshalled a 72 scared that crap out of me. The pilot cut it 90 immediately and the left main did not move at all.
Orange Anchor
New Member
We had a very good working relationship with the INT FSDO and I doubt much happened. They dug the airplane out and flew it later.
And yes, few know really how to mashal period. I talked to the boss at MillionAir and they hired some ground guys from the Blue Angels (ret) to come and teach their guys and most of the time I visit MillionAir, they do look sharp and are good.
Bandit_Driver
Gold Member
I wish they all could be that good...
Bandit_Driver
Gold Member
It can turn pretty sharp if you need it too...Hopefully, it wasn't a locked wheel turn...
Maximilian_Jenius
Super User
What does the flap degree setting have to do with stage III compliance? And, why doesn't flaps 40 comply with stage III mods?
Corporate Pilot
Well-Known Member
Good 727 video, I think the end is the best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c1ctj_Vqhg
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c1ctj_Vqhg[/YT]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c1ctj_Vqhg
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c1ctj_Vqhg[/YT]
Corporate Pilot
Well-Known Member
More Flaps = More Power = More Noise.
Years ago when I flew a Falcon 20 into Jackson Hole I had to send a fax saying we would not land with full flaps so it would be quieter.
Bandit_Driver
Gold Member
The reduced flap settings for stage III along with the engine mods allow the plane to be a little quieter, since you don't have to carry as much power with flaps 25, 28, or 30. With flaps 40 you have to carry a lot more power/noise during the approach due to the greatly increased drag. I have also been told that flaps 40 would growl or whistle when used. I have usued 40 so I can't tell you if that is true or not.
Orange Anchor can you comment of Flaps 40. I am sure you were of the generation that could use them.
Great video thanks