Airline Pilot Central Forums - View Single Post - Any "Latest & Greatest" about Delta?

04-17-2010 | 01:18 PM

#34882

Waves

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Joined: Mar 2010

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From: SLC 767ER Captain

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgot to bid

I'm going to make a wild assumption here but I doubt we'd ever see the Saudi MD-90s or make our MD-90s match the Saudi/717 version. The reason being is a) look how slow other somewhat simple upgrades were to the ER category aircraft such as the TWA 757s, and b) wouldn't we practically have to go through Boeing on the STC? Why would Boeing help us circumvent buying new 738s from them?

I wonder if the rumors are true that this happened:

AirTran: "We'd like a larger 717 with greater range."
Boeing: "Great, here you go, the 737-800."
AirTran: "No, we'd like a 717 that is bigger and has greater range."
Boeing: "No problem, here you go, we call it the 737-800."
AirTran: "Fine."

And I think Ryan Air showed up in AirTran colors with A320s. And then I think 9/11 happened and AirTran ordered a bunch of 737s later for cheap.

All that to say we might be running into the same brick wall if we ever entertained the idea of upgrading the 90 fleet.

I’m assuming those MD-11/717 cockpit mods originated from McDonnell Douglas, so the STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) rights would of course now belong to Boeing. As acl has pointed out numerous times, remember unlike the earlier “nice to have” upgrades, these changes have a greater impetus due to NextGen RNP improvements.
Although Boeing would rather have everyone buy new aircraft, it would be in poor form for them to not support viable upgrades to their aircraft already out there. Secondly, these mods would not necessarily have to be performed by Boeing. As an A&P mechanic I can assure you there are dozens of “Mod Squads” just chomping at the bit to get a job like this. There are even similar STC’s being done on even older aircraft. Side note: One of the companies flying out of the airport where I have a hangar just spent $400,000 on a similar cockpit upgrade mod to a King Air.
Having said all that, if past performance is any indication of the future, then you are correct, we will never see these mods. Look how long it took to get the MadDog heater blankets. Also look at the fuel pump mods for the Boeing fleet. When I was on the 757/767, the fuel pump issues changed our procedures so often that it became a joke. Every time we would start a trip, we would say, “Well let’s see, what are we doing with the fuel pumps this week?” You didn’t hear me say this, but we finally just started doing what WE thought was the best method of compliance because we couldn’t keep up with the daily changes.
I heard the same thing on the 717. It wasn’t feasible for Boeing to continue production of the 717 when they were still pumping out the 737. I have not flown the 700 yet, but the 800 is very aerodynamically clean and has tons of power. According to the CAL pilots, they hate the 900 because it is way underpowered. SouthWest influenced the design of the so called “Next Generation” 737 and totally ruined it. It is truly a 1960’s airframe with some nice upgrades. I flew the MD-90 for several years, and it is an OK aircraft. Quiet cockpit, descent brakes, fair power, OK APU, etc. I’m totally on board with getting more of them if the price is right. I will probably never fly it again, but it sure would open up a lot of slots by getting 44 more of them. That would be a great one for one replacement of the DC-9’s as they get shelved.