Arado 234

Same for the 737-900(ER).

asupilot

Agree; I've been on the plane a year now w/450 hours. Some things that helped me are to put in a drag index (IDLE...+3 works really well almost all of the time) number on the IDLE/PERF page (A/C Status), and to update the WINDS (if the 6 hr update occurred since t/o) to help a MANAGED DESCENT.

By far the easiest, most comfortable plane I've ever flown, notwithstanding how utterly sloppy it is in gusty crosswinds. I just can't see myself every flying the Guppy (I know, famous last words).

450knotOffice

321's with the Sharklets are total gliders. In a way, I sort of enjoy that challenge, though. Keeps me focused on the task of flying the arrival and not getting caught up high and fast.

Personally, I hope I never fly the 737 again. The airbus is SO much more comfy, quiet, and easy to fly in an overall sense. And, yes, turn off the AP, AT, and FD's and just fly the jet once in a while. It'll help make you feel like a pilot again.

flyinawa

I always expect it's going to blow the fixes..which is rare, but does occur from time to time. Some arrivals are more notorious than others so I just periodically put the newspaper down, to do decent math, and then it's back to Sudoku. The magic of the Airbus is in spite of the fact it blows a crossing restriction or two from time to time, it nearly always shows up in amber on the FMS telling you it's gonna blow it.

I love this thing...although after almost 13 years I'm not totally sure I have the skills left to fly a conventional airplane.

Edit: as far as shutting everything off from time to time....DO IT! It really is a pleasure to hand fly. However, developing the habit of ALWAYS shutting everything off because you are afraid of what it's doing or what it MIGHT do should only happen until you understand it and can stay ahead of it. Then just shut it off for fun.

Unless you're senior to me...in which case this thing is a total nightmare. We live in terror of when we're gonna get violated!!!

Arado 234

Newspaper? Sudoku? I am pretty sure you meant FM part I and err... the list of ARMS codes.

SFly

Great perspective. Thanks for all the input.

QuagmireGiggity

It's rare that I meet someone actually likes the 73. They are out there though.
I would go Airbus. You'll most likely get to DFW faster. Even if it took a little longer I think I would still go bus.

aa73

^^ I love the 737, great machine. But the again I tend to fall in love with any airplane I currently fly. Case in point, the MD-80 remains my favorite jetliner of all time, and that includes 2800hrs on the 75/76. Nothing like the steam gauge tab-flown -80, one of the coolest flying and quirkiest airliners ever - which make it a winner in my book! I'd gladly fly the -80 til retirement.

Thedude

I will agree that the cockpit is fairly comfortable.
After 15 yrs of flying Boeings, I am still being untrained on how to fly the bus. 1000+hrs and you would think I would have it by now. Kinda yeah kinda no.

Had my first near limits direct crosswind the other day.
All I can say is forget how you learned to fly and land in a crosswind.
Either land in a crab or kick the rudder at the very last second...like about 10-15 ft above the rwy. yeah, I don't like it either.

Sliceback

All I can say is forget how you learned to fly and land in a crosswind.
Either land in a crab or kick the rudder at the very last second...like about 10-15 ft above the rwy. yeah, I don't like it either.
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^^^ what he said is "if you're a late rudder kicker it lands like any other airliner"...but with the stick neutralized. The 'bump and release' is a bit weird in a XW. Let go of the aileron input?? Yes, because if you don't it keeps rolling. That's hard to do, instinctively, after decades of NOT letting go of an roll input, especially in a XW.