Yes, it was standard procedure until rivets started working loose in the pylons. The procedure then became for emergency descent only. Personally, I loved the old beast. Name another airliner that could **** out every ounce of hydraulic fluid, shut down an engine and keep on truckin' across the Atlantic so that you could still enjoy a great bier in Germany? All you needed was a thick rubber band to hold the auto pilot engaged. The old girl always bought you home.

I know there are no speed brakes Pre. I've been a left seater on one for 15 years. lol. I've just never heard of a need to slow to 200 kts at altitude. And I've done a lot of crossing restrictions. ;)

HVY, the 200kt thing was for flap speeds, ups restricted flaps 25 to 200kts even though the aom allowed a higher speed.

Thanks 8. I know the flap speeds. I'm just thinking it must be a booger of a crossing restriction to have to slow down to 200 kts, [U]at altitude.[U] I've never had to get that slow from the 30's. We've always been able to plan coming down clean, till you get in the TA, of course. Doesn't ONT like to see the Diesel coming in regally? That's one of a few airports I haven't been to. Been to LAX a bunch, but never across the bay.

Arriving to ONT from the east, ATC holds you up high beyond the normal descent point. It requires SB in the Boeings to get down for the lower restrictions when landing straight-in to 26.

It also beat up the horizontal stab.

Having flown the DC-8 at a lesser carrier, I can say that it was a truely great plane. Outlived the 707 in commercial service by a large margin. It could be flown hard and marginally maintained.

Wow. I'd be hacked to have to do that too then. She was fun to fly though. One of the last jets that could "take a lickin' and keep on tickin'!".

You gotta love the humor in that one, "yeah, yeah, let the F/E twist that trim hee...hee.., put that in the AOM"

The 8 and the Scooter are two of my most dependable and understandable mistresses <bg>