Im just curious about the MD-80. I have heard some pretty strong statements about this plane like "its a piece of ****", "fuel hog", or "its an excellent plane with great performance." Just curious. It seems as though a lot of airlines are retiring them now. Also, is a DC-9 the same thing basically, but just older?

 

The MD 80 is a good airplane, but is more difficult to fly. The control surfaces are not operated hydraulically, but are flown with cable actuated trim tabs. As a result, yoke inputs have a delayed reaction, and overcontrolling is likely. Flying an approach in unstable air is much more challenging in the Douglas than in a Boeing.The MD80 doesn't fly as nice as the DC9.

As to the MD80's positve attributes, it is a VERY quiet cockpit, and in several ways, the automation is better than that of the 757. Also, when Delta was buying MD88s, we were getting them for $22 mil each.

Boeing builds airplanes, but Douglas builds character.

 

When the MD-88 first arrived, some captains came from DC-9A and others from 767B. The former thought they had transitioned to a starship, and the latter thought they had upgraded to a dump truck, but were so happy to be in the left seat that they didn't care!

 

It can't fly any worse then a Beechjet can it?

 

The MD-80 is an excellent airplane. As with all stretched models though, it's predecessor's were better handling aircraft. The DC-9-10 was one of the two best handling jets airliners of all time, the other most likely the 727. The DC-9-30 was also a very nice handling aircraft. The stretched MD-80 does tend to be a bit like a wet noodle on approach in gusty conditions, but overall it still handles better than a 737.

Performance wise the 737-300/400 was far better, burning almost 1000 pounds per hour less in fuel. The 737 also has better takeoff and landing performance. Those are the two primary reasons that the 737 is a more successful aircraft.

I have multiple thousands of hours in DC-9s, MD-80s, and 737s and I do prefer the DC-9 and MD-80 series over the 737. That is a personal preference of course and everyone will have a different opinion.


Typhoonpilot

 

My buddy at AA has been flying it out of ORD since 1996 and he loves the thing.

 

The MD-80 has a phallic shape.

 

Oh, BEHAVE !!!!

 

What? THe BeechJet doesn't fly bad at all... just a little heavy on the controls, that all. I loved that airplane and if I ever have the oppurtunity to fly an MD80 i'll let you know how it compares.

 

Wild4theuniform, I see you have a new avatar - Man in Uniform

Vagabond, aren't all planes shaped that way?

Ok, I had to remove some emoticons in Wild's quote in order to post. Paul or John, do those emoticons suck up a lot of bandwidth or something? I'm just curious as to why this particular board format doesn't allow you to post more than 3.