The only experience I have with the 727 is 4.5 hours in the Pan Am simulator back in 1990. I remember something about that plane that I didn't feel on the 747 or 707 sim. When I was flaring, my dad told me to give it a nudge forward on the yolk other wise it would be a hard landing. Or, he said add some power. That was such a fun flying airplane/sim! I sure would like to know about some good airlines that still operate the 727. I do remember jumpseating on it, when my dad flew for Jet East and Pan Aviation, that it was an awfully loud cockpit! The wind blasting against the windshield blocked out the sound of the engines at 80 knots or so. Might have to wear a headset if I ever fly it one day. My favorite experience with the 727 was when I was flying to LGA from Miami on Pan Am to see my grandparents back in '90. It was a week after my 4.5 hours in the sim. I always hung out witht he crew before takeoff, only this time the captain showed up late. When he finally did arrive, he found me sitting in the left seat and said "Oh, guess I'll be jumpseating. You gonna fly us to New York today?" I said sure, why not. Eventually he took his seat but he asked me to stay up front with them while they pushed back. I was standing next to the flight engineer and the captain handed me the mic to call the tug and tell him "we're ready to get the hell out of here. Push us back, please." So, in my little 10 year old voice I said just that and back we went. Then the captain asks me, "So, do you know how to start this thing?" I told him the truth which was "Yes, in fact I do know how, sir. My dad just showed me how last week in the sim." To my shock he looked at me and said, "Well, have at it!" I couldn't believe it! I was extatic! I reached for the starter valve switch when he told me to and cranked on the fuel at the appropriate value (it's been so long, I forgot what value that was). I did all three engines! That is by far one of the best experiences I can remember. In fact, I believe it was on clipper goodwill, which was the last plane to fly for Pan Am in '91. Man, I hope I get to fly the 727 one day. Truly is a great airplane. Do they still have the flight engineers on them??
08-24-2008
