Boeing 727

1963

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Boeing 727

First 727-100 rolled out 27 November 1962; first flight 9 February 1963; FAA certification 24 December 1963; into service with Eastern Air Lines 1 February 1964.

Improved and stretched fuselage 727-200 flew 27 July 1967; FAA certification 30 November 1967; into service with Northeast Airlines 14 December 1967. Last of 572 727-100s delivered October 1972 and of 1,260 727-200s September 1984. 727-200 featured 6.10m longer fuselage and increased gross weight and could accommodate 189 passengers (1,245 727-200s sold - all variants).

Boeing 727

Specification 
 CREW3
 PASSENGERS70-131
 ENGINE3 x P+W JT-8 D-1, 62.3kN
 WEIGHTS
  Take-off weight69050 kg152230 lb
  Empty weight38700 kg85319 lb
 DIMENSIONS
  Wingspan32.9 m108 ft 11 in
  Length42.0 m138 ft 10 in
  Height10.4 m34 ft 1 in
  Wing area153.3 m21650.11 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
  Max. speed1010 km/h628 mph
  Cruise speed930 km/h578 mph
  Ceiling10700 m35100 ft
  Range w/max.fuel3620 km2249 miles
  Range w/max payload2610 km1622 miles

Comments1-20 21-40
lxbfYeaa, e-mail, 14.03.2024 06:56

20

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George Haloulakos, CFA, e-mail, 11.08.2014 22:17

As a business traveler this was a long-time favorite. I fondly recall the 727 Eastern Airlines Shuttle [Boston (Logan) - NYC (La Guardia)] with big, wide comfortable leather seats for the entire aircraft [2 on each side of the center aisle]. I also flew the 727 Alaska Airlines Seahawk One [used for the Seattle NFL franchise and having all the names of players, coaches and staff on gold plates in each seat]; similar interior design and comfortable seating as the 727 Eastern Shuttle. And how about the rear entry / exit with the fold-up stairway ramp that allowed passengers to board and disembark simultaneously from both front and rear of the aircraft? Much faster turnaround time! The built-in stairway ramp that would drop down was similar to the science fiction space craft seen on lots of TV and movies from the 1960s.

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E.H. JOHNSON (HENRY), e-mail, 07.04.2012 09:03

I FLEW EVERY B727 EASTERN OWNED DURING MY 24 YEAR CAREER WITH AND EVER POSITION SECOND OFFICER, FIRST OFFICER AND
CAPTAIN, BASED IN MIA ATL NYC ATL RETIRING AUGUST 1989. ONE OF THE IF NOT THE BEST PLANES EVER BUILT. THE FIRST PLANE FROM THE DRAWING BOARD DESIGNED FOR AIR CARRIER USE.
DOWN WITH FRANK LORENZO. I LIVE IN THE NEWNAN, GA AREA CELL NUMBER 770-301-3109.

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Brad, e-mail, 15.06.2011 19:40

Boeing out did it self with the 727. I was with National Airlines in Miami when I first saw a 727. The systems were the best engineered of any aircraft I had ever worked on as an aircraft electrician. It was the easist to learn and maintain of any aircraft I maintained in my 45 year career.

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TC Howard, e-mail, 20.05.2011 03:21

I really enjoy being the 727 Restoration Chief on the first 727 built and later delivered to United Air Lines. This wonderful 727 is being restored at the Museum of Flight Restoration Center at Paine Field, Everett, WA.

If you are a licensed A&P mechanic with 727 or othe airplane experience, please contact me if you live in the Seattle-Everett area.

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Greg Art, e-mail, 09.03.2011 04:16

I was fortunate to fly all 3 seats in the 727 for Northwest Airlines! Of all the aircraft I have flown the last 40 years and 25,000 flight hours, she was the BEST !!!

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ken, e-mail, 06.03.2011 00:39

Oh boy, where do I start? I also flew all three positions, and finished with over 12,000hrs as capt. I just never bid anything else because I was senior on it, loved the way it flew and paid plenty. Like the other guys that flew her, she was responsive and fast when necessary.(like commuting home on the last leg). Landings were challenging but once you figured her out I could grease 'em in. However, every once in a while she'd let you know who's boss...I also flew DC8s, 747s...the old three holer really captured my heart. I'd love to fly one again before I go west.

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Russ Farris, e-mail, 28.01.2011 11:49

The Boeing 727 - my favorite airliner I have flown in my 33 year career. A pilots airplane; by defination it made you look good with very little effort on your part. The last airliner designed with what the pilot thinks about handling and performance. I flew the 727 for World Airways, Piedmont and USAir.

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John (Yannis) Barbas, e-mail, 21.01.2011 13:39

As many others commented, the BEST airplane I have flown in my 38 career in aviation. Stable, fast, beautiful. A pilot's airplane! Lucky to have sat in all three seats of it. A sad day when I flew the last of USAir's to the desert and bid her farewel.

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Lee Sicilio, e-mail, 17.01.2011 05:02

Wow! The 727 to me was the "Queen" of the fleet. I flew the three-holer in all seats for 23 years for American. At one time AA was the largest operator of 727's in the world and I feel very fortunate to probably have flow in all of them. When it was going away, I was force to check out in another plane before I retired. It was the 777 which I flew as an international captain. That flying computer was OK, but it was nothing compared to the 727. In my flying career of 35 years, from a Viet Nam era Air Force pilot, Air Force Reserve Aircraft Commander, and an AA pilot, my absolute favorite is the Boeing 727. I was able to stay out of trouble throughout my whole career because of great co-pilots and good luck. Fly safe and let the good times roll!

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Wm. Gene Brack, e-mail, 03.01.2011 20:47

Started working for United Air Lines in 1963 as an "A & E" mechanic ,after days in USAF. The 727 was a workhorse! UAL had them thru-out their system...change-overs from passengers to freighters. Performed maintenace on them at SFO, Portland, Org. and at the UAL Overhaul & Maint. in SF. Great plane!

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Capt. Ron Flug, e-mail, 08.12.2010 05:55

Wonderful air plane! I never doubted it's ability, safety and superior performance. The max passanger number listed is incorrect. All Nippon Airways had a single class 200 series with 178 seats. The only aircraft that I flew where V1 was theoretically after Vr. (FAA made them the same)

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Capt. (ret) K. F. McLin, e-mail, 16.08.2010 01:27

Over 10,000 hours in this type and my personal favorite.

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John Hancocks, e-mail, 14.05.2010 04:10

Superb passenger aircraft, I was always impressed by their speed, flew Lufthansa, Iran Air and TAA - the Melbourne /Perth stretch was shortened considerably as a result. I reckon there was a peak in air travel represented by this 'plane, the VC10 and the 707 - nothing since can compare - "passenger" aircraft have become lumbering cattle wagons by comparison. Cramped and colorless.

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Scott Boyd, e-mail, 07.05.2010 06:08

In their time they were great. The 757 and newest 737's come pretty close though. Definitely well beyond it's time in performance and ease of handling. I still wonder why were problems with the type when the spool time of the engines should have been understood by anyone trained on the aircraft.

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JD, e-mail, 24.04.2010 23:46

ONE OF THE BEST PLANES EVER BUILT. I LOVED THEM.

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Darryl Johnston, e-mail, 10.04.2010 16:03

First plane I ever flew in (about age 4) Johannesburg - Cape Town. Still remember "discussing" the design with my dad. He was ex-airforce (WWII) and that got me started with my love for flight. First jet I ever really liked.

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Kiril, e-mail, 05.04.2010 00:17

I am able to offer Boeing 727 for sale. Contact me for more information.
E-mail: chochkov@aero-x.eu

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bill burt, e-mail, 05.03.2010 04:10

Home Sweet Home.

That's the way I think of this plane. It was exactly THAT for me during a wonderful 30 year career. When it all comes to a stop for me, I would not be surprised if my last fond thoughts are of the fabulous 3 holer. What a lady.

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lxbfYeaa, e-mail, 14.03.2024 bill burt

20

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Neil Haase, e-mail, 03.03.2010 23:13

I had 12,000 hours in 727's. all three seats, 8000 of it .climbing

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1-20 21-40

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