The JT8D-219 was tested on the 707RE, and initially accepted, and then halted for the E-8 JSTARS airplanes. Not used again after that, when a decision was made to go to a different model aircraft for the JSTARS mission.

(Written on 08/24/2019)(Permalink)

I have Terry Waddington's great book on the DC-8, which has the entire production list. The entire TIA fleet I can't help you there. Something about their DC-8's?

(Written on 08/24/2019)(Permalink)

TIA had DC-8-63's, with JT3D-7 engines. The JT8D was not used on any DC-8 model.

(Written on 08/24/2019)(Permalink)

I'm partial to the DC-8-62. I remember when they were brand new, going JFK-HNL.

(Written on 08/23/2019)(Permalink)

Several dubious dates in the captions, starting with the very first shot.

(Written on 02/04/2017)(Permalink)

The most impressive part for me was when I ran outside and saw a 3000 foot long trail of burning jet fuel on the runway, leading to the airplane, whose entire left wing was ablaze. I've been in aviation my entire life, and I've never seen anything like it. The pilots went out the copilot's window on a rope, and they're OK. Not my usual day at work at FLL. Strong crosswind out of the northeast, and some guys I know were watching as it happened. They said it hit pretty hard on the left main first.

(Written on 10/29/2016)(Permalink)

I personally prefer some gray hair on Airline Captains.

(Written on 09/29/2016)(Permalink)

What happened to "train like you fight?" Doesn't look like anybody's in a hurry here.

(Written on 09/20/2016)(Permalink)

I had almost the same thing happen to me as a kid, flying with my family on a Mexicana 727-100, taking off out of MEX. We went barreling down the runway, rotated, lifted off, and then touched back down, rolled some more, and then finally lifted off for good. I have never, before or since, seen my Dad so angry. At the time, he was a 727 Captain for United, and I swear, I thought for a minute he was going to storm the cockpit, slap the crap out of the Captain, and take over the controls. To keep him from turning over in his grave, I stay away from Mexicana.

(Written on 08/26/2016)(Permalink)

This is the same guy who said he wanted this route just to rub salt in Delta's wounds. Tough noogies, Akbar.

(Written on 06/06/2016)(Permalink)