DC-9
 

Just wondering if anyone knows where the DC-9-10 flies. I have only found that they fly to MBS but I am looking for other destinations. In particular I am trying to get as much milage as I can from PHX. Thanks

I have flown on the DC9-10 recently between CMH/MSP.

There are about 10 of these ships left in the NWA stable of 165 DC9's, so they can be a rarity these days.

RC

I have experienced flying on the DC9-10s occasionally when traveling to Billings, MT (BIL).

Interestingly enough, one time it just so happend that the jetway was not working and we had to use the self-contained airstairs to deplane. The flight attendant said that it was the only aircraft left in the fleet that had self-contained airstairs. Not sure if that was the -10s only or all of the DC9s, but an interesting fact none-the-less.

Senator Conrad Burns was on my flight both directions that trip. I flew in Thursday night and flew out on Sunday afternoon. I have had him on many other flights to MSO, BIL, BZN, & FCA. He is quite loud when talking.

That is not true. Most DC-9s had the stairs removed for weight reasons a few years ago. Some planes kept them in case it was needed for an airport that did not have a jetway. In addition, there are aft stairs that may also be used.

You'll find the baby 9s in STL and CVG as well. But as a rule, NWA matches capasity to demand. I would think that the cities aren't fixed at receiving a baby 9, but dispatch and the tail routers will allocate those planes when loads warrant them.

AZJ

[This message has been edited by azj (edited Feb 22, 2004).]

Forgive my naivete, but what is the difference then between DC-9s and DC-9-10s ? I know a lot of people on the board can tell the difference between two variants of a plane by their shadows ;-), I've never been that clear about it.

The DC9's that Northwest operate consist of (4) models:

DC9-14/15 (Mfg Dec 1965-June 1967)

Ship 9140 was the 16th DC9-10 series manufactured and delivered on Dec 15, 1965, and is the oldest DC9-10 flying for Northwest and the only DC-9-10 nseries that still has operable Ventral stairs.

Ship 9138 is the youngest DC9-15 in the NWA fleet, manufactured and delivered June 11, 1967.

DC9-31/32 (Mfg April 1967-April 1975)

Ship 9930 was the DC9-31 manufactured and delivered on April 10,1967, and is the oldest DC9-30 flying for Northwest

Ship 9922 is the youngest DC9-31 in the NWA fleet, manufactured and delivered April 24, 1975.


DC9-41 (Mfg Nov. 1967-Nov. 1969)

Ship 9750 was the DC9-41 series manufactured and delivered on Nov. 11,1967, and is the oldest DC9-40 flying for Northwest

Ship 9763 is the youngest DC9-41 series in the NWA fleet, manufactured and delivered Nov. 19, 1969.

DC9-51 (Mfg June 1975-Dec. 1980)

Ship 9880 is a DC9-51 series manufactured and delivered on June 27, 1975, and is the oldest DC9-50 flying for Northwest

Ship 9878 is the youngest DC9-51 series in the NWA fleet, manufactured and delivered Dec 17, 1980.

RC

Yes! Please tell me the difference as well. I am an avation employee and afficianado but I don't even know the difference. We do not have DC9s at United.

Two major differences:

1) The DC9-10's are small, less rows of FC/MC seating.

2) The DC930/DC9-40/DC9-50 are considered the larger DC9's.

Other Difference:

A) (7) DC9-31/32's, (12) DC9-41's, and (24) DC9-51's have 580 gallon std aux. fuel tank

B) (10) DC9-51's have 780 gallon aux. fuel tanks

C) (39) DC9's consisting of (8) DC9-10's, (30) DC9-31 and (1) DC9-32 have had Ventral stairs removed for fuel economy. The rest of the DC9 fleet still have the retractable stairs under the forward Left door.

D) (12) DC9-31's have Barrell long range fuel tanks

The fleet information above in based on Aircraft fleet information from April 2002.

The current NWA fleet has been reduced from 170 DC9's in 2002 to 165 DC9's in 2004.

RC

RC's covered the technical stuff...but here's a simple spotter's guide:

For DC-9's, they started small, with the -10 series (subvariants like the -14 or -15 being the same length, but having other differences), and then got longer.

The -10's look very stubby, not much bigger than an RJ. Most of the -10's have a single overwing exit, and none of them have leading edge devices, so you don't see the drooping leading edge of the wing.

-30's are several rows longer, and are the majority of the fleet. All have dual overwing exits and leading edge devices on the wings.

The -40's are longer (and the -50's slightly longer yet) and can be distinguished from a -30 by a small strake (s tiny little stub fin that's about 24" long but only about 4" deep) on the lower portion of the fuselage just behind the cockpit.

I don't know of a good way to tell between a -40 and a -50.

And the astute will note that there is actually a -20 series, which is the length of the -10 but has the leading edge devices from the -30. But NW has none of them (only 10 were built, and I think only 2 or 3 are in service now).

Steve

[This message has been edited by sllevin (edited Feb 22, 2004).]

And the easiest way to tell between the -10 and the -30.... only two window exits (one per side) on the -10, as opposed to four window exits (two per side) on the -30.

Thanks for the info! I am very good at spotting all the differnces when we had our full fleet but the DC9's alluded me as I haven't been on one since I was a kid. I knew that they were on the older side but I was unaware that NWA is still flying planes that were manufactured in the 60's. I do know that with good maintenance they are completely airworthy, I was just unaware that they were that old! Our oldest at United were the 727s which where born in 1976 and 1977. I believe our oldest planes now are the 767-200s, which were born in 1981. I will have to look at the DC9 that flies in and out of HPN (Westchester County) when I commute on my RJ (GRRRRRRR) to work in Chicago!

[This message has been edited by Gman3 (edited Feb 22, 2004).]

One important distinction for the Dc9's (entire fleet) is that all of the ships were put through heavy maintenance and have replaced/rebuilt equipment, so you aren't really on a 25-39 year old a/c, it's more like a 15 year old a/c if you figure the heavy maintenance work.

RC

Additional notes....

On the -10 there is no lav in the front. Pilots enjoy the -10 because it has a great thrust/weight ratio....read: sports car. The -10 flies into several cities. Have flown it into Lansing, Omaha, Harrisburg.

The -40s are underpowered. Heavier, but without the larger engines. Carries 10 more people than the -30.

The best way to ID the -50 are the chin strakes under the cockpit. These act as little wings and help the aerodynamics of the longer fuselage.....i.e. help keep the nose up.

Any idea what the fuel savings would be between a -10 and -30 on a 500 mile
flight (let's say both with 50 pax)? Are we talking 10's, 100's, or 1000's of dollars?