Recognizing an aircraft?
Nov 3, 2003 | 4:55 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,932
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by danM:
The way I resolve the Airbus vs. 737 is by the little winglets at the end of the wing for the Airbus,
</font>
The way I resolve the Airbus vs. 737 is by the little winglets at the end of the wing for the Airbus,
</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
(don't see many 321's where I am).</font>
(don't see many 321's where I am).</font>
Nov 3, 2003 | 4:59 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,932
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Human Unit 763246B:
DC-9 vs. MD-80. That's harder. Look at the length, shape of the tail (graceful line in the DC-9 versus and angle near the top of the vertical stabilizer in the MD-80).</font>
DC-9 vs. MD-80. That's harder. Look at the length, shape of the tail (graceful line in the DC-9 versus and angle near the top of the vertical stabilizer in the MD-80).</font>
The DC-9s had the rounded tail cone (and rear airstair). Early MD-80s are similar but many of the latter didn't have rear air stairs and the tail cone is more like a flat blade (similar to the 777).
FWIW, the 727s can be mistaken by some for a Hawker-Sidderly Trident though I didn't think any Tridents are stil flying.
Some other easy distinguishing characteristics:
A300/310 - a long ridge in the centre-rear top of the fuselage.
777 - 3 pairs of wheel per main bogey. Flat "blade" tail cone.
Nov 3, 2003 | 5:34 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: PVD
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 12,312
There are several ways to spot a 737. And you can also tell the generations. The -100s and -200s have long cigar-like engines under the wings. The -300s, -400s and -500s' engine cowling is not round, but tapered in the bottom. Other than the -100s and -200s, the vertical stablizer (the tail fin) is not a triangle, but has a leading edge with a shallower slope in the forward portion where it attaches to the fuselage.
The 321 (usually) have 4 doors each side. All are seperated. The 320 also have 4 on each side, but the middle twos are together, over the wings. I believe the 319 and 318 have only one exit over the wing, for 3 total each side.
The 321 (usually) have 4 doors each side. All are seperated. The 320 also have 4 on each side, but the middle twos are together, over the wings. I believe the 319 and 318 have only one exit over the wing, for 3 total each side.
Nov 3, 2003 | 6:45 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: West Seattle, WA
Posts: 10,469
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by holland:
Does anyone have a pointer to a good reference site with the "common" aircraft? I've been flying for several years and still don't know the difference between a DC9-30,40,50 vs. 727 vs. MD80 vs. etc.... </font>
Does anyone have a pointer to a good reference site with the "common" aircraft? I've been flying for several years and still don't know the difference between a DC9-30,40,50 vs. 727 vs. MD80 vs. etc.... </font>
Nov 3, 2003 | 7:10 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,103
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Doppy:
I've got a friend who worked with one of the airlines on its financial plans. She now recognizes a lot of the planes by their tail numbers, and knows a bit about the history, like:
"That plane's engine was lost for three months."
d</font>
I've got a friend who worked with one of the airlines on its financial plans. She now recognizes a lot of the planes by their tail numbers, and knows a bit about the history, like:
"That plane's engine was lost for three months."
d</font>
Nov 3, 2003 | 7:48 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rkkwan:
The -100s and -200s have long cigar-like engines under the wings.
</font>
The -100s and -200s have long cigar-like engines under the wings.
</font>
Nov 4, 2003 | 8:39 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYC
Posts: 1,876
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by eastwest:
FWIW: Those engines are actually turbo-jets, not turbo-fans like all modern jet engines.</font>
FWIW: Those engines are actually turbo-jets, not turbo-fans like all modern jet engines.</font>
Nov 4, 2003 | 9:19 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,932
Turbojets were used on the 707s and DC-8s initially though I think most airlines replaced these with early turbofans (Pratt & Whitney JT3s - the design had a fan added to them to make them the JT3D).
Nov 4, 2003 | 9:46 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by terenz:
757s just look narrow, and look at the nose. The nose seems to be lower (to centre) than the 767 (that's why the 757 flight deck floor is a few steps below the main deck).</font>
757s just look narrow, and look at the nose. The nose seems to be lower (to centre) than the 767 (that's why the 757 flight deck floor is a few steps below the main deck).</font>
Another easy way to identify a 757: the 757 has very long landing gear struts (because of its huge engines - it looks much more thin and lanky than the more stout (chubby? husky?) 767. Not quite as high up off the ground as the Concorde, but close.
The 757 is the really long, skinny plane.
Nov 4, 2003 | 11:29 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London & White River, South Africa
Posts: 24,628
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FWAAA:
Another easy way to identify a 757: the 757 has very long landing gear struts (because of its huge engines - it looks much more thin and lanky than the more stout (chubby? husky?) 767.
The 757 is the really long, skinny plane.</font>
Another easy way to identify a 757: the 757 has very long landing gear struts (because of its huge engines - it looks much more thin and lanky than the more stout (chubby? husky?) 767.
The 757 is the really long, skinny plane.
</font>
Thin body, long legs and a big pair of.....well you can work it out!
Nov 4, 2003 | 12:18 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,773
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by terenz:
FWIW, the 727s can be mistaken by some for a Hawker-Sidderly Trident though I didn't think any Tridents are stil flying.</font>
FWIW, the 727s can be mistaken by some for a Hawker-Sidderly Trident though I didn't think any Tridents are stil flying.</font>
Nov 4, 2003 | 1:00 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Swanhunter:
I had it described to me by an AA pilot as being like your favourite girlfriend:
Thin body, long legs and a big pair of.....well you can work it out!
</font>
I had it described to me by an AA pilot as being like your favourite girlfriend:
Thin body, long legs and a big pair of.....well you can work it out!
</font>
Excellent.
Nov 4, 2003 | 3:36 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London & White River, South Africa
Posts: 24,628
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by WHBM:
True. There are however a surprising number of Tridents still laying about various major British airports for training use by the fire departments. I recently saw three in one day, at three different airports.
</font>
True. There are however a surprising number of Tridents still laying about various major British airports for training use by the fire departments. I recently saw three in one day, at three different airports.
</font>