Why The MD-80 Is An Enthusiast's Aircraft

"Margin Of Error" (marginoferror)
12/17/2014 at 11:10 • Filed to: ESSAY

Good morning, fellow members of the Oppositelock club.

Today I'm venturing down on untrodden paths; the magical world of aircrafts. Yesterday night I binged about 6 months worth of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! articles and may have learned a thing or two. The topic today is the last commercial plane ever built by McDonnell-Douglas before Boeing's hostile takeover in 1997, the MD-80.

The MD-80 was produced between 1980 and 1997, which coincidentally were the best decades in the automobile history. 1,191 units were built, which definitely prove how good they where as they literally sold like hot cakes.

American Airlines became the largest operator with the largest fleet of MD-80 in the world. Hence, most Americans had the privilege of flying in the MD-80's tight but cosy cabin.

But let's not get carried away about the back seats.

As they say : Party in the front, business in the back, but in the case of the MD-80, it's more like party at both ends, business in the middle.

Forget about these newer planes that are more like video games to drive, the MD-80 is complicated.

The cockpit is filled with 2 steering wheels, knobs, switches, gauges and things that can go beeep-beeep at any moment. It's not a plane for the lazy, but it's extremely rewarding for the driver.

At the far back, a pair of ballsy Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofans are mounted. One big advantage of having the engines at the back is better control for the driver, I guess just like a RWD car.

Here's the seating chart of the MD-80, it's definitely quirky, but it allows a lot of people to fly together.

Below , we can see an enthusiast with a scaled R/C MD-80 he built himself, that's dedication.

All in all, the MD-80 is an old quirky plane that people love to hate, flying in one is like riding in that ex-cop Cab instead of that newer Camry. It's old school, but it's sturdy and safe.

Sadly, as we are speaking, MD-80's are being decommissioned by many operators looking to reduce costs by spending Billions to acquire fancy new planes. I don't think you can save money by scrapping your old crown vic to lease a new Camry, but what do I know.

Hope you enjoyed !

DISCUSSION (29)

Margin Of Error > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 11:14

Sorry for the poor formatting. Some paragraphs do not align with the proper pictures. I tried to edit it but had no luck.

For Sweden > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 11:17

The words "Mad Dog" didn't appear once in this article.

Margin Of Error > For Sweden
12/17/2014 at 11:23

I was a bit curious about your comment so I searched for Mad Dog MD-80 and found out that the MD-80 was nicknamed the Mad dog.

I didn't know that, thanks !

For Sweden > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 11:26

Don't do it again.

DocWalt > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 11:44

What's "causy" ?

As Du Volant > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 11:50

The one and only time I flew with American I got upgraded to first class on an MD-82. That was nice.

I flew two airlines on that trip- outbound on Delta, back home with American. I booked a specific Delta flight to get one last chance to ride on one of their DC-9-30's before they got retired. The plane I was on was over 40 years old at the time I believe. I sat in the back, right next to the engines. Man did those things SCREAM. Totally different sound than modern ones. I really enjoyed that flight.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 11:52

You write like Raphmoe. That is a good thing.

The Transporter > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 12:17

Enthusiast's airplane? Bro, do you even bush pilot?

Kinja'd!!!

Margin Of Error > DocWalt
12/17/2014 at 13:16

it's a word I invented.

No seriously, I meant cosy.

Margin Of Error > Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready
12/17/2014 at 13:24

I rarely pay attention to his stuff, maybe I should read more.

AMC/Renauledge > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 13:29

There are still a bunch of MD-80 based B717s out there. The type will probably start to fade once the 737MAX ramps up, though.

Also, if any plane qualifies as a flying cock & balls from a bird's eye view, the DC-9/MD-80/B717 does.

Margin Of Error > AMC/Renauledge
12/17/2014 at 13:32

haha so true!

Margin Of Error > The Transporter
12/17/2014 at 13:34

I don't even yet, but will eventually even.

I like to master a subject before writing something about it.

DocWalt > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 13:46

I figured, I was being a bit of an ass :) I liked the article, even if I'm not a big fan of the MD-80. Makes terrifying noises at takeoff power and feels like it's falling apart.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Margin Of Error
12/17/2014 at 14:57

You talk about the MD-80 as though it's an old classic, but you forgot to mention the MD-80 is based on the Douglas DC-9, introduced back in 1965. Fun fact: Nothwest Airlines was still operating several 40-year-old DC-9s when Delta acquired them in 2008, although Delta finally retired the last of its DC-9s earlier this year (January 2014). Talk about longevity!

Margin Of Error > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart
12/17/2014 at 15:00

Wow ! there was a DC-9 flying passengers in America in 2014 ?

I'm afraid we won't see that kind of longevity in the future, sadly.

thomas bahamas > Margin Of Error
12/18/2014 at 09:23

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Margin Of Error
12/18/2014 at 19:54

I understand that this is satire and it's quite funny, but from the interviews I've read, pilots genuinely appreciate the DC-9, its derivatives, and the 727. Go figure, those pilots who have a love of flying didn't dream of sitting on their asses all day as children with model planes.

Margin Of Error > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
12/18/2014 at 23:56

It's not satire and the MD-80 is not the 727 , but the 717 .

I'm a real plain enthusiast

'nuff said..

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Margin Of Error
12/19/2014 at 00:20

Ah, cool! I really enjoyed it. I meant 727 in addition to MD80 and 717, as those are variants of the DC-9. I really hoping to ride an MD-80 before they become rare. I enjoyed your piece and it really sparked a forgotten interest in planes for me, so thank you!

(I took it as genuine but then thought that it was joking due to the response.)

Margin Of Error > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
12/19/2014 at 00:22

Thanks !, but the 727 has nothing to do with the DC-9, just so you know.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Margin Of Error
12/19/2014 at 00:27

I know. Just trying to say the 727 in addition to derivatives of the DC-9. I'm not relating them in any way. It's funny how pilots enjoy an involving plane to such an extent, as I figured they'd only be seen as tools after flying from A to B day in and day out.

wafflesnfalafel > Margin Of Error
12/19/2014 at 00:37

I enjoyed flying MD-80s - they seemed both less full of rattles than 737s and a bit more confidence inspiring for the pilot, (that said not being a pilot.) Some of the best take offs and landings I've experienced were in MD-80s. I know it is anecdotal, and possibly just coincidence the pilots were better in MD-80s - but I always felt better in one. Anybody here actually ever fly one or could talk to about it vs a 737 or A320?

Cybernetic Entomologist > Margin Of Error
12/23/2014 at 23:10

Flying economy class in those is utter hell, especially as you get closer to those engines. Flying in first, in the back of the first class section is pure bliss. It's quiet, smooth, and takeoff is a kick in the pants. The forward rows in first are where the fuselage starts to taper forward, and there's some wind noise once you get above about 250 knots. Plus, elbow room and booze, and all the cookies you can handle.

Cybernetic Entomologist > As Du Volant
12/23/2014 at 23:12

And on the older ones, the engines were invariable just slightly out of sync, leading to a beat frequency that will make your head explode.

Bart_Y > For Sweden
12/26/2014 at 11:39

I'm a controller and on more than a couple of occasions I've heard "we've got the Mad Dog in sight". It always makes me chuckle a bit, which is great if it has been kind of a dull day at work (Saturday evening shifts are the pits...just nothing going on!).

Only bad part about them is that they aren't particularly fast compared to some other comparable aircraft. They can't do more than about Mach .76-77 flat out in cruise, which makes them a bit of a speedbump compared to a 737NG, A319/320, or CRJ-7/9, which will usually do around .79 to .81.

RobFordForPresident'16 > Margin Of Error
01/01/2015 at 16:37

"The cockpit is filled with 2 steering wheels, knobs, switches, gauges and things that can go beeep-beeep at any moment. It's not a plane for the lazy, but it's extremely rewarding for the driver."

In aviation terms- the cockpit has 2 control yokes(just like 99% of airplanes that fly), and several knobs and switches that make the cockpit look very cluttered, where as in newer aircraft, all the readings, and controls you make are done through computer screens in the cockpit, making these new airplanes known as having glass cockpits. All older airliner cockpits looked very similar to this actually. Also its pilot, not driver.

Also, the reason for placing the engines at the back sort of has to do with control purposes, but thats not the only reason. It also has to do with the design of the airplane. Several aircraft have rearward engines rather than wing mounted engines. In the case of the MD80, if you notice on the top picture, the engines are actually slightly slanted-this has to do with the airflow moving over the wings, and over the engine and tail section of it. The reason for where to put the engine besides controllability, and appearance, also has to do with the aerodynamic factors of that specific aircraft

Margin Of Error > RobFordForPresident'16
01/02/2015 at 10:11

I'm a new aeroplane enthusiast, I have still a lot to learn. Thanks for that precious information !

RobFordForPresident'16 > Margin Of Error
01/02/2015 at 16:22

Yeah, no problem! I have had the aviation bug for a while now, and I am currently going to college, majoring in commercial aviation, studying to become a commercial pilot!

Any other questions, ask! Happy to help