McDonnell Douglas DC-9
From Open Encyclopedia
The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 (initially known as the Douglas DC-9) is a family of twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliners, first manufactured in 1965 and subsequently, in greatly modified form, under a succession of different names. Now in production by Boeing, production of the DC-9 aircraft family will cease in 2006 after 41 years.
Douglas launched the DC-9 development project in April 1963, intending the DC-9 as a short-range companion to their larger four engined DC-8. Unlike the competing but slightly larger Boeing 727, which used as many 707 components as possible, the DC-9 was an all-new design, using two rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbojet engines, a small, highly efficient wing, and a T-tail. In most configurations, DC-9 family aircraft have distinctive 5-abreast seating in coach class rather than the more common 6-abreast.
The DC-9 prototype flew in February 1965 and entered service with Delta Air Lines in December of that year. It was an immediate commercial success, and 976 were built by Douglas who then merged with McDonnell in 1967. 1983 saw the advent of the DC-9-80 series (MD-80) which was a lengthened DC-9-50 with a higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and the ability to carry more fuel. The MD-80 was then developed into the MD-90 family. The MD-90 has IAE V2500 engines and a glass cockpit as the MD-88 does. The last variant of the family was the MD-95, which was marketed as the Boeing 717-200 as a result of the merger between MDC and Boeing in 1997.
The DC-9 family is one of the most rugged, longest-lasting aircraft currently in operation. Operator Northwest Airlines still operates a large fleet of DC-9 aircraft, several of which are over 30 years old. That reputation for reliability and efficiency drove strong sales well into the 1990s. With total sales of over 2400 units, the long-lived DC-9 family is one of the most successful jet airliners ever made, ranking third behind the Boeing 737 (over 6000) and Airbus A320 family (over 3700).
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DC-9 series
- DC-9-10 The earliest and smallest DC-9 was 27 m long and had a maximum weight of 41 tonnes. Power was a pair of 54.5 kN Pratt & Whitney JT8D-5s. One hundred thirty-seven were built.
- The DC-9-15 and DC-9-20 were minor variations on the -10 theme. The -15 added more fuel capacity and higher weights, the -20 used the more powerful engines and improved wings of the -30 to improve hot and high performance. Only a small number of each were made.
- The DC-9-30 was the definitive model with 662 eventually produced and accounting for about 60% of all DC-9 variants produced. The -30 entered service in February 1967 with a 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m) fuselage stretch, wingspan increased by just over 3 feet (0.9 m) and a high-lift wing system of leading edge slats gives the Series 30 excellent short-field performance. Gross take-off weight was increased to 110,000 lb (50,000 kg), and P&W JT8D-9A engines rated at 14,500 lbf (65 kN) of thrust to JT8D-11 rated at 15,500 lbf (69 kN) of thrust. About 380 -30s remained in commercial service in 2002. Many of these –30 (with side cargo door) types were utilized by the Military in C-9A Nightingale medevac configuration for the U.S Air Force and the C-9B Skytrain II version used by the U.S Navy and Marines for fleet logistics support moving both personnel and cargo. Many of the military C-9B types had a higher (114,000 lb or 52,000 kg) maximum gross take-off weight and were fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks installed in the lower cargo hold to augment the aircraft's range to nearly 2,600 miles (4,200 km) for overseas missions along with tail mounted infra-red (IR) scramblers to counter heat seeking missile threats in hostile environments. Another military version is the VC-9C VIP transport aircraft.
- The further stretched DC-9-40 entered service with SAS in March 1968. With a 2 m longer fuselage, accommodation was up to 125 passengers. The -40 was fitted with a variety of Pratt & Whitney engines of between 64.5 and 71 kN. Seventy-one were produced.
- The largest DC-9 to fly under that name was the DC-9-50, which has another 2.5 m fuselage stretch and seats up to 139 passengers. It started revenue service in August 1975 and, aside from the size increase, included a number of detail improvements, a new cabin interior, and quieter JT8D-15 or -17 engines in the 70 kN class. McDonnell Douglas delivered 96.
MD-80 series
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Typically known as the MD-80 or Super 80, the next members of the DC-9 family were the MD-81/82/83/88 and the shortened MD-87. Originally designated as DC-9-80, the plane was originally marketed as the "DC-9 Super 80." Changed before the initial launch, the MD-80 designation was a marketing move to show that McDonnell Douglas co.(which resulted from the late 1960's merger of St.Louis's McDonnell Aircraft and California's Douglas Aircraft co.), had a new airliner for the 1980s. The MD-80 versions have cockpit, avionics and aerodynamic upgrades along with the more powerful, efficient and quieter JT8D-(200) series engines, which are a significant upgrade over the smaller JT8D-15, -17, -11, and -9 series. The DC-9-80 series aircraft also have longer fuselages than their older DC-9 counterparts, as well as an increase in range. The MD-80's production ended in 1999. Notably, launch customers American Airlines and Alitalia still, as of 2005, refer to the planes in fleet documentation as "Super 80". This model is still flown, notably by Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines for domestic travel
MD-90 series
The MD-90, was introduced in 1993 and was a 1.4 m longer, updated version of the MD-88 with a similar EFIS (glass) cockpit and even more powerful, quieter and fuel efficient IAE V2500 engines. MD-90 production ended in 2001 with the final MD-90's being built under contract in China.
The shortened MD-95 was developed to satisfy the market need of a replacement for early DC-9 models, then approaching 30 years old. With an order from launch customer ValuJet, McDonnell Douglas proceeded on the project. The subsequent collapse of ValuJet, along with the merger of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas in 1997, put the program in jeopardy. Despite a bleak outlook, Boeing forged ahead. The MD-95 program was renamed Boeing 717 and entered service in September of 1999 with AirTran Airways. The aircraft is 1.45 m longer than the DC-9-30 and has the same basic cockpit and cabin updates as the MD-90 but is powered by new Rolls-Royce BR715 engines. The Boeing 717 is to end production in 2006. It will be the end of the civilian Douglas-designed aircraft in production.
Specifications
| DC-9-10 | DC-9-21 | DC-9-30 | DC-9-40 | DC-9-50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers (1 class) | 90 | 90 | 115 | 125 | 139 |
| Max. takeoff weight | 90,700 lb (41,100 kg) | 98,000 lb (44,500 kg) | 110,000 lb (49,900 kg) | 114,000 lb (51,700 kg) | 121,000 lb (54,900 kg) |
| Max range | 1265 nm (2,340 km) | 1850 nm (3,430 km) | 1635 nm (3,030 km) | 1685 nm (3,120 km) | 1635 nm (3,030 km) |
| Crusing speed | 903 km/h (561 mph) | 896 km/h (557 mph) | 917 km/h (570 mph) | 917 km/h (561 mph) | 898 km/h (558 mph) |
| Length | 31.82 m (104 ft 5 in) | 31.82 m (104 ft 5 in) | 36.37 m (119 ft 4 in) | 38.28 m (125 ft 7 in) | 40.72 m (133 ft 7 in) |
| Wingspan | 27.25 m (89 ft 5 in) | 28.47 m (93 ft 5 in) | 28.47 m (93 ft 5 in) | 28.47 m (93 ft 5 in) | 28.47 m (93 ft 5 in) |
| Tail height | 8.38 m (27 ft 6 in) | ||||
| Powerplants | Two 6,350 kgf] (14,000 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-5 | Two 6804 kgf (15,000 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 | Two 7031 kgf (15,500 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15 | Two 7031 kgf (15,500 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15 | Two 7257 kgf (16,000 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17 |
| MD-81 | MD-82/-88 | MD-83 | MD-87 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers (1 class) | 172 | 172 | 172 | 139 |
| Max. takeoff weight | 140,000 lb (64,000 kg) | 149,500 lb (67,800 kg) | 160,000 lb (72,600 kg) | 140,000 to 149,000 lb (64,000 to 67,600 kg) |
| Max range | 2,900 km (1,570 nm) | 3,800 km (2,050 nm) | 4,600 km (2,500 nm) | 4,400 km (2,400 nm) |
| Crusing speed | 811 km/h (504 mph) | 811 km/h (504 mph) | 811 km/h (504 mph) | 811 km/h (504 mph) |
| Length | 45.1 m (147 ft 8 in) | 45.1 m (147 ft 8 in) | 45.1 m (147 ft 8 in) | 39.7 m (130 ft 4 in) |
| Wingspan | 32.8 m (107 ft 8 in) | 32.8 m (107 ft 8 in) | 32.8 m (107 ft 8 in) | 32.8 m (107 ft 8 in) |
| Tail Height | 9.05 m (29 ft 6 in) | 9.05 m (29 ft 6 in) | 9.05 m (29 ft 6 in) | 9.3 m (30 ft 5 in) |
| Powerplants | Two 8,391 kgf (18,500 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-209 | Two 9,072 kgf (20,000 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217A/C | Two 9,525 kgf (21,000 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 | Two 9,072 kgf (20,000 lbf) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217C |
External links
Related content
Designation sequence<h3>
<h3> Related development<h3>
<h3> Similar aircraft<h3>
<h3> Related lists<h3>
<h3> See also<h3>
<h3> External links<h3>
- Boeing DC-9 Website
- Boeing MD-80/MD-90 Website
- MD-80 International Forum
- Italian MD-80 Site
- German MD-80 Site
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