727-100

Powerplants

Three 62.3kN (14,000lb) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7 turbofans

Performance

Max speed 1017km/h (549kt)

   Max cruising speed 960km/h (518kt)

   Economical cruising speed 917km/h (495kt)

   Range with max payload 5000km (2700nm)

Weights

Empty equipped 36,560kg (80,602lb), max takeoff 72,570kg (160,000lb)

Dimensions

Wing span 32.92m (108ft 0in), length 40.59m (133ft 2in), height 10.36m (34ft 0in). Wing area 157.9m2 (1700sq ft)

Capacity

Flightcrew of three (two pilots and flight engineer). Typical two class seating for 94, max seating for 131

727-200

Powerplants

Three 64.5kN (14,500lb) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 turbofans, or 67.2kN (15,000lb) JT8D-11s, or 68.9kN (15,500lb) JT8D-15s or 71.1kN (16,000lb) JT8D-17s (Advanced only), or 77.3kN (17,400lb) JT8D-17Rs (Advanced only)

Performance

Advanced 727-200 - Max speed 1017km/h (549kt)

Max cruising speed 953km/h (515kt)

Economical cruising speed 865km/h (467kt)

Range with max payload 3965km (2140nm), range with max fuel 4450km (2400nm)

Weights

Advanced 727-200 - Operating empty 45,360kg (100,000lb), max takeoff 95,030kg (209,500lb)

Dimensions

Wing span 32.92m (108ft 0in), length 46.69m (153ft 2in), height 10.36m (34ft 0in). Wing area 157.9m2 (1700sq ft)

Capacity

Max seating for 189 at six abreast and 76cm (30in) pitch, typical two class seating for 14 premium class and 131 economy class passengers
727-200F - Typical max payload comprises 11 2.23m x 3.17m (7ft 4in x 10ft 5in) pallets

The Boeing 727 was designed to fill a specific nitch in the newly developing jet market. Previously the Boeing 707 had entered service as a long haul airliner; and was the true first generation of the commercial jet (If you recall the DeHavilland Comet entered service earlier but was a dead end in jet development).

Design started in 1958 and in original concept was going to be a short/medium hauler in high density markets. Design points were extended fatigue life, dispatch reliability, low weather minimums, speed, and low operation cost.

It was decided that a three engine design offered lower operation cost than the four engine 707 while having a higher safety rating than a twin engine design. Thousands of hours were spent in wind tunnel test before the decision was made for the T-Tail, fuselage engine mounted design. In addition to operate from short landing runway the wing was designed with a triple-slotted trailing flap and leading edge slats (La Guardia Airport as the design point). With so many moving parts on the wing, the 727 was known as the "aircraft whose wing comes apart".

In addition the 727 was a very forward thinking design in concept. It was one of the first Jet Aircraft to be built for utility and operation off any airport. This would mean that it would have to be designed without reliance on Jet-Way, Huffer Carts, or Stored Air Bottles. To accomplish this a rear entry way ramp was built into the tail. When lowered it becomes a primary entrance into the main cabin of the aircraft. Later this feature would be exploited by the infamous Hi-Jacker D.B. Cooper who used it to parachute with ransom money. Also, a second new concept was introduced with the 727; the A.P.U. (auxiliary power unit) which supplied electrical and pneumatic power to various systems. This was added as an afterthought to the initial design after the main structure was frozen. The only viable placement of the A.P.U. was in the main wheel well. This meant the A.P.U. was placed between the main wheels when retracted which meant the A.P.U. could only be used during ground operations when the landing gear was outside the wheel wells. Again, later, this was to be a source of accidents when operating A.P.U. were mistakenly left operating after T/O.

Roll out of the first 727 was in 1962, first flight in 1963. In test the 727 could stop in as little as 700ft landing roll using the nose wheel brake in addition to the brakes on the main landing gear. In later years the nose wheel braking system was largely de-activated due to the tremendous braking power of the main wheels.

By 1964 it was clear the 727 was a success, but that a larger airframe was needed on many markets. This resulted in a stretched fuselage version called the 727-200, and became the leading seller of the Boeing line of aircraft. The -200 could carry 190 people and fly 1500 miles. In total approx. 1900 Boeing 727 were put into service with production ending in 1984 when FedEx bought the last 727 made as cargo aircraft.

Numerous airlines used the Boeing 727, but perhaps the airline most defined by the 727 was Braniff International. Braniff had a multi-colored fleet of 727 which it flew on many highly competitive routes against other air carriers who used widebody aircraft. For every wide body from a competitor Braniff would dispatch two 727, thus flying an equal amounts of seats, but offering two separate departure time. Customers soon saw the benefit of the more flexible schedule and flocked Braniff.

The 727 is still in widespread usage, mainly in the Air Cargo Industry. It offers range, speed, reliability, low cost, with a payload capacity that generates a profit.