"The MD-11 is a widebody airliner based on the DC-10 and was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 entered the American's fleet in 1991 as its long-haul international aircraft to supplement and replace the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. The MD-11 is available in four models: passenger, all freighter, convertible freighter and combi. An extended range feature is available on all versions. The MD-11 incorporates three 60,000/62,000-pound thrust P&W PW4462 engines or three 61,500-pound thrust GE CF6-80C2 engines. It has a speed of 588 mph and a range of 7,000 to 10,000 miles. The MD-11 has a seating capacity of 290 to 350 passengers. By January 1998, there were 174 MD-11s delivered and the aircraft was in service with more than 20 operators and has served more than 100 cities in 55 countries with more than 270 scheduled daily flights. The MD-11 retired in 2001 and had earned a reputation as a good passenger/cargo airplane. The last MD-11 was delivered on February 22, 2001."
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"The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a twin-engine, medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet airplanes. The MD-80 aircraft was originally part of the DC-9 line when first delivered before being later renamed. The MD-80 series have seating capacity up to 172 passengers. They have a common cabin layout that seats 140 passengers on scheduled flights and 161 or 165 on low-cost or charter flights. The Alaska Airlines flew MD-80 aircraft on the routes more than 92 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alaska airlines operates a fleet of Boeing 737 and MD-80. The airline ultimately plans to replace all MD-80 aircraft with Boeing 737-800s by the end of 2008. The retired MD-80s will be stored in Mojave Spaceport in Mojave, California or Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California. The MD-80 series was derived from the DC-9 and it was introduced commercially in October 1980 by Swissair. It entered service in 1980. The MD-80 versions have cockpit, avionics and aerodynamic upgrades along with the more powerful, efficient and quieter JT8D-200 series engines. The MD series aircraft also have longer fuselages than their earlier DC-9 counterparts, as well as longer range. The MD-80 series has been used by airlines around the world. The MD-80 series production ended in 1999. Notably, some customers, American Airlines and Alitalia still, as of 2007, refer to the planes in fleet documentation as ""Super 80"" or ""SP80"". The MD-80 model is still flown extensively by American Airlines and Delta Airlines on domestic routes. "
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"The Macchi M.C. 72 is an experimental seaplane designed and built by Macchi Aeronautica, an aircraft company. Macchi M.C. 72 was built in 1931, and was planned to compete in the final Schneider Trophy race. Unfortunately, the aircraft was unable to compete due to engine problems. Instead of halting the development program, Macchi continued work on the M.C. 72. The Macchi M.C. 72 suffered many mechanical defects, as well as the loss of two test pilots who died trying to coax world class speed out of the aircraft. Macchi M.C. 72's design was unique with a fuselage partly metal to the cockpit and wood monocoque bolted to the front tubular portion by four bolts. The final design of M.C. 72 used a double, counter-rotating fixed-pitch propeller powered by a modified Fiat AS-6 engine generating 2,500 to 3,100 horse power. The engines were overhauled in preparation for a record attempt after the M.C. 72's 35th flight. It set a new world speed record on April 1933 of 682 km/h and was piloted by Warrant Officer Francesco Agello. Further development continued as the M.C. 72's designers thought they could break the 700 km/h record and this feat was achieved on October 23, 1934, when Warrant Officer Francesco Agello piloted the plane for an average speed of 709 km/h over three passes. As of 2006, the record remains the fastest speed ever attained by a piston engine seaplane. Though after the aircraft's success, it was never flown again. There's one M.C. 72 currently on display at the Vignia de Valle Aircraft Museum, which is near Rome. "
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"The Martin M-130 is an influential plane designed and built by the Genn L. Martin Company. The Martin M-130 is an all-metal flying boat having streamlined aerodynamics and powerful engines to achieve Pan Am's specifications for range and payload. The M-130's maiden flight was on December 30, 1934. On November 22, 1935, the China Clipper piloted by Captain Edwin C. Musick and First Officer R.O.D. Sullivan flew the first Trans-Pacific airmail route. The M-130 has a crew of 6-9 for a Captain, First Officer, Junior Flight Officer, Engineering Officer, Assistant Engineering Officer, Radio Operator, Navigation Officer and cabin stewards. It incorporates four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S2A5G Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines. The M-130 has a maximum speed of 180 mph and a range of 3,200 miles. There was a wreck with the China Clipper NC14716 at Port of Spain, Trinidad at the time of its landing on January 8, 1945. "
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"The Martin M-130 is a rare but influential plane that was designed and built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. The M-130's maiden flight was on December 30, 1934. On November 22, 1935, the China Clipper, piloted by Captain Edwin C. Musick and First Officer R.O.D. Sullivan flew the first trans-Pacific airmail route. Their range and capacity made them prime candidates to fulfill the over ocean hauling needs of the military during World War. In 1942, the two remaining planes were impressed into transport roles for the U Navy. In 1943, a crash occurred when the Phlippine Clipper hit the side of a mountain as it descended to land in San Francisco and the final M-130 casualty was the China Clipper NC14716, after it was wrecked at Port of Spain. The M-30 is an all-metal flying boat employing streamlined aerodynamics and powerful engines to achieve Pan Am's specifications for range and payload "
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"The Lockheed L-188 Electra is an American turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. It was the first turboprop airliner built in the USA. The design of the L-188 was started by Lockheed in 1954, and the following year the company received a launch order from American Airlines. The prototype first flew on December 6, 1957. Many airlines in the US flew the L-188, but the only European airline to order the type was KLM. TEAL in the South Pacific, NAC the Viscount and Air New Zealand flew both. TAA and Ansett in Australia operated the L-188 and QANTAS also operated 4 L-188. American Airlines was the launch customer, followed by Eastern Airlines and Braniff Airways. The L-188 flew in commercial service until the mid-1970s. A total of 144 L-188s were built, 57 of which have been destroyed in accidents, according to Aviation Safety network. The most recent L-188 accident was in July 2003. Lockheed developed a variant of the Electra, the P-3 Orion, for the United States Navy. The Orion was originally developed using modified civilian Electra airframes. The L-188 is a low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by four Allison 501D turboprops. Standard accommodation was for 66 to 88 passengers, with an optional high-density layout for 98 passengers. The initial production was the L-188A and later, a longer-range L-188C was produced. Most of the L-188 aircraft currently in service are operated as Freighters. Lockheed proposed a development of the Electra which was later placed into production as the "
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"The Learjet 60 is a business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace. The Learjet 60 is an improved version of the Learjet 55, having a longer fuselage and incorporates more powerful engines. Its maiden flight was on June 1991 and received FAA certification in January 1993. The modification that converted the Learjet Model 55 into a model 60 were the results of an aerodynamics improvement program and a need and for increased capacity of the Learjet product line and the modifications include an all new inboard wing cuff added to the inboard sections of the ""Longhorn"" wing and an all new wing-to-body fairing. By increasing the wing cord and the leading edge droop, the wing cuff improved the low speed handling during approach and landing while the wing-to-body fairing reduced the interference drag between the wing and the fuselage. Since the engines were new for this aircraft, a new engine pylon had to be designed. The cockpit's lines were not changed but the fuselage was lengthened. In addition, the blend between the fuselage and the empennage was all new. An all new E/B (Emergency/Baggage) door was added to the right-hand side of the fuselage just at the leading edge of the wing. The final aeroimprovement to the Model 60 was the creation of the distinctive ""Ogive"" winglet trailing edge. This lengthening of the cord near the interface of the winglet and the winglet greatly improved the interaction of the wing's pressure spike with the winglet's pressure spike. The result was a significant lowering of the drag in this area and a significant improvement of the wings efficiency. The Learjet Model 45 winglet blend design took into account the lessons learned from the model 60 and the ogive was not necessary. Finally, the ventral fin was replaced with the hallmark split ventral fins that Learjet called ""Delta Fins."""
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"The Learjet 45 aircraft is a mid-sized business jet produced by Bombardier Aerospace. The maiden flight of the prototype Learjet 45 was on October 7, 1995, which was the 32nd anniversary of the first flight of the Learjet 23. Though FAA certification was delayed, it was finally granted in September 1997, with the first customer aircraft subsequently delivered in January 1998. The cockpit equips a four-screen Honeywell Primus 1000 EFIS avionics system and it incorporates two FADEC-controlled Honeywell TFE731-20 engines. An APU provides ground power. An upgraded version of the Learjet 45 which is the Learjet 45XR was introduced in June 2004, with higher take-off weights, faster cruise speeds and faster time-to-climb rates as compared to the LJ45. It has a seating capacity of 9 passengers, including one in the lavatory which is certified as a seat. It has a maximum speed of 464 kt and a range of 2,120 nm. The Learjet 45 is also one of the main airplanes that was featured in the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise. "
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"The Learjet Model 35 is a multirole business jets and military transport aircraft manufactured by Learjet and its primary use and operator is the United States Air Force. The Learjet Model 35's maiden flight was on August 22, 1973 and the aircraft gained its FAA certification on July 1974. The Learjet 35A is a variant of the Model 35 also known as the Model 35A. It is an upgraded Model 35 introduced in 1976, replacing the 35. As of January 2007, the US National Transportation Safety Board database lists 19 fatal accidents for the 35/35A. There were 600 35As built. "
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"On April 7, 1967, Trans World Airlines (TWA) became one of the world's first all-jet airlines with the retirement of their last Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation and L-1649 Starliner aircraft. Many people consider the L-1049 Super Constellation to be the loveliest commercial aircraft ever built, which is why they often affectionately call it the ""Super Connie""./P> The L-1049G Super Constellation took off from Hamburg, Germany, to New York, USA, with a stop in Dusseldorf. The flight lasted 17 hours. In those days, flights across the Atlantic heading for America could be accomplished only with an intermediate stop. Flights to Germany were usually non-stop, due to the tail-wind. This marked the beginning of a new era. It wasn't until the Super Constellation that the plane became a means of mass transportation that allowed people to travel quickly and comfortably to cities around the world. The L-1049-G Super Constellation has 5 flight crews. The L-1049-G's capacity is typically 62-95 passengers, up to 109 could be seated. The L-1049-G Super Constellation has a maximum speed of 380 mph and range of 5,400 mi. The L-1049G is distinguished by round windows and the ability to carry wingtip fuel tanks. The L-1049G Super Constellation had another distinguishing feature: It was the first commercial aircraft to have a pressurised cabin."
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"The L-1049 Super Constellation was introduced in 1951. The fuselage was extended by 18 ft 4.75 in and its passenger capacity increased from 69 up to 92 passengers. Its maiden flight was on July 14, 1951. It has an auxiliary wing-tip fuel tanks. The L-1049 Super Constellation could fly nonstop between New York and Los Angeles. When the L-1049G was introduced, the range was increased by 700 miles. The L-1049G featured 100 design improvements over the L-1049E model to make it better. Trans World Airlines named it the Super G and it received a total order of 102. The L-1049G has a crew of 5 with a typical seating capacity of 62-95 passengers. It has a maximum speed of 380 mph and a range of 5,400 mi. Currently, an existing L-1049G (Super G) Constellation built originally for cargo carier Slick Airways was restored by the ""Save-a-Connie"" organization (now the Airline History Museum) in 1986. It was repainted in the 1950s livery of TWA, resembling ""Star of America"" Constellation. The aircraft appeared at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport at the original TWA terminal designed by Eero Saarinen, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the airline."
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"The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was the main competitor to McDonnell Douglas' DC-10, having a wide-body, high capacity tri-jets for medium to long haul routes. The L-1011 project was launched in 1968. In 1972, L-1011 entered service with TWA and Eastern Airlines. The initial version of the TriStar was the L-1011-1, which was the most-built variant. It has a greater fuel capacity and incorporates -200 more powerful engines. The L-1011 has a typical two-class seating of 256 and a range of 5,752 km. There were many civilian operators of the TriStar including Aer Lingus, AeroPeru, Air Atlanta Icelandic, Air Canada, Air France, Air Luxor, Air Lanka, All Nippon Airways, Arrow Air, ATA Airlines, British Airways and many more. Most major airlines retired the L-1011 from their fleets. TWA withdrew its last TriStar from service in 1997. The TriStar was also used as a military tanker and passenger/cargo aircraft. Royal Air Force has nine aircraft of four variants The L-1011 was to be the last passenger airliner and in 1983, production ended. Many TriStars were converted for improved performance."
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"The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar is a three engine jet airliner. The L-1011 TriStar was the last Lockheed airliner to be developed and was launched in March 1968 in response to an American Airlines requirement for a large capacity medium range airliner. The L-1011-1 was the first production model of the L-1011 which entered service with Eastern Airlines and TWA in April 1972. It was designed for short and medium-range flights and was purchased by Air Canada, ANA, Cathay Pacific, Eastern and other operators with regional trunk routes requiring a wide-body aircraft. Pacific Southwest Airlines purchased two L-1011 models with lower deck seating. This variant was also the only wide-body ever to have the option for a full-height built-in airstair incorporated into the design, although it remained an option on other variants. In 1983, production of L-1011-1 ceased when 250 had been built. In 1986, the prototype was sold to be broken up for spares. The L-1011-1 TriStar has a cockpit crew for three and has a seating capacity of 253 in a 3-class. It has a maximum speed of .95 Mach and a range of 4,610 mi. There are approximately 156 TriStars which remained in service in 1998, with 122 standard fuselage models. In 2000, the number went down to about 137, with 109 standard fuselage models. By the end of 2002, it dropped further to 51 active TriStars, with 23 standard fuselage ones. Delta retired its TriStar fleet in 2001, replacing them with the Boeing 767-400ER. The airplane was also used in the television series Lost, featuring a dismantled L-1011 formerly belonging to Eastern Airlines."
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The Bulldog Racer was designed and built by Robert Hall, an engineering and test pilot in the early 1930s who had worked for the Granville Brothers design the famous Gee-Bee Z. Hall decided to design his own airplanes after a disagreement with the Granvilles. First was a two place airplane to fly in the England to Melbourne Race, named Chicada, which looked like an insect for its paint scheme. The second airplane design features a gull-wing "Bulldog" and it suffered in directional control stability. Several modifications of the vertical fin and rudder were made, the fin and rudder area above the wing level was increased to escape turbulence from the gull wing, reversal of lateral control was experienced with the ailerons, before downward deflection was eliminated. During the race, the Bulldog's speed was a disappointing 215.57 mph with a very top speed of 270 mph. The Bulldog finished in sixth place. There was a speculation that a restricted air inlet kept the inlet Bulldog from showing its true potential. The Bulldog was dismantled after the races were over and the engine was returned to Pratt & Whitney.
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