55-YEAR-OLD DC-9 STILL FLYING! Ameristar DC-9-15 at Calgary Airport (4K)

[@jesdadotcom]

The level of engineering required to keep something this old and complex in the sky is absolutely impressive.

[@Spectre-y5u]

dc9 ( and 727s ) are beasts on takeoff roll

[@stl-aviation]

Amazing to still see aircraft like this flying, truly a magnificent sight

[@fabiodelprato7777]

My first fly on Dc-9 15 in1982 at Rome amazing plane, and beautiful video

[@marianostarosiliz]

Bring the classics back! Bring the noise back!!

[@MrPhilippeBrun]

This makes me nostalgic about my many flights aboard Air Canada's DC-9 15s , in the late 60s and in the 70s. Thank you for the post!

[@williamgriffis8733]

Wow. The DC-9 was a workhorse for years. My last flight on a DC-9-50 in 2009 on Northwest Airlines. Detroit to Philadelphia. The fact that this plane is 55 years old and still flying is incredible. Thanks for sharing Alex!!

[@F1_Continued]

I was spotting runway 17L and didn't get to see the full takeoff but I did get to hear the beast! So loud and amazing, even from afar. Glad you caught it, Alex.

[@ryanleclaire3948]

Got two of them chilling at my airport right now, waiting for next assignment. Love seeing them

[@_Erogaki]

gotta love the sound of those JT8s

[@jgmay2725]

I spotted this aircraft on take off at Windsor in March 2018. The sound of the JT8D engines brought back many memories of Air Canada DC-9 flights across Western Canada in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Thanks for this Alex!

[@creeguyvernon]

Yep, I remember hopping across Canada in Air Canada DC 9s and having pretty good service too. I had even kept an old dc9 safety card too, the old AC brown ones

[@Dbodell8000]

I recently found a photo of a Air Canada DC9 preserved in a museum in Ottawa.

[@aeyb701]

Fortunately it’s indoors too.

[@HoggerCaptain]

As much as the communities surrounding airports may dislike the low bypass engines, I love them. Great video.

[@christopherescott6787]

NOTHING like a JT8D bolted to a 9. Reminds me of the F28's I once flew on with Transair and they Speys they had.GREAT capture.!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jgmay2725]

I had a love/hate relationship with the Canadian Airlines F28. Small cramped cabin, but the Spey Engines were a treat to listen to between Regina and Calgary

[@seqspottingandtravels9346]

Stunning catch! Its truly awesome to see this old bird still going strong after all this time. Big like!

[@davidmaclachlan]

Nice to hear a jet!

[@RedHawk785]

In 1978 I flew a C172 out of Toronto International Airport as a fairly young and new pilot and I was absolutely thrilled to be in line behind a cargo DC-3 for takeoff. The Douglas was 34 years old and I thought it was such an ancient relic, virtually from the dark ages of aviation, and could not believe these aircraft were still in commercial service. They looked and sounded like very old, creaky and smoky antiques even to the general public. Amazingly enough, these days a 55 year old Mad Dog is so modern looking and sounding that it doesn't even raise an eyebrow for anyone but a pilot or aircraft enthusiast.

[@TeemarkConvair]

",,and if you look out the left side of the aircraft you can see down town, and a big hangar.: !! WAIT was that "de-icing"? man, really needed ground communications with this one.. Alex you've outdone yourself,, NICE JOB!

[@johnmcqueen4883]

Outstanding footage of an amazing (and really lucky!) catch. It was such a pleasure to watch.

[@stanleovart]

WOW! that is good lucky catch of such rare plane nowadays!

[@bwaw1972]

Wonderful to see and hear. I remember my first visit to Schiphol Airport. Must have been late 70’s or very early 80’s. I could here this immense noise and was eager to find out what produced it. As I raced across the observation deck, this KLM DC9-32 came in to view. I was perplexed and amazed that all that sound came from this (relatively) small plane.

[@nybotor1]

I really, REALLY want to see a good ol' DC-9 someday. Great video!

[@stellarsjay1773]

Come on feel the noise. Splendid take off, took the air like an eagle. Thanks Alex.

[@yobb1n544]

Love to see old maddogs like this, especially one that used to fly AC! Awesome!

[@MTAviationPhotoFilm]

Based here in Michigan at Willow Run. Besides their few DC-9s, they operate 2 pax configured 737-200s. I was able to catch N785TW on its first departure after it unveiled their updated livery. One of the reasons I love living so close to Willow.

[@ianmcgee9945]

It's great to see this beauty, she looks well maintained. The fact that she's ex-Air Canada makes her extra special for me, as my Dad probably worked on her as an avionics tech. And she's the same age as me, though I'm not sure about admitting that!

[@basvanderhoek9293]

Good lord, wonderful. When you squint a bit it could be Air Gabon's Caravelle. The sound, the smoke. What an eargasm to hear this plane. It looks SO good being a DC-9. When it was stretched from Airdrie to Calgary, they looked weird. I was always mesmerized to watch a MD-83 rotating. Nose, more nose even more nose and eventually the tiny wings and the rest of the plane. Thanks Alex, great catch.

[@american101]

Nice catch Alex! These guys are regular visitors at my local airport and I see these guys once or twice a month!

[@josejavierescalantee6656]

Wow, still around those beautiful mighty birds! Just got to love that JT8D roar and sound while taxiing and t/off. Excellent video Alex! I'm a follower from Mexico.

[@aeyb701]

9’s were the mainstay of AC’s Toronto to Halifax service for decades. Flew on them from, as a child, the late ‘sixties to the late ‘nineties. Back rows were best for the loud buzzing-with-roar on takeoff. Planes, like cars and trains, had much more individual styling then. That was before modern computers could dictate the optimal aerodynamic shape which is now common to all. Dc-9’s were very versatile, linking places like Yarmouth and Sidney Nova Scotia with the rest of the AC network.

[@jcbaily5559]

Always enjoy your videos and love your ending music!

[@marine052520031]

Awesome job..beautiful bird..All versions of her

[@bobninemire5154]

I can almost smell the jet A...........back when jets made REAL noise .........Great catch Alex

[@brianburchart7592]

On departure, awesome engine sound! Thanks for your effort ❤️🍁🛩️

[@CorPro]

Great old bird! Love the space shuttleesque nose. And how awesome are those great bucket reverse thrusters on landing!? So low tech and cool compared to the newer types!

[@van84agon]

Sweet landing, perfect. fast take-off and the Westjet 737 in the background looks so large compared to the DC-9... king of the skies the 737 may be, but I'm not aware of any 60's era 737 still flying, don't think any 737-100 are flying, so thanks for still flying around DC-9!!

[@CenTexAviation]

Awesome capture! Usually, such miscommunications are quite inconvenient, but not for planespotters!

[@Mineav]

Great looking plane. Holds up well to modern design aesthetics, still having a fairly contemporary look.

[@ArdenTheSnep]

I was taxiing for takeoff at SLC, my home airport when I saw an Ameristar DC-9 taking off outside of my window. Truly amazing birds and great catch!

[@rogerwalnut]

I remember seeing this come into Memphis once. By far one of the neatest planes flying today, the DC-9 is such a classic!

[@StinkPickle4000]

Neat! Thanks Alex!

[@justforsheba]

Very Cool Alex... and nice fades! Thanks!!

[@FUN-fy5dd]

Awesome plane. Thanks!

[@joeschenk8400]

Thank you for the post. The first jet airliner I ever flew on was an Air Canada DC-9 in 1967. My family was returning to NYC from Montreal-Expo 67. Times does seem to fly-pun intended.

[@larryfreeman7979]

how in heck can anyone remember what plane they flew on in 1967??? 🤔

[@joeschenk8400]

Easy for a kid on his first jet who was and still is and airplane buff! Had it been day, I would have had 8mn film of the flight.@@larryfreeman7979

[@merc340sr]

A few of them are still flown today in African countries. I flew on DC9s several times in my childhood. What verybody enjoyed was the sound of the JT8D Pratt and Whitney engines. Great looking plane too!

[@CCSO0801]

I flew on this aircraft several times when it was Air Florida N50AF. My uncle was First Officer.

[@angiecampos9289]

I flew from MSP, Minneapolis Minnesota to: ATL Hartfield international airport. With Delta in 2009 comfortable take off and landing.. and with about 25 passengers on board.. greetings Alex from Winnipeg 🇨🇦

[@sebsaviationyyc]

Very cool video, I was wondering if you saw this one!

[@kauaiphotography]

Aloha Alex! Awesome to see a plane that is older (won't say how much older!) than me! Thanks for your multiple visits to get this special plane. Of course this plane reminds me of the B717's that Hawaiian Airlines flies daily from island to island. Since they get daily use, I am wondering how much longer they will be around. Mahalo for your efforts and your content.

[@colestagg8682]

Hey Alex coming to Calgary in February will be nice to see your home airport

[@demoninepro99p]

Wow, rocketship take off right there.

[@obroni]

"Are we there yet?"

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

Absolutely beautiful aircraft! Wish you could have been able to get a tour inside of the cockpit!

[@christopherrogers86]

Alex this is pure enjoyment when technical difficulties provide a great photo opportunity for you. Not everyday for sure. Nice to see the old bird still flying they were unique planes with a certain range and passenger capacity,,the airlines that had kept them for many years of service. Great video Alex nice to hear those classic engines again, have a great week and catch you on the next flight.,

[@JayaviationLV]

Sweet catch man! I was wondering what happened to this flight that caused the delay!

[@foxtrotalphaaviation]

Great catch Alex, I caught one of these beauties up in McMurray a few years ago. So many memories flying aboard Air Canada DC-9 aircraft across Canada. At one point it was one of the most dominant aircraft in our skies, before CRJs and the Airbus. Love the sound of the JT8Ds - Well done 👍

[@joesutherland225]

Still one of my faves

[@westcoast1882]

When I first saw the thumbnail for this my 1st thought was I hope Alex is in a favourable position to capture the sound of those engines on takeoff, & you did perfectly. A veritable symphony of micro explosions. 👍🙏

[@ericinzesky1077]

Nice plane still alive ! Thanks a lot for this video 🙂

[@travisgamble8765]

Amazing catch Alex! Did you notice the chrome rims? Nicely kept bird. Loved this! Probably flew on it to Toronto a time or seven when I was young :-)

[@wesmartka8068]

So great to see these throw back planes....TW tail number...TWA ??

[@HullarsRedDust]

I have been lucky enough to see both N782TW & N785TW at my local airport KTYS! I am hoping to see N467TW, Ameristar's 737-205(A) at TYS sometime soon.

[@aeyb701]

Makes me want to dig out my M and B Air Canada kits and kluge a -32 from two -50’s.

[@gr-612a9]

Would it be neat to buy this old bird and paint it in the AC colours? Lots of great memories of flying their longer/newer sisters across the prairies. Great Catch Alex!

[@OneDullMan]

I sure hope everyone appreciates the backdrop at YYC on sunny days. The Rockies are gorgeous, and Caalgary is its daughter

[@pugsandcoffeeplease]

By the way, Alex, excellent job as usual.

[@marine052520031]

I remember my Dad worked on VC-139 at Andrew's AFB in the 80's gorgeous plane

[@canerguener8664]

Short and mighty

[@wozja]

Awesome !

[@Vanadeo]

The last dregs of maybe the greatest era of aviation slowly fade away :*( ...

[@dalemcscurvey714]

These come in and out of cmh as cargo every so often. I live 5 miles from the airport and always know lol. Love the jt8

[@marincountyspotter17]

what camera and lens do you use? Really good image quality!

[@gordtowsley20]

I remember flying on those more than once. Was on one that the pilot backed it away from the gate under it's own power using the reverse thrusters. Cool but pretty noisy.

[@mixedupmenopausaladhd3999]

After not seeing one of these for a while, I am noticing the vertical stabilizer looks quite proportional. It always looks so small on the MD80s and 90s!

[@jasonfrentrup1699]

My friend flies that Plane. They are based in Addison TX.

[@Orion64-y4w]

Where do they get parts to keep this plane flying?

[@ZOMb2010]

I have seen their 727 ..Lov the old Birds but are they really worth flying with the cost of fuel and most likely maintenance ?

[@TyNovakAviation]

Neat video!

[@ATH_Berkshire]

Given the very new looking paint I guess Ameristar plan on keeping these aircraft for a few more years.

[@jarrellbabb1344]

Flew on. DC 9 when flying on Texas International.

[@edwardmyers1746]

Looks great for the age.

[@zaamuro8408]

Is it common to see these with a charred fuselage behind the engine?

[@JayJayAviation]

CF-TOO!

[@HartStreet4Ever]

Timmins (YTS) use to get DC-9's from AirCanada when i was younger and i loved flying on ..later Timmins was serviced with Dash-8's as u well know from flying on the last remaining Dash-8-300 out of YTS

[@herminiocabela1314]

Alaska has some of this units

[@SC8terRiderMotoVlogger]

Still flying up to now 01 Mar 2024 Landed 3:18

[@schnitzel2k3]

Why is it that 4K, well shot video looks more like FS2020 than real life?

[@747heavyboeing3]

Originally delivered to Continental Airlines on April 11, 1967. N8902

[@sarcomakaposi2054]

Looks so much like the Fokker 70

[@Iffy350]

That DC-9 is so small that it reminds me of a Fokker Jet.

[@michaelmichniak127]

In an all coach layout this series held 90 passengers. The larger series 30 could hold 115.

[@curlergd]

I'm assuming they have been re-engined and/or fitted with hushkits. They were deafeningly loud wen I worked them as AC in the late 80s.

[@brafrom4991]

Belissimo avião

[@stuartleckie]

But, did they wave, or were they asking for directions? Either way, very cool to see a piece of aviation history still working hard.

[@Michael_Livingstone]

I wonder how much longer they’ll keep it before throwing it into the garbage?

[@brianhackett1024]

Did i see an old Can Jet plane in the back ground

[@danmack3173]

On the ramp when this thing was departing, it sounded like a rocket taking off

[@RealSaulGoodman78]

I miss the DC-9 I was sad when Delta retired there DC-9

[@АльбертПетров-ш2и]

it was just stood in the garage for 35 years

[@stevemclean9411]

n783 tw not ol d TWA?

[@mikebennett4478]

Calgary has some issues right now. For example baggage. WestJet is being blamed for late (really late) baggage when its the airport staff shortage causing problems. Opinion; Airports need to start paying hazard pay for below -15 conditions.