Flying the World's Oldest Passenger Jet (East African DC-9-14)

[@hossainalwasi]

I can't get over just how smooth the last touchdown was. Beautiful.

[@doutorgori327]

For a 50 year old aircraft, she is extremely well kept!

[@gavinyarnell8051]

Crazy how airlines these days retire planes near 20 years old😔

[@GuineaPig91]

i'm offended by your choice of gender pronoun

[@loplopthebird1860]

She? Are planes female?

[@Stfu_saipul]

@@loplopthebird1860 she was something what beautiful , if we call "he" it's look handsome... Just same but beautiful it's good to say for plane😂 Edit: some people say plane it's a sky ship

[@albertopalma1663]

@@loplopthebird1860 In the English language yes, they are.

[@bbmeasa6398]

Congrats Capt. Njama and Capt. Lang'at. This DC9-10 is still flying and has indeed lived to see its 50th Birthday. Last scheduled yesterday on Flight B5 1825/6- 13th Jan 2016 to Mogadishu. She ain't coming to Finland as yet. We will hold on to her a little longer.. Long live XXA. Hardly ever breaks down. Shall miss her when she finally retires...

[@NYPDTB]

those guys know how to fly, good pilots! Not only was that a manual landing; it was performed better than if computer assisted.

[@aseem7w9]

xD comments like these make me LOL. There's autopilot in dc9 too. plus 99 percent of landing nowadays are manual.

[@shemphoward9153]

My heart goes out the the Capt. and F.O. They probably work very hard and have to be super dedicated for not a lot of money by western standards, but in a way they are lucky to be flying the old school way, and being real pilots rather then pushing buttons and going along for the ride.

[@MasterCarguy44-pk2dq]

So true. In a study, it was found that the pilots that have grown use to letting autopilot do 85% of the flying, are lacking critical skills and are dangerous. I spoke to a recent retiring United Captain, (he's 55), and been flying 30 yrs.he said these new, young pilots coming out of the regionals scare him. Many are to afraid to hand fly the airplane or even conduct the rake off. Technology is great to a degree, but old fashioned steam gauges and pilot skills and abilities need to comeback to the picture, mix some tech in, say, 50/50, and it'll be good. It'll help reduc work load, but a lot of recent accidents have been because airplane was left on autopilot way to late on the final approach in 3-5 fatal accidents, and at high altitude, in thin air, the airplane flies very different at 30-40k ft than at 15-25k ft. Most of these kids (under 29) would notknow what to do at high altitude to control the airplane.

[@emmanuelbenjamin7709]

Minimum monthly salary for the captain on this aircraft on this particular airline in Kenya Should range from 4000 to 5000 dollars a month. Not bad by East African standards. On Kenya Airways the Senior Captains on the dreamliners or 777's range around 8000 to 12000 Dollars. Not bad either

[@albertopalma1663]

@@MasterCarguy44-pk2dq IMO this former United pilot knows what he's talking about. At the end of the day, who has to make the final decisions? the captain, not the machine. It was demonstrated by captain Sully on Cactus 1549. He had to make quick decisions based on his skills and of course experience as well. He is old school flying a modern airplane full of buttons and computers.

[@MLProductions.1]

@@emmanuelbenjamin7709 yeah 4-5k is avg for USA but in Africa your doing very good

[@emmanuelbenjamin7709]

@@MLProductions.1 On a DC-9 I think 5000 Euros monthly is not too bad

[@ndigwechap4029]

Flew this particular aircraft (5Y-XXA) including the sister aircraft 5Y-XXB (now retired at JKIA), best experience of my entire flying career! Rated on Boeing 757/767 and 737 but still in awe of the DC-9. XXA is very well maintained and has a dual GPS system coupled to the autopilot, can maintain auto ILS approach down to minimums (manual for passenger comfort in VMC due turbulence), cruises comfortably at Mach .84 (ground speed as high as 540Kts at FL350, if still RVSM), no leading edge slats thus longer take-off roll and lower pitch attitude. This aircraft is literally a flying legend, hope East African Safari Air Express can keep it in the air as long as possible! Cheers Sam and thanks for the great video keep up the good work!

[@georgesomerville6924]

ndigwe chap Uuyuuju

[@ronaldburton513]

ndigwe chap z

[@colinashby3775]

Jabari bwana

[@itspenguin7187]

don't you love that feeling when the plane touches down and you can just feel the G force pushing you back into the seat and you are surrounded by jet noise? I LOVE that.

[@anthonyprausa7842]

Ex Midwest Express jet. Fuselage number 2. I've done alot of work to this plane over 20 years.

[@varigdc10]

+Anthony Prausa Wow, nice, I always liked any commercial airplane with a DC name, they were well built, strong, reliable, overall probably the best airplanes to grace the skies of my good old days, regards to you!

[@flightsimfantasy9798]

+varigdc10 hell yeah the dc-3 over 70 years later we we still operate them

[@Travisesty]

varigdc10 I ❤️ the DC9. The airline I wrk for, use to have the largest number of DC9-82/83's flying and now it KILLS ME DL is now the largest operator of DC-9-80's Series & -90/-95's. Awesome well built, reliable and safe acft!! I'll cry when our last 80 goes to the desert 😣 They served our airline well and left a great legacy for all new acft/fleets made👍

[@bernardpiatt7384]

Anthony Prausa h7n7

[@michaelbauers8800]

Do these older planes have to be tested more often for metal fatigue?

[@javedsultan4830]

These pilots and the crew deserve respect and appreciation

[@flightsimfantasy9798]

That touchdown was so smooth

[@capnkente1]

I flew the DC-9-32 for 2 years from 1996 until 1998 for a large U.S. carrier. This video brings back wonderful memories(although doing a landing checklist below 500' probably isnt what you want to be doing.) The DC-9 flew wonderfully. It rolled like a much more agile aircraft, more like a single engine fighter aircraft. I miss the old girl.

[@christophermcnally8782]

The DC-9 is one of the best aircraft ever built. I worked on them for 22 yrs. Safe and simple.

[@tunkunrunk]

+Christopher Mcnally this airplane is no longer safe , because of it age it is subject to metal fatigue . holes in the fuselage may appear and cause the disintegration of thea aircraft in mid air

[@jimdep333]

+tecknos africa they take x-rays of the skin. Relax....

[@lorenj.238]

+tecknos africa Tecknos.....you know absolutely nothing about aviation with a statement like that. With proper maintenance...these older airframes can fly on for years....the older DC-9's are no exception to this rule. Up until a few years ago....the former Northwest Airlines were flying some of these older DC-9-10/15 models without the leading edge slats. A few of those aircraft had already logged over 100,000 cycles. An aircraft...doesn't get to be THAT OLD, being a bad design or unreliable. The older DC-9's along with the 2nd generation MD-80's are excellent aircraft.

[@carmenseeger311]

+Loren J. on the MD-80 they "forgot" to place the compass onto the glareshild but mounted some mirrors there and put the compass behind the pilots :D :D :D (anecdote, not a complaint :D)

[@johnnyberetta9533]

+Christopher Mcnally  Did you also work on DC 8;s ? I read recently that the DC 8 were very solid and rugged aircraft, and probably more rugged than it's competitor, the Boeing 707. On an online pilot's forum I read a post by an airline Captain with years of experience, had flown both types. He said that;in comparison, flying the DC 8 was like driving an old Chevy, while the Boeing 707 was like a Cadillac ! He much preferred the Boeing plane.

[@bg147]

That final landing was on a pillow, I believe.

[@zacharylegaspi7594]

bg147 that made me think about if a plane actually landed on a Giant pillow it probably would sheer the gears off

[@daveZ4143]

YES INDEED! both landings seemed very soft, good pilot!

[@girishjoshi2808]

bg147 “

[@christopherd2100]

I hear the best way to Judge how good a pilot is, is to see how he lands.

[@caspere.8461]

Flying's easy, take offs and landings a different story.

[@CritterFritter]

In the 70’s our family lived near Kisumu, I went to school near Nairobi. We flew East African Airways. Following the curvature of the Earth, the shortest distance flight path required one to pass thru Ugandan airspace, and were compelled to stop at Entebbe - lest one be dropped by SAM’s. We did, the plane was vigorously searched, and we left 30 min later. The Ugandan airport had artillery, the soldiers had bloodshot eyes, machine guns, and who knows whether there were missiles or not. Kid you not, I thought I was going to die at 12 years old. Thanks Sam, great video

[@jlalbee]

Love the old DC-9. Just a fabulous design from the wizards at McDonnell Douglas. Awesome video, too. That takeoff roll from Nairobi must have been 10,000 feet!

[@bg147]

Jon L Albee I would fly them when my mom was with Ozark. It is funny how we always relish the old days. Greatest plane ever, in my eyes.

[@hemmay]

+Jon L Albee Always preferred McDonnell Douglas aircraft to Boeing.

[@WMAcadet]

I wondered about that myself. As best I can tell from looking at the Jeppesen airport diagram, they used about 7,500 feet of the 13,507 foot long runway 06. Jomo Kenyatta is at 5,333 feet ASL and has warm temperatures, but for a reduced (normal) thrust takeoff, that would seem about right. Whenever you can, you use reduced thrust and extend the TBO on the engines.

[@gendaminoru3195]

Douglas jets have always been optimum flap airplanes. Boeing used fixed flap settings and had to make the speed for a given setting. Douglas used temps and weights to calculate the minimum drag setting for flaps and used available runway with lower power settings to save fuel on T-O. I have dispatched thousands of MD-80's 717s and MD-90s and flown 737 as well.

[@TalksWithDirt]

The aircraft cabin is very well maintained. Looks much better than some American mainline carriers. Very well done.l

[@JonathanBeaumontFsxYeah]

Ive been in an alitalia md-80 with a very bad cabin but this is what u expect in a new a320 without tv's

[@OldSkoolF]

WAAAYYY More roomy...

[@charliebowman785]

Flying with such a crew, must be a privilege and a honor. Great job!

[@drbadzer]

Most underrated pilots I have ever seen in my life

[@seangreene64]

Nasser Marzook who says there underrated stop fucking labeling POEPLE.

[@WNDWSTIDN]

They're much greater than what you think.

[@NickWilmans]

They know how to fly a real aircraft. No fly-by -wire. No R-nav equipment. No modern FMC. But old fasioned 'steam' gauges, and seats of the pants flying. The only modern device is the small GPS screen attached to the glareshield.

[@aseem7w9]

@@NickWilmans thats not real thats outdated. Not having those things make planes unsafe.

[@thorgarbinwessel-kjenner7736]

Pure a privilege to see, as this may be the last we´ll see of DC9 in active pax-service.

[@James-zd1lk]

When pilots used to fly

[@Vanadeo]

LOL.. they still do... Just not comercially.. :( It is very sad to see.

[@abes3925]

+Vanadeo It's all AirBuses fault

[@Incidental104]

The Great One fuck you you can't even spell Airbus correctly you son of a bitch Boeing aircrafts had autopilot before Airbus even took off but Airbus made it better and more reliable and modern

[@BollocksUtwat]

Eh, you do realize they still have an autopilot right? Most real life airlines in super modern aircraft still fly them basically the way they did in the 60s - autopilot until established on ILS, then manual to landing past some point. Autoland is mainly used only in extremely low visibility conditions, conditions that a DC-9 would not be legally permitted to land in. The only real difference is that this guy is probably hand manipulating the autopilot to follow his Garmin's flight path (most American/Euro DC-9s were upgraded to have an integrated FMS) and they don't have an auto throttle so they have to manage that the whole time. Otherwise, not much different really.

[@MrGary-bv2wk]

@@abes3925 who is Vanadeo

[@TheCannonofMohammed]

Love the sound of those JT-8-D-7 engines spooling up! Reminds me of Hughes Airwest, circa 1976.

[@WMAcadet]

So many wrong statements on here, but at least a few of you have flown or worked on the DC-9 and corrected a few of those people. I have flown the DC-8 over 7,000 hours and it is without any doubt the strongest and most durable airframe I have ever flown, and the FAA exempted the DC-8 from the aging aircraft program of maintenance inspections and required repairs that ALL Boeings are affected by. My experiences have spanned the DC-3, DC-4, DC-6 (3,000+ hours), DC-8 and DC-10, the Boeing 707, 727 and 747 (7,000+ hours), and the A300-600, for which an A-310 type rating is required. The only one I really did not like was the A300, and it is a button pushers dream of course. If you look at the Baby Nine (DC-9-14/-15) you will see it has NO leading edge slats, but it does have a fence on the leading edge (which improves pitch characteristics in a stall as it also does on a 727) and it has an underwing vortilon and a stall strip on the inboard leading edge to induce a stall earlier on the inboard section to induce a pitchdown when a stall occurs. This, plus a larger horizontal stabilizer, gives the DC-9-14/-15 good stall characteristics. Although I never flew the DC-9, it is a great airplane and lasted very well structurally, and I enjoyed riding on them. Oh, by the way.... The DC-8 also has the whiskey compass mounted in the ceiling to the rear of the overhead panel and uses mirrors for the CPT and F/O to see it, and as was suggested, that was to make sure that if a wrench or some magnetic item was placed on the glareshield (as they so often are), the compass would not be affected.

[@frankdesignbuild]

So GOOD to hear about the quality build of the Macdonald Douglas airplanes .....love this hardworking and adorable baby dc9's

[@HEDGE1011]

The DC-9/MD-80 series also has the mirrors on the glare shield and compass behind the FO's head. We generally used the mirrors to hold down the flight plan.

[@mrpeel3239]

WMAcadet tell us more about the DC 8. Why such a great aircraft?

[@johnnyberetta9533]

Thanks for the great video of a fine old Douglas aircraft. They are the plane that really built Air Canada, through the sixties and seventies. I flew in a DC 9 from Ottawa to Toronto in 1975, and it was a comfortable short flight.

[@Code3forever]

I admire the DC 9. In 1970, I worked part time for Pacific Airmotive Corporation on their guard force. They were working on the Playboy Bunny Jet model DC 9 14. I flew with the crew from Burbank to SFO and back. A complete galley and bedroom. To charter that jet, the fee was $4,000 per hour in 1970 dollars. Trivia, I know but it was interesting.

[@richardgrumpywelsh2485]

The DC9 was one of the best airplanes ever built. I worked on them for WEST COAST airlines and at AIR WEST

[@marvicbartolome9556]

50 years and going strong. Better than these newer planes with fly by wires. These pilots are the best of the best, nice smooth landing.

[@Jetmech01]

I was an airline brat, dad worked for Air West/Hughs Air West/Republic. I had the privilege to fly on these awesome DC-9s. One of the best aircraft ever made, I miss these birds.

[@sobelou]

Beautiful video of this flying beauty. One of the indestructible old DC ships...

[@heatherstub]

I miss the DC8 the most. I hope you've got a flight coming up on one. I think that was my favorite airplane, because it had the most wonderful sound. The older ones had such a neat sound upon startup.

[@Treasureson78RPM]

Gotta love the oldschool instrument panel. This is real flying.

[@peterzpictstube]

My first flight was on one of these on Ozark Airlines. Also my funnest was on an old Ozark in TWA service from STL. Less than 10 of us going to CID and running late. Pilot Gunned it and was the most incredible climb I have ever seen. Great memories.

[@taketimeout2share]

Good old Africa. I wish it well but with pilots as good as those I think she'll do fine without my help. Great plane. Gonna boot up MSFS 2002 and take Iron Knuckles DC-9 for a spin.

[@heatherstub]

Okay. I did hear those engines once the airplane landed. It was harder to pick up the higher jet sound, though. Maybe it'll be better if I wear headphones. And yes, that was a long takeoff roll. It had to be the longest I've ever heard. I'm looking forward to more flights to come. Thank you so much for uploading these videos. I just wish they were longer.

[@californiadreamin8423]

Ok here's my 5 peneth. Watched it twice. We called the -15 "the pocket rocket" because of its performance. That, and the -32, with leading edge slats, we called them both "the yes machine"...if ATC asked you if you could achieve a height restriction, the answer was yes. Particularly the -15, and the -32 if light, you had to be careful not to outclimb the cabin pressurisation system...when that happens, the cabin pressurisation climbs at the same rate as the A/C...it's a good way to clear wax from your ears !! The descent was planned to avoid catching the cabin pressurisation in the descent also, to protect your eardrums. With very effective speed brakes, and high flap and gear limiting speeds, it was easy to lose height and energy...unlike the 737 which requires much more care. ( you have to appreciate ATC try to expedite the flow of traffic, and very often offer a short cut to the runway...this was rarely a problem for the DC9, but on the 737 you had to perform a quick mental calculation, and be prepared to say No to ATC ) ( It doesn't look it, but the 737 is quite a "slippy" A/C ) The early DC9 engines were turbojet...generated lots of thrust and used lots of fuel, so for economy you went as high as possible and tried to delay your descent as long as possible....being very careful to spool up the engines from idle in good time for a "stable" approach. Because you could generate so much drag with flap and gear, you could "go down, and slow down"...however there was a trap, in that the airspeed could reduce very fast, faster than you could spool up the engines to generate the required thrust in order to capture your desired speed. If you left it late, you would have to lose height or stall, either way this was very dangerous . Thorough training and good crew monitoring stopped this...and this holds good for all A/C. The rear of the cabin was pretty noisy being close to the engines, but the forward 2/3 and cockpit were very quiet. On touchdown the ground spoilers very effectively destroyed the wing lift, so the landing tended to be a bit of a jolt....a good thing if the runway is wet , where you want effective braking. Clam shell thrust reversers are deployed immediately on landing....very effective, and pretty noisy. A very rugged aircraft , built by the makers of the US Navy Phantom . Understand the -15 had similar performance to the Hawker Hunter.

[@unkameat74]

I've always liked McDonald ,Douglas jets

[@12345fowler]

Great inside knowledge stuff, thanks. I remember the drag vs. spoolup time trap was also the case for other same era aircraft, they were even Boing papers talking about it for the 727 I believe.

[@38911bytefree]

douglas proven airframes still doing money in the skies ... sure that it is a pleasure for true pilots, fliying this classic with little automation, old school all the way and even the landing was soft as silk

[@johnnyberetta9533]

Those DC9's are really what built Air Canada into a major airline in the 60's and 70's. A great dependable and SAFE aircraft !

[@mikemiles3068]

My favorite Aircraft❗️I was on the last flight that Continual Airlines flew the DC 9 from Louisville KY. To Houston Tx. Before they retired it from service. Thanks❗️👍🛩✅

[@markdorais2846]

Miss the DC-9s. So much more comfortable than the cramped, little regional jets we have now.

[@VibeXplorer]

The original regional jet! Love the DC-9 family. Gorgeous classic design. Great video! Amazing how all you hear is the fan whine when in front of the engine. Wouldn't even know there is ear-shattering noise coming out the on the other end of that JT8D...

[@caspere.8461]

I remember flying on DC 9's and 727;s back in the late 70's for business. I was a new young employee traveling with other seasoned veterans. We always sat in the smoking section which was in the back. I didn't smoke. Many times I sat next to those engines and it was loud. On one trip I remember suggesting to one of the guys that we should reserve seats in the middle or front of the jet. He dismissed this saying "Kid, this is the safest part of the plane. You never heard of one of these baby's backing into a mountain did you"?

[@albertgolnquin263]

Simply the Best..It still has control handles left over from the DC-3..man I love that jet

[@gendaminoru3195]

God bless them and the memory of Roger Schaufele from Douglas Aircraft, designer of the DC-9 who I am proud to have learned much from.

[@DavidLovesJesus]

Thanks!

[@flyboy70ify]

I flew on Ozark Airlines D C-9s several times back when they still in business, never had a bad flight. Good pilots flying a good airplane.

[@psour33]

Thank's for this nice video. I really LOVE this plane and these pilots are really good :)

[@tipp55]

Excellent! A real jet with real pilots with real flying skills.

[@JohnDLeo-rg8tc]

awesome piloting fellows, flying a jet like real men, I love it!

[@Itapirkanmaa2]

I have flown in the plane and its sister planes on the Helsinki-Savonlinna-Varkaus triangle route in the early 1980s.

[@nenblom]

THE ROCKET SHIP!! I miss the DC9. Another great video, Sam!!

[@jfitts2]

Very nice landing sir!! Great aircraft

[@craigpennington1251]

I've flown a lot on these and liked them all. No problems at all with this aircraft. Like the 727-100 but smaller.

[@BC-wo4ub]

As a passenger this was my favorite plane to fly ever, I actually got the chance to fly a -14 from MSP to MOT on Northwest. I love the roar of the engines on take off. I love the landing takeoff lights on the wing how they pointed down and rose up slowly. I love how the wing had no engine so you could see more and of course the 2 3 seating. Whoever thought of that was brilliant, you could fly with two or three and still have the window and aisle seats. My hats off to all who worked on this plane you make people like me enjoy flying. GO Mad Dog!!!

[@mar1812]

I remember flying DC-9 on Aeromexico as a kid. Noisy but fun experience.

[@guyster7148]

Mr Chui ! YOU ROCK!!! A great plane, never flew one, started with the 707 and stayed with them Boeing's.... How do you gain access to the cabin????? Great videos, will be up ALL night now! Thanks brother and hang in there, we are waiting for more! OH, please get back to me about the access issue. I NO longer fly and woud never turn you in or anything like that, just amazed..... :)

[@christopherescott6787]

I tip my hat to the crews who fly this hands on machine. It's a rare example of real flying in a tech world.

[@mindscraped]

Just in case any one still watches this the DC 9 is not the worlds oldest jet. I flew on a lot of DC. 9 s in the 70s on an airline known as Southern Airlines. It was the small DC9. No first class and often the pilots left the door open to the cockpit. It was like flying on a flying bus, Little or no air-airconditioning. The walls were filthy but the stewardesses wore very very short skirts, Still I have fond memories of the airline and airplane, But I don't think the DC 9 was around when the Boing 707 first came out. One other thing. You exagerate the engine noise, this was one of the quiter planes.

[@paolod853]

Absolutely quiet, I as passenger did hundreds of flights and I was very impressed by the noise on these " modern" Airbus when sadly dc 9 and super 80 wasn't used anymore here in Italy

[@azulramos8957]

I love the shortest DC-9. So cute. And those pilots are what I can only dream of to be.

[@felixluzardo1224]

Nice video...very good pilots Nice and smooth landings...thanks

Great video! McDonnell Douglas aircrafts are simply the best.This aircraft is ex-Finnair OH-LYD and I have heard that it is coming back to Finland. Cool!

[@dornmichael1948]

A very nice landing......

[@olddisneylandtickets]

Beautiful classic! And oh yeah, THAT'S what jet engines used to sound like!

[@puterausman7682]

dc-9 and md are the most comfortable airplane ever build. airbus and boeing cannot match the softness of landing in this airplane. I love the sound of the engine on take off and landing, its reassuring for me to know the engine is working, unlike airbus, which is so quite that I often wander, is it still on..

[@carmenseeger311]

+Putera Usman the pilots' seats are that comfortable, they invite the pilots for a nap :D

[@mikecar52]

Quiet airbus? You must be kidding unless it is a 380. I have flown on 320 330 350 and 380. Only the 380 was less noisy, but not quiet.

[@williamowens5542]

The last Airbus 300 I was on was deafening in business class, far louder than any DC8, DC9, B727, B737, B747, L1011, DC10, B757 or B767 I've ever been on.

[@solomonpilot2510]

WOW! NICE FOOTAGE LOOK AT THOSE OLD SCHOOL DIALS . THX 4 POSTING !

[@baritonebynight]

First time I flew as a little kid in the 1970s was on a DC 9. I remember the seats being very colorful...blue and orange maybe..and with ash trays in the arms. My seat had a view of the engine. The stewardesses were very nice to me and took me to the cockpit.

[@GetOnTheFloor82]

This is just ridiculously awesome!!

[@louisbrasil4090]

DC-9 last passenger flight was with delta airlines in january 2014. WRONG, totally wrong the dc-9 still exist in Africa If this DC-9 14 pass through 2015 the airline can celebrate its 50 years of service's anniversary in 2016. However for now happy 49 th birthday 5Y-XXA. Good luck.

[@shamimehsanulhaque5244]

Excellent airmanship!! Wishing the airline its dashing pilots all the best.

[@ClearTrackSpeed]

Wonderful piece of Aviation History.

[@ChevyBM]

I still remember the old DC-9's interiors from back in the day when Finnair operated them

[@rivco5008]

Amazing. Built in 1966, and still flying...

[@luckilj]

Wish I had more time in NBO next week.. I'd SO be doing this ! ! !

[@frankdesignbuild]

This is a great video of this super well cared for DC9 and the flight scenes are great. I loved the interior pictures and the approach to landing. Still dream of flying one someday. LOve those baby dc-9, that was such a great and advance timeless design. Thanks for a great and inspiring video and beautiful country.

[@bramsantoso1797]

nice.....reminds me riding this plane in my childhood years in the late 60's...........

[@vincesbardella3838]

Nice video, but it left me wondering about the excessive cockpit noise. Of the one each piston engine, turbo-prop and three turbo jet aircraft that I flew between 1966 and 1993, the DC-9 had, by far, the quietest cockpit, especially coming to it from the BAC 1-11. What could have generated it in the video?

[@gikundamalvin8106]

am from kenya the place it was filmed...proud that we got some old skul swag...big up

[@Treasureson78RPM]

Is it still in service as of 2019? Awesome piece of history and part of the amazing Douglas DC family.

[@jr13227]

Looks like it’s stored but not scrapped yet. Sadly I doubt it will fly again.

[@rkan2]

Probably being used as a donor to FlySax's other DC-9. There was some talk couple years back about flying it to Finland to be an exhibit at the aviation museum. I guess the residual value still would've been too great, the engines possibly quadrupling the value of thr plane. (airframe being like 250k, but the engines could be a million $ combined).. Of course the idea would've been to not keep the engines, but still, it would've required the airframe would've been donated and someone could've sponsored the gas to fly about 10000km

[@maxfactor4209]

@@rkan2 This won't pass the regulation to fly above Europe

[@rkan2]

@@maxfactor4209 Meh, It'd be trivial if you wouldn't be flying any passengers...

[@maxfactor4209]

@@rkan2 Well, I am talking about the security of the people on the ground.

[@itrthho]

East Africa has some of the best pilots

[@mikepowell2776]

Nice flight deck visit and also the water hyacinth in Whitman Gulf seems less in evidence. The old EAA used to fly this route with DC3s and later F27s. It still took under an hour.

[@jonahair747]

When I was a kid, the DC-9 was and still is my favorite airplane of all time. I wanted to get type rated on this eventually, which I still technically could with USA Jet or Kalitta. But most likely I would fly the MD-80 instead, which is still awesome. But the DC-9, man... That thing has BALLS!

[@Vanadeo]

Is that a 3000 fpm descent I see there.. Or more??? WOW... From like.. 6:02.. Looks like there is summet wrong with one of the engine gauges as well :(

[@ChevyBM]

The no. 2 engines RPM's are higher than no. 1's. Probably only a sensor failure, the needel is slightly moving.

[@Dino0469]

I noticed that too and also the #1throttle lever advanced slightly more than the other yet both N1 indicators show the same readings for both engines. It appears as if the Throttle position adjustment is off a little on #1. I don't know.. I enjoyed watching this because a DC-9-15 was actually my very first plane ride as a teen in the mid 1970's! I think it was Eastern or Delta & I sat in the exact same seat and row in front of the engine and experienced that same view! Sure takes me back to the memory of my first time flying and on the same type aircraft. Back then the little short -10 to 15 series DC-9's didn't seem to have the enclosed overhead bins-just an overhead rack from what I remember and Only the series-32 and higher had bins. Also note the absence of wing slats on the short version!

[@override87]

i think that there is something wrong with the #2 engine, that is because the #2 throttle lever was reduced. Someone can explain another thing?

[@HEDGE1011]

I guess I don't understand why a 3,000 FPM rate of descent at idle is s bad thing. Throttles are typically mismatched on the DC-9 (and other non EEC/FADEC engines) but here are trimmed to give the same EPR, as they should be. I don't know if they have intermixed engines installed or not, but in any case I'm unconcerned and thought the pilots had the situation well in hand at all times.

[@Towert7]

Still seems like a nice jet to me. Imagine how impressive it must have been in 1966. Wow!

[@NickyBoogaard]

DAMN GOOD SOUND !!!

[@burtmurphy6261]

Respect to the Capt and crew.

[@jltaviation]

Nice to see a real airplane, not the tv screens we see today..

[@juliekozlowski9198]

Joe Tonnesen ol steam gauges we use to call them

[@barefooboy17]

I'd rather fly with these African pilots than any American pilot. All hands on and skilled. Bravo for actually "flying."

[@iorr98]

The "Caravelle" predates the dc 9. it was the first successful passenger jet. Developed in the 50's its first flight with paying passengers was in 1959. The dc 9 looks astonishingly like the Caravelle.

[@allynperdue1766]

If you mean in the sense that it has two engines and wings, yes. But beyond that...astonishingly, no! The two are very different aircraft.

[@iorr98]

In 1960, Douglas signed a two-year contract with Sud Aviation for technical cooperation. Douglas would market and support the Sud Aviation Caravelle and produce a licensed version if airlines ordered large numbers. None were ordered and Douglas returned to its design studies after the cooperation deal expired. In 1962, design studies were underway. The first version seated 63 passengers and had a gross weight of 69,000 lb (31,300 kg). This design was changed into what would be the initial DC-9 variant. -wikipedia

[@allynperdue1766]

Thanks for the info. But visually, the two planes look very different. I just now compared images to make sure my memory hadn't failed (it hasn't.) I find it hard to believe you actually think they're similar enough to qualify as "astonishingly" alike. To each his or her own.

[@ammarjawed8816]

cool video. glad to see old aircraft.

[@mikepowell2776]

Nairobi to Kisumu is only just over 200 miles by road and less by air. Doesn’t seem a very suitable type for such a short sector. How much of it is actually in cruise as opposed to climb and descent?

[@thorgarbinwessel-kjenner7736]

Just some nice piece of flying.

[@johnmajane3731]

Navigating with a hand held. Nice.

[@TonVerkleijT3]

Nice, Zumo 660 in the cockpit as navigation device. It works!

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

I thought the de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world's oldest passenger jet. No? Okay I finally watched the video. Oldest DC-9. I can dig it. The title led me astray.

[@albertbekassy2709]

I remeber sitting many Times in that seat next to the engine on JAT DC 9s in the 80's.

[@poly_hexamethyl]

I love these older airplanes with real instruments instead of video screens. Aren't they more interesting for the pilots to fly too? I would think it's actually more ergonomic to develop a sort of "muscle memory" of where the various gauges, switches, etc. are, rather than scrolling through menus.

[@colinashby3775]

What a smooth landing.

[@ooluta7578]

Oh dear! Sam Chui has visited Kisumu! That's my hometown!!!

[@operationcwaI789789]

That was a smooth landing.... By the way, was that an off the shelf Garmin? :-)

[@Castellanimarcello]

Wow, Landing checklist at 400ft agl. And an Garmin Aera gps for navigation.

[@alodewinter8952]

this is a testament to how something just can't be improved! DC9

[@erictremblay4940]

mike riley Well, Bombardier just did with its CSeries - with a similar seating arrangement, 2 and 3.