Southwest Airlines Boeing 727-227 Adv
Aircraft repaint by Capt. Wes Archibald Original Model by FFX
B737_Captain@hotmail.com


This aircraft functions well with FS2004 -
Aircraft functions include: strobe and navigation lighting effects working flaps, rudders, speedbrakes, ailerons, steerable nose wheel and smoke effects (keyboard command "i").
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HISTORY:

After the launch of the Boeing 707, Boeing engineers decided that airlines who bought the 707 would also buy a short to medium-range aircraft. This aircraft was to be Boeing's first in their "family" concept of Jetliners. While the 720 was produced, it was a derivative of a longer aircraft and not a true short-haul machine.

The 727 had three engines as a compromise - United wanted 4, Eastern wanted 3, and American wanted 2. Eastern did not want Rolls Royce engines on the aircraft, so Boeing went with the JT8-D series, helping to make it the most popular engine on a jetliner. Boeing built 1832 727s, with a majority being the stretched 727-200 series, launched by Northeast.

ABOUT THIS AIRCRAFT

The aircraft depicted is N564PE. Southwest leased two of these from Braniff (People's Express) and Texas International, from 1979 - 1981. They were used in service exclusively between Dallas and Houston. Most 727's that are still in existance are gradually being phased out, due to their high fuel consumption, and the installation of "hush" kits, to comply with federal noise guidelines that have been in place since December 31, 1999.
American, United, Delta, Northwest, Continental still operate their newer 727-200's, but most of them will probably be retired to freight service within the next few years.

Southwest now exclusively operates a fleet consisting of over over 300 airplanes in 55 cities and has orders for more from Boeing extending into the next decade.