Why are the DC-9s and MD-80s in the same family, but the 717 is not?
#1
Posted 22 May 2015 - 05:01 AM
#2
Posted 22 May 2015 - 06:18 AM
http://www.airliners...read.main/54405
#3
Posted 22 May 2015 - 08:48 AM
It appears that in order to meet Boeing's standards, the MD-95 (which became the 717) had to have changes made to 13 major systems. This effectively removed all commonality from the MD-90 and previous DC-9 variants. Had McDonnell Douglas built the MD-95, it likely would have had the commonality.
http://www.airliners...read.main/54405
Airliners.net is not a reliable source; from what I know, the MD-90 shares a common type rating with the 717, but the DC-9 and MD-80 have the same type rating. Why this makes the MD-90 and not the 717 'eligible' for 'common family status' with the DC-9 and MD-80 is unknown.
#4
Posted 22 May 2015 - 10:12 PM
http://www.boeing.co.../717_story.html
#5
Posted 23 May 2015 - 09:22 AM
I would argue that Boeing bought McDonald Douglas to shut it down and eliminate the superior aircraft, and competition. They changed the engine on the MD90, because it needed it. And because they needed to look like they wern't shutting MD down. And nobody else had the money to do so. Otherwise, such a great airplane, that Boeing improved immensely , would still be in production. Jet Blue proves that used MDs are still untouchable. Even with the current fuel cost disadvantage. They cost about 10% of a 737 to put into service. Commonality as far as I see , comes down to the engine change. Which required different training for the 717 crews.
#6
Posted 23 May 2015 - 01:44 PM
I would consider airliners.net a reliable source, there are many industry professionals on there. Anyway, here's the Boeing website, it describes, in detail the changes made to the 717 from its predecessors. If you scroll down to "Continuous focus on maintainability and reliability targets." It lists all the systems changes made. Also, the fleet commonality appears to be under the 'maintenance' category, and not crew type rating commonality, meaning the type rating commonality is irrelevant in the context of AE.
http://www.boeing.co.../717_story.html
I'm just repeating what DCs said to me for all of what I said. I agree that the 717 should be part of the DC-9 family, and also wish that it was so, but it doesn't seem like that will be the case any time soon.
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