MD-80 Cockpit Tour

asechrest

asechrest

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asechrest
As a standard issue private pilot, I found this interesting. Most interesting is that the mag compass is situated behind the pilots, with mirrors on the glare shield to reflect the image. Strange!

 
asechrest said:
As a standard issue private pilot, I found this interesting. Most interesting is that the mag compass is situated behind the pilots, with mirrors on the glare shield to reflect the image. Strange!
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Magnetic interference from the instruments and electrical wiring in the panel ?
 
Hey it worked for Lindbergh.
 
This takes me back, I spent hundreds of hours moving MD-80 DC-9 B 757 and A320 around the airfields......I remember seeing those mirrors, and never gave it a second thought.......the MD really was old school......no automation at all......we had to fire up the AUX Power Unit to run the radios and the hydraulics......all manual on the start just like a regular jet engine.....had a couple hot starts with smoke billowing out the exhaust......looked like the plane was on fire, always an attention getter at the airport.........lol..........
 
So, who uses the whiskey compass except for the initial calibration check?
 
I like the Diesel 9s. The new stuff looks too easy.;)
 
I liked the cockpit parts that are the same as in a DC3.

Imagine driving a car with levers and knobs that haven't changed since the 1930s!
 
oldShar said:
So, who uses the whiskey compass except for the initial calibration check?
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If you are IFR and you lose your heading indicator, it would be good to have something.

Otherwise, I don't use it. The flux gate magnetometers seem to be plenty good.
 
It has a compass because the regulations say it has to have a compass. The location is to reduce the interference from all the electrical items around the instrument panel. The mirror system actually works pretty well once you get the hand of it. There's a three-position light switch that controls the illumination of the compass: Off-Low-High. Might be labeled Day/Night, don't remember for sure.

The DC8 had the same system for the compass (and a lot of other things).
 
The MD's were called Mad Dogs at some point.

Compass is a requirement. Gulfstream G550 was certified without one (you can put one in as an STC) and as far as I know, that's the only aircraft certified without a compass.
 
Question: Why didn't Douglass build the lunar lander?

Answer: Not enough cable to reach
 
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NoHeat said:
I liked the cockpit parts that are the same as in a DC3.

Imagine driving a car with levers and knobs that haven't changed since the 1930s!
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Just imagine driving a car that has four wheels like the T model. Or crossing the atlantic without a drop fuel in a sail boat. Or going hunting with a rifle that was invented 200 years ago. Or why pilot watches stiil have clock hands.

Just because is old does not mean is obsolete. How would you modernize the toilet bowl?. Every time I go to Home Depot I see the same crap disposal device. When I try them (sitting on it) it feels no different than my old trusty 30 years old one. Wonder what they would look like in 200 years. Maybe by then everyone will be on disposable diapers. That is why you never see a toilet on Star Trek. Everyone one is on diapers just like the astronauts that went to the moon. Where do you think Einsteins and other genius got their ideas. You can be without your plane for weeks but not without your toilet. Do not underestimate the value of the toilet. Take care of it, but don't put money into it, it will clog.

José
 
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Piloto said:
Just imagine driving a car that has four wheels like the T model.. Just because is old does not mean is obsolete.

José
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You misunderstood me. I was not criticizing.

Notice that I said I like it.

I like old things that still serve a useful purpose. They give the new things nearby some charm. If the DC 80 cockpit has some switches and levers like those in a DC 3, that is beautiful.

I don't see the point of your toilet talk, but that's the internet, I suppose.
 
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stratobee said:
The MD's were called Mad Dogs at some point.

Compass is a requirement. Gulfstream G550 was certified without one (you can put one in as an STC) and as far as I know, that's the only aircraft certified without a compass.
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I still refer to them as MadDogs when I work them on the ramp.

That's interesting about the G550. I didn't know that.
 
How does the G550 get away with not having a compass?
 
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