Production of the 727
extended from the early 1960s to August 1984 -- a remarkable length of
time, considering the original market forecast was for 250 airplanes.
As it turned out, 1,831 were delivered. Twenty years later, when the
last 727 was delivered, this versatile fleet was carrying 13 million
passengers each month. As of January 2001, nearly 1,300 of the reliable
aircraft were still in service.
On Jan. 13, 1991, the
first 727 built -- which had been in continual service with United
Airlines since 1964 -- finally made its last commercial flight and was
donated to the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
Introduced into service
in February 1964, the 727 trijet became an immediate hit with flight
crews and passengers alike. With a fuselage width the same as the 707
(and the later 737 and 757), it provided jet luxury on shorter routes.
With sophisticated, triple-slotted trailing edge flaps and new
leading-edge slats, the 727 had unprecedented low-speed landing and
takeoff performance for a commercial jet and could be accommodated by
smaller airports than the 707 required.
The 727, like all
Boeing jetliners, was continually modified to fit the changing market.
It began with the -100 series, of which 407 were sold. This was
followed by the -100C convertible that featured a main-deck side cargo
door, allowing it to carry either cargo pallets or passengers -- or a
combination of both -- on the main deck. Boeing built 164 of these.
The 727-200, introduced
in December 1967, had increased gross weight and a 20-foot longer
fuselage that could accommodate as many as 189 passengers in an
all-tourist configuration. In all its variations, 1,245 of the -200s
were sold. The last version, the 727-200F, had a 58,000-pound,
11-pallet cargo capability. Fifteen of these were sold to Federal
Express.
Structural
improvements, a more powerful engine and greater fuel capacity led to
the Advanced 727-200 in May 1971. This advanced series had improved
payload/range capability, better runway performance and a completely
restyled "wide-body look" as standard equipment.
Lufthansa German
Airlines and Air Algerie put 727s with the new interior into service in
April 1971. Passenger response was enthusiastic, and by November 1972,
this spacious interior was standard equipment on all production 707,
727 and 737 aircraft, and was offered for retrofit as well.
Later performance
improvements for the 727 included another gross weight boost, from a
maximum 170,000 pounds (77,122 kg) to 191,000 pounds (86,600 kg) for
the Advanced version. On February 3, 1972, another increase to 208,000
pounds (94,348 kg) was announced, together with the purchase of three
of the "heavyweights" by Sterling Airways of Denmark. The 727's highest
gross weight was eventually raised to 210,000 pounds (95,300 kg).
The 727 became the
best-selling airliner in history when orders passed the 1,000 mark in
September 1972. By January 1983, orders reached 1,831. One Boeing-owned
test airplane brought the grand total to 1,832. Today, the Boeing 737
has surpassed that total, but the 727 holds a permanent place in the
annals of aviation as one of the most significant airplanes in the
development of the world's jet transportation system.
On Dec. 5, 1977, the
worldwide 727 fleet carried its one billionth (1,000,000,000) passenger
-- a mark never attained before by a commercial aircraft. Today, the
number has reached well over 4 billion.
One hundred and one
customers purchased new 727s from Boeing, although dozens more have
placed the airplane type into service as "second tier" operators. More
than 300 727s built as passenger airplanes have been converted to
freighters, a process that continues today.
Powerplants
Three 64.5kN (14,500lb) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 turbofans, or 67.2kN
(15,000lb) JT8D-11s, or 68.9kN (15,500lb) JT8D-15s or 71.1kN (16,000lb)
JT8D-17s (Advanced only), or 77.3kN (17,400lb) JT8D-17Rs (Advanced only).
Performance
Advanced 727-200 -
Max speed 1017km/h (549kt),
max cruising speed 953km/h (515kt),
economical cruising speed 865km/h (467kt).
Range with max payload 3965km (2140nm),
range with max fuel 4450km (2400nm).
Weights Advanced 727-200 -
Operating empty 45,360kg (100,000lb),
max takeoff 95,030kg (209,500lb).
Dimensions
Wing span 32.92m (108ft 0in),
length 46.69m (153ft 2in),
height 10.36m (34ft 0in).
Wing area 157.9m2 (1700sq ft).
Capacity
727-200 - Max seating for 189 at six abreast and 76cm (30in) pitch,
typical two class seating for 14 premium class and 131 economy class
passengers.
727-200F - Typical max payload comprises 11 2.23m x 3.17m (7ft 4in x 10ft
5in) pallets.
Production
1831 727s of all models built when production ceased in 1984, including
1249 200s. Approx 940 727-200s in commercial service at late 1998, with a
further 15 as corporate transports.