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Originally Posted by B767Driver  It is very responsive and light on the controls like the 72...of course they both have 2 sets of ailerons that provide for that touch. It is easier to land, and seems to have much more excess climb power for better performance off the runway. In the 727, if you could point the nose at a spot...you could land on it. Not so in the 757/767. It will go down or slow down...but will not do both very well. So it really requires better descent planning...or you'll end up high and dry around glideslope intercept time and working extrememly hard to slow to gear and flap speeds which are too low IMO. The 727 was like fielding a ground ball in the flare...you never knew if you needed to push or pull or add power or take it off. The 75/76 is just solid. It trims up perfectly and only requires small power adjustments on final and behaves exactly the same during the flare every time. It is not quite as humbling as the 727...but it is a very rare occurrence to get a greaser as well. In spite of it's size, the 757/767 is a great hand flying airplane. Just very solid. Because of its predictability in flying characteristics, it's a good airplane for international pilots who only get to make one or two landings a month.
Interestingly enough though, a lot of long time 727 pilots flunked out of 757/767 school during the transition and were never able to make it through training.
The 3 man crew was something special. International flying with the relief pilot is close to it. The division of workload was really nice...and the camraderie was great as well.
Bottom line though...is the FMS. Once you get used to the FMS I don't know how you go back. If it came down to the 3rd pilot or the FMS, I'm not sure which I'd rather have...but probably the FMS.
But the 727 was definitely a classic, classic machine. |
That's what I'm talking about...the engineer makes the crew!!! (OK, just a little
)...I know all the thousands of FE time will do me no good when I leave the AF, but man I love the job!!!