MD-88 Takeoff Operations

[sldauby]

Hello Everyone.

This question is for everyone, but in particular for Doug regarding MD-88 takeoff operations.

I was on a Delta MD-88 last week flying CLE-ATL. I was sitting on the right side of the aircraft, near the rear with a clear view of the engine. I have the impression that the takeoff was done on one (!) engine. Allow me to explain:
1. Upon pushback, I only noticed the left engine startup. I did not hear the right engine being started, nor did I see it turning at all during the entire flight.
2. After pushback to commence taxi, it seemed that excessive thrust was needed to get the aircraft moving.
3. Though a minor factor, the aircraft seemed to constantly make small left turns to remain level (however this could very well be the route of flight).
4. Most of the "noise" seemed to come from the left side only.
5. Reverse thurst on touchdown at ATL was used for less than 5 seconds, and was engaged about halfway during the landing roll.

In summary, it seems to me that only the left engine was operational during the flight (which was nearly full). I know this sounds crazy. I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert on the MD-88 nor their operations. Hopefully Doug or anybody else will be able to clear this up for me.

Also, I assume this would be illegal?

Thank you for your insight.

Sebastien

[Doug Taylor]

The first row of blades you see are "guide vanes" so they don't move. Also, the 'nose bullet' does not rotate on the JT8D's the way it does on a V2500 engine like the -90.

The other observations are based upon the assumption that the engine wasn't running.

[averyrm]

1. Many operators taxi on one engine to save gas, the engine would have been turning during the flight no matter if it was on or not. The relative wind would turn the blades.
2. Many operators taxi on one engine to save gas
3. Probly route of flight
4. Probably just your perception/ acustics in the cabin
5. Don't see how that has to do one-engine flight.

The flight was conducted with both engines operating.

[sldauby]

Thanks Doug.

Yes, those assumptions were given that the engine were not running.

The first row of blades you see are "guide vanes" so they don't move. Also, the 'nose bullet' does not rotate on the JT8D's the way it does on a V2500 engine like the -90

There we go. That's just what I saw.

Thanks!

[slushie]

There's this great site that has a LOT of cool pictures of airplanes

[Doug Taylor]

It's just the way our brain works.

If something leads you to believe the pilots are drunk, every time you hear them on the PA, see them walk from the cockpit or even move the aircraft, your brain is going to season the experience to uphold your presumption that the pilots have been drinking.

There's nothing wrong with the line of questioning at all, you were curious and assumed that the JT8D engines on the MD-88 should have a spinner nose bullet and spinning front blades like most other engines.

[Bandit_Driver]

Doug,

Which JT8D variant does your plane use, -15 or -17?

[alphaone]

Originally Posted by slushie

There's this great site that has a LOT of cool pictures of airplanes

Muahahahaha, awesome

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by Bandit_Driver

Doug,

Which JT8D variant does your plane use, -15 or -17?

I don't know, I'd have to look it up!

-219's maybe? I'm not sure.

[EDUC8-or]

I was on a Mad Dawg and I'm pretty sure neither one of the engines were running for the entire flight. Here is my reasoning:

The whole flight was silent, they must have been some super-duper engines because I couldn't hear them. Not during taxi, takeoff, cruise, approach, landing, and taxi in. I couldn't hear the flaps, gear, or anything else. About the only thing I remember was sitting down during boarding and the FA shaking me to wake up and deplane.

[SharkFisher]

Yes yes yes!!! I read about that in a magazine written by a former S-80 FO. He said the MD-80-90 series is so quiet that you can tell the difference between boeing and mad dawg pilots because boeing pilots talk loud while the others don't. And also he shared some stories of embarresing conversations in the cockpit heard by the FA's and vice versa.

[Doug Taylor]

If you talk loudly in the cockpit, the first row of first class can hear you. Also, if the A-line is in the forward cabin jumpseat and speaking loudly, you can normally hear her.

You can smell when they spray cologne, warm up lunch in the forward oven and sometimes you can hear cans roll back and forth in turbulence in the forward galley.

Also the ziiiiiip, bam! of the forward coat closet too.

It's absolutely impossible to fly the aircraft by sound because you can't hear the engines at all. The 737-200 you could fly by sound, a lot like a piper, but if you're there for an engine start, basically the dials move and that's your only indication.

[EricPalmer]

Always look forward to rides on the MD-8x's.

[Seggy]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

If you talk loudly in the cockpit, the first row of first class can hear you. Also, if the A-line is in the forward cabin jumpseat and speaking loudly, you can normally hear her.

You can smell when they spray cologne, warm up lunch in the forward oven and sometimes you can hear cans roll back and forth in turbulence in the forward galley.

Also the ziiiiiip, bam! of the forward coat closet too.

It's absolutely impossible to fly the aircraft by sound because you can't hear the engines at all. The 737-200 you could fly by sound, a lot like a piper, but if you're there for an engine start, basically the dials move and that's your only indication.

This cracks me up because on the mighty Beech people ALWAYS try to talk above the roar of the PT6s. We just hear muffled yells from the cockpit!

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

It's absolutely impossible to fly the aircraft by sound because you can't hear the engines at all. The 737-200 you could fly by sound, a lot like a piper, but if you're there for an engine start, basically the dials move and that's your only indication.

Im stilllll learnig to go by sound in the Tomahawk.

[B767Driver]

Originally Posted by sldauby

Hello Everyone.

This question is for everyone, but in particular for Doug regarding MD-88 takeoff operations.

I was on a Delta MD-88 last week flying CLE-ATL. I was sitting on the right side of the aircraft, near the rear with a clear view of the engine. I have the impression that the takeoff was done on one (!) engine. Allow me to explain:
1. Upon pushback, I only noticed the left engine startup. I did not hear the right engine being started, nor did I see it turning at all during the entire flight.
2. After pushback to commence taxi, it seemed that excessive thrust was needed to get the aircraft moving.
3. Though a minor factor, the aircraft seemed to constantly make small left turns to remain level (however this could very well be the route of flight).
4. Most of the "noise" seemed to come from the left side only.
5. Reverse thurst on touchdown at ATL was used for less than 5 seconds, and was engaged about halfway during the landing roll.

In summary, it seems to me that only the left engine was operational during the flight (which was nearly full). I know this sounds crazy. I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert on the MD-88 nor their operations. Hopefully Doug or anybody else will be able to clear this up for me.

Also, I assume this would be illegal?

Thank you for your insight.

Sebastien

It's quite possibly illegal. Most definitely impossible.

[nwa757]

Originally Posted by sldauby

Hello Everyone.
I have the impression that the takeoff was done on one (!) engine.

Sebastien, are you a pilot?

[Doug Taylor]

YES! Umm, no! Maybe?

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by B767Driver

It's quite possibly illegal. Most definitely impossible.

[Ian J]

Here's a near-embarrasing story kinda related to this thread: Before I learned to fly airplanes I was on a flight from Fargo to Nashville. As we were taxiing I noticed the ailerons were fully deflected. I knew enough about planes to know what ailerons did, and became concerned that if we took off like that we'd roll over as soon as we lifted off. I obviously didn't know anything about cross-wind take offs. We then got a position and hold on the rwy and I became more alarmed as the ailerons were still deflected. I almost told the FAs about it, but chickened out. As we started our takeoff roll they were STILL deflected and I was pretty sure we were going to die and it would be all my fault because I was too wussy to tell anyone about it. Naturally, we took off just fine and I wondered what the hell happened until the day I learned about crosswind takeoffs.