Hi everyone,
I was wondering if any of you noticed this but when I am in an aircraft before pushing back it seems that the engines are on but before boarding I always check to see if they are (at the airport looking throught the window  ) and they never seem to be on (at least most of time I looked, I never saw the engine fan spining) so my question is, do they turn the engines on before pushback while people are boarding or is it that enine fans just weren't spining for some reasons or were the engines off? I also remember how the crew said they need to shut down the aircrafts engine due to some problems but before I boarded the aircraft I didn't notice engine fans spin but as soon as I entered the aircraft it felt as if the engines are on. So if they were, how come engine fans weren't spinning? Also is there a way to simulate that in FS2004? Thanks for reading! 

I fly a 727 and can share with you that we start the engines before during or after pushback depending on the situation ie braking action, ramp congestion etc.  We never start before the main cabin door is closed and it is not opened until the engines are shut down.  Hope that helps...

Scott

Mostly to do with wasted fuel, and ground crew safety. Flight crews won't call for "the push" until everyone is onboard, and sometimes they won't be cleared for pushback for up to an hour or more(depending on how busy the airport is(Boston and Newark come to mind!)).  Obviously, you don't want to have the main engines running that long for no reason.

That's intersting! Thanks guys.

scottB727
You said that you were a 727 pilot. So I was wondering, how fast and how high does Boeing 727 usually travel? The other day I was reading technical specs on 727 and it mentioned there that it can reach up to 1017km/h. So then how come I heared any 727 travelling that fast? Thanks

Hmm...Never thought that it could the problem...Well, unless the engines are running on the maximum power. Maybe I am wrong 

I heard somewhere that a flight attendant was sucked from the cabin when she opened the door prematurely. It may have been due to the airplane not being depressurized yet?

I don't believe the flight attendant story, period.  I have personally opened the main cabin door with the engines running it is not an issue with regard to being drawn towards the engine.  Take a look around next time you're at the airport, there all kinds of ground people walking around down below.  The door can't as a rule be opened when the cabin is still pressurized as they are plug type doors.  Even if you could get the door open the difference between the pressure inside and outside the cabin are not so different that you'd be "blown" out.

The prowler video was as I remember a situation where the ground guy was inches from the inlet when the power was advanced.

Scott

So Scott,  who do you fly for? 

Loomex I'm sure you're right about that.  But I hate to hear these urban myths propagated by smart people who, if they really thought about it would know there is no way from some of the ludicrous things to happen.  I also know there is curiosity out there as to how big jets are operated and to the extent I can I don't mind pitching in.  One of these days I'll organize my own dumb questions that I have about this sim stuff....

Scott

pretty much the same for the DC10 and MD11 Just a shame the beautiful tri-jet is slowly leaving airline service.

well yeah i know that:) but its still going sadly.

The 727 is at best a 20 year old airplane using 30 yr old technology.  The engine design of the 60s is significantly diff than modern jet engines.  You might notice the size of the inlet of older jets like the JT8D that the 727 has and any of the high bypass fans on newer airplanes.  These newer designs produce much more thrust with less noise and weight.  The airplanes are also built of lighter materials for the same size wing (roughly).  There are also several diff airframe and engine combinations on the 727 the worst case is the stretch with the smallest engines which is a real ground hugger, then Boeing came up with the 727 Advanced which has larger engines and significantly higher weights/performance.

Scott

JVC I'm sure that there are people who would prefer a Lada to a Cadilac as well... 

Quote:

Quote:


09 MAY 2001  The NTSB issues 6 safety recommendations regarding the Airbus A.300-600 pressurization system and evacuations, following the November 20, 2000 incident in which a flight attendant was killed during an emergency evacuation of an American Airlines A.300 at Miami. The airplane was pressurized until he opened the left front door (1L); he was then forcibly ejected from the airplane. (NTSB) http://aviation-safety.net/graphics/bdot.gif>;

Now, now, now..............first of all, it's Friday, so relax and enjoy the night.

I can tell you, that as a professional pilot, one of the first things that I learned when I started coming to this site is how to put my foot FIRMLY in my mouth! The reason that your response grabbed my attention was that I have personal experience with this case. The incident in question did NOT involve a slide. It was an A300-600 with a pressurization problem. The airbus, unlike the Boeing(and I'm sure you'll be glad to hear this)has doors which do NOT open in. The flight attendant opened the door(per procedure)and WAS ejected from the aircraft. You ARE correct, the PD is very low, but in this case, a 140lb male F/A is launched much more quickly than a 500# cabin door. The result should be obvious. Something akin to a human watermelon seed! The 20foot drop to the ground afterwords, probably didn't help his odds either!
I realize exactly where this thread started, but you DID state that you didn't believe the story. Well, there you go!

8)   Remember, one of the jokes around here is, that if you give a thread enough time, it usually degrades to the subject of FOOD. So I apologize, if you feel like you were attacked. It was not my intent. Keep the comments coming, it's nice to see a new face around here.  8)

BTW, what do you guys think of Tu-204? It is a new aircraft from Tupolev. I presonally don't really like it. I am not a fan of Tupolev, beside there are barely any of the here in North America, Cubana ownsTu-154's and that's pretty much it. Althought I do like Tu-154, that's the only aircraft from Tupolev tha I like. Also is it true that Tu-204 is a 757 competitor? If so I am on 757 side!

But what happened to Cubana Tu-154?

What are your opinion on Tu-154 and Il-86? I have flown Tu-154 but never flown Il-86. I think it comes to USA sometimes, to San Francisco, not so sure thought. I was always wondering, why is it that Il-86 almost never or at least very rarely come to North America? Are they just not allowed by the US or Canadian government?