Think DA was held back by Boeing for avionics testing . Possibly our 73's were very early ADV [ Super ? ] models , certainly with 2 channel a/p enabling Cat111A , 50' 200m. a/land. With full P2 instrument panel . Got posted to Ba Airtours in 1987 , where met an Air Europe and Brit's lease , DV , WE ? P2 flew from right side with control wheel steering , basic flight insts. Lower the pitch for level off , engage ht lock and hdg ... Not the full flight system that's been in Boeings ever since .
Airtour's machines also had Omega nav kit ? 'Tho it had a reputation for not being good on North or South or at night . [ large proportion of our routes ] .
Plus HF radio . Useful for calling ' Architect ' to relay Ops normal , eta GIB , fuel requirements and of course GIB wx ! Plus a patch from Portishead radio to home telephone no. '' Hey Dad , I'm looking down on Tunisia and Longstop Hill , where you fought in 1943 '' . But brilliant for charter work , in patching through Speedbird Radio to Airtours Ops when probs arose in charters to strange places .
Possibly late ordering of 2nd batch 732s due privatisation , ie financial . Or we were broke again .
300's brill power to wt ratio with derates removed . Christmas eve '88 , NCL - LHR , 20 pax , cold clear , hi pressure , head wind . Full power against the brakes , 10 sec ground roll , 0-117kts [ VMCA , Vr ] . Time to 21000 outstanding , but forgotten .. FL210 was tops that NCL/Pennine could clear us to , and we had to level B4 London could organise further climb . All on Mick McK..s [ RIP ] route check .
When we comparing 73s and 320s , friend in flt planning compared fuel plans .... Both approx 150 pax , 2 CFMs ... But 320 had 7 tonnes heavier APS weight ! Is the wing that much better to be cheaper ?
Own opinion , but don't think Ayling did ANY good .
We were ruled by a King ,
Governed by a Marshall ,
Then we were Ayling ......
Which is where I'll leave it .
rgds condor .