Timilu,
Sorry for being vague. I will use takeoff performance for noise certification as an example.
The MD80 at it's highest weights makes it to about 1750 ft at 205 kts at mic overhead(21325 from brake release). Noise certification always uses the best possible low speed performance for certification(ie. instand gear retraction from liftoff, 1 second pilot recognition for cutback
). A 737 at the same weights will be about 2400 ft at around 215 kts at the same overhead moment.
I think the MD80 screams to 1000 ft or so and then the small wings start to hurt performance. Got to remember the MD80 is just a stretched DC-9 and we all know what dogs they were, especially hot and high.
When the BR715 was a re-engine candidate for the MD80 it was disqualified as the engine out max altitude was slightly more than 9000 ft. There are lots of places in the world where it could not fly because of that.
As a side note: The 717 will be the tentpole aircraft when NOx becomes a real issue as the amount of Nox that airplane puts out to carry a given weight between point A and point B is the same as a old clasic 737, DC-9 and 727. Small wings, bad L/D = engines have to stay at high thrust vs if the wings had been designed right.
