Ansett and the Boeing B737
 

Did the Ansett B737-200's have an EFIS cockpit?
Why did Ansett go to the Boeing B737 over other types?
What was the transition like from the Diesel 9 onto the B737?
How did the TAA DC-9 and Ansett B737 compare in service?

I work with a guy who worked at Ansett NZ as an engineer... could probably get some good stories from him. They had extremely early 737-100s, said they found a 60's German news paper hidden behind something once.

Heard about the heated battle to "buy British" when it was BAC 1-11s Vs 737s for Air NZ. What a stupid choice that would have been.

Actually 4 737-100's.

The Ansett NZ B732s were of a differnt stock to the -200 in Australia.

Ahh... yes yes... indeed. A slip of the mind/keyboard.

The Ansett 737-200 had steam gauges,VLF Omega and PDCS. A/T and FD108. The PDC was a sort of FMC without a brain. It had a rotating selector and gave basic CLB CRZ and DES info. The 300 had steam ASI, engine instruments but glass ND with FMCS.

Some of the later AWAS machines also had the 2nd generation engine guages as well which weren't quite glass but not steam. CZT definately had them think another couple did as well. The ones i'm refering to are the ones that caused the confusion in the British Midland 734 crash in East Midlands.

In the early 80's, I joined a foreign aid project and found myself in uN Zud for a few years.

My recollection is that AirNZ had THE earliest 737-100 in service anywhere in the world. I think it was even painted differently from the remainder of the fleet.

Dr :8

I think they were production numbers of around 4-6ish from what this guy said. Although of course... I seem to be unreliable in my recollections.

Ansett NZ had some very early 100's, ex-Lufthansa. ( odd, short fat things, without Kruger flaps). The first 200 flew on 29th June 1967 and the first 'Advanced' (737-200ADV) on 20th May 1971. Ansetts 200s were some of the last built, 81/82. Sorry to sound like an 'Anorak'. (must get out more).

Getting slightly off topic here but IIRC British Midlands first two 737-300's were leased from Ansett in 1987 (Registrations were G-OBMA & GOBMB) They had a full EFIS set up but no speed tape initially, and an FMC (they may have even had the optional ANCDU). These aircraft had the older mechanical style round dial instruments.

Midland got 2x737-400's in October/November 1989, and they were equipped with the more modern electronic engine instrumentation. As you mention the engine instrumentation representation is often cited as a factor in the Kegworth crash.

For some pictures have a look here...

737 Flightdeck Geneology

And was it true that the crew shouted "Contact!" at start up?

I'm sorry guys if I've missed something, but did Ansett ever operate 737-200s domestically in Australia on mainline passenger services?

Yes, they did.

Would that have been one belonging to NAC ?

I am pretty sure that Company had old 100 series 737s when Air NZ took them over.

Ansett ordered The 737-200 as part of a bulk order of aircraft in the early eighties, they were intended to be a temporary type until the 737-300 became available, the first 767's were ordered at that time as well as the last of the 727's (200LR), I think Saint Peter negotiated an attractive deal in Seattle, I may be wrong but I think the 737-200's had either -15 or -17 engines, which made them little "pocket rockets"....

Personally, I rather liked the "steam" guages on the -300
Used the ASI all the time couldnt abide the tape thingy/trend arrow and it only took a quick glance at the engine clocks to make sure they were humming along
(Now if it just had an FD108)
There was an option at the time for steam FD108 plus glass setup, the yanks used em. :ok:

Air NZ/NAC never operated the 100. The first 737 to arrive in country was ZK-NAC, a 200. I think they had the dash 7 engines.

NAC and Air New Zealand never had B737-100 series - ever!

NAC has mostly B737-200 Basic aircraft with JT8D-7 engines but also some B737-200ADV with - 9 engines when merged with Air New Zealand in 1978. They were all replaced with the last B737-200ADV off the line with the dash 15 and 15A engines, though they did short lease some dash 17 aircraft during the 1990 period.

The first time a 100 series turned up in New Zealand was when Ansett New Zealand showed up with the ex Lufthanza aircraft.

Yes it was a big deal at the time, very well publicised both here and in the US.

WE'RE GOING BOEING................. :ok:

Mind you then Sir Peter later changed it all by going European to help his main love (TNT) and bought the A320, BAe146 and F50. :{