European B737-200
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There's nothing wrong with the old Classics. I would happily travel anywhere on this or any other aeroplane on the UK register. It's a tough aeroplane, and a well maintained one (as everything on the UK register is) is as good as any other. What counts is the professionalism, training and experience of your crew. Maybe not quite as comfy as some, but it will only be a short flight anyway- it doesn't matter- sit back and enjoy the holiday, confident the CAA has endorsed every aspect of their operation. I'm sure in the 'comfy' stakes, it's as good as any other. I've just done a holiday flight on an XL 767, and whilst there is no complaint at all, I just found the seat extremely 'tight'. Rather than grumble about it, I appreciate the lowering of costs of the holiday this permits!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Midlands
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
G-CEAH
Just when I was looking forward to taking a flight on Jet 2, what do I board ?
Yes you have guessed it. Dear old G-ECAH !!
Same pressurisation noise and wailing Pratt and Whitneys.
The flight wasn't cheap either. Will I grow to love her ?
Yes you have guessed it. Dear old G-ECAH !!
Same pressurisation noise and wailing Pratt and Whitneys.
The flight wasn't cheap either. Will I grow to love her ?
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: S.H.
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some people would give their back teeth to get on a -200 these days.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Switzerland
Age: 75
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And the American's are transporting their children in school buses who had their last design review in 1942. So 1975 is not too bad, US technology did not make significant evolution since then.
Frank
Frank
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: S.H.
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ex CJ
You're obviously used to the 'classic' 
Actually, the Ozjet aircraft wasn't too bad! In-cabin aircon was surprisingly 'restrained' from the noise perspective!
I 'cut my teeth' on JT8s in the RHS on 727s, then went back onto 732s, then back to 727 in the LHS before going to LHS on on 733/4s. Having started off with about 5 years RHS on F27 the noise on 727 and 732's was an absolute 'pleasure' in comparison to that experienced on the 'mouse'!
Same pressurisation noise and wailing Pratt and Whitneys
Actually, the Ozjet aircraft wasn't too bad! In-cabin aircon was surprisingly 'restrained' from the noise perspective!
I 'cut my teeth' on JT8s in the RHS on 727s, then went back onto 732s, then back to 727 in the LHS before going to LHS on on 733/4s. Having started off with about 5 years RHS on F27 the noise on 727 and 732's was an absolute 'pleasure' in comparison to that experienced on the 'mouse'!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: LGW
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As the other posts say here- if the 737-200 weren't safe then they wouldn't be allowed to fly. I would love to fly in a -200 Classic again more than the boring 737-300's etc. I have spent a long time hopping around Europe in these machines and would love to fly on one again. Any ideas where I can get a trip on one?
Paxing All Over The World
Dan Air 87 South Africa has about 30 active on the register with two or three carriers.
Nationwide have a very special model 732 at the moment, a sort of 73-1.5 as it lost the No.2 at FACT t'other week. Details in African Aviation:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=299389
Nationwide have a very special model 732 at the moment, a sort of 73-1.5 as it lost the No.2 at FACT t'other week. Details in African Aviation:
http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=299389
Dan Air. Sorry, I'm going to mention an equally distant place, but Aloha Airlines use the 737-200 for their Hawaiian inter-island flights. I haven't flown on one for a year or two but that's because they use open seating, no other reason.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Yorkshire, England
Age: 57
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I spent half the 90's going back and forth Man-Paris on BA's old 732's and I miss them. Fun to perch just behind the wing, and watch the reverser buckets doing their thing. Lovely evocative noise too. Ryanair were still using an especially scabby old example on Man-Dub until 2 years ago which appeared to be more patches than fuselage.
Mr A you have a sound customer service gripe but no reason to fear safety.
Mr A you have a sound customer service gripe but no reason to fear safety.
I would love to have another go on a 737-200. What are we complaining about ? And if a brand-new Q400 lets my airline down yet again one day and they decide to subcharter in the Air Atlantique DC-3, that would be perfection.
Those Ryanair 732s with patches were great. My last flight ever on the type was on the one with the Hertz logo paint scheme, Bristol to Dublin. Engineering appeared to have obtained some special High-Speed tape of (almost) the same yellow colour to try and match in the patching.
Those Ryanair 732s with patches were great. My last flight ever on the type was on the one with the Hertz logo paint scheme, Bristol to Dublin. Engineering appeared to have obtained some special High-Speed tape of (almost) the same yellow colour to try and match in the patching.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Civil aircraft will often go through several cabin re-fits over their lifespan. A lot of what goes in is reconditioned stuff, not new, but there's no doubt, a well used airframe will wear out it's interior to a very shabby condition in about 4-6 years.
Usually every major check, the whole interior comes out and what can't be stitched up, painted over or araldited back together will be replaced.
The 737-200 you mention will be on it's umpteenth interior fit by now, so who knows how old the bits you see are?
An older aircraft may well be a lot nicer inside than a far newer one, but unfortunately, in the case of the 732, the vibration and thunder of those old engines will shake it all loose in no time.
The real problem for these aircraft is fuel consumption, cost and noise restrictions. The UK CAA doesn't want any of the -200s on it's register, but can't simply send them packing. Hush kits help, as does restricting take off weights and reduced power take-offs, but they're noisy, inefficient, and polluting old things.
Pilots call the 737-200 Jurassic, not classic, BTW. The 300-500s are classics, and the fancy news ones that no-one can buy because Mr O'Leary has the production line sewn up, are Next Generations. Too much star Trek for me.....
The -700s and -800s are more efficient than the -3/4/5 series, but nowhere near as much a leap as the 3/4/500 was from the old -200. They still burn 3 tonnes ish an hour, just go higher and a lot farther than they did.
Boeings age well, they are all built strong and built to last, so a fresh paint, a pair of recon engines and a fresh interior and they'll be as reliable and servicable as a new'un. Which is just as well, because if you do want a new -800 you'll probably have to buy it second hand from Ryanair, for more than they paid for it!
Not that I've flown much in any of them really.
Usually every major check, the whole interior comes out and what can't be stitched up, painted over or araldited back together will be replaced.
The 737-200 you mention will be on it's umpteenth interior fit by now, so who knows how old the bits you see are?
An older aircraft may well be a lot nicer inside than a far newer one, but unfortunately, in the case of the 732, the vibration and thunder of those old engines will shake it all loose in no time.
The real problem for these aircraft is fuel consumption, cost and noise restrictions. The UK CAA doesn't want any of the -200s on it's register, but can't simply send them packing. Hush kits help, as does restricting take off weights and reduced power take-offs, but they're noisy, inefficient, and polluting old things.
Pilots call the 737-200 Jurassic, not classic, BTW. The 300-500s are classics, and the fancy news ones that no-one can buy because Mr O'Leary has the production line sewn up, are Next Generations. Too much star Trek for me.....
The -700s and -800s are more efficient than the -3/4/5 series, but nowhere near as much a leap as the 3/4/500 was from the old -200. They still burn 3 tonnes ish an hour, just go higher and a lot farther than they did.
Boeings age well, they are all built strong and built to last, so a fresh paint, a pair of recon engines and a fresh interior and they'll be as reliable and servicable as a new'un. Which is just as well, because if you do want a new -800 you'll probably have to buy it second hand from Ryanair, for more than they paid for it!
Not that I've flown much in any of them really.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Home
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dan Air 87
If you are still interested in a flight on a good old B732, European are operating a series of 'Santa' flights this month from MAN to Enontekio on the 2nd, 14th 15th, 16th 19th, 23rd, 27th and 30th.
Warning Toxic!
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Disgusted of Tunbridge
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hampshire, UK
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anotherflapop- not a bad critique of the 737 series. We use the 700NG for ETOPs. Setting off across the Atlantic, our fuel consumption is roundabout 2000kgs/hr+ We always get it below 2000kgs/hr. Ihave used the NG for 7 hour flights from Central Africa, and 6 hour ETOPs Atlantic flights. Amazingly versatile remembering the old 200s which I flew.
No blasted IFE though.
No blasted IFE though.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nationwide have been grounded, which is a big shame.
http://travel.iafrica.com/flights/697410.htm
Just trying to work out whats cheaper. Going to South Africa/Hawaii or going to see Santa for the day! 
http://travel.iafrica.com/flights/697410.htm
If you are still interested in a flight on a good old B732, European are operating a series of 'Santa' flights this month from MAN to Enontekio on the 2nd, 14th 15th, 16th 19th, 23rd, 27th and 30th.
Fly Conventional Gear
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Winchester
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BA Comair still have a few 737-200s in South Africa and they look very smart in the British Airways livery. It's a pity about Nationwide though, I'd have loved to go on one of their 727s.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Yorkshire, England
Age: 57
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Comair is a great airline. I just flew Comair JNB to CPT but obviously missed the 737-200s! Fantastic crew advising on the relative qualities between three bottles of (excellent) red wine they had on the go. Had to rub my eyes for a moment. Those South Africans love their wine!
