Captains retirement flight in a 727-200 we cruised at .91 Mach, not a problem, bit loud and thirsty but solid as a rock.


.86-.88 on a regular basis if we were running behind and a VMO of 380 knots at the lighter ZFW, lots of fun.

zlin77

November 1964 Boeing-727 did MEL/SYD in 47 minutes 55 seconds.

July 08, 1959 a Lockheed Electra did it in 54 minutes

Not sure if MEL/SYD record here has ever been beaten.

Interesting re last productions models.

Limping along at ATC mandated speeds these days must drive you guys/girl crazy.
ATC really have to undergo a re make.

Know when I take off from SYD for BNE to the south, (as a passenger) am vectored almost to Auckland before turning left towards Brisbane. Wast of time fuel and money = crazy and very inefficient use of resources. Glad I flew when I did.

Folks,
Best I managed (behind schedule) YSSY-YMML in a B744 was 52 minutes wheels off to wheels on, RW16 Sydney, RW27 in Melbourne.

Back in B707 days, scheduled air time was 52 minutes south, 51 minutes north.

Best behind schedule turnaround I managed (YMML and B767) was 20 minutes brakes on to brakes off, 30 minutes wheels on to wheels off. ---- these days that would probably call for a written complaint from ground staff about some OH&S furphy --- but back to B707 days, 30 minutes was the standard behind schedule turnaround time, and that included cleaning and catering.

Tootle pip!!

MEL - SYD in a 737-800 a few weeks ago was 53 minutes flight time (wasn't me driving but was told about it). Would the 47 minutes be flight time or block time? If it was block time it was mighty impressive!

Had 170 kts on the tail this morning, made for an early arrival...

Now compare the fuel burns v passenger capacities........