Swissair MD-81

Swissair was Switzerland's national airline and lasted from 1931 to 2002 when it was one of the victims of the downturn in aviation following the 9/11 Muslim terrorist attacks.  This was one of 26 of the McDonnell Douglas MD80 series that Swisssair had.

The MD-81 (originally known the DC-9 Super 81) was the first production model of the MD-80, and apart from the MD-87, the differences between the various long body MD-80 variants is relatively minor. The four long body models (MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, and MD-88) only differ from each other in having different engine variants, fuel capacities, and weights. The MD-88 and later build versions of the other models have more up-to-date flight decks featuring for example EFIS.


Dimensions: The basic "long body" MD-80 versions (MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, and MD-88) have an overall length of 147 feet 10 inches (45.06 m), and a fuselage length of 136 feet 5 inches (41.58 m) that is 4.62 m longer than the DC-9-50 and 13.51 m longer than the initial DC-9, the Series 10. Wingspan was also increased by 4.4 m in comparison with earlier DC-9s at 107 feet 10.2 inches (32.873 m). The aircraft's passenger cabin, from cockpit door to aft bulkhead, is 101 feet 0 inches (30.78 m) long and, as with all versions of the DC-9, has a maximum cabin width (trim-to-trim) of 123.7 inches (3.14 m).

Powerplant: The initial production version of the MD-80 was the Pratt and Whitney JT8D-209 18,500 lbf (82 kN) thrust powered MD-81. Later build MD-81s have been delivered with more powerful JT8D-217 and -219 engines.

APU: All versions of the MD-80 are equipped with an AlliedSignal (Garrett) GTCP85-98D APU as standard which is located in the aft fuselage.

Performance: Standard MTOW on the MD-81 is 140,000 lb with the option to increase to 142,000 lb. Fuel capacity is 5,840 US gallons (22,100 L), and typical range, with 155 passengers, is 1,565 nmi.[3]

Flight Deck: The MD-80 is equipped with a two crew flightdeck similar to that on the DC-9 from which it evolved. Later models could be equipped to a higher specification with EFIS displays in place of the traditional analogue instruments, TCAS, windshear detection, etc. An EFIS retrofit to non-EFIS equipped aircraft is possible.

Cabin: Typical passenger cabin seating arrangements include:
A mixed class, with aft full service galley, configuration for a total of 135 passengers with 12 first class, four-abreast 36 in seat pitch.
* 123 economy class passengers, five-abreast, 32 in pitch.
* All economy layout for 155 passengers, five-abreast, 32 in and 33 in pitch.
* A typical high density layout is for 167 one class (ie Airtours).

Undercarriage: All versions of the MD-80 are equipped with a tricycle undercarriage, featuring a twin nose unit with spray deflector and twin main units with rock deflectors. The MD-80T, developed for the Chinese, differs in that the main units are each fitted with a four wheel double main bogey undercarriage to reduce pavement loading.

Aerodynamic Improvements: From mid-1987 new MD-87-style low drag "beaver" tail cones were introduced on all Series of MD-80s reducing drag and hence improving fuel burn. However it would seem that some operators have been modifying the old DC-9-style cones on earlier build MD-80s to the new low drag style. SAS is one airline that has done this, citing both the improved economics as well as cosmetic improvement for the modification.

(info from wikipedia)