Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32

  • Period: 1960-1969
  • Uses: Airliner
  • First Flight: 1966
  • Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.

The DC-9 was the first twin-jet airliner to be operated in Canada and was no doubt the aircraft on which countless Canadians made their first jet flight. In 1966, Air Canada became the first airline outside of the United States to operate the type. Many of the aircraft’s larger components such as wings, rear fuselage and tail unit assemblies were manufactured in Canada.

During the 1950s, Air Canada’s predecessor company, Trans-Canada Air Lines, had pioneered turbine powered passenger travel in North America with Vickers Viscount propeller-driven airliners. These turbo-props were then replaced in turn by fan-jet DC-9s. At the height of their deployment, Air Canada had a fleet of fifty DC-9s serving most of its destinations in North America. For over thirty years these easily recognized jet transports, with their aft mounted turbofan engines, gave outstanding service as the mainstay of the airline’s short-haul routes.

Museum Example

  • Registration #: CF-TLL
  • Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas, United States
  • Manufacture Date: 1968
  • Serial #: 47021
  • Acquisition Date: 2002
  • Provenance: Donation

The DC-9 Series 30 was a development of the initial version (Series 10) and employed more powerful turbofan engines, increased wing span, and a longer fuselage that could accommodate up to 115 passengers. It incorporated new high-lift devices on the wings that included full-span leading edge slats and double-slotted flaps. The Museum’s aircraft was the fourth of this series acquired by Air Canada in 1968. It accumulated the highest airframe time in the fleet with a total time of 81,558 hours and 72,464 landings.

Air Canada constantly updated their fleet with the latest technological enhancements and customer service amenities. The fleet accumulated a total of more than three million hours of service and completed more than three million landings and takeoffs. Air Canada’s last DC-9 flight took place on January 18, 2002, from New York to Montreal.

Specifications

Wing span:
28.5 m (93 ft 5 in)
Length:
36.4 m (119 ft 3 1/2 in)
Height:
8.4 m (27 ft 6 in)
Weight, Empty:
24,005 kg (52,935 lb)
Max Take-Off Weight:
48,980 kg (108,000 lb)
Cruising Speed:
789 km/h (490 mph)
Cruise Altitude (typical):
10,058 km (33,000 ft)
Range (full passengers):
2,036 km (1,265 mi)
Power Plant:
Two Pratt and Whitney JT8D-7B turbofans, 6,350 kg (14,000 lb) static thrust
Seats (typical):
91
Cargo Capacity:
1,547 kg (3,410 lb)