Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

zap_p25 t1_izeon7p wrote

Reply to comment by CallMeDrLuv in Last Boeing 747 rolls off line after half a century of production by diacewrb

But it still has 30 years behind the leader when it comes to longevity in regular passenger service.

24

ivsciguy t1_izeuwbo wrote

Who has the leading spot. Is it DC-3 or MD-80?

17

zap_p25 t1_izev86y wrote

DC-3

25

ivsciguy t1_izfs44d wrote

I got to design one repair for a DC-3 that one of the airlines runs for charity now. That was cool. Also very easy because fatigue isn't much of a concern without a pressurized cabin. If they had actually decided to re-engine MD-80s I think they could have operated practically forever. They are built like tanks. Also seems like the military will run B-52s until the end of time.

27

abnrib t1_izifbwt wrote

The B-52, C-130, and CH-47 are all currently projected to have over a century in service by the time they retire the platforms.

1

Drone30389 t1_j0kdfjv wrote

> If they had actually decided to re-engine MD-80s I think they could have operated practically forever.

They did, and then called it the Boeing 717.

1