The first 727-100 (N7001U) flew on February 9, 1963, designated for United Airlines. But, it was Eastern Airlines, that put the 727-100 (Reg. N8107N), first, into commercial passenger service. It was flown by Eastern Air Lines on February 1, 1964, between Miami, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia.

Here, often, I get prompted for a new (virtual) flight (and the desire to share my experience) by one or more (concurrent) factors. Here are my triggers for today's post:

1. Someone here...🙂...was recently lamenting (oh well...may be not really "lamenting" but just "stating"...) that the MSFS Bonanza (a wonderful touring plane, indeed) had to be flown using the VOR ("Kinda pathetic for a G1000 equipped Bonanza"...🙂...).
2. And, I happened to read an article, this week, about Eastern Airlines, one of my favorite Classic Airlines, and was reminded that Eastern was ahead of both United and American, to deploy the 727 first into pax service. BTW, these three motivating Airlines of the 727, for various individual requirements, respectively, wanted, "three", "four", and "two" engines for this new jetliner...(those were the days..., so different from the (pre-determined) twinjet mindset of today) and we know the compromise that resulted for the 727...!
3. Finally, yesterday, after a bit of break, I caught up, with the (other) MSFS Forums, and also had a chance to visit the File Uploads in the Freeware Library. First of all, I'm so encouraged to notice that now e.g. the Top 50 (daily) (FlightSim) downloads are "already" dominated by MSFS entries (how about 47 to 3...??)...! To me that, though localized, shows remarkable "community" interest (very much the way FSX/SE, that I know and love still, had successfully evolved), and this can only make the new SIM stronger. Newer and better planes will surely appear...while some of us...may have to continue to enjoy their favorite (payware/freeware) planes on their (respective) other SIMs...for a bit longer, as needed. Anyway, in that Library, a pair of new Garmin Gauges (please see notes below) caught my interest, been ranked pretty high within the top 50 list (was 2nd when I saw them the first time).

These are a couple of little (Garmin) digital multi-function gauges (1) A Nav Gauge (with CDI/HSI etc.) (2) An Attitude Gauge (with several avionics display options). It's well known that the early 727 jets had neither any advanced autopilot (see an autopilot pop-up shot) nor any kind of FMC/CDU. The navigation was conducted by most basic means - flying from radio navigation aid to radio navigation aid (e.g. to VOR-to-VOR). The Garmin gauges, mentioned above, are not drastically different from what we're already used to in the SIM, but, because of its high-upload, I thought it may be fun to use these gauges to (manually) fly Eastern's B727-100, from the external view, using a set of pre-selected (en-route) VORs, alone. So, I've (arbitrarily) selected 5 en-route VORs (ORL, CRG, FLO, LVL, BRV) for this flight between Miami and Washington, DC (please see route MAP). Those folks, here, more knowledgeable than I, will find additional navigational features, with these two interesting gauges and the many (included) options too, but, I've merely used its basic VOR guidance features for this flight. Although, I've also included, below, interior VC shots, if you trust me,...🙂..., nowhere, en-route, I've enabled GPS...(btw, CS has thoughtfully, for those who wanted it, added a GPS, but, un-used, here), and, of course, no LNAV/VNAV, here, either, with which I'd recently flown and posted about my QW-787...🙂...(But, I did get to capture the LOC/GS at KDCA, for the touchdown, please see screenshots). Finally, to make it a bit (more) challenging, I've performed the Cold & Dark start-up steps, in complete "darkness", so, it's truly "Cold & Dark"...🙂...though Miami is normally not very "Cold"....(fortunately, with no apparent issues encountered, in the procedure, that I could tell...)....

The CS-727 (especially the smaller -100 variant) remains the closest to my heart, among all my (classic) aircraft, in terms of nostalgic appeal and also depth of simulation. So, hope you enjoy these below images of this Classic plane, in the (Classic) Eastern Airlines color, with yours truly, amateur pilot, taking you back, 56 years from today, for Eastern's inaugural 727-100 pax flight, on February 1, 1964, between Miami and Washington, DC..!! Please do take a look at the external screenshots for utilization of the new Garmin (pop-up) gauges for tracking and aligning with VOR radials e.g. for the (shown) first two VORs (ORL = Orlando (112.20) and CRG = Craig (Jacksonville) 114.50).

Thanks for your interest, and, by now, the MSFS users, have (hopefully) settled down with their latest patch/update, and are enjoying its new benefits...!!

Happy flying...!!

[CS(727-100/Reg.N8147N)/DrzewieckiDesign(KMIA/KDCA)/REX]

Beautiful series and story as usual!   My 1st Eastern flight was in a DC-8.  Most memorable was in an L1011.

Was extremely sad to see this airline fail...as a Orlando resident an in the approach path to KMCO, they flew over me all the time.

I always thought it funny that they called it the "Whisperjet"...and I know it was from the interior aspect....but from the outside...there was nothing quiet about a 727, unless it was shut down. 🙂

Hehe..as for the MSFS fliers...we're a noisy bunch with a new toy....elbowing in on your turf. 🙂   Hopefully we can share the neighborhood without too many "rumbles".🤣

Edited September 18, 20205 yr by Steve Dra

The 727 is an amazing plane, I had 5 or 6 years old but still remember my first experience with Lloyd Aereo Boliviano :')

Great post, great plane!

John

What a great post! I forgot what publishers make this plane. Can anyone help me out, please? Thanks!

2 hours ago, Walter Almaraz said:

The 727 is an amazing plane, I had 5 or 6 years old but still remember my first experience with Lloyd Aereo Boliviano :')

Hmmm...you may want to get in touch with a friend of mine...he's from your neck of the woods and I've done a few paints for him he might share with you. 😉 (He's a huge LAB fan)

 

7 hours ago, Steve Dra said:

Beautiful series and story as usual!   My 1st Eastern flight was in a DC-8.  Most memorable was in an L1011.

Was extremely sad to see this airline fail...as a Orlando resident an in the approach path to KMCO, they flew over me all the time.

I always thought it funny that they called it the "Whisperjet"...and I know it was from the interior aspect....but from the outside...there was nothing quiet about a 727, unless it was shut down. 🙂

Hehe..as for the MSFS fliers...we're a noisy bunch with a new toy....elbowing in on your turf. 🙂   Hopefully we can share the neighborhood without too many "rumbles".🤣

Thanks a lot, for the comments, Steve...!!

During this flight, I must have then turned right over your house...🙂..., through ORL (Orlando) VOR towards (next) CRG (Jacksonville) VOR...Did you not hear those (noisy) JT8D "Whisperjet" engines....?? Around here, due to "noise-curfew", my (aircraft...eh...I mean my PC...🙂..) volume was turned down too low....to really appreciate this Whisperjet...!

[And, yes, I did a bit more catch-up in the MSFS Forum now...it looks like mixed reactions there and some  teething problems continue with the Patch...it will take a bit of time to smooth out...nothing new....but, it will...!!]

 

6 hours ago, Walter Almaraz said:

The 727 is an amazing plane, I had 5 or 6 years old but still remember my first experience with Lloyd Aereo Boliviano :')

Walter: Glad it brought back some old memories...those are priceless...!

And, do look at Steve's (perfect) 737 (LAB) repaint to rekindle a few more memories...[BTW, if you don't know, Steve is (used to be?) our (resident) Master FSX/P3D painter,...🙂...(with connections in high-places)...]

Also, FYI, I did find a LAB 737-200 repaint for Captain Sim, in the local Library, for which, I just added 6 screenshots, in a separate Post, for your interest. The shots are taken at SLLP (El Alto International) to match your location....Hope you enjoy...!

 

5 hours ago, John F said:

Great post, great plane!

John

John: Appreciated the kind words....!

 

4 hours ago, Bdub22 said:

...I forgot what publishers make this plane. Can anyone help me out, please? Thanks!

Thanks for your interest...!!

I should have spelled out the Developer's name in my text...this SIM is/was by "Captain Sim", but, unfortunately, the product, as far as I can tell, still remains for FSX/SE/P3D3 only...(CS is converting some of their Classic planes to higher P3D versions...)...

 

7 hours ago, P_7878 said:

During this flight, I must have then turned right over your house...🙂..., through ORL (Orlando) VOR towards (next) CRG (Jacksonville) VOR...Did you not hear those (noisy) JT8D "Whisperjet" engines....?? Around here, due to "noise-curfew", my (aircraft...eh...I mean my PC...🙂..) volume was turned down too low....to really appreciate this Whisperjet...!

If you departed north, you certainly did fly over my old home in Orlando!...Hehe...and you also flew over my home in Jacksonville when I was stationed there in the Navy.  Lived near Craig field and the VOR. 

And of course I didn't hear you in either place...your plane was whisper-quiet! 🤣

Edited September 19, 20205 yr by Steve Dra

I believe I flew on Eastern 727 back in 1969, the week of the Moon landing, from NYC to West Palm Beach, my very first plane ride.  I made the mistake of selecting a seat way in the back near the engines - it was like sitting next to a lawn mower for 2 hours - upon landing we deplaned right on the tarmac - no jetways at WPB then - I actually exited from the stairway on the tail, which was available back then.   I was welcomed to Florida  with a blast of incredible heat and humidity...     

That's a Busy "Office"👀 Awesome Expose as Always Friend.

Steve:

Glad the two VORs, here, rhymed with your past, a bit.....🙂...!!

 

Overspeed:

Liked the "sitting next to lawn mower" analogy.....🙂....hope, you'd a Stewardess (as in my picture) guiding you down that trail-stairway....must have felt quite strange...(I recall that (rear) stairway had to be re-designed after the Cooper incidence)....

 

Patrick:

True, this office (sure) looks busy, and, so glad, I'm merely playing arm-chair "fantasy" here, ....🙂.....and not sitting in the "real" 727 cockpit...🙂...but, this is good stuff...

BTW, I recall, you'd once mentioned catching the FedEx 727s, around O'Hare, before FedEx (finally) retired them....here, below, is a short (38s) video-clip (if you wish, fly along and enjoy it with "raised" volume, but, be aware, of folks around you, you know these JT8D's are, a bit, un-forgiving...🙂...but, this clip does not have touch-down and roll-out, though, so the end is abrupt...)

Please search for:
FedEx Boeing 727-200 arrives at Chicago's O'Hare Int'l Airport Video

22 hours ago, Steve Dra said:

Hmmm...you may want to get in touch with a friend of mine...he's from your neck of the woods and I've done a few paints for him he might share with you. 😉 (He's a huge LAB fan)

 

 

Omg Steve amazing pic, I appreciate your gesture, please I'll be very happy if you can contact me with your friend 😃

18 hours ago, P_7878 said:

Walter: Glad it brought back some old memories...those are priceless...!

And, do look at Steve's (perfect) 737 (LAB) repaint to rekindle a few more memories...[BTW, if you don't know, Steve is (used to be?) our (resident) Master FSX/P3D painter,...🙂...(with connections in high-places)...]

Also, FYI, I did find a LAB 737-200 repaint for Captain Sim, in the local Library, for which, I just added 6 screenshots, in a separate Post, for your interest. The shots are taken at SLLP (El Alto International) to match your location....Hope you enjoy...!

You are so kind, well I don't own the CS 737 but I'll check if you have other repaints, thank you very much!  BTW Steve, actually he's a very active user, I saw him at Aerosoft Forums 😁

23 hours ago, Bdub22 said:

What a great post! I forgot what publishers make this plane. Can anyone help me out, please? Thanks!

If you happen to be an XP person, FlyJSim makes an excellent 727-200 and a 100.  Also a 732.

1 hour ago, olderndirt said:

If you happen to be an XP person, FlyJSim makes an excellent 727-200 and a 100.  Also a 732.

Thanks...!

[Bdub: Glad, you're interested in this plane....a few of us, here, certainly are...so, please ask around in your Forum(s) to see if you can get hold of a SIM to experience it...Good-luck...!]

2 hours ago, Walter Almaraz said:

....well I don't own the CS 737 but I'll check if you have other repaints....

Walter:

I apologize...I now notice that I've made a typo, here, I actually meant LAB "727"-200 for Captain Sim, above, in my reference, not LAB "737"-200...

[While my eyes were fixed on Steve's 737 LAB repaint...I mis-typed...🙂...Steve has lots of 737 repaints etc.....🙂....please search....All the best...!]