I can't believe my son did this!!

[Michael Carter]

Somehow, somewhere, my son found an original set of initial training manuals published by TWA for new hires. I have more than a basic understanding of the 727 systems, functions, and how to fly it, but this goes way above and beyond.

There is so much useful information in here I don't know if I'll ever learn all of it. There are a lot of excerpts from the POH, but it explains the 'why' and 'how come's' that I've been wanting to know.

Ten million rules of thumb and hints and tips about flying the 727 as well as a lot of math calculations for weight & balance, aerodynamics, etc., etc.

Reading this stuff is like sitting down for a cup of coffee with a 727 Captain and asking all of the questions I've been dying to ask for the last six years and no one to talk to.

In addition, he also sent the almost 600 page book written by a 727 Captain about oral preparation and practical preparation for the checkride in the 727.
More rules of thumb, why things do what they do and what causes it. CRM, roles of the aircrew, etc, etc.

Best gift I received. What am I gonna do with that boy? :D


http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/Cockpitphotos005.jpg

[Trevor Hale]

Great Stuff Mike, I am sure happy for you. Merry Christmas, Hopefully you will get time to sit and have a quality read.

Trev

[Michael Carter]

Thanks Trevor. Ordered from Afganistan to, no doubt, but shipped from Olathe, Kansas.

I hope I have time enough to just get through the first two chapters of the first manual.

[Kennair]

Wow Mike, I know how you feel. Such a tasty lot of information and what a wonderfully personal Christmas present!

He's a good boy hey?

Ken.

[AndyT]

That is an incredible gift! You need to take him out for a nice steak dinner at least.

[Tomlin]

Man what a find! Im very happy for you, what a great gift!

[Michael Carter]

After several years of trying to understand the 727 electrical systems, I think I finally have a handle on it.

DC supplies nearly everything on the aircraft. Mostly through transformer rectifiers, the hot battery buss, and the battery transfer buss.

My biggest hangup on this whole electrical system was understanding the difference between a control buss and a load buss. After reading a few chapters in the smaller book in the photo it was like this giant light bulb illuminated over my head! Now I know where this electricity comes from! And better still, WHY!

There are eight, count 'em, 8 DC busses aboard the 727.

Yes, power comes from the AC generators about the aircraft from the three engines, but it's distributed to the transformer rectifiers and outputted as DC to most all of the aircraft systems. Very little runs on AC aboard this aircraft. Fluorescent fixtures, the galley, and a few other items.

There is only one static inverter aboard the aircraft, a small unit and believe it or not, power produced by it is monitored by the turn & bank indicator. Those were removed years ago, and now it's in a permanent standby mode unless called up by the battery transfer buss from Essential DC. This would only occur during a total AC failure. You could always tell if the inverter was working by checking the turn & bank indicator.

In addition, if you have anomalies in two or more unrelated systems, it's time to start checking the DC control busses for a fault. These are insideous failures as there are no warning lights or any sort of a horn to tell you that something is wrong until a system starts malfunctioning or failing.

Unbelievable information in all of these books. The POH just doesn't go that in-depth with these systems. It tells you which switch to throw and when, and what to do when something goes wrong, but it doesn't tell you WHY!

This is perhaps the hardest of all 727 systems to understand because of the multiple redundancy of all of the electrical systems.

I'm in 727 AC/DC Electrical Buss Nirvana!!!

[project 727]

Hi Michael,

What a great gift from your "Wing Man"!!! I see he knows his Capt. Dad very well:)
Theres a web site that will compliment your Boeing 727 Manual reading at : http://www.boeing-727.com/

Now that you have read your B-727 Electrical Systems Chapter, you can reinforce your knowledge of the Extensive Use of Both AC and DC voltage and how they are distributed on board our 727's by reviewing these graphical summaries at:
http://www.boeing-727.com/Data/avionics/AC%20Power%20Distribution.html

Happy Holidays!!!
Joe Maldonado
PROJECT 727
www.xsn.net/project727 (http://www.xsn.net/project727)

[Michael Carter]

Thanks Joe. Good to see you around again. I was beginning to think you flew that 727 right out of the quonset hut it was parked in.

I've been all over that site from your link for the last several years, but it wasn't any better to me than the POH. The Ground School manuals and the hardback book written by a 727 instructor has really opened my eyes about how this aircraft is wired.

The author just writes it likes he's talking to you anticipating the questions before you've even thought of asking them. He must be a very experienced 727 instructor to write in this fashion.

All of the systems test questions and answers are in the two binders. The electrical test is three pages of questions. I haven't passed yet. But I will. :D

Study, study and more study. I wish I knew where they were hiring 727 FE's! :D

[warvet]

Well I have been hearing all thiis 727 this 727 that for weeks now, so much I said hmmmm maybe Ill give this bird a fly. Well brother I Dled a really awesome model off avsim Air Canada its pretty nice , anyhow I get my instruments all setup and get all loaded ready to go, start running down the rwy and this thing sounded AWESOME and felt even better! WOW what a great plane! Now I know what Michael is so nuts about this thing is amazingly nice. Anyway I landed beautifully in a frost soaked Dawn illuminated rwy and I must say I now know whats its like to fly this iincredible aircraft. Good luck Mike in your 27 project its a beaut! Now Im off to bed!

Tim