"The Beechcraft (now Raytheon) Premier I, a light jet aircraft, first flew on December 22, 1998 flown by Charlie Volk and Warren Gould. It was the first all new product of the Raytheon Aircraft Beech/Hawker combine to fly, and is an all-new entry-level corporate jet designed to compete head on with Cessna's highly successful CitationJet/CJ1 series. Construction of the first Premier I began in late 1996 and rollout was on August 19 1998. The Premier 1 received FAA certification, including single pilot approval, in 2001. It also received FAA RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum) certification in May 2003. Upgrade kits for RVSM capability are available for aircraft already delivered. The Premier I is the first composite-fuselage corporate jet to be FAA certified. The Premier I has high-speed cruise of more than 520 miles per hour. A standard-equipped aircraft with full fuel, a pilot and four passengers has a range of more than 1,650 miles and is certified to operate up to 41,000 feet. Last year Raytheon Aircraft was awarded the National Society of Professional Engineers' (NSPE) 2000 New Product Award in the mega size company category for its development of the Premier I. The all new Premier I Raytheon Aircraft is constructed with a high-strength composite, carbon fiber/epoxy honeycomb fuselage, completely produced by computer-controlled, automated machines, giving the aircraft a medium-jet sized cabin at light jet acquisition and operating costs. Last May 2005, Raytheon has announced an upgrade, from Premier I the Premier IA, which received certification in October 2005. The aircraft has an improved interior, seating and avionics suite and 'acoustical liner' to reduce cabin noise levels. "
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"The Travel Air Mystery Ship was designed by two young engineers, Herb Rawdon and Walter Burnham, under the guidance of Walter Beech, president and founder of the Travel Air Company. On its first test flight, the aircraft exceeded the calculated airspeed by 15 percent. The Mystery Ship was a little red and black racer, with a low-wing design, an engine cowled with an NACA streamlined cover, and wheels fully enclosed in streamlined pants. During construction, two other types of cowling were tried, but the NACA type proved to be the most efficient. The Mystery Ship not only introduced the NACA cowl and wheel pants to commercial aviation, but also contributed toward the trend of low-wing military and commercial airplanes. On September 2, 1929, the Mystery Ship, with its super smooth finish, was rolled out of the hangar, ready for the Thompson Cup Race – Event 26. Despite going against high powered military ships, the low power racer went on to win the event at a speed of 194.90 mph. "
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"On December 21, 1999, the Boeing Plant held a ceremony attended by 1000 employees and other guests. Trans World Airlines (TWA) Inc. took delivery of the last MD-80 to come off the twinjet production line on December 23. The MD-80 is one of the most successful airplane programs in commercial aviation history. Douglas Aircraft, McDonnell Douglas and Boeing delivered 1,191 MD-80s from 1979 to 1999. More than 1,180 are still in service with more than 50 domestic and foreign airlines. The final MD-80, an MD-83 model featuring non-stop range of approximately 2,880 statute miles, brings to 102 the number of MD-80 twinjets operated by TWA. The first MD-80 also known as DC-9 Series 80, or Super 80, made its initial flight on Oct. 18, 1979. Less than a year later, on Sept. 13, 1980, Swissair took the first delivery. The airplane entered passenger service the following month. TWA took delivery of its first MD-80 and an MD-82 on April 18, 1983. The MD-80 is the quiet, clean and modern successor to the popular DC-9. "
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The MD-80 is a popular series and an improved development of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9. In 1975, the origin of the MD-80 can be traced back to the series of testing of the DC-9, fitted with improved more efficient, higher bypass ratio JT8D-200 series turbofans. The MD-80 designation is a generic designation for the series and doesn't apply to a certain model type. Derived from the DC-9, the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a twin-engine, medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet airplane. Introduced commercially in October 1980 by Swissair, it was designed for frequent, short-haul flights for 130 to 172 passengers, depending on plane version and seating arrangement. It first flew on October 19, 1979, and production ended in 1999. The MD80 has been used by airlines around the world, one of which was Northwest Airlines. Northwest is the world's fourth largest airline in terms of scheduled passenger miles flown. It acquired the MD-80 in 1986 and retired the aircraft in 1999.
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"Derived from the DC-9, the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a twin-engine, medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet airplane. It was introduced commercially in October 1980 by Swissair and can seat up to 172 passengers. Douglas Aircraft developed the DC-9 in the 1960s as a short-range companion to the larger DC-8. The MD-80 was the second generation of the DC-9. It was originally called the DC-9-80 before it was redesignated in July 1983 as a marketing move, to show that McDonnell Douglas had an airliner for the 1980s. The MD-80 features a fuselage about 14 feet longer than the DC-9. The wings were redesigned by adding sections at the wing root and tip for a wing that is 28 percent larger. The cockpit, avionics, aerodynamics and engines were upgraded. It also has a higher maximum take-off weight, greater fuel capacity and longer range than the DC-9. The MD-80 has been used by airlines around the world. While many airlines have started to retire the aircraft in the 2000s, it is still flown extensively by some, including Delta Air Lines, on domestic routes. Delta is the second largest operator of the MD-80, after American Airlines. "
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"The MD-80 is a commercial jet airplane manufactured by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing and was derived from the DC-9. The MD-80 series was the second generation of the DC-9 and was originally called the DC-9-80 series and the DC-9 Super 80, entering service in 1980. The MD-80 has cockpit, avionics and aerodynamic upgrades along with the more powerful, efficient and quieter JT8D-200 series engines. It also has a longer fuselage than its earlier counterparts, as well as longer range. As of 2007, some customers such as the American Airlines and Alitalia still refer to the planes in fleet documentation as Super 80 or SP80. The MD-80 is the backbone of the American Airlines fleet and has flown more than 270 MD-80 series aircraft and is the world's largest operator of the type. The first American MD-80 was delivered on May 12, 1983. The MD-80's introduction allowed the Americans to rapidly expand its route system and fleet. In 1984, American Airlines operated a fleet of 244 MD-80 and by 1997, it has grown to 649 aircraft and 250 were MD-80s. "
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"The MD-11 is a widebody airliner based on the DC-10 and was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 entered the American's fleet in 1991 as its long-haul international aircraft to supplement and replace the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. The MD-11 is available in four models: passenger, all freighter, convertible freighter and combi. An extended range feature is available on all versions. The MD-11 incorporates three 60,000/62,000-pound thrust P&W PW4462 engines or three 61,500-pound thrust GE CF6-80C2 engines. It has a speed of 588 mph and a range of 7,000 to 10,000 miles. The MD-11 has a seating capacity of 290 to 350 passengers. By January 1998, there were 174 MD-11s delivered and the aircraft was in service with more than 20 operators and has served more than 100 cities in 55 countries with more than 270 scheduled daily flights. The MD-11 retired in 2001 and had earned a reputation as a good passenger/cargo airplane. The last MD-11 was delivered on February 22, 2001."
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"The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a twin-engine, medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet airplanes. The MD-80 aircraft was originally part of the DC-9 line when first delivered before being later renamed. The MD-80 series have seating capacity up to 172 passengers. They have a common cabin layout that seats 140 passengers on scheduled flights and 161 or 165 on low-cost or charter flights. The Alaska Airlines flew MD-80 aircraft on the routes more than 92 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alaska airlines operates a fleet of Boeing 737 and MD-80. The airline ultimately plans to replace all MD-80 aircraft with Boeing 737-800s by the end of 2008. The retired MD-80s will be stored in Mojave Spaceport in Mojave, California or Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California. The MD-80 series was derived from the DC-9 and it was introduced commercially in October 1980 by Swissair. It entered service in 1980. The MD-80 versions have cockpit, avionics and aerodynamic upgrades along with the more powerful, efficient and quieter JT8D-200 series engines. The MD series aircraft also have longer fuselages than their earlier DC-9 counterparts, as well as longer range. The MD-80 series has been used by airlines around the world. The MD-80 series production ended in 1999. Notably, some customers, American Airlines and Alitalia still, as of 2007, refer to the planes in fleet documentation as ""Super 80"" or ""SP80"". The MD-80 model is still flown extensively by American Airlines and Delta Airlines on domestic routes. "
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"The Macchi M.C. 72 is an experimental seaplane designed and built by Macchi Aeronautica, an aircraft company. Macchi M.C. 72 was built in 1931, and was planned to compete in the final Schneider Trophy race. Unfortunately, the aircraft was unable to compete due to engine problems. Instead of halting the development program, Macchi continued work on the M.C. 72. The Macchi M.C. 72 suffered many mechanical defects, as well as the loss of two test pilots who died trying to coax world class speed out of the aircraft. Macchi M.C. 72's design was unique with a fuselage partly metal to the cockpit and wood monocoque bolted to the front tubular portion by four bolts. The final design of M.C. 72 used a double, counter-rotating fixed-pitch propeller powered by a modified Fiat AS-6 engine generating 2,500 to 3,100 horse power. The engines were overhauled in preparation for a record attempt after the M.C. 72's 35th flight. It set a new world speed record on April 1933 of 682 km/h and was piloted by Warrant Officer Francesco Agello. Further development continued as the M.C. 72's designers thought they could break the 700 km/h record and this feat was achieved on October 23, 1934, when Warrant Officer Francesco Agello piloted the plane for an average speed of 709 km/h over three passes. As of 2006, the record remains the fastest speed ever attained by a piston engine seaplane. Though after the aircraft's success, it was never flown again. There's one M.C. 72 currently on display at the Vignia de Valle Aircraft Museum, which is near Rome. "
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"The Martin M-130 is an influential plane designed and built by the Genn L. Martin Company. The Martin M-130 is an all-metal flying boat having streamlined aerodynamics and powerful engines to achieve Pan Am's specifications for range and payload. The M-130's maiden flight was on December 30, 1934. On November 22, 1935, the China Clipper piloted by Captain Edwin C. Musick and First Officer R.O.D. Sullivan flew the first Trans-Pacific airmail route. The M-130 has a crew of 6-9 for a Captain, First Officer, Junior Flight Officer, Engineering Officer, Assistant Engineering Officer, Radio Operator, Navigation Officer and cabin stewards. It incorporates four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S2A5G Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines. The M-130 has a maximum speed of 180 mph and a range of 3,200 miles. There was a wreck with the China Clipper NC14716 at Port of Spain, Trinidad at the time of its landing on January 8, 1945. "
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"The Martin M-130 is a rare but influential plane that was designed and built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. The M-130's maiden flight was on December 30, 1934. On November 22, 1935, the China Clipper, piloted by Captain Edwin C. Musick and First Officer R.O.D. Sullivan flew the first trans-Pacific airmail route. Their range and capacity made them prime candidates to fulfill the over ocean hauling needs of the military during World War. In 1942, the two remaining planes were impressed into transport roles for the U Navy. In 1943, a crash occurred when the Phlippine Clipper hit the side of a mountain as it descended to land in San Francisco and the final M-130 casualty was the China Clipper NC14716, after it was wrecked at Port of Spain. The M-30 is an all-metal flying boat employing streamlined aerodynamics and powerful engines to achieve Pan Am's specifications for range and payload "
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"The Lockheed L-188 Electra is an American turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. It was the first turboprop airliner built in the USA. The design of the L-188 was started by Lockheed in 1954, and the following year the company received a launch order from American Airlines. The prototype first flew on December 6, 1957. Many airlines in the US flew the L-188, but the only European airline to order the type was KLM. TEAL in the South Pacific, NAC the Viscount and Air New Zealand flew both. TAA and Ansett in Australia operated the L-188 and QANTAS also operated 4 L-188. American Airlines was the launch customer, followed by Eastern Airlines and Braniff Airways. The L-188 flew in commercial service until the mid-1970s. A total of 144 L-188s were built, 57 of which have been destroyed in accidents, according to Aviation Safety network. The most recent L-188 accident was in July 2003. Lockheed developed a variant of the Electra, the P-3 Orion, for the United States Navy. The Orion was originally developed using modified civilian Electra airframes. The L-188 is a low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by four Allison 501D turboprops. Standard accommodation was for 66 to 88 passengers, with an optional high-density layout for 98 passengers. The initial production was the L-188A and later, a longer-range L-188C was produced. Most of the L-188 aircraft currently in service are operated as Freighters. Lockheed proposed a development of the Electra which was later placed into production as the "
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"The Learjet 60 is a business jet manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace. The Learjet 60 is an improved version of the Learjet 55, having a longer fuselage and incorporates more powerful engines. Its maiden flight was on June 1991 and received FAA certification in January 1993. The modification that converted the Learjet Model 55 into a model 60 were the results of an aerodynamics improvement program and a need and for increased capacity of the Learjet product line and the modifications include an all new inboard wing cuff added to the inboard sections of the ""Longhorn"" wing and an all new wing-to-body fairing. By increasing the wing cord and the leading edge droop, the wing cuff improved the low speed handling during approach and landing while the wing-to-body fairing reduced the interference drag between the wing and the fuselage. Since the engines were new for this aircraft, a new engine pylon had to be designed. The cockpit's lines were not changed but the fuselage was lengthened. In addition, the blend between the fuselage and the empennage was all new. An all new E/B (Emergency/Baggage) door was added to the right-hand side of the fuselage just at the leading edge of the wing. The final aeroimprovement to the Model 60 was the creation of the distinctive ""Ogive"" winglet trailing edge. This lengthening of the cord near the interface of the winglet and the winglet greatly improved the interaction of the wing's pressure spike with the winglet's pressure spike. The result was a significant lowering of the drag in this area and a significant improvement of the wings efficiency. The Learjet Model 45 winglet blend design took into account the lessons learned from the model 60 and the ogive was not necessary. Finally, the ventral fin was replaced with the hallmark split ventral fins that Learjet called ""Delta Fins."""
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"The Learjet 45 aircraft is a mid-sized business jet produced by Bombardier Aerospace. The maiden flight of the prototype Learjet 45 was on October 7, 1995, which was the 32nd anniversary of the first flight of the Learjet 23. Though FAA certification was delayed, it was finally granted in September 1997, with the first customer aircraft subsequently delivered in January 1998. The cockpit equips a four-screen Honeywell Primus 1000 EFIS avionics system and it incorporates two FADEC-controlled Honeywell TFE731-20 engines. An APU provides ground power. An upgraded version of the Learjet 45 which is the Learjet 45XR was introduced in June 2004, with higher take-off weights, faster cruise speeds and faster time-to-climb rates as compared to the LJ45. It has a seating capacity of 9 passengers, including one in the lavatory which is certified as a seat. It has a maximum speed of 464 kt and a range of 2,120 nm. The Learjet 45 is also one of the main airplanes that was featured in the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise. "
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"The Learjet Model 35 is a multirole business jets and military transport aircraft manufactured by Learjet and its primary use and operator is the United States Air Force. The Learjet Model 35's maiden flight was on August 22, 1973 and the aircraft gained its FAA certification on July 1974. The Learjet 35A is a variant of the Model 35 also known as the Model 35A. It is an upgraded Model 35 introduced in 1976, replacing the 35. As of January 2007, the US National Transportation Safety Board database lists 19 fatal accidents for the 35/35A. There were 600 35As built. "
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