The Lockheed Constellation, in this case a “Super G,” one of the later models. I started in this aircraft as a Flight Engineer, the starting point for all pilots for major airlines since the early sixties, when career Flight Engineers were phased out. For more information click Connie.

After less than two years as a Flight Engineer in the “Connie” I moved up to First Officer (Co-pilot) in the Boeing 707, the “Queen of the Fleet” at the time, and the airliner that began the jet age of airline travel (if you don’t count the disastrous British Comet of the 1950’s). For more information click 707 Family.

The Lockheed 1011 came into service with TWA in 1972, and I was happy to transition to this brand-new aircraft, the most advanced airliner of the time. This was the first airliner to be certificated for zero visibility landings. For a history click 1011.

At long last! After what seemed like an eternity I finally gained enough seniority to check out to Captain. The Boeing 727 was the first aircraft I flew in that capacity. That first Captain flight was a heady experience indeed, rivaling the first solo as the premier experience of this aviator’s life. For more information click 727

There are a lot of ups and downs (if you’ll pardon the pun) and transitions in an airline pilot’s life. After I flew Captain in 727’s and 707’s for a while the airline cut back its schedules, as they’re wont to do during slack periods. When that happens they don’t need as many Captains, so those of us in the bottom slots on the seniority list had to revert to First Officer for a while. On one such occasion I

flew this aircraft in that capacity on European flights for a year or so. Of course I moved back into a Captain’s slot as soon as I gained enough seniority to do so. For more information click 747. 

This is another aircraft in which I flew Captain. Although to the untrained eye it appears to be the DC-9 which first flew in the mid-60’s, it is much larger and more advanced than its precursor. This is an MD-82, which came into service in the early ‘80’s. Although it carries about the same number of passengers as the

727, among other advantages it uses about 40% less fuel thanks to newer and more efficient engines. For more information click MD-82.
(For a similar feature on the aircraft in which your host and numerous other USAF Pilots trained see: Training Aircraft)