These are my aviation pages, where I will tell of my experiences of flying, mainly as a passenger on regular services.

In February 1965 Boeing announced its intention to build a short range transport.  At the same time Lufthansa placed an order for 21 aircraft.  The original Model 737 was designed to utilize many Model 727 components and assemblies, and deliveries of production aircraft began before the end of 1967.

Continuous refinement of the airliner led Boeing to introduce a number of improvements in stages from 1969 to 1971.  The first series of modification was made on the 135th production and subsequent aircraft in 1969.   The second series came into effect in 1971 and further optional improvements were offered with “advanced models”.  In addition to being introduced on the production line the modifications were offered in kit form to operators of the first 134 aircraft free of charge.  Initial improvements were concerned primarily with improving the specific range by decreasing drag, and improving the effectiveness of the thrust reversers.

In New Zealand, the first 737-219s came to National Airways Corporation (NAC) in 1969.  The first time I had seen them was on one of the family’s many trips to Dunedin Airport.  It had already landed, but we decided to watch it take off.  I was on the balcony, overlooking the tarmac, and the waiting 737, as well as a Vickers Viscount.  The older aircraft was already taking on its allotment of passengers, while the Boeing was getting its service check, and food taken on board.  

Soon the Viscount was ready to leave, its doors closed, in readiness for the taxi to the end of the runway, and final take off.  While its four Rolls Royce Dart engines started to whine, and scream, I had my eyes on the big jet (it was big to me as it was the first I have seen).  The Viscount made its way to the end of the runway, and eventually it turned, and took off for the skies.

Soon it was the Boeing’s turn to depart.  Instead of whining, like the Dart, the two jet engines just burst into power, one after the other.  It only took a minute before they were both sucking up the air, creating enough thrust to move the big beast.  Slowly it moved to the end of the runway.  As we all watched, the 737 had its engines round right up, and very quickly moved down the runway at a spanking pace.  It did not lift off until it was parallel to the airport, and when it did, there was a thunder from the back of the jets.  

The first time I flew in a Boeing 737 was in 1986 when I was on one of my Christmas holiday jaunts courtesy of New Zealand Railways.  The engineers had just completed the electrification of the North Island Main Trunk, and the Northerner Express was about to run after an absence of six days.  I took the overnight bus from Wellington to Auckland, hoping to return to the capital on the Northerner.  But I was out of luck.  The overnight train was running, alright but was completely booked out by a group of Japanese tourists.

I did not particularly relish the idea of traveling back by bus, so I wondered at first how I was going to get back.  Then the idea of flying back hit me, and so I made my way to the travel agent, in the midst of Auckland city, and booked my ticket.  

Eventually I made my way to the airport, to check in for the flight.  Soon the announcement for the flight was made, and along with the fifty or so fellow passengers, I made my way to the waiting aircraft ZK-NAK.  Quite often I saw the 737 from the balcony at Dunedin, or the rooftop of Christchurch airport.  Never before I saw one so close, its sleek lines standing out so well.  

Soon I was in my seat, listening to the music coming through the speaker system.  I felt really relaxed.  Another five minutes, I felt privileged to witness the safety demonstration, while the aircraft taxied to the runway.  For the first time, I realized that even though the two JT8D-9 engines made quite a racket from the outside, the sound proofed interior made them as quiet as possible.  

We were on the runway, and as it was quite long, (able to take the 747) we did not have to go right to the end.  No sooner had we reached it, I felt my torso pull back into the seat as the engines put on more thrust.  Then we were belting down the tar seal at great speed, and just as quickly we took off.  

My eyes were focused out the tiny windows, looking at the scenery, as it disappeared below us.  The climb was quite steep.  As soon as we levelled off, the hostesses came with refreshments, giving to all the passengers something to drink, and to eat.  

The flight was with out incident, infact it was even smoother than I had imagined.  The only disappointment in the flight was that it had to terminate.  When it did, I felt the plane dip, and slow down.  Eventually, the ground below us came up to meet us, and when we were over Wellington Harbour, I knew the flight was about to come to a halt.

The Boeing 737 design is now quite old, yet, it still is a modern airliner.  It is the most successful passenger jet with over 3000 being built, and orders are still being accepted.  Taking the point of one who has flown as a passenger, the 737 is a smooth airliner.

“back to index”