Okay, here is a slightly more official word on Northern's plans. Thanks to a bit of research last night (and help from Walter), the previous original name of company was Legacy Airlines. That has changed, as have the fleet plans: originally 737-700s, now 717s. Perhaps RT can shed some light on Mr. Beauvais? ------------ Northern Airlines shows off Boeing 717 Start-up carrier parks jet it hopes to fly at Hancock International Airport. By Rick Moriarty Staff writer of the Syracuse Post-Standard Northern Airlines does not have the money to fly yet, but that didn't stop it from showing off the plane it hopes to fly once it has the money. The start-up carrier invited frequent air travelers, potential investors, government officials and members of economic development organizations to check out a Boeing 717 jet Wednesday at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Eighty-five people toured the plane. At Northern's request, the Boeing Co. chartered the 107-seat airliner from TWA Airlines and parked it at the airport for four hours for tours. Northern is trying to raise about $60 million, an amount that it says will allow it to lease new Boeing 717 planes and begin flying. The company says it will use Syracuse as its base and serve up to 42 cities after five years, offering low fares similar to those offered by successful start-up JetBlue Airways. Northern officials declined to comment about the company's financing efforts Wednesday because the company is undertaking a private placement of its stock and, under federal Securities and Exchange Commission rules, cannot publicly comment until the sale is complete. It has reported that it is selling some of its preferred stock privately through Newtek Securities LLC. Founders of the company have provided about $1.7 million, according to Northern. Northern recently hired Edward R. Beauvais, founder of America West Airlines, as its president and chief executive officer. The company's plan is to fly one type of plane, the Boeing 717, to minimize maintenance and training costs. Flying a single aircraft type is a strategy that has been successfully employed by low-fare carriers such as JetBlue, Southwest and Frontier. Boeing designed the 717 for short- and medium-haul service and the ability to sustain eight to 10 one-hour flights a day. That is the type of flying that Northern says will constitute most of its operations. First put into service in 1999, the plane is powered by twin Rolls-Royce engines. It uses advanced flight deck technology featuring liquid crystal displays in the cockpit instead of old-fashioned analog dials.