Think of the DC-9 as "sports car" in the MG/Miata/Toyota MR2 tradition. Think of the B717...er 'scuse me, the DC-9-95, as the Ferrari of airliners. Close to the same airframe as a DC9-30 or 40, but instead of a wheezing 14,000 lbs or so of thrust, think 18500-21000 lbs BMW-RR engines depending on gross-weight version (basic is 18500 for 110,000lbs gross, 21000 lbs for 121000 lbs gross). Actually, that being said, I think you could make a case for the CRJ-200 being the "new sports car". It's a bit of a slug getting off the ground (no slats), but once in the air, climbs like a scared cat and seems to manoeuver like a Lear...I imagine its Brazilian competitor is similar. Mike Gammon > > From: Shaun Grover <sgrover@sk.sympatico.ca> > Date: 2002/08/27 Tue PM 11:21:33 EDT > To: AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU > Subject: The "sports car" of commercial airliners > > Which of the MD Series of aircraft is closest in specs to the original > DC9? I guess including a B717 as well. When I mean spec I mean closest > in climb rate, cruise speed etc. I was talking with a friend who used to > be a Captain/First Officer on them for Air Canada and she told me she > thought the DC9 was the "sports car" of commercial airliners. I guess I > was wondering what its modern equivalent would be. > > > > Shaun Grover > > > > sgrover@sk.sympatico.ca > > ICQ: 876075 >