Reliable old bird surplus to the nest

By IAN STUART

The Air Force has one more-than-slightly used VIP passenger jet for sale by tender, but there is a catch or two.

The Boeing 727-100 is 37 years old, has not flown for several months (although the tender documents say it is in serviceable condition) and an increasing number of airports round the world are refusing to let it land because it is too noisy.

On the plus side, it comes with four spare engines and a host of other spares.

Registration of interest for the old Boeing closes at 3pm tomorrow and after tender documents are sent out, tenders close on November 7.

The Boeing 727 is one of two the Air Force flew as combination cargo and passenger planes for more than 20 years after they were bought second-hand in 1981. They carried troops and VIPs round the country and overseas where New Zealand was involved in peacekeeping or monitoring.

Seats were removed for transporting cargo, and the aircraft had large side-loading doors.

The 727s have been replaced by Boeing 757 aircraft, which have also been modified with side cargo doors and strengthened floors to take cargo pallets.

The Air Force is keeping one of the 727s and it has made a final flight to Woodbourne, near Blenheim, where the tail will be taken off and it will be housed in a hangar by Christmas for use as a training aid by thousands of aviation trades workers.

By any standards the Boeing 727s are old aircraft. They were designed with a relatively short range but were ideal for short-haul freight and passenger services in the United States.

Their limited range was a problem for the Air Force. A flight to England would take up to six days when taking into account fuel stops, crew hours, overnight stays and breakdowns as the old aircraft became increasingly unreliable because of their age and condition.

Airport clampdowns on noise levels were also a problem. The jets needed special permission to land at some destinations.

The 727s lack the modern navigation and communications equipment needed to fly in crowded air routes at between 28,000ft and 30,000ft.

Their radar systems are also hard to service because spare parts are now scarce.

But the two aircraft were a bargain when bought for $15 million in 1981. A third flyable 727 was bought for spares for just under $4 million.

Rigorous Air Force maintenance and the skill of its engineers - regarded as some of the best in the world - meant the old aircraft delivered good and long service.

The Boeing being sold has been parked at Christchurch Airport for several months. The Air Force says it still has some serious life left in it as a freight plane.

For sale

* One well-used Boeing 727-100

* 37 years old

* Four spare engines

* Serviceable condition

* Tenders close November 7

- NZPA