The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, trijet—three jet engines—airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The 727 was the only trijet to be produced by Boeing. It was designed to service smaller airports with shorter runways, and it quickly became a staple for airlines around the world due to its versatility and efficiency.
Here's a breakdown of its key features:
- Engines: It famously has three turbojet engines. One engine is located on each side of the rear fuselage, and a third engine is located in the aft fuselage with an S-duct intake at the base of the vertical stabilizer.
- Capacity: Typically configured to carry between 149 and 189 passengers.
- Range: Depending on the model, it had a range suitable for short to medium-haul flights.
- Distinctive Features:
- T-tail: The horizontal stabilizer is mounted on top of the vertical stabilizer.
- Retractable Airstair: Many 727s were equipped with a retractable airstair under the fuselage, allowing passengers to board and deplane without needing ground support equipment, which was ideal for smaller airports.
- Wing Design: It has a highly swept wing design, which contributed to its speed.
The 727 first flew in 1963 and was a best-seller for much of the 1960s, and a significant number were still in service well into the 21st century, particularly as freighters, although passenger service is now rare.
