![]() The first delivery, to launch customer Swissair took place on September 13, 1980. The flight-testing leading up to certification had involved three aircraft accumulating a total of 1,085 flying hours on 795 flights. Although two aircraft were substantially damaged in accidents, test flying was completed on August 25, 1980, when the first variant and respectively production model, the JT8D-209-powered DC-9-81, was certified under an amendment to the FAA type certificate for the DC-9. The first Series 80, DC-9 line number 909, made its first flight on Octoas the Super 80. Only the last variant, MD-88, was officially approved under the new designation with McDonnell Douglas initials (MD- prefix). The official type designations according to the type certificate are still the original ones, where MD designator could be used in parentheses: DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83) and DC-9-87 (MD-87). ![]() Testing and certification Īn MD-80 of the type's launch customer, Swissair The launch of the next variants or the production models MD-81, MD-82, MD-83, MD-87 and MD-88 followed in October 1977, April 16, 1979, January 31, 1983, January 1985 and January 23, 1986. The launch customer for the Series 80 was Swissair, with an October 1977 order for 15 plus an option for five. It was therefore the first derivative or second generation of the DC-9. With entry into service projected in 1980, the design was initially designated as the DC-9-80 (DC-9 Series 80) or later stylized as the DC-9 Super 80 (short Super 80). The design effort focused on the Series 55 in August 1977. Availability of newer versions of the Pratt & Whitney JT8D turbofan engine with higher bypass ratios and thrust ratings drove early studies including designs known as Series 55, Series 50 (refanned Super Stretch), and Series 60. In the 1970s, Douglas began development of a lengthened version of the DC-9-50, with a higher maximum take-off weight (MTOW), larger wing, new main landing gear, and higher fuel capacity. The DC-9 has a narrow-body fuselage design with five-abreast seating, and holds 80 to 135 passengers depending on seating arrangement and aircraft version. The DC-9 was an all-new design, using two rear fuselage-mounted turbofan engines, and a T-tail. The DC-9 was developed by Douglas Aircraft in the 1960s as a short-range companion to their larger DC-8.
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