American Airlines Virtual

So I've been on this slight retro kick lately... I've been flying the J-41, A-300 and 727. My last flight to close out the current bid was from Newark-Liberty back to O'Hare and I thought the boeing 727-200 would be a fine choice for this relatively short hop. I flew online and had service, if you could call it that, from NY Approach/Departure and NY Center. Now, conditions at EWR were, "overcast" and foggy to say the least...



Just finding my way around the airport was a challenge...



Departure tried to hand me off to a non-existent Center controller and just forgot about me after I told him I didn't have the controller he indicated on my ATC list. After a few minutes, I decided to chock up the oversight to a large amount of traffic and changed over to NY CTR on my own after I punched through the cloud cover...

He quickly dismissed me to "resume own navigation so I joined my route and altitude on my own. As his predecessor, he also forgot about me and I gladly switched over to UNICOM once I left his airspace without even a thank you for services. Oh well... off to ORD I go.

The AHM must have sensed that I was on my way back because I kept getting ACARS messages to call his office. All I can say is there better be some fresh java in the pilot's lounge when I get back...

It's been a while since I have flown the 722. I have to admit it kept my hands full during departure and descent/approach. Otto is not really the greates pilot on this model of aircraft. I hoped that the weather in Chicago would improve just a bit by the time we arrived, but the METAR still showed overcast at 1800. I guess it could be worse...

Just as predicted, we didn't catch the runway lights until right at 1800 ft. The ILS also didn't come alive until we were pretty darn close to 31R. Good thing I did my navigation homework and came out of the clouds right where I needed to be.

Final approach started low as I needed the visibility without the ILS signal. I was quickly reminded of the slow throttle response of the 727 and the slightly faster approach speed, but I got her back together eventually...

Touchdown was slightly rougher than what I'm used to at about -216 fpm, but with this weather and equipment I'll take it...

I saw some people running around the AA gates frantically as I was on short final. By the time I got off the runway and turned my cell phone on I had no less than 4 text messages from Jeff asking where I was...

I eventually found my way to the assigned gate once I waded through the maze of taxiways at O'Hare and quite a bit of traffic departing Chicago this fine evening. All in all it was a good flight and I felt pretty satisfied that I was able to handle the baby three-holer and get it home successfully. Thank you for flying American Airlines! Now, the last one off has to clean the aircraft. I'm off for some fresh coffe...

Great shots. Good story.

LOL Thanks Bert! I will look forward to it.

Great Shots Norberto!!