The Peugeot 172 is nice, but tops out at 37 mph. The brakes are a little questionable, too.
Posted on 04/14/2024 12:33:42 PM PDT by libh8er
Today, the interior of a commercial aircraft operated by a full-service network carrier like United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or American Airlines looks very different from what it did thirty years ago. The economy cabin looks relatively the same, although technological upgrades like modern seatback televisions and in-seat power outlets may make the passenger experience somewhat more enjoyable. Across the board, however, the cabin's configuration is not that different.
Towards the front of the aircraft, however, is where things really get interesting and where a stark contrast can be seen between the present and the past. Prior to the turn of the millennium, aircraft were typically configured with three classes: first, business, and economy.
While the business class and economy cabins remain, first class is undoubtedly on its way out, with just a few carriers still operating a full business class cabin. However, a new cabin has emerged between the business and economy offering, with just a few more benefits compared to the main cabin: premium economy. In this article, we will look deeper at the fascinating correlation between premium economy's increasing popularity and first-class cabins' decline.
A key transformation
In first class cabins, passengers have for decades been able to access fully lie-flat seats, those which fully reclined to allow one to have as reminiscent of a slumber as they would down on the ground. These seats were only purchased by the highest-spending echelons of travelers, and business travelers were often relegated to the comfortable recliners made available in business class.
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LOL
Then: First / Business / Economy
Now: Business / Premium Economy / Economy
Three classes then and now. What’s the difference? No lie-flat seats in the new Business. Big whoop.
The last time I flew in First (about 1982) the lie-flat seats hadn’t even been invented. Plus, you still got china plates, metal silverware, and real food.
Why Some Airlines Have Abandoned First Class.
Not that many who are left ?.
I use to fly back and forth to Germany every two weeks and racked up at least a million miles. Aside from the baggage allowance it wasn’t worth bothering using miles. When I would try to use miles they sent me all over. One example was trying to fly from SFO to LAX. Seems easy since there are probably a hundred flights a day, right? BUT they wanted to make the route through Chicago, to Phoenix, and then finally LAX making a one hour flight a full day of travel. And in all thos years I only got the “free” upgrade once.
Excellent summation.
My grandmother paid first class in the 1970s to send me brother and me home from a visit. If it was plush, i don’t remember.
During the Reagan years being in uniform got me into first class quite a few times.
The days of flying was easier when food was free, peanuts were endless, and unlimited booze was free, and if they really like you they would let you sit for awhile in the cockpit during the flight.
A cell phone has better screen resolution and clarity and the power plugs are always broken. Boeing could get a better deal getting the home depot 10-outlets for $7.99 deal. They are more durable.
yep! those were the days! the stewardesses were also smoking hot then
Corporate jets are still the way to if you got ‘em.
Not to speak of actual food with real silverware [SS anyway] and cloth napkins.
Yep, a real meal and free booze was part of the deal.
Airlines used to be wild and full fifth size bottles were kept in cases stacked high in the entrance to the Continental reservation office in Houston, anything you did for them resulted in you being handed a bottle or two to go as a thank you.
They invited me to their Continental Airlines party once and a vice-president and I hit it off so of course after the party died he sent for hookers for he and I and wanted me to come to LA to work for him.
Internationally, it can be steep. Los Angeles to Singapore would probably be around $1,500 economy, $2,500 premium economy, $7,000 business, and $18,000 first. To me, on long-haul flights the difference between business and economy is worth every penny - but the difference between first and business is not worth the huge price difference. So customers in that category are usually either settling for business or moving over to private jet travel. The first class product isn’t seeing the demand it used to with the profusion of charter jet operators lately.
Do your own maintenance and inspections too.
Or, I have heard of mail-order annual inspections: send the logbooks with some green inserted; get logbooks back, signed and dated by the licensed mecknik.
(Quite familiar with the C172; helped Porsche install one of their engines w/reduction gearbox in a 172, back in the late 80s)
“Get into your stalls and quit all that mooing!”
I help my AP with the annual and if everything is pretty good and doesn’t require a lot of extra stuff it runs about $900, pretty reasonable.
Yep, the airframe inspection time is mostly pulling insp panels and interior, and putting it all back.
Porsche was determined to use distributors instead of mags on the Cessna 172 project. That required two batteries, two alternators, and two wiring harnesses that could be cris crossed at the buss bar if an alternator on one side, and a battery on the other side happened to fail.
For weight and balance, the batteries were mounted in the luggage compartment. The layout also required larger fuel lines and an electric fuel pump and filter mounted under the floor. The stuff crammed under that floor was ridiculous.
Very smooth running engine with a belt driven fan for consistant cooling, and twice as many hours before overhaul. Burned a couple less GPH (iirc). But the conversion added 70 pounds to the plane. The airframe was zero timed, with new windshield, etc.,plus new interior and new paint.
Porsche got the STC approved then shelved it. It was too expensive. Buyers said they might as well just get a 182, and be able to go faster and haul more.
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