I can imagine that this is a much welcomed update for the flight crews of this venerable aircraft.
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I bet it is, but that’s not why they update the cockpit though. Old analogue gauges are pricey and hard to find replacement units for, these days.
Plus new RNP approaches demand new presentation and because of this, new hardware.
Without being RNP-AR compliant they will be last in the cueue into airports and can’t plan with shorter approaches and significantly less fuel.
We’re updating our Dash 8 Classic fleet with new hardware too.
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We were supposed to update our 75s and 76s as CRTs are in short supply (and we own most of those that exist). That we haven’t indicates the pending end of the fleet. That’s just speculation. But nobody makes CRTs. Either upgrade like UPS has or park the planes.
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I remember when those things were bleeding edge. EAL was a launch customer for the 757 and I was based in MIA at the time. They had such new car smell when we got them. The flight crews were very happy to give panel tours if you were a pilot, or just showed a little interest. It didn’t take long to begin adjusting derated climbs and we probably broke a year’s worth of first class china in the first two weeks! Those damn things were such beasts!
A friend of mine bought a hand carved train whistle in the Saturday market on a PDX layover. When he was flying senior, he would ask the captain for an especially aggressive departure. They loved complying. So we’d be barreling down the runway, everyone pinned in their seats, and that dude would blow his train whistle over the PA. To say it was hysterical is a gross understatement.
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I get misty-eyed at the thought of seeing this fleet go away. They are the most delightful airliners to fly. The 75 is a rocket-ship and the 76 is a fingertip dancer. The Pitts rarely thrills me like the 767-300. Most find that hard to believe, but for me it is true.
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