North Central Airlines history - DC-9 page 3

In 1970, North Central instituted a program to retrofit its McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 fleet with smokeless engines. Prior to the modification, the nine burner cans, where the burning of the jet fuel takes place, were cooled using extra jet fuel. This partially burned residual fuel exited the engine as black smoke.The newly designed replacement cans used air for cooling with the resulting difference shown on the DC-9 on the left during a demonstration flight. All of North Centrals jet fleet were modified by early 1972.

( These are links to individual aircraft histories )

North Central DC-9 fleet list

( These are links to individual aircraft histories )