All these years later and this is STILL thee best jet engine start sequence on the internet. Listening to those Pratt & Whitney JT3-D's firing up is a sound that will never get old.
Spring of 99, I was a 19 year old Ramp Rat for Kitty Hawk. Will never forget the first night I walked by a DC-8 firing up, that noise scared the hell out of me....been in love with it ever since.
Me too! Summers 73-77 I was a Ramp Rat for Air Canada. Long haul aircraft were mainly DC8s. L1011s came along later. But loved the howl those DC8s let out when they went through the starting sequence. Still gives me goose bumps.
I never get tired of this video. This is a sound gone forever. Spending more than 10 years around this airplane type, I have nothing but great memories. Thanks for posting this great video.
Still can't forget that sound. Spent 10 years on these and the many times I started the engines. It sounded better on the inside. Hope this video never gets removed as that is gone forever. The long duct -7 engines don't make that sound. Thanks for sharing.
(Below message for the one who refers to the DC-8 as ugly etc, but it's appeared in wrong spot) DC-8 was described rightly in an Airways magazine as a thoroughbred. Not only a looker, but with a performance and durability unmatched, as the years have proven. Thanks for posting all these, great! I only ever saw one of the Air NZ DC-8's which remained as a freigther, and in the 80s, it was the only Air NZ jet turning a profit. It won the 1987 Singapore - Christhurch Air Race by a long margin.
Wow, I can remember hearing that "Whooooooo" sound of the air start procedure when I was growing up near ATL in College Park, GA. Thanks for sharing the video!
Always loved hearing those start up on the ramp at Hartsfield in ATL as a kid. My dad worked for Delta and we flew quite a lot in the 70's & 80's. We lived close enough to the airport in East Point, GA that at night while I was going to bed I could hear them start up.
Oh the memories! We lived near Singapore's International Airport when I was a young child, and we'd hear these engines at startup. If the wind was blowing from the right direction, it meant that a DC-8 would soon be flying right over our house! Good times, good times!
My first jet. Freight Dog with Evergreen International Airlines, flying the -61, -63, and later the -73 Series. Absolutely love the sound of those magnificent JT3D's howling to life. Remember them as a teen back in the 1960's as well. This is the best video of the old 61 Series howling to life. No automation back then, just a magnificent aircraft that flew like an angel! Thanks for a great video!! Mike Kelly, San Angelo, TX
I was a ramp agent for Delta for over 15 years. These engine/starters would put the fear of God in you when you were standing next to them when they hit the starter. Even with the best ear protection your ears were damaged beyond repair. VERY loud airplane... and a pain to load and unload....
Agreed! Love The Plane & Start Up but " ramping it " PIE Charters, in the 80's , Brutal! ( But as of now, I would never, ever want to change what I experienced! ) ✈️
My first flight was onboard a United Airlines DC-8 super 60 series with the red, white, and blue "friendship" livery. Such an awesome airplane. Looks good and sounds good too.
The DC-8 was truly an airline classic that symbolized the glorious 60s and U.S. superiority in aviation. We lived near an airport when I was a kid, where the unforgettable "howling" sound from the aircraft's P&W engines would actually lull me to sleep at nights! Certainly brings back great memories! Too bad Boeing never gave the DC-8 its proper place in aviation history.
Oh that brings me back to the mid 70's as a child with my face glued to those HUGE windows flying on DC-8-43 with the RR Conways, DC-8-53 & DC-8-55CF with P&W JT3Ds and the DC-8-63 with the JT3D-7 wrapped in the long sausage nacelle.
It sounds like it makes that sound right when the air hits the air starter and spins it up. None of the other jets I flew made that sound, but all used air starters. It must have had a rapid opening valve to spin it up that quick. I did notice on later DC-8's using the same engine didn't make that sound anymore. They just have installed a slower opening start valve.
Thank you for the video of this beautiful plane, a much welcome relief from the boring 2 engine bloated wing mounted or flimsy T- tail engine planes used today.
Oh my gosh! I thought I'd never find it, but there it is. It just couldn't be a sweeter sound of classic aviation. Thank you so much for creating this video. I can almost smell that jet fuel burnin'!
Aviation of the 70ties. This was the farewell sound at the waving point of Kingston Palesados Airport, as the Air Jamaica & Air Canada DC-8`s would start up.
Yes, the DC-8's track record is impressive, yet unsung, and reached an era when they have even outlasted the planes intended to replace them! And of course on May 30 just gone, it was the 50th anniversary of the maiden flight of 'Ship One', the DC-8 prototype. Incredibly, this very historic aicraft was still at Marana in the new millenium. But in 2001, she was scrapped! An act of travesty as some place would have preserved her.
I can't agree with you more on that remark, coolspindrift especially as regards the contours of the nose, such a class and style. Though I prefer the series 50, as the 61 and 63 series seem a little long out of proportion. None-the-the-less, it showed how the '8 could be developed, this and the 63 enjoyed being the world's largest jetliner until the 747 appeared on the scene. In some ways, the DC-8 has beaten the 707.
Look at the date on the video. This was over 20 years ago. Production finished in 1973, and JAL hasn't used DC-8s for a long time. In fact there are only a handful of the total of 556 DC-8s built flying now, almost all carrying cargo.
Thanks for the quote from Airways. "Thoroughbred" is a perfect description for the DC-8. The "ideal" airliner: sleek, graceful, and a well-proven workhorse over decades.
@diwiggins I heard this as a kid watching KLM DC-8-50's, but it has taken me more than 45 years to learn about the reason for this unique sound feature....Thanks!!
You are welcome. That must have been something. Sadly, few airliners get preserved (while military get preserved often in multiple numbers). But even less do early jetliner cabins get preserved. Though of course most have long since been refitted before retirement. I'm actually trying to push this country to save the sole remaining DC-8 - which was our first jet airliner. for the most isolated nation in the world, this was a quantum leap in not only aviation, but social and cultural history.
Yeh, these aicraft represent an era in travel not found today, the windows are quite large compared to a Boeing. Note also ther good space between windows, and seats corresponded. alas I have never had the chance to fly on one.
Great plane, but when I flew it as United Airlines in Chicago, I sat in the left side behind the wing, but my seat was between windows, so the front one was over wing, and the one behind me, was hard to look out of. This was 1986 I believe that I flew on it.
That's because the frames were spaced at 40 inches because the coach cabins in prop days were spaced that way, but then the airlines started reducing seat pitch to cram in more seats, thus a window seat with no window.
@hargohargo2 It's so sad that more and more of these beautiful classic airliners get retired every year. I can't remember the last time I saw one of these here down under.
i had the privilage to fly on one of these vancouver to calgary quite a while ago and on a CPair DC8 strech vancouver to toronto and then on to montreal back in the summer of 1978
I worked at Seaboard World cargo at JFK a long time ago , circa 1966,. Our DC-8 55's had a combustion start available on #3 engine. It was intended for use off route where a jet start might not be available. The bleed air would then start the other three. There was a high pressure air chamber on top of Rt. MLG strut and a small jet pkg. on the side if #3 compressor case fueled by an alcahol water mix, that strut air and the jet pkg would send air to the starter. A huge cloud of white smoke would flow from the starter outlet enveloping the whole right side of the A/C. I can't find info on this COMBUSTION START SYSTEM. Any one have any info to add?
This was a "low" start. You can hear the start cart fire up and the rpm surge when the output air is switched on and thus delivering air to the DC-8 for the air starters.
UAL SFO service center 60's/70's This was my favorite engine [JT3D1 and D3] when doing taxi ,runups. Had that unique howl when starting . When taxiing and going into reverse would sometimes backfire [flame] from the bifurcated ducts.
![MUST HEAR!!! Boeing 707 Takeoff: Four JT3D turbofan engines giving their best & loudest! [AirClips]](/img/1.gif)
All these years later and this is STILL thee best jet engine start sequence on the internet. Listening to those Pratt & Whitney JT3-D's firing up is a sound that will never get old.
Starting at 2:09, that howl. Still gives me chills because I know immediately after, the beautiful sound of a true jet engine comes to life.
The blow job cart, as we used to call it. Even in the 90s we sometimes had to use it if the onboard APU was inoperative.
何度聞いてもいいですね！当時はこのエンジンスタートの吠える音が聞こえて無事出発出来たことを思い出します。
Spring of 99, I was a 19 year old Ramp Rat for Kitty Hawk. Will never forget the first night I walked by a DC-8 firing up, that noise scared the hell out of me....been in love with it ever since.
Me too! Summers 73-77 I was a Ramp Rat for Air Canada. Long haul aircraft were mainly DC8s. L1011s came along later. But loved the howl those DC8s let out when they went through the starting sequence. Still gives me goose bumps.
昔の飛行機のエンジン音たまりませんね！もう聞くことはないでしょうね。ケロシンの匂いが漂ってきそうな、本当に貴重な映像です！ありがとうございます！
怪獣の咆哮を思わせる吠えるような轟音こそがDC-8の真骨頂。たとえ機体が見えなくてもこの音だけでCD-8だとわかったものです。
I never get tired of this video. This is a sound gone forever. Spending more than 10 years around this airplane type, I have nothing but great memories. Thanks for posting this great video.
Still can't forget that sound. Spent 10 years on these and the many times I started the engines. It sounded better on the inside. Hope this video never gets removed as that is gone forever. The long duct -7 engines don't make that sound. Thanks for sharing.
I never thought I'd hear that sound again! I'm so glad I found this video!
That engine startup sounds just beautiful!
(Below message for the one who refers to the DC-8 as ugly etc, but it's appeared in wrong spot) DC-8 was described rightly in an Airways magazine as a thoroughbred. Not only a looker, but with a performance and durability unmatched, as the years have proven. Thanks for posting all these, great! I only ever saw one of the Air NZ DC-8's which remained as a freigther, and in the 80s, it was the only Air NZ jet turning a profit. It won the 1987 Singapore - Christhurch Air Race by a long margin.
Loved that engine starting sound. Thank you
Wow, I can remember hearing that "Whooooooo" sound of the air start procedure when I was growing up near ATL in College Park, GA. Thanks for sharing the video!
Always loved hearing those start up on the ramp at Hartsfield in ATL as a kid. My dad worked for Delta and we flew quite a lot in the 70's & 80's. We lived close enough to the airport in East Point, GA that at night while I was going to bed I could hear them start up.
Oh the memories! We lived near Singapore's International Airport when I was a young child, and we'd hear these engines at startup. If the wind was blowing from the right direction, it meant that a DC-8 would soon be flying right over our house! Good times, good times!
My first jet. Freight Dog with Evergreen International Airlines, flying the -61, -63, and later the -73 Series. Absolutely love the sound of those magnificent JT3D's howling to life. Remember them as a teen back in the 1960's as well. This is the best video of the old 61 Series howling to life. No automation back then, just a magnificent aircraft that flew like an angel! Thanks for a great video!! Mike Kelly, San Angelo, TX
It brings back memories from the 1970s, when Air New Zealand had DC-8 -52's .
I was a ramp agent for Delta for over 15 years. These engine/starters would put the fear of God in you when you were standing next to them when they hit the starter.
Even with the best ear protection your ears were damaged beyond repair.
VERY loud airplane... and a pain to load and unload....
Agreed! Love The Plane & Start Up but " ramping it " PIE Charters, in the 80's , Brutal! ( But as of now, I would never, ever want to change what I experienced! ) ✈️
Symphony to the ears.. Long live the dc 8s
lord I remember that beautiful sound,fromair Canada and air Jamaica this just brings water to my eyes
As a young boy who was crazy about planes, I fell in love with this aircraft.
My first flight was onboard a United Airlines DC-8 super 60 series with the red, white, and blue "friendship" livery. Such an awesome airplane. Looks good and sounds good too.
Classic airliners and classic cars sound better than today !!
Remember as a youngster Id ride my motorcycle to the BHM airport to watch planes the howl of that Delta DC8 is still music to my ears
sweet sounds of a time gone by
The DC-8 was truly an airline classic that symbolized the glorious 60s and U.S. superiority in aviation. We lived near an airport when I was a kid, where the unforgettable "howling" sound from the aircraft's P&W engines would actually lull me to sleep at nights! Certainly brings back great memories! Too bad Boeing never gave the DC-8 its proper place in aviation history.
Oh that brings me back to the mid 70's as a child with my face glued to those HUGE windows flying on DC-8-43 with the RR Conways, DC-8-53 & DC-8-55CF with P&W JT3Ds and the DC-8-63 with the JT3D-7 wrapped in the long sausage nacelle.
those start up "howls" are quite unique!
Love those air starts on the DC-8's. Worked for Universal Airlines, TIA and World Airways back then. A pleasure to fly.
I love DC-8, just classic. And those BIG passenger windows...
It sounds like it makes that sound right when the air hits the air starter and spins it up. None of the other jets I flew made that sound, but all used air starters. It must have had a rapid opening valve to spin it up that quick. I did notice on later DC-8's using the same engine didn't make that sound anymore. They just have installed a slower opening start valve.
Thank you for the video of this beautiful plane, a much welcome relief from the boring 2 engine bloated wing mounted or flimsy T- tail engine planes used today.
Oh my gosh! I thought I'd never find it, but there it is. It just couldn't be a sweeter sound of classic aviation. Thank you so much for creating this video. I can almost smell that jet fuel burnin'!
Same!
Oddly frightening, hypnotic and beautiful.
What a great sound! Brings back great memories of trips with my Dad.
Aviation of the 70ties.
This was the farewell sound at the waving point of Kingston Palesados Airport, as the Air Jamaica & Air Canada DC-8`s would start up.
Delta tried......
It's like a scream from a banshee! If hearing that doesn't send a shiver down your spine, nothing will!
Wow these engines sounded better than today’s jet engines
That start up sounded almost like one of those handheld vacuum cleaners you use to clean your car or something!
Yes, the DC-8's track record is impressive, yet unsung, and reached an era when they have even outlasted the planes intended to replace them! And of course on May 30 just gone, it was the 50th anniversary of the maiden flight of 'Ship One', the DC-8 prototype. Incredibly, this very historic aicraft was still at Marana in the new millenium. But in 2001, she was scrapped! An act of travesty as some place would have preserved her.
I can't agree with you more on that remark, coolspindrift especially as regards the contours of the nose, such a class and style. Though I prefer the series 50, as the 61 and 63 series seem a little long out of proportion. None-the-the-less, it showed how the '8 could be developed, this and the 63 enjoyed being the world's largest jetliner until the 747 appeared on the scene. In some ways, the DC-8 has beaten the 707.
Look at the date on the video. This was over 20 years ago. Production finished in 1973, and JAL hasn't used DC-8s for a long time. In fact there are only a handful of the total of 556 DC-8s built flying now, almost all carrying cargo.
Great startup sound, thanks for posting!
Thanks for the quote from Airways. "Thoroughbred" is a perfect description for the DC-8. The "ideal" airliner: sleek, graceful, and a well-proven workhorse over decades.
@diwiggins
I heard this as a kid watching KLM DC-8-50's, but it has taken me more than 45 years to learn about the reason for this unique sound feature....Thanks!!
haunting but beautiful god i miss those days
Damn FSX got this sound so correct
@diwiggins Thanks for the explanation of the "howling". I had just surmised it was the Air Genies!
That sound is so cool! Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome. That must have been something. Sadly, few airliners get preserved (while military get preserved often in multiple numbers). But even less do early jetliner cabins get preserved. Though of course most have long since been refitted before retirement. I'm actually trying to push this country to save the sole remaining DC-8 - which was our first jet airliner. for the most isolated nation in the world, this was a quantum leap in not only aviation, but social and cultural history.
I Love it,I love it! Sweet Music!
She is beautiful. An aircraft with character, unlike the stuff with have today.
I agree 100%! The crap they "fly" nowadays is pathetic. Doesn't even make me look up.
This is SOUL POWER !!!!!!!
Amazing.Fantastic!
Music to my ears
2:07 magic being delivered from the airstart unit
Awesome sounds❤️
Priceless
Fuel into noise. Love it!
Yeh, these aicraft represent an era in travel not found today, the windows are quite large compared to a Boeing. Note also ther good space between windows, and seats corresponded. alas I have never had the chance to fly on one.
Wonderful! Viva DC8's!!!
fabolous noise!
Metroliner 2 It's the best engine start sequence video I've seen. There's a symphony of mechanical music that isn't heard anymore...sadly.
Sweet Music,love the sound of 40psi turning the turbines!
Great plane, but when I flew it as United Airlines in Chicago, I sat in the left side behind the wing, but my seat was between windows, so the front one was over wing, and the one behind me, was hard to look out of. This was 1986 I believe that I flew on it.
That's because the frames were spaced at 40 inches because the coach cabins in prop days were spaced that way, but then the airlines started reducing seat pitch to cram in more seats, thus a window seat with no window.
@hargohargo2 It's so sad that more and more of these beautiful classic airliners get retired every year. I can't remember the last time I saw one of these here down under.
I would love to straddle one of those engines.
i had the privilage to fly on one of these vancouver to calgary quite a while ago and on a CPair DC8 strech vancouver to toronto and then on to montreal back in the summer of 1978
Sweet Music!
It's an air start unit that supplies air to start angine.
Like this roar!!!!
@JPetroSS Thats actually huffer blowing compressed air to turn the engines..
I think RUclips was released in 2005 this is a really old video.
Just as I remember, the engine starter sound
I worked at Seaboard World cargo at JFK a long time ago , circa 1966,. Our DC-8 55's had a combustion start available on #3 engine. It was intended for use off route where a jet start might not be available. The bleed air would then start the other three. There was a high pressure air chamber on top of Rt. MLG strut and a small jet pkg. on the side if #3 compressor case fueled by an alcahol water mix, that strut air and the jet pkg would send air to the starter. A huge cloud of white smoke would flow from the starter outlet enveloping the whole right side of the A/C. I can't find info on this COMBUSTION START SYSTEM. Any one have any info to add?
I always liked the DC-8 more than the 707 or 720
Haunting sound on start up👻 Are those bypass openings on the side of the engines?
They are the thrust reverser panels. They open like venetian blinds when the pilot engages thrust reverse during landing.
"Gentlemen, I will now fly." ...Wilbur Wright, 1908
This was a "low" start. You can hear the start cart fire up and the rpm surge when the output air is switched on and thus delivering air to the DC-8 for the air starters.
the only thing is that with the -70 upgrade you get 20-30% more thrust on about 1/2 the fuel. It's a no brainer!
Very nice start up sound, are you a japanese spotter?
I was about to comment about the windows...lol really big!
only one -60F is left... sadly soon to be replaced by a 757
by the way those are Jt3B-3B engines capable of 16000lbs of thrust.. each
JT3D-3B 18,000 lbs thrust up to 30C, 86F at sea level.
why do these engines look so...different (longer) than other DC-8 models even though they are basically the same (JT3D)?
Diesel 8 the best aircraft ever!!!!!!!
2:37 is my favorite part
1:33
Ugly?? I'm sure when you are the same age as this plane, you won't look so graceful as it does. I wonder if next you think Concorde is ugly as well...
I thought the High/low starter was only on #3.
スタート音が少しF-15に似ていますね
日本アジア航空！
UAL SFO service center 60's/70's This was my favorite engine [JT3D1 and D3] when doing taxi ,runups. Had that unique howl when starting . When taxiing and going into reverse would sometimes backfire [flame] from the bifurcated ducts.
What exactly causes the "howl" sound on start-up? Does anyone know?
Japan Asia Airways is crated only for Taiwan routes only after Japan Airlines stop service to Taiwan
amazing long!
That is the start valve opening causing the compressed air from the start cart to start spinning the turbine for start
Dc-8 fe
Start turning the starter which turns over the engine....
I hate the huge windows of the DC-8s. Make them look much smaller than they are. Otherwise a sleek aircraft, esp the super 60s.
Do DC-8's have onboard APU?
No.
DC-8-super 63
DC8-61.....
Very long
The year this clip was recorded is 1987. incoming horde of rabid fnaf fanboys!