Whatever happened to the L-1011 tristar jet. That plane was my favorite!?

Question

I really miss the plane because it was pretty much one of a kind. Great safety record, and was smooth lookin' lol. From the side the top engine looked like a "S", well it seems that the top tail was built into the number 2 engine. And the dual rotating beacon lights on the top and bottom of the aircraft were unique, in which they didnt flash, but they seemed to slowly glow on and off. I miss my bird, but am glad that i got to fly on her about 10+ times or so in my life.

Answer 1

There are several reasons. First, the poor sales of the type (brought on by developmental problems with the Rolls Royce RB211) meant that spares, technical support, and experience with the type were hard to come by as years rolled by. As well as the fact there were less than 300 made.

Also the TriStar was full of advanced features but was a totally analogue aircraft, meaning that systems were very complex and maintenance intensive, a major factor in the last half of their lives. Many TriStars would become 'hangar queens' after long checks, developing numerous problems by just sitting. It turns out many of the electrical components required vibration, heat, and use to keep the contacts from getting dirty and corroded.

Better availability of the DC10 (whose passenger carrying life is also ending) and newer types like the A330 and 777 have contributed to the mass retirement of this type.

Answer 2

Well, there were only around 250 built - the L1011 had lost out to its main contemporary competitor, the McDonnell Douglas DC10 - because of delays and developmental problems with the Rolls Royce RB211 engine (RR had financial problems at the time). You might recall a scandal where Lockheed paid some bribes to a Japanese underworld figure in order to grease some sales to ANA (All Nippon Airways), which resulted in the US government passing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Its lagging sales resulted in Lockheed exiting the commercial aviation altogether.

Some of the major carriers using it included Delta, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, ANA, Airlanka, Gulf Air. However, as time went on, with the introduction of more fuel efficient aircraft such as the 767, 777, and Airbus A330, airlines began to phase out the L1011 Tristar. I'm sure there are still some being used as charter or cargo aircraft somewhere.

Answer 3

The L1011 is also one my favorite of the airliners. I traveled over the Atlantic in one and sitting in the rear I could imagine that huge intake up above my head. It was an advanced aircraft in it's day and was considered superior to the DC-10 in man respects. The slightly late arrival on the scene saw it outsold by the DC-10 and only 250 were built. Lockheed lost billions and left the airliner business. They remain in service but on a limited basis. Many former British Airways Tri-stars were converted to military service in Great Britain.
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Here's more information
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L-1011
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and some good pics
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http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=Lockheed+L-1011+TriStar&airlinesearch=&countrysearch=&specialsearch=&daterange=&keywords=&range=&sort_order=&page_limit=15&thumbnails=&calccount=1223169&truecount=false&engine_version=6.0
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Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Whatever happened to the L-1011 tristar jet. That plane was my favorite!?
I really miss the plane because it was pretty much one of a kind. Great safety record, and was smooth lookin' lol. From the side the top engine looked like a "S", well it seems that the top tail was built into the number 2 engine. And the dual rotating beacon lights on the top and...

Answer 5

With the exception of ATA, Delta Airlines was the last major airline to use the L1011. Without a doubt they got their moneies worth out of her. She was a plane before her time. She was the first commercial aircraft to incorperate digital bus technology. From a maintenance stand point the "S" duct for the #2 engine was much prefered over the DC10 and MD11 for accessability. And to this day I still have not seen an aircraft autoland (CAT III) as well as the L1011 (when it was working....not as reliable as the newer Boeing system). Many of the newer aircraft autoland firmly planting them self on the ground, but the L1011, specifically the L1011-500 with its active control system would glide in smooothly every time.

Answer 6

Blame the Boeing 767 and 777's and certain Aurbus models.. Almost the same capacity, but with 2 engines, newer and cheaper to operate.
Your Tristars are suffering the same fate as the older Boeing 747's.

I remember Eastern Airlines and TWA had quite a few of them.
Ever check this web site? It's a big one, but they must have a zillion photos, all for free.

Answer 7

They are STILL flying in the US for ATA. Not much longer though. They are already gonna strat to replace them with the DC-10. And as of October 2007 the last tristars were being parked.

For most 1011's there fate was being sent to storage.

I agree it was one great aircraft. It was the only time that a McDonnell Douglas aircraft had a better competetor(ie DC-10 vs L1011) The Tristar was faster(Mach 0.92) had a larger flight deck, was prefered by crews and was cooler looking than the DC-10. And it had a CAT III landing capability in the 1980's. ( Maybe the Trident also had this capability but it was far from sand on the beach) Plus a whole set of new systems and gizmos.

Here's a few pictures of them in ATA service. http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=Lockheed%25&airlinesearch=American+Trans+Air+-+ATA%7CATA+Airlines%7CAer+Lingus+%28American+Trans+Air+-+ATA%29%7CAir+Malta+%28American+Trans+Air+-+ATA%29%7CUntitled+%28American+Trans+Air+-+ATA%29%7CUntitled+%28ATA+Airlines%29%7CBritish+Airways+%28American+Trans+Air+-+ATA%29%7CAir+Afrique+%28American+Trans+Air+-+ATA%29%7CAir+Berlin+%28American+Trans+Air+-+ATA%29%7CPleasant+Hawaiian+Holidays+%28American+Trans+Air+-+ATA%29%7CPleasant+Hawaiian+Holidays+%28ATA+Airlines%29&countrysearch=&specialsearch=&daterange=&keywords=&range=&sort_order=&page_limit=15&thumbnails=&calccount=Updating...&truecount=false&engine_version=6.0

Answer 8

Don't forget that as well as some being in commercial service the Royal Air Force use them in the transport and AAR role.

I agree though, somehow it was a more attractive looking aircraft than the DC-10.

Answer 9

The L-1011 was produced by Lockheed. It had slow sales and Lockheed had to withdraw from commercial aircraft all together.

Answer 10

Lockheed L1011