Doral Cadet Squadron visited the hangar of World Atlantic Airlines

DORAL, FL – The Doral Cadet Squadron, of the Civil Air Patrol, the official Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, conducted a visit to the hangar of World Atlantic Airlines, located at Miami International Airport.

The cadets had the opportunity to enjoy a unique educational experience in the aerospace field led by the Deputy Commander and Aerospace Education Officer, Lieutenant Sabatella, as well as Lieutenant Commander Idania Llanio and Sergeant Noel Feliciano.

In their enriching visit, cadets were welcomed by the President and CEO, Tomás Romero, Ground Operations Supervisor, Pedro Vega, Aircraft Maintenance, José Guerrero and Chief Inspector, Fernando Rivera.

During the visit to the hangar of World Atlantic Airlines, they had the chance to explore an MD-80 model aircraft, which was the highlight experience for the entire group. It was two hours filled with aviation experience and general knowledge at one of the busiest airports in the United States.

In addition, they witnessed the operation of vertical and horizontal stabilizers put to be tested, as well as the functioning of the landing gear performing a full 360-degree turn for recognition. Also, they explored the aircraft’s storage compartment, and, most importantly, observed and comprehended what they had learned in aerospace classes. This included fundamental concepts such as the use of the four forces that interact in an aircraft, aerodynamics, and the center of gravity.

The cadets learned about the operation and logistics of an aircraft from each of the operators, including preparations for takeoff, landing, and maintenance. Important control points of the aircraft were also highlighted, explained in detail by the specialized technicians in their respective roles at the airline.

Lieutenant Sabatella’s experience as a former pilot of this aircraft model complemented the basic technical knowledge about the plane, such as:

• The typical range of the MD-80 varies by model, but it can generally cover distances of around 2,100 to 2,700 miles, for example, routes from Miami to Puerto Rico, Miami to the Dominican Republic, and Miami to Tucson. The maximum altitude capability specified by the manufacturer is 37,000 feet.
• Fuel Capacity: The fuel capacity of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 can vary depending on the version and specific configurations, but on average, it can carry between 7,500 and 9,000 US gallons of aviation kerosene.

The MD-80 is an aircraft known by various nicknames in the aviation world, such as “Mad Dog” for the initials of McDonnell Douglas, which stands for “crazy” or “fierce dog,” and “Super Snake,” given by American Airlines pilots due to its length.

In general, major inspections of commercial aircraft are carried out at specific intervals of flight hours or takeoff/landing cycles, as well as by elapsed time, whichever comes first. These intervals may vary, but typically, a major overhaul for an MD-80 could be performed every 6 to 10 years or after a certain number of flight hours, which could fall in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 hours.

Doral Family Journal was the sponsor of this activity for which the public relations department organized and arranged the visit to World Atlantic Airlines. Also, technicians collaborated throughout, providing explanations about the operation. Lastly, it was vital and appreciated the role of President and CEO Tomás Romero for his contribution to the development of this excursion.