Attn: Aviation Division

[Edward H. Lybarger]

Noted in passing:  U S Airways (AKA various unkind monikers) recently
retired its very first DC-9-30, which had arrived on the property June 2,
1967 to replace a short-term leased Series 10 aircraft.  N970VJ, the 118th
DC-9, was retired January 6 after a flight from Binghamton, with 99,824
cycles on the airframe.

Incredibly, that first leased airplane (line number 42) continues in service
with Northwest Airlines as N948L.  They seem to think that the airframes are
forever.

Prognostication:  We will very much miss the much-maligned Used Air if it is
allowed to be absorbed by Untied Airlines.

Error Correction:  Some time back, in a discussion of the Mohawk Airlines ad
car (1664), I had said that Mohawk began service to Pittsburgh in mid-summer
1961.  The correct date was May 15, 1961.

Ed