TriStar500.net Blog

L-1011 lower deck galley

Two very nice videos covering the features of the L-1011's lower deck galley can be seen on YouTube:

Author of the videos: Carla Kittler

These videos were filmed inside an ATA Airlines' L-1011-100 series, probably N194AT. Only standard length TriStars were equipped with a lower deck galley.

Newark Air Museum acquires TriStar Sim

Last month, Newark Air Museum (England) took delivery of a static TriStar Simulator that was previously on display at Royal Air Force Museum in Colindale/London.

TriStar Simulator © André O Malhão

The simulator is not yet available for display in its new place since it has to assembled again and the museum is still deciding to what extent it will be made operational.

Newark Air Museum: TriStar Simulator

When TAP sold their last L-1011

This is a clipping from Air Transport World magazine (January 1998) announcing the sale of the L-1011 CS-TEA to Air Transat.

CS-TEA (msn 1239) was the first L-1011 delivered to TAP Air Portugal in 1983, and it was the third of the type bought by Air Transat from TAP, in November 1997 - after acquiring CS-TEE (December 1996) and CS-TED (January 1997). CS-TEA was at the same time, the last L-1011 operated by TAP.

N910TE will be ferried to Kansas City

As we previously announced, TriStar History and Preservation acquired the ex-Flying Hospital L-1011 and we now know that their intention is to ferry this aircraft (re-registered N910TE) to Kansas City.

The Flying Hospital © Mercy Airlift

The aircraft has been readied at Tucson for the ferry flight and it seems there is already a Special Flight Permit approved.

The Flying Hospital was a project established by Mercy Airlift using the largest fully equipped surgical hospital ever constructed inside an aircraft, to provide medical services and humanitarian aid.

TZ-MHI seen at Nairobi Jomo-Kenyatta Airport

L-1011 tail number TZ-MHI (msn 1221) was seen today abandoned at Nairobi airport. The airframe seems to be in a very sorry condition in such a way that, almost for sure, it will never make it into the skies again.

TZ-MHI@NBO © Nuno Carvalho

This L-1011 was originally delivered to TWA in 1981 and had a long life with several operators, being the last one SAM Intercontinental. It was one the of last remaining airworthy examples.

It visited Portugal during the UEFA Euro2004 tournament, carrying Greek supporters while operated by StarAir that later became StarJet.

Thanks to Nuno Carvalho for these rare photos!

Aerial photos of Al Alamain Intl

Thanks to our visitor David Fidler, we can see three L-1011s parked at Al Alamain Intl Airport (DBB/HEAL), in Egypt. The following photos were taken in August 2014, while overflying at 30.000+ feet:

The L-1011 on the top of the second photo is HR-AWM (msn 1229) which was supposed to operate for Rollins Air some years ago. The other two airframes with the blue "masks" and tails are TZ-SGI (msn 1237) and TZ-SPA (msn 1245) belonging to SAM Intercontinental.

"One Year... One Company"

Yesterday, Orbital ATK - the only L-1011 operator left - celebrated one year after the merger of the two companies.

Orbital ATK merger anniversary

And today, their L-1011 dubbed "Stargazer", took off from Mojave for a series of flights to Marana (Pinal Airpark), Phoenix Goodyear and back to Mojave.

Flightradar24 printscreens


11-Feb-2016 L10/Z KGYR-KMHV 03:39PM MST 04:05PM PST En Route
11-Feb-2016 L10/Z KMZJ-KGYR 12:51PM MST 01:14PM MST 0:23
11-Feb-2016 L101 KMHV-KMZJ 09:06AM PST 11:17AM MST 1:11

N140SC is currently the only L-1011 in operation in the world, so every single take-off means a major event for every TriStar fans.

TriStar History and Preservation new L-1011?

According to the N-Number registry, it seems that TriStar History and Preservation company recently bought the ex-Flying Hospital L-1011. The aircraft previously registered P4-MED has now a new tail number N910TE. The airframe, a PSA original, has been stored for several years in Tucson Intl Airport.

Let's hope this move doesn't mean TriStar History and Preservation is giving up on N91011.

Some info about the Flying Hospital, here. And the recent discussion about this airframe in Airliners.net's forum.

Season's Greetings

We would like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

And hopefully more L-1011s to track in 2016 :)

L-1011 design features

Early RB211-22B engines that powered standard lenght TriStars were equipped simultaneously with both cascade vanes and clamshells reversers. The clamshells when deployed deflected the hot stream from the engine core. But they were very unreliable and troublesome and were definitely removed. As a result, a new and shorter afterbody design led to less engine drag.

As an option, Lockheed offered built-in airstairs that serviced door R3 on standard lenght TriStars. Very few airlines took this option, LTU being one of them.

Our website's Specialties page was updated with this information and pictures.