Aircraft 924PS on a pre-delivery promotion shot. (McDonnell Douglas)

PSA was the first US Airline to order the Super 80, and these became the backbone of the fleet. With the purchase of the BAe-146, PSA moved these aircraft to longer routes, or where they needed the capacity.

The purchase of the MD-80 was a controversial one. The Pilot's Unions opposed the aircraft initially, and then demanded that PSA fly them with a 3-man crew. PSA refused, and many pilots were put on furlough between 1980 and 1984. The advent of the BAe-146 increased the need for pilots.

PSA was the first airline to have a MD-80 simulator, and that facility was turned over to PS Group. The simulator was well-used by pilots from most airlines, since it was the only MD-80 simulator when the aircraft was first introduced. USAir moved the simulator back east to PIT in 1990, where it remains in operation today - modeled after MD-82 N820US (944PS.)

Another interesting tidbit about PSA's MD-80s is that they were all equipped with HUDs - maybe because of the SFO/SEA fog? They were classified for Cat IIIB landings, although USAir has since removed the hardware. The -80s are all classified for Cat IIIA Autopilot landings, though.

Seating information
Passengers: 156 (delivery), 150 (final)	Seat pitch: 36-37", 32 rows	Seat width: 17"	Non-smoking section: Rows 1-23

US Airways MD-80 aft galley (ex-PSA), photographed 12/11/01 on N827US. Notice the PSA data plates.