I am happy to show off my first ever AI friendly creation! The Boeing 717-200, in the colours of Jetstar Airways Australia. On May 24th, 2004, this aircraft, VH-IMP lined up with runway at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, in Melbourne Australia. On board, the first passengers of a new airline: Jetstar Airways. The aircraft thundered down the runway, and before anyone on board knew, a new chapter was opened in Australian Aviation History. The inaugural flight for Jetstar, JQ101 from Melbourne YMML-YMLT, was the first of millions for the airline, which still operates today. And no better plane to do it in, than the last member of a dynasty of jets ranging back to 1965. Boeing 717 was the ultimate development of the McDonnell-Douglas DC-9. First taking flight in 1998, the 717 was a development by Boeing of the MD-95 proposal already being put forward by McDonnell-Douglas before it merged with Boeing 1996. It had a modern, glass cockpit, among several other improvements over the 2nd Generation MD-80s. The aircraft, however, did not see too much success, with only 156 aircraft built, and as of today, only 3 airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Airlines, and QantasLink have retirement plans underway. VH-IMP was transferred from Jetstar to QantasLink in December 2005, re-registered as VH-NXI, and went on to fly for another 18 years, before being retired in May 2023, marking the beginning of the end of the legendary DC-9 family.

Tik Tok video by Qantas, regarding the retirement of VH-NXI, and 717 generally

This my first AI-Friendly build, and my god it was fun! It was so easy, without all the intricacies of a normal build, which often takes a few weeks, when life circumstances are considered. I will definitely being doing more of these. One note: This was inspired by the creations by MAPA. Absolutely follow them, their recreations are incredible, given the restraints of making an aircraft AI-Friendly

MAPA’s profile

DO NOT EXCEED 400knts AS THE AIRCRAFT BECOMES AERODYNAMICALLY UNSTABLE.