DARE TO FLY? Aerosucre B727 Cargo Flight to Venezuela

Join me on an exciting vintage Boeing 727 flight from Colombia to Venezuela. The Boeing 727, known for its versatility, is a true workhorse.

Aerosucre is a cargo airline from Colombia that currently flies the B727. I joined the three-man crew in the cockpit to see how they fly the 43-year-old trijet. Our takeoff used almost the entire runway at Bogota. During the gear-up retraction, an unusual, loud vibrating noise was heard. The captain later clarified about the unusual noise.

Unlike modern airplanes, the Boeing 727 carries a flight engineer who has a workstation behind the pilot. F/E Guillermo talks about his work as a flight engineer. After 1.5 hours of flying, we landed safely in Caracas, Venezuela. The cargo was offloaded quickly, and we took off empty like a rocket ship on our way back. On the return leg, the young First Officer with just two months of 727 flying experience is landing the plane!

As of April 2025, just 14 Boeing 727s are still in commercial service. What a great privilege to experience some of the finest yesteryear aviation has to offer.

[_TheRock]

You know you’re in for a heck of a ride when you’re on a Aerosucre flight and the Pilot in Command does a little prayer before takeoff! Kudos to Sam for giving us this rare insight into this world famous cargo airline. Thank you!

[fspanol]

So cool to be part of that adventure, thanks Sam!!!

[rotor-head]

Thanks for making this video. As retired B727 captain it was very nostalgic. The way you, Sam debriefed the FO after the landing was a class act. It’s hard to be young and new to the job. Been there got the tee shirt. He is a nice young hard working man and you gave him great respect.

[jlero]

That 24 year old is getting way more jet experience than anyone else his age by flying a 727. He is worlds ahead of people learning in mostly automated newer jets.

[carlosbernal]

Very good English officer Felipe, plus you can fly an old jet. Bright future ahead! Congrats.

[andressaavedra]

I’ve never seen such an excellent and professional performance like the first officer’s. He’s a legend!

[marquesdean]

Flight engineer described the operation of the 727 perfectly. The “three holer” is a plane that you fly “by the book”, not by the seat of your pants! The fact that there are still some flying worldwide is a testament to the engineering and design that went into its development!
That first officer, along with the captain and the flight engineer are definitely going to enjoy flying that plane, it shows!

[unsatisfiedfans]

Probably this is the most positive Aerosucre video i found on the internet 😂😂😂

[Mooney]

Brings back a lot of memories of when I flew 727s! Thanks!
No pilot EVER gets perfect landings every time in a 727. You can get 3 or 4 in a row and the 5th will eat your lunch
for no reason what so ever. ALL 727 pilots have planted a landing at some time. Fact of life flying 727s.

[pgilb]

Notice how gentle captain is with the throttles on landing. He knows his aircraft well.
The flight engineer is quick as a whip- on it. Copilot great too! Great vid
Reg HK*** - fitting for sam

[carlvanderweyden]

I was fortunate to have flown the 727 for 12 years and having experience in all 3 seats. Watching this video, the sound of the nose wheel retracting with the vibration as well as the trim wheel spinning around during takeoff brought back some fond memories! This was a great stick and rudder airplane and the landings were always an interesting experience. Thanks for this great video of probably the greatest jet airliner ever built!

[RobT_Cockpit_videos]

if you are curious:
Capt to FO:
16:47 "You have controls.... no, don't push it, it's the opposite."
22:00 (GPWS 400) - "100 to minimums...There is tailwind, that's why you are drifting aside."
(300) - "Easy, easy on your corrections. and no reverse ok?"
(200) - "Don't descend brother! we are one dot below"
(100) - "Reduce it! (the speed)... +20."
(50, 40, 30...) - "Reduce it!, idle, don't climb! no! down, left rudder, rudder, rudder!"
"Nose down slowly! don't lower it like that brother! no speed brake... i mean, no reverse, and keep the center line."

[karmabasedj]

Mad respect for the Aerosucre pilots after watching these videos from Sam. No more meme-ing!

[pascalcoole]

I'm quiet supprised about the condition of the cockpit.
I noticed hardly any wear or tear, verry well maintained.
The crew seems verry aware of the privilege to fly this type of aircraft

[yomeich]

These Aerosucre videos describe Colombia in a nutshell: resourceful, entertaining and hard-working. The first officer and the two youngsters literally operating an airport in the middle of the jungle by themselves come to mind, let alone the "in-flight refreshment service" from the flight engineer lol!

[TravelerTales]

A rare glimpse into raw aviation. The extended takeoff roll at Bogotá, accompanied by the distinctive roar of the trijet engines, underscores the aircraft’s vintage charm . It’s remarkable to witness such a classic airliner still in operation today.

[quilicodrones]

I definitely have to say that it's a luxury to be able to fly today on a 727. It has been and still is my favorite aircraft. How lucky the first officer is, at just 24 years old, to have the chance to be in that cockpit learning from a classic. At his age, most pilots would be flying an A319/320 or a 737 with highly automated systems. Thank you for this amazing video and for allowing us to see this aviation classic still flying today. One day, they will be just history, and we won't see them in the sky anymore. Greetings from Ecuador.

[Accordtehloss]

I still think the 727 is the most beautiful plane ever created. And the sound.... Perfection....

[edgarfabian]

Excelente video. Todos los días veo el 727 en Bogotá, es una leyenda. Pocos tenemos el privilegio de aún verlo.

[grecom_]

Latin American pilots have a beautiful aura, warm and friendly.
I really liked the voice of the maiquetía controller, very professional and clear.