Boeing 707 Engine Startup at airports.?

Question

Hi. I need to find out a few proceducres from the 1960's era of Boeing 707s.

1. Were passengers loaded up at the gate back then, or were they loaded on the tarmac?

2. How was ground start accomplished from the gate? Was one engine started before pushback. Or were all four engines started before pushback.

3. If pushback by airport services, were the engines already started?

Hope there's someone out there who can answer.

Thanks.

Answer 1

IM not sure but i think they were loaded at the gate. i also think all started before pushback. and i think all 4 engines started before pushback by airport service.

Answer 2

The Sky-bridge or Skyway wasn't that common in the 60's so most were probably tarmac embarkation.  Singapore was still loading on the Tarmac until late 1980.

As to starting, I'm not dead sure of the 707, but most transport planes of that era had an Axillary Ground Power Unit that could also air start an engine.  The procedure would probably be dictated by the Airline and Airport regulations.  

In the early 60's an advantage to starting all engines prior to leaving the loading position would be confirmation everything was in good working condition.  

While looking for a better answer, I found copies of original 707 sales brochures which may interest you.  http://www.airchive.com/SITE%20PAGES/MEM...

Answer 3

an amendment to the previous poster;

In certain circumstances only two engines would be started at the gate (using air assist). The primary reason to go this way would be for an anticipated lengthy taxi at a busy airport.

I don't think there would be a case where only one engine would be started at the "gate" on a 4-engine airplane.