This Plane Could Even Land Itself: Why Did The L-1011 Fail?

[The Lawspeaker]

When launched, the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was the most technologically-advanced widebody commercial airliner ever. This aircraft made leaps forward in efficiency, comfort, and safety. 50 years ago, the L-1011 even had the capability to land itself at certain airports in zero visibility weather, when other planes like the Boeing 747 would have to divert. Yet the L-1011 is the same aircraft that nearly bankrupt the company that built it. Lockheed incurred billions of dollars in losses on the L-1011 program and only ever sold half the TriStars it would need just to break even financially. The L-1011 program got off to a rocky start. Rolls-Royce was to manufacture a new kind of highly efficient, three stage turbofan engine to power the Tristar. But Rolls-Royce had difficulty developing its new engine.

During the development of its RB-211 turbofan, Rolls-Royce filed for bankruptcy. This created delays and uncertainties around the L-1011 Tristar Program. An even bigger challenge for the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was that it had to split the market with its rival, the Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10. This aircraft was in many ways similar to the L-1011. But Mcdonnell Douglas was a proven manufacturer with a track record in civil aviation. Lockheed on the other hand, was the new player. Newly formed Airbus would also soon introduce the more efficient twin-engined widebody A300 that would take sales away from both the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar and Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10. #L1011 #Lockheed #Trijet #Airplanes

Court Line Lockheed L-1011 TriStar (16 min promotion film)

[Ouistreham]

The TriStar wasn't that much "ahead of its time".
Its computer aided automation always worked flawless, but when it entered commercial service in 1972 it was soon obvious that the trijet configuration was a solution of the past.

The Airbus A300 (introduced 1974) wasn't an instant success but as the first twin jet widebody it set the standards for all bigger airliners to come (only two pilots, use of composites), and proved to be much more cost efficient with an unprecedented reliability record.

BTW, as the British government believed the TriStar would be much more successful, Rolls-Royce refused to develop engines for the A300 and focussed instead on the L-1011 market, and consequently UK withdrew from the Airbus consortium.
A remarkably stupid move which was the last nail in the coffin of the British aerospace industry that had been world leading in the post-war years.

[The Lawspeaker]

The TriStar wasn't that much "ahead of its time".
Its computer aided automation always worked flawless, but when it entered commercial service in 1972 it was soon obvious that the trijet configuration was a solution of the past.

The Airbus A300 (introduced 1974) wasn't an instant success but as the first twin jet widebody it set the standards for all bigger airliners to come (only two pilots, use of composites), and proved to be much more cost efficient with an unprecedented reliability record.

BTW, as the British government believed the TriStar would be much more successful, Rolls-Royce refused to develop engines for the A300 and focussed instead on the L-1011 market, and consequently UK withdrew from the Airbus consortium.
A remarkably stupid move which was the last nail in the coffin of the British aerospace industry that had been world leading in the post-war years.

It seems to me that the Anglo-Saxons' main speciality is in shooting themselves in their own foot.