From the Wikipedia page. It’s kind of amazing that nobody thought to do these things before Cooper.
Aircraft modifications
Due to multiple “copycat” hijackings in 1972, the FAA required that the exterior of all Boeing 727 aircraft be fitted with a spring-loaded device, later dubbed the “Cooper vane”, that prevents lowering of the aft airstair during flight. The device consists of a flat blade of aluminum mounted on a pivot, which is spring-loaded to stay out of the way of the door when the craft is at rest, but aerodynamically rotates into position to prevent the door from being opened when the airplane is traveling at flight speeds. Operation of the vane is automatic and cannot be overridden from within the aircraft.
As a direct result of the hijacking, the installation of peepholes was mandated in all cockpit doors; this enables the cockpit crew to observe passengers without opening the cockpit door.
As they debarked, Cooper inspected the money. In an attempt to break the tension, Mucklow jokingly asked Cooper if she could have some of it. Cooper readily agreed and handed her a packet of bills, but she immediately returned the money and explained accepting gratuities was against company policy. She said Cooper had tried to tip her and the other two flight attendants earlier in the flight with money from his pocket, but they had each declined, citing the policy.
Whoever it was I hope they made it and the reason none of the money was spent was because it was traded for Pesos in Mexico or some shit.
From the Wikipedia page. It’s kind of amazing that nobody thought to do these things before Cooper.
My favorite part of the story is this
Whoever it was I hope they made it and the reason none of the money was spent was because it was traded for Pesos in Mexico or some shit.
is there any known incidence of someone not knowing of this vane trying to do a D.B Cooper right up until the door wouldn’t open?
There were many hijackings before D.B. Cooper, they usually just asked to be dropped off in Cuba.