douglas aircraft launched the dc-9, a short-range companion to their larger four-engine dc-8 in 1963. the dc-9 was an all-new design, using two rear fuselage-mounted pratt & whitney jt8d turbofan engines; a small, efficient wing; and a t-tail. the dc-9's maiden flight was in 1965 and entered airline service later that year. when production ended in 1982 a total of 976 dc-9s had been produced.