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{{Infobox television
| image                 = 90daystv.jpg
| caption               = 90 Days VHS box cover from episode Number 6
| genre                 = [[Business]]
| runtime               = 30 minutes (appx.)
William L. Mund- Writer, interviewer, director
John Mosbacher- Videographer, graphics, editor
| country               = United States
| language              = English
| num_episodes          = 26
| first_aired           = {{start date|1989|9}}
| last_aired            = {{end date|1996|2}}
}}
'''''90 Days''''' was a video news magazine produced by [[McDonnell Douglas]] in [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis, MO]] and distributed at the end of every business quarter (hence the show's title) through the mail to employees and shareholders of the company in [[VHS]] format. From its inception in September 1989 until the final episode in 1996 under the "90 Days" title, the program routinely featured segments about employees and company programs or products, all while incorporating a review of financial results from the previous quarter. An example clip from the program can currently be found on the video website YouTube. It was "a video report about issues, events and people important to you and [[McDonnell Douglas]]."<ref>"Number 1." <u>90 Days</u>. By McDonnell Douglas. St. Louis, MO. Sept. 1989. <u>Videocassette</u>.</ref>
== Overview ==
As Mr. McDonnell explains in "Number 1," the purpose behind going to the expense of producing and distributing ''90 Days'' was to facilitate better communication between the company and its employees and shareholders. In fact, the first episode came with a postcard so viewers could share their comments on the show, and a special mailing address was established for comments throughout the life of the program. When "Number 1" debuted, the company was in the midst of a major transition, and at the time this was an innovative form of communication that served as an insight into the company's direction.
=== Hosts ===
Over the course of the program's production, ''90 Days'' had three hosts:
*[[John McDonnell (businessman)|John McDonnell]] (episodes 1-17)
*[[Harry Stonecipher]] (episodes 18-25)
*Guest host (episode 26)
==Episodes==
Each episode of ''90 Days'' was named according to its numerical order in the series, and featured a summary of that episode either on the reverse of the VHS video cover (early episodes) or printed on a label on the video itself (episodes after "Number 17").
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! # !! Title !! Date !! Host !! Runtime
|-
|align=center rowspan=2| 1
|'''''Number 1'''''|| Sept. 1989 || [[John McDonnell (businessman)|John McDonnell]] || 23:35
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A visit to the [[Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas Aircraft Company (DAC)]] in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach, CA]] to meet an [[MD-80]] assembly team thriving under [[Total Quality Management|TQMS]]
*Financial performance review
*[[Douglas Aircraft Company|DAC]]'s Dale Warren comments on the [[DC-10]] in the wake of the [[United Airlines Flight 232|Flight 232 tragedy]]
*A feature on [[F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15E]] service reps at [[Seymour Johnson AFB]], [[North Carolina]].
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|2
|'''''Number 2'''''||Dec. 1989|| John McDonnell || 30:45
|-
|colspan="6"|
*Members of the [[Torrance, California|Torrance, CA]] parts manufacturing team take a field trip to [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] to see how their parts help shape the [[MD-80]]
*Third quarter financial performance review
*A look into how assembly team members at McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company improved efficiency in building the [[AH-64 Apache|Apache]]
*A look at the first commercial launch of a satellite by a private United States company, the Space Systems Company use of the [[Delta rocket]] in [[Huntington Beach, California]]
*A celebration of [[McDonnell Aircraft|McDonnell Aircraft Company]]'s 50th Anniversary.
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|3
|'''''Number 3'''''||March 1990|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A visit to the McDonnell Douglas Missile Systems Company's training center
*financial performance review
*Engineering and manufacturing teams prepare the [[MD-11]] for first flight
*How teamwork is leading to faster solutions on the [[F-15E]] production line
*A feature on the Navy's [[Blue angels|Blue Angels]]
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|4
|'''''Number 4'''''||June 1990|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A visit to [[McDonnell Aircraft|MAC]] to see examine how a partnership has been built between labor and management
*A review of first quarter financial results, and a discussion of the challenges and opportunities the company faces
*The military commanders of plant representative offices give their perspective on MDC's performance
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|5
|'''''Number 5'''''||Sept. 1990|| John McDonnell || 32:40
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A look at the issues, questions and emotions surrounding recent corporate-wide cost reductions
*Chairman John McDonnell discusses second quarter results
*Techniques being tried at the Space Systems Company in Huntington Beach to improve white-collar productivity
*Meet the first winners of the Spirit of Excellence Award
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|6
|'''''Number 6'''''||Dec. 1990|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*Representative from [[American Airlines]], [[Finnair]], and [[Delta Air Lines]] comment on the performance of [[McDonnell Douglas|MDC]]'s commercial jetliners
*Third quarter financial performance review
*An in-depth look at the [[Northrop YF-23|YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighter]] as MCAIR's Bill Lowe pilots it on its first supersonic flight
*A visit to Douglas Aircraft's Flight Test Facility in [[Yuma, Arizona]] for the story of the non-stop efforts to secure the [[MD-11]]'s [[FAA]] certification
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|7
|'''''Number 7'''''||March 1991|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A visit to [[Motorola]] to learn how their quest for first-time quality and customer satisfaction earned them the [[Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award|Malcolm Baldrige Award]]
*1990 financial results and fourth quarter highlights
*A stop by the Missile Company's [[Boeing Harpoon|Harpoon]] Depot to examine how reducing cycle time speeds up repairs and retrofits on the formidable weapon
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|8
|'''''Number 8'''''||June 1991|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*How statistical process control techniques are improving productivity at McDonnell Aircraft's Machining Center
*A tour of the McDonnell Douglas Research Laboratories
*Field service representative Kirt Brown relates his experiences in [[Operation Desert Storm]], and the outstanding performance of the [[AH-64 Apache|Apache]] during the conflict
*A review of first quarter financial performance
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|9
|'''''Number 9'''''||Sept. 1991|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*How MCAIR fixes parts that don't fit properly on the F/A-18
*Test pilot Bill Casey & assembly manager Steve Waltman take 90 Days through final preparations before the C-17's first flight
*The winners of the Spirit of Excellence Award
*Second quarter financial results
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|10
|'''''Number 10'''''||Dec. 1991|| John McDonnell || 37:04
|-
|colspan="6"|
*John McDonnell discusses the [[MD-12]] program, and gives third quarter financial results
*A visit to the Electronic Systems Company to learn about lasers and [[microphotonics]]
*A ride along with test pilot Bill Casey for the C-17's first flight
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|11
|'''''Number 11'''''||March 1992|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*How the criteria for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is used to measure MDC's TQMS progress
*1991 financial results
*[[CFO]] Herb Lanese explains why better asset management & inventory control are essential to profitability & competitiveness
*A tour of Space Station Freedom via the Space Systems Company
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|12
|'''''Number 12'''''||June 1992|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A visit to Douglas Aircraft's [[Macon, Georgia]] facility to see employees work in self-managed groups and participate in running the plant
*First quarter financial results in addition to an update of the [[MD-12]] program
*How MDC is improving first-time quality by building better relationship with a smaller number of preferred suppliers
*The [[T-45A Goshawk|T-45 Goshawk]] undergoing sea trials on the [[USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)|USS ''John F. Kennedy'']] aircraft carrier
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|13
|'''''Number 13'''''||Sept. 1992|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*MCAIR's new systems and process to help improve program management on the [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|Super Hornet]]
*The winners of 1992's McDonnell Douglas Spirit of Excellent Award
*A visit to the Space Systems Company at [[Kennedy Space Center]] to see how they put payload aboard the [[Space Shuttle]]
*Second quarter financial performance
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|14
|'''''Number 14'''''||Dec. 1992|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A visit to the [[MD-11]] production line to examine how new systems and processes are helping reduce costs, improve quality, and putting the program back on schedule
*A behind the scenes look at efforts to test the [[C-17 Globemaster III|C-17]] for the rigors of military operations
*A review of third quarter financial results
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|15
|'''''Number 15'''''||March 1993|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*Meet the new [[AV-8B Harrier II]], and learn how Integrated Product Definition contributed to its successful first flight one month ahead of schedule
*1992 financial results, and the findings of the 2nd annual TQMS improvement evaluation
*A report about light-weight composite parts
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|16
|'''''Number 16'''''||June 1993|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*See the first flight of the [[MD-90]] takes place in Long Beach, CA, and meet some of the people behind its development
*Learn about the new [[DC-X]]
*First quarter financial results
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|17
|'''''Number 17'''''||Sept. 1993|| John McDonnell || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A look at the T45 Training System in action at [[Naval Air Station Kingsville]]
*TQMS groups thriving at the [[Salt Lake City, Utah]] facility where MD-80 & MD-11 parts are made
*The winners of the annual Spirit of Excellence awards
*Second quarter financial results
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|18
|'''''Number 18'''''||Dec. 1993|| ? || ?
|-
|colspan="6"| summary: unknown
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|19
|'''''Number 19'''''||March 1994|| [[Harry Stonecipher]] || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*[[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]] update
*Improving the [[MD-11]] via design
*A flight aboard a [[DC-3]]
*1993 financial results
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|20
|'''''Number 20'''''||June 1994|| Harry Stonecipher || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*MDC helps introduce the [[C-17 Globemaster III|C-17]] into the [[USAF]]'s fleet at [[Charleston Air Force Base]]
*A T-45 team tackles manufacturing problems by measuring defects per unit
*First quarter financial results
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|21
|'''''Number 21'''''||Sept. 1994|| Harry Stonecipher || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A customer assessment of performance & how it's being improved with Process Action Teams
*1993's Spirit of Excellence Award winners
*Second quarter financial highlights
*The Annual Meeting product & '93 highlights video
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|22
|'''''Number 22'''''||Dec. 1994|| Harry Stonecipher || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*A look at the Navy's "Desert Bogeys" squadron
*A feature about the MD Explorer NOTAR system helicopter
*[[Stereo lithography]] used to make prototypes rapidly
*Third quarter financial results
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|23
|'''''Number 23'''''||March 1995|| Harry Stonecipher || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*Learn why and how the 16th production [[C-17 Globemaster III|C-17]] was delivered ahead of schedule
*[[FAA]] certification of the [[MD-90]]
*A look at the [[Phantom Works]]
*1994 financial results and the results of the 4th annual TQMS-IE
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|24
|'''''Number 24'''''||June 1995||Harry Stonecipher || 30 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"| [[Image:90 Days number 24.jpg|150px|right|Redesigned video cover from ''Number 24'']]
*An interview with Laurie Broedling, the new VP of human resources
*Testing the [[MD-11]] before customer delivery
*A look at new wind tunnel technology
*First quarter financial results
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|25
|'''''Number 25'''''||Sept. 1995|| Harry Stonecipher || 36 minutes
|-
|colspan="6"|
*MDC helicopters help the [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] Police Department maintain law and order
*The [[Boeing Phantom Works|Phantom Works]] finds new ways to build airplanes faster, better, and more affordably
*Meet 1994's Spirit of Excellence Award winners
*Second-quarter financial results and highlights
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|-
|align=center rowspan=2|26
|'''''Number 26 - [[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]]: A 90 Days Special Report'''''||Feb. 1996|| ? || ?
|-
|colspan="6"| [[Image:90daysnumber26.jpg|thumb|VHS cover from the Super Hornet special report]]
*The story of the Navy's next generation fighter and the revolutionary new way we build it
|-
|colspan="6" style="background:#2d5d93;"| <!--spacing-->
|}
== Legacy of ''90 Days'' ==
There are not any known plans to restart ''90 Days'' or its successor, ''Flight Times TV'', by [[Boeing]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1997/news.release.970801.html |title=Boeing Unveils New Corporate Identity |access-date=2008-01-14 |date=1997-08-01 |publisher=Boeing Press Release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023021619/http://boeing.com/news/releases/1997/news.release.970801.html |archive-date=2007-10-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Documentary television series about aviation]]
[[Category:American aviation television series]]
[[Category:McDonnell Douglas]]
[[Category:1989 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1996 American television series endings]]