Boeing is one of the largest corporations in the world that is engaged in the creation of new aircraft technology. It also produces military equipment and equipment for the space industry. This company is located in the USA, namely in the city of Chicago.
The company consists of two huge divisions that work on the creation of various equipment. The first division is designated Commercial Airplanes and is working on developing equipment for civilian use, while the second division, Integrated Defense, is aimed at developing space technologies and equipment for military use. There is also a department that develops innovative technologies, which allows the company to keep up with the times.
As for the production itself, it is scattered across several US cities. The most powerful centers are located in California and the city of Everett.
A Brief History of the Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 was designed as a narrow-body aircraft to carry a relatively small number of passengers over relatively short distances. Development of the airliner began in 1964. By this time, the company's competitors were conducting flight tests of their models. Boeing lagged behind the BAC-1-11 and DC-9. However, the company's marketers predicted demand in the amount of 600 units of equipment.
And Boeing had to create a new machine. In order to get results faster, the company's engineers decided to borrow a number of technologies from the 707 and 727 models. The fuselage and wing were used for the Boeing 737. But static tests have shown that at 95% of the maximum load, the borrowed elements are damaged and fail.
As a result, Boeing designers had to develop a new wing. A more modern design has improved the dynamic characteristics of the aircraft. The 737 became usable on smaller runways. And the altitude of his flight increased. This allowed for better fuel efficiency.
In 1965, company representatives officially announced the completion of the stage of forming the design of a new airliner. The plane received a more spacious cabin. Instead of the planned 60 seats, the 737 was prepared to accommodate 103 people on board. This was achieved by installing 6 seats in one row of seats.
The Boeing 737, whose passenger capacity had grown under the influence of Lufthansa, entered production on February 22, 1965. The German carrier was the first to sign a contract for the purchase of 22 Boeing 737-100 aircraft. In April 1965, U. Airlines placed an order for 40 737-200 aircraft.
A ceremony dedicated to the completion of the assembly of the first unit of the new airliner was held on January 17, 1967.
The first generation Boeing 737 shared design features with the 727:
- Rudder.
- Kruger brushes.
- Ailerons, the drive of which was carried out using the 2nd hydraulic system.
- Elevator.
- Slat.
From the 707, the new Boeing inherited an electronic system for installing the regulator with redundancy.
Place of production, operating companies
The Boeing 737, whose passenger capacity has changed with the introduction of the new model, is undergoing final assembly at the Boeing Commercial Airplanes plant in Renton. It is a small city in the USA in the state of Washington. The settlement is located 21 km from Seattle. The settlement was created in 1860.
The basis for the future city was a local mine and a woodworking enterprise. But until September 2, 1939, Renton remained a village. With the outbreak of World War II, a B-29 production plant was built in the city. At the end of hostilities, it was planned to build an enterprise producing amphibious aircraft in the locality. But the idea was abandoned.
It was not until 1970 that Boeing began production of the city's most popular short-range and high-capacity aircraft. So in 2000, the population of Renton was 50 thousand people, and in 2010 - 90 thousand people. The prosperity of the Boeing company has a fruitful effect on the development of the locality.
Aircraft manufactured in Renton are operated in more than 20 countries around the world. The fleet of 12 Russian airlines includes Boeing Classic series aircraft.
This includes:
- 737-300.
- 737-400.
- 737-500.
These carriers include: Yakutia, UT Air, Orenburg Airlines, Tatarstan, Yamal.
Primary activity
At the moment, the corporation is engaged in the design and manufacture of aviation equipment for civil needs and the transportation of passengers; in addition, military and space aviation equipment is being actively developed. This company is the main competitor of the world-famous Airbus company, which is also engaged in civil aircraft construction. In addition, it develops helicopters for various purposes and participates in government space programs.
The production of equipment is carried out simultaneously in 67 countries of our planet. And they sell their products to 145 countries. As for partners and suppliers, Boeing cooperates with more than 5.2 thousand companies from all over the world. At the beginning of 2001, a separate division was organized to monitor work in the corporation's branches. This department is developing a strategic plan for the further development of the company, which will allow it to beat competitors and achieve maximum profits.
| Everett, Washington, USA | in Everett |
| Seattle, USA | in Seattle |
| Saint Louis, USA | in St. Louis |
The Boeing Corporation has only one global competitor, which is the European Airbus Corporation. These companies occupy the same niche in the world market, since they offer almost similar products.
Cost of different Boeing 737 models
The Boeing company does not hide the cost of its aircraft. Data on prices for all aircraft models are posted on the operator’s websites. The most inexpensive model 737-700 will cost the airline 80.6 million USD. The Boeing 737 MAX 9 costs from 116 million USD. Prices for the models reviewed are not final. The cost of an aircraft, just like a car, depends on the passenger capacity and internal equipment.
Customers who are the first to purchase a new airliner can receive a significant discount. Since they take on the responsibility of testing a new flight machine. Therefore, the prices indicated on the websites are not final.
The base costs of Boeing 737 series aircraft are:
| Model. | Amount, million USD. |
| 737 MAX 200 | 115 |
| 737 MAX 8 | 109 |
| 737-900ER | 102 |
| 737-800 | 95 |
| 737 MAX 7 | 90 |
Boeing 737 series
In 2022, airlines in many countries operate Boeing 737 aircraft of all series. The exceptions are 737-100 and 737-200. Both of these models are characterized by increased noise.
Despite the installation of protective screens, the manufacturer was unable to cope with this problem. These airliners are also expensive to maintain. The 200 series aircraft are used by some African carriers.
Generation 737 Original
The Original generation of Boeing 737 aircraft includes 2 series of airliners:
- 100;
- 200.
The aircraft are the first Boeing Airplanes aircraft in this class. The last 737-100 was retired in 2007.
737-100
Over the course of 2 years, only 30 copies of the 1st generation Original series aircraft were produced. The first operator of the aircraft was the German company Lufthansa. The Boeing 737-100 began transporting passengers over distances of up to 3000 km in 1968. The body length of the first 737 was 28.67 m, which was slightly greater than its wing span (28.35 m). The area of the latter was 91 square meters. m.
The height of the aircraft is 11.3 m. The total curb weight of the 737 series 100 was 28 tons. At the same time, the maximum take-off load reached 49 tons.
All this, along with a flight range of 2850 m and a cruising speed of 854 km/h, made the new class of aircraft indispensable for short passenger transportation. The Boeing 737 flew to areas where jet aircraft had never been before.
Combined with its high fuel efficiency for the 1960s and a maximum flight altitude of 10,700 m, the airliner was cost-effective for transporting people to the sparsely populated areas of Northern Canada and the South Pacific.
The cabin layout of the 737-100 has become classic for the entire series. The plane had 103 seats. There were 6 seats in each row (3 seats on each side of the fuselage).
The interior space of the airliner was divided into 2 zones according to the level of comfort:
- For passengers of economy accommodation. These seats were located from rows 6 to 24. The most popular seats were in boarding lines 10 and 11. Due to the presence of emergency exits, seats 10A, 10C, 10D, 10F had more front legroom for passengers. Due to the lack of seats in front of you, 11A and 11F also provide an opportunity to sit comfortably during the flight. The most unclaimed places were 24A - F. They were located directly in front of the restrooms.
- Business Class . These are seats from the 1st row to the 5th. Passengers were accommodated here, 4 in each boarding line. The places were distinguished by a high level of comfort provided. The most unpopular seats were those in the first rows of each column of seats.
737-200
The aircraft was mass-produced from 1967 to 1988. The Boeing 737-200 was produced with a total production run of 1,114 aircraft. The start of operation of the airliner is associated with the name of the German airline Lufthansa. The ship's first flight took place in 1967. In addition to passenger versions, several modifications of the 200 series were produced, intended for the transportation of goods.
The Boeing 737, whose passenger capacity was 115 people, differs in layout from the company's previous model. The 737-200 offers more seating for economy class passengers. Business chairs occupy 2 rows of 4 chairs each. The rest of the cabin from rows 3 to 19 are standard seats with 6 seats in each row. The seats in rows 9 and 3 are most in demand among passengers.
Boeing 737-200, interior diagram with seats in the photo.
In boarding lines 8 and 19 you will not be able to sit comfortably. These chairs are located in front of emergency exits and sanitary facilities.
Specifications:
| Peculiarity | Characteristic |
| Wing length | 28.35 m |
| Airliner height | 11.28 m |
| Wing area | 91 sq. m |
| Aircraft length | 30.53 m |
| Cruising speed | 906 km/h |
All other parameters of the 200 series are similar to the first generation machines.
Boeing
The Boeing Company is one of the largest aircraft manufacturing companies in the world, specializing in the production of aviation, space and military equipment. The company was founded in 1916 by William Boeing.
Model range of Boeing aircraft:
707
717
727
737
747
757
767
777
787
Boeing History:
In 1903, an important event for the history of world aviation took place in the United States: the Wright brothers' airplane made the first ever flight on Kitty Hawk Beach in North Carolina. At the same time, in New Haven, Connecticut, 22-year-old William Boeing, the future founder of the Boeing Corporation, left Yale University and decided to go into business.
From the university, William Boeing headed “into the thick of the forest.” At the beginning of the twentieth century, timber trading was the second most profitable business in the United States after gold mining. The lumber trade allowed William Boeing to quickly amass a decent fortune, and by 1909 he was already one of the most respected citizens of Seattle. At the end of 1909, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific trade exhibition was held in Seattle, during which residents of the west coast saw their first flying machine - a small airship. It was then that William Boeing realized that his heart belonged to aviation.
When a few months later, in the neighboring town of Georgetown, demonstration flights took place on the new Curtiss Reims Racer airplane of the famous American aviation pioneer Charles Hamilton, Boeing made a special trip to watch his performances. Hamilton's flights ended in disaster - on March 13, 1910, Hamilton's airplane crashed into a pond. It was only a miracle that the pilot did not die. What he saw did not dampen William Boeing's ardor, and he spent the next few years trying to persuade one of the aviators to take him on a flight.
The dream remained unfulfilled until 1915, when fate brought Boeing together with kindred spirits - air flight enthusiasts, Navy Lieutenant Conrad Westervelt and pilot Tira Maroney. In Maroni's two-seat airplane, Boeing took off for the first time on his own, and upon landing he knew for sure that he needed his own plane.
Boeing went to Los Angeles to study airplane piloting with Glenn Martin, an unsurpassed authority of those years. He returned from Los Angeles on his own seaplane.
On the shores of Lake Union, Boeing rebuilt an old boat hangar for airplanes and organized the Pacific Aero Club, which gave everyone the opportunity to take a ride on an airplane for little money.
Martin's seaplane design did not suit Boeing, and William decided to create his own plane. Together with Westervelt, they found self-taught engineer Herb Munter, who was experimenting with airplanes in his barn near Seattle, on the island of Duhamish. He helped develop the design of a new seaplane (named B&W after the first letters of the customers' last names) and built the first two aircraft.
On July 15, 1916, William Boeing took his first airplane into the air, and just a month later he registered the Pacific Aero Products Co. (later the company was renamed Boeing Airplane), which was supposed to build seaplanes for the US Navy. Boeing invested almost $100,000 in this company—huge money at that time.
Thanks to its production diversification strategy, Boeing Airplane has mastered the postal market. And in 1927, having won a contract with the US Federal Postal Department (the victory was won by the Model 40-A aircraft), Boeing became the world's first air mail carrier. To implement the postal and other transportation project, the head of the company created the first service division - Boeing Air Transport. The first air transport route San Francisco - Chicago also began to function. But this was not enough for the innovator. In 1929, a new three-engine aircraft model 80As for 12 passengers took to the skies. Flight attendants boarded the plane for the first time.
In 1930, William Boeing presented the Monomail cargo-passenger vehicle to the public (its streamlined shapes resemble modern Boeings). Soon, the Boeing Airplane Company turned into the Boeing Airplane & Transport Corporation. New divisions also appeared: Boeing School of Aeronautics in Oakland, Boeing Aircraft of Canada, etc. The company assembled aircraft, built airfields, produced engines and propellers, trained pilots and aircraft technicians, and provided air transport services.
And on February 1, 1929, a real colossus was born - United Aircraft & Transportation Corporation. The Boeing Corporation has become a powerful aircraft manufacturing and transport empire, and its head is one of the richest and most successful businessmen in America.
To prevent autocracy in the air transport sector, the US Parliament passed a law in 1934 that destroyed the Boeing empire. The new document prohibited aircraft manufacturing companies from simultaneously being owners of transport and postal companies. The huge holding broke up into:
- United Air Lines (air transportation)
- United Aircraft;
- Boeing Aircraft Company (aircraft construction on the east and west coasts of America).
For a long time, William Boeing could not recover from the blow: everything that had been created with such difficulty was destroyed with one stroke of the pen. Broken and tired, the tycoon retired, deciding to watch his aviation creation from the sidelines. The reins of power were handed over to friends and colleagues - Philip Johnson and Claremont Egtvedt. However, the life of a rentier did not suit Boeing's restless nature. At the age of 53, he opened a new business. Thoroughbred stud horses became his new passion.
After 1934, Boeing devoted all its efforts to developing new aircraft models. In 1935, the Kaydet fighter was born, which became the main training aircraft of US aviation. More than 10,000 of these machines were built. In 1936, Boeing signed a contract with PanAmerican and became its main partner for many years. In 1938, the passenger model 307 Stratoliner was released, which became the model aircraft for passenger lines for the next 10 years.
At the same time, the B-17 and B-29 bombers were developed, as well as the XPBB-1 Sea Ranger naval bomber.
During World War II, Boeing became the largest manufacturer of military aircraft in the world. At its facilities, not only the B-17 and B-29 were assembled, but also aircraft developed by competitors - the Douglas DC-7B attack aircraft. The Allied air fleet, which rained thousands of tons of bombs on Germany at the end of the war, was almost entirely assembled in Boeing factories. The bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima was also a Boeing creation. The year 1944 went down in company history as the “Battle of Kansas.” Every conceivable productivity record was broken at the Wichita Assembly Plant this year. Working in emergency mode, the plant produced up to 16 aircraft per day - a record that has not yet been broken.
After the war, orders dried up, and hard times began again for Boeing. In 1946, the company had to lay off 70,000 people. William Allen, who took over as CEO, had to urgently look for ways out of the crisis. The company began work on new passenger aircraft, presented models of new bombers to the US government, and for the first time began producing ballistic missiles and surface-to-air interceptor missiles. Under Allen's leadership, the company began producing the legendary B-52 flying fortresses, the KC-135 aerial tankers, and the first American jet passenger aircraft, the 707 model.
In 1958, three 707-120 aircraft were purchased by the US Air Force for the President of the country and his inner circle. This convoy was assigned the call sign Air Force One. Since then, in most countries of the world, the plane of the president of the country is called “Air Force One.”
In 1960, the Boeing Corporation began to develop the space sector. The first designs of the manned orbital station Dyna-Soar and the Saturn V launch vehicle, intended for the Apollo program, appeared. In 1963, NASA selected Boeing to fly into lunar orbit and photograph the lunar surface at close range. This project was implemented in 1966, and in 1969 the Apollo 11 spacecraft, launched into orbit by the Saturn carrier, carried astronauts to the Moon.
In the early 60s, several large airlines approached Boeing with a proposal to develop a mass-produced model of a jet aircraft capable of using the runways of small airports, operating even if one engine failed, being more economical than the B-707, and easy to operate and maintain.
Thus, the Boeing 727 was created - a narrow-body, medium-range passenger aircraft. It made its first flight on February 9, 1963.
In 1967, the 737 took off on its first flight and was destined to become one of the best-selling aircraft in aviation history. The total number of cars sold exceeded 2000 units.
In 1968, Boeing developed the largest passenger airliner at that time, the 747. The world's first double-decker giant, which the company good-naturedly nicknamed the Jumbo Jet.
With the 737 and 747, Boeing cemented its leadership in the aircraft manufacturing market and literally revolutionized the airline industry.
In the early 80s, two new Boeing models were born - the 757 and 767. The narrow-body 757 was created as a replacement for the aging 727. As for the Boeing 767, it was designed for medium and long-haul airlines. In addition, this aircraft has become a serious competitor to the Airbus A300, which is gaining popularity in Europe.
Almost until the mid-90s, Boeing improved its model range, until the market situation, as well as competition with Airbus, McDonnell Douglas and Lockheed, forced the company to begin developing a long-range wide-body airliner with 400-500 seats.
Thus, in 1994, the Boeing 777 was born. For the first time, airlines and passengers took an active part in the development of this machine. Their opinion had the highest priority, and the resulting machine, according to Boeing, became the most consumer-oriented machine in the world.
By the late 1990s, it became obvious that the Boeing 767 was significantly outdated and could not compete with rival Airbus's new designs, such as the Airbus A330. In 2001, Boeing announced the start of development of a new project, the Boeing Sonic Cruiser. The company promised that the new aircraft would be able to fly at speeds close to sound, while on average consuming no more fuel (due to a shorter flight time) than the 767 or A330. Due to the terrorist attacks of September 11 and rising oil prices, it became clear that airlines were more interested in flight efficiency than speed, and the Sonic Cruiser project, which was also expensive and technologically complex, was suspended.
However, on January 28, 2005, Boeing presented the world with its new project - the 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft replaced the Sonic Cruiser concept, inheriting many of the ideas and technologies of its predecessor.
The Boeing 787 is a wide-body airliner designed to carry from 296 to 350 passengers over a distance of up to 15,700 km. The 787 was the first passenger aircraft to have a fuselage made entirely of composite materials. It first flew on December 15, 2009.
Today, there are about 12,000 Boeing jetliners in operation around the world, representing approximately 75% of the global fleet.
737 Classic generation
Due to the technical and moral obsolescence of the Original series aircraft, the Boeing company in 1979 began design studies to create a new generation of 737. The work was carried out on the basis of the creation of the 200th model. And in 1980, the new aircraft received the index 737-300.
This model has common systems with the previous generation:
- Air ventilation and cooling.
- Glider.
- Control and monitoring of parameters during flight.
But at the heart of the 300 is a new aircraft, equipped with electronic avionics, modern powertrains and a new cabin.
737-300
The Boeing 737-300 is the first representative of a new family of aircraft from the American manufacturer. The airliner's fuselage is longer than its predecessors (33.18 m). This is almost 2.5 m higher than that of the 200th. The changes also affected the parameters of the wing. Its length increased to 28.88 m.
The Classic generation is characterized by a change in the type of construction materials used. At 300, a large share is occupied by composite compounds. New CFM engines were also installed on the aircraft.
The Boeing 737-300, whose passenger capacity reaches 150 people, has common features of the cabin organization with the first aircraft in the series. However, the airliner's interior is completely devoid of luxury seats. From rows 1 to 24, all aircraft boarding lines consist of 6 seats, 3 on the left and on the right. The most comfortable places are considered to be 1D-F, 2A-F, 9B-E, 10A and 10F.
737-400
The Boeing 737-400 model appeared as an attempt by the company to take advantage of the sales success of the first aircraft of the Classic family. The 400's hull length has increased slightly and its maximum payload has increased. Due to this, the flight range was reduced, but it was possible to increase the cabin capacity by 3 rows of seats.
There are 2 interior layouts for aircraft of this series:
- With business class seats from rows 2 to 4. The seats are arranged 4 in a row (2 on each side).
- With luxury seats from 2 to 4 boarding lines. Economy Plus means the presence of 6 seats in one boarding line.
737-500
The Boeing 737-500 is a shorter version of the 200. Engineers managed to increase the permissible flight range by reducing capacity. This aircraft is the youngest in the Classic family. Boeing Airplanes produced these airliners from 1990 to 1999. The aircraft cabin is divided into an increased comfort zone (landing lines 1 to 2) and standard seats.
In first class, the seats are arranged 4 in a row. Seats 1A-1D are considered preferable. In economy, seats in rows 3, 12 and 14 allow you to sit with the greatest comfort. The seats in line 10 are located in front of the emergency exits. The backs of the seats do not fall down. Row 24 is adjacent to the aircraft sanitary area.
Dimensions and flight characteristics:
| Name | 737-300 | 737-400 | 737-500 |
| Wingspan, m | 28,88 | ||
| Empty weight, t | 32,46 | 34,27 | 31,51 |
| Maximum weight, t | 62,8 | 68,1 | 60,55 |
| Developed force, kgf | 2*9970 | 2*10670 | 2*9080 |
| Power unit | CFM56-3C1 | ||
| Maximum speed, km/h | 945 | ||
| Cruising speed, km/h | 910 | ||
| Practical range, km | 4670 | 5000 | 5550 |
| Service ceiling, km | 10,2 | 11,3 | 11,3 |
| Aircraft length, m | 33,40 | 36,40 | 31 |
| Aircraft height, m | 11,13 | ||
737 Next Generation (-600/-700/-800/-900)
The Boeing 737 Next Generation is the aircraft giant's response to competition from the more technologically advanced A320 from Airbus.
The company's engineers implemented:
- Digital cockpits.
- New wing increased by 5.5 m.
- The tail section of an aircraft.
- Upgraded engines.
During the development of the NG, special attention was paid to the aircraft's interior. It was designed based on the “757” and “767” models. The result was so successful that the internal layout of the passenger part of the 737 NG aircraft was taken as the basis for the development of the Boeing 777 cabin.
Despite the large number of improvements and innovations, the Boeing 737-600/-700/-800/-900 are not new aircraft. This is a well-designed modernization of the Classic family. The main systems of the vessel are schematically and practically unchanged. They were inherited from the previous generation.
The entire Next Generation range of machines was created simultaneously. Therefore, the sequence of the last 3 digits in the model marking indicates the fuselage length increasing from aircraft to aircraft.
737-600
At first, after its creation in March 1995, the Boeing 737-600 was called the 737-500K. The first aircraft of this model was received by the Scandinavian company SAS.
The interior layout of the 600 is not classic. The right column of seats is offset relative to the left. And it has one more row of seats. First class occupies 3 lines of seats in each column. On the right - from 1 to 3, and on the left - from 2 to 4 rows. Economy Plus class seats are made according to the classic design of 3 passengers in each column.
There is no partition between the premium and economy class seats. Standard seats are located from rows 5 to 20 on the left and from rows 4 to 21 on the right. Emergency exits are located in the front between rows 9 and 10 of seats and at the rear of the aircraft.
The most comfortable places are:
- 1A, 1C.
- 1D, 1F.
- 10A-10D.
6A, 6D, 20A-20C and 9A-9F are considered unsuccessful.
737-700/-700ER
The Boeing 737, whose passenger capacity in the NG family reaches 215 people, began a new generation with the 7373-700 model. The first operator of the aircraft in 1993 was Southwest Airlines.
The aircraft for the airline had two types of layout:
- With business class. In this version, the liner can accommodate 137 passengers.
- With standard level seats. In this configuration, the aircraft can carry up to 148 people.
The 700ER modification was developed at the request of Boeing customers. Aircraft with this index technically differ little from the original. The main task that engineers solved when creating the 737-700ER was to increase the maximum flight range.
737-800. Boeing 737–800 cabin layout for different airlines
The Boeing 737-800 was developed based on the model with the “700” index and was considered as a replacement for the aging 400 series aircraft. Engineers managed to increase the cabin capacity of the aircraft to 189 people in an economy class layout.
The first flight of the 737-800 took place in 1998. TUIfly acted as the operator. Over the entire period, 2,135 vehicles of this family were created and delivered. Another 1,521 orders are in production. The wide distribution of the Boeing 737-800 among domestic and foreign companies is not due to the large selection of cabin layouts.
There are only two seating options:
- With business class. Depending on the route served and the economic policy of the operating company, there can be from 2 to 5 luxury rows. In the Russian Federation, aircraft with this arrangement can be found at Rossiya, S7 and Aeroflot.
- Economy class. Such airliners are used on cheap routes. They have standard seats, and the level of service is equivalent to economy. In Russia, such 737-800 are in the aviation fleet.
737-900/-900ER
For the first time, an aircraft of this modification was assembled and delivered to the first customer Alaska Airlines on May 15, 2001. The Boeing 737-900 is the longest airliner in the family. However, despite the largest fuselage, the overall capacity of the vehicle remained the same as in the 800. Along with a similar maximum take-off weight and fuel reserve, this drawback did not allow the 737-900 to compete on equal terms with the A321.
To solve these problems and increase the flight range, Boeing specialists developed the 700ER (Extended Range). Aircraft with “Extended Range” are equipped with 2 additional doors.
This helped increase the aircraft's capacity to 215 passengers in economy class. In business versions this figure is 180 people. The first 737-900ER entered service with the operator on April 27, 2007.
Dimensions and flight characteristics:
| Name | 737-600 | 737-700/ 700ER | 737-800 | 737-900/ 900ER |
| Wingspan, m | 34,32 | |||
| Empty weight, t | 36,4 | 37,6 | 41,4 | 42,9/44,7 |
| Maximum weight, t | 56,0 | 70 | 79 | 74,4 |
| Developed force, kgf | 2*10300 | 2*12400 | ||
| Power unit | CFM56-7B | |||
| Maximum speed, km/h | 970-978 | |||
| Cruising speed, km/h | 917-925 | |||
| Practical range, km | 5648 | 6230 | 5765 | 5925 |
| Service ceiling, km | 12,5 | |||
| Length, m | 31,24 | 33,63 | 39,47 | 42,11 |
| Height, m | 12,67 | 12,62 | ||
Boeing 777: The story of the aircraft that became an icon of civil aviation
On June 12, 1994, the Boeing 777 made its first flight, marking the beginning of a story that would change the aviation industry beyond recognition. From time to time, an aircraft appears in the world that changes the very concept of a modern airliner, its capabilities and level of comfort.
The early 1970s saw the introduction of the first generation of large, wide-body airliners, the Boeing 747, McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. At the end of the decade, Boeing began work on creating two new generation aircraft at once: the narrow-body Boeing 757, which was supposed to replace the aging Boeing 727, and the wide-body twin-engine Boeing 767, which competed with the European Airbus A300. Both of these aircraft were smaller than McDonnell Douglas and Lockheed airliners. To compete with the flagships of its two main counterparts, Boeing planned to create a three-engine model 777. However, limited financial capabilities and the great success of the 757 and 767 models forced the company to devote all its resources to their further development. Project 777 was closed in the early 1980s.
However, by the late 1980s, the market for wide-body aircraft began to grow rapidly. In addition, the old models quickly became outdated and all manufacturers began active work to create their replacements.
McDonnell Douglas was developing the MD-11, Airbus was creating successors to its first aircraft - the promising A330 and A340, and Boeing began work on the 767-X project. The project was not just a modernization of an existing airliner.
The Boeing 767 was the most aerodynamically advanced airliner in its class, however, this was achieved due to the narrowest fuselage in its class. Further increasing the capacity of this aircraft required not just lengthening the fuselage, but increasing its diameter. In addition, the enlarged and heavier airliner needed a new wing. The initial plans for a slight increase in the size of the aircraft did not satisfy customers - the airlines wanted a much more spacious and comfortable aircraft. It became obvious that 767 was not suitable as a base. In 1988, Boeing began research to create an entirely new airliner. In 1989, the company began working with airlines to determine the desired appearance of the future Boeing 777.
The development process for the new aircraft was different from the company’s previous similar work. Now, Boeing paid much more attention to the needs of the market, trying to create the most optimal configuration. To determine the appearance, a commission was formed from representatives of eight airlines: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Such a strong involvement of airlines in development was new for the industry, which at times even caused skepticism and statements about outside interference in the “internal kitchen.” In 1990, the commission began its work and soon presented its requirements: a fuselage width close to the 747 model, a capacity of about 325 passengers, easily modified cabins, a glass cockpit, a fly-by-wire control system, as well as a minimum 10% reduction in operating costs per aircraft. passenger seat compared to A330 and MD-11.
After agreeing on a list of requirements, in the same 1990, United Airlines became the launch customer for the future airliner, placing an order for 34 aircraft with an option for another 34. The airline planned to quickly replace its fleet of outdated DC-10s.
The work of the airline commission was not limited to developing a list of requirements. Hundreds of representatives from eight airlines participated in the development and pre-production process, constantly clarifying the requirements (the total number of requests reached 1,500). The fuselage was further expanded to Cathay Pacific's requirements, made longer to ANA's requirements, and British Airways introduced a variety of interior configuration requirements.
The Boeing 777 was the first commercial aircraft to be designed entirely on a computer. All work was transferred to digital form using the CATIA computer-aided design system created by Dassault Systems. This allowed the designers to practically create a completely virtual airliner without resorting to expensive prototyping processes (which greatly reduced the cost of development, especially taking into account the constant clarifications of airline representatives).
In preparing the production of the airliner, Boeing used existing contacts with manufacturers, developed during the creation of the Boeing 767. However, this time the scale of international cooperation has reached a completely new level. The main suppliers were Japanese industrial giants: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Fuji Heavy Industries. In addition to them, the British Hawker de Havilland and the Australian ATA (Aerospace Technologies of Australia) began producing elements of the aircraft. Engines for the airliner began to be developed by industry leaders: Pratt & Whitney, General Electric and Rolls-Royce. Their task was impressive - to create the most powerful engines in the world, the thrust of which should have reached 35 tf.
The production site of the new aircraft was the plant in Everett, where the 747 and 767 models were already produced. Despite the fact that the Boeing 747 remained the largest aircraft in the world, the new model was not much inferior to it. The company spent about $1.5 billion. to create an assembly line and almost doubled the size of the plant. Assembly of the first aircraft began in 1993. The total cost of the program reached $6 billion, of which $4 billion were Boeing funds and $2 billion were investments from partners.
On April 9, 1994, the first Boeing 777 prototype underwent a roll-out ceremony. It was almost a festival dedicated to the new aircraft, in which almost 100 thousand guests took part. The first flight took place on June 12, 1994. This was the start of a nearly year-long certification testing process—the most intensive in the company's history. Nine airliners equipped with engines from three manufacturers took part in the tests. ETOPS certification was carried out immediately - for this purpose, 8 three-hour flights were made with one engine turned off. In 1995, the aircraft received certificates from the American FAA and the Japanese JAA.
Commissioning and creation of modifications
The first Boeing 777-200 was delivered to United Airlines in May 1995. This model was the basic one. The Boeing 777-200 accommodated 305 passengers in a 3-class configuration (maximum 440) and flew 9,700 km. The first commercial flight was the London-Washington flight. In the winter of the same year, British Airways received its first aircraft, and a few months later the aircraft began flying under the flags of Thai Airways International. By 1998, the fleet of 777 aircraft had already flown 900 thousand hours, and their operational reliability averaged 99%.
The potential success of the new aircraft was obvious and Boeing immediately began creating a modification with an increased take-off weight. The 777-200ER made its first flight in October 1996. The aircraft became heavier by almost 50 tons (297.5 versus 247.2 for the 777-200) and most of this weight was fuel - having similar capacity indicators (301/440), the aircraft increased its flight range to 13,080 km. A very efficient long-range airliner, the aircraft was very popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Interestingly, during the demonstration flight, the airliner of this model of Malaysia Airlines, nicknamed Super Ranger, spent 21 hours 23 minutes in the air and flew 20,044 km.
But range records were not the only factor in success. After creating the 200ER, Boeing began creating a larger model with a longer fuselage. This is how the Boeing 777-300 appeared. At the time of its creation in 1997, this airliner, 73.9 meters long, became the longest in its class (there was no A340-600 yet). The liner's capacity reached 368 passengers in a 3-class configuration with a maximum of 550. The range was not a record, but still reached 11,165 km. The aircraft entered service in 1998.
The increase in range did not end with the -200ER modification. Even at the development stage, Boeing explored the possibilities of creating ultra-long-range airliners. It was planned to create an aircraft with a shortened fuselage and increased fuel capacity (similar to the 747SP model). However, this version could accommodate fewer passengers and became uncompetitive, and the project was frozen.
Only in 1997, the company announced modifications 777-200X and -300X. The planes needed new, more powerful engines, the thrust of which should reach 45 tf. General Electric and Rolls-Royce took on the new engine. Success in this matter was achieved by General Electric with their forced versions of the GE90 engines, the thrust of which exceeded even what the company from Seattle originally wanted, and reached 52 tf - this is the thrust of two engines of the early Boeing 747. The dimensions of the engines also turned out to be a record - the fan diameter is 3 .1 meters is almost the width of the Boeing 737 fuselage (3.8 meters).
Officially, the program was launched in 2000 and it was called 777-X. The timing for the project turned out to be unfortunate - after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the compression of the air transportation market, work on the project also slowed down.
The first aircraft of the new generation was the Boeing 777-300ER, which took off in 2003. Air France became the launch operator. The 300ER was created quite quickly and was, in fact, the -300 model with the implementation of the solutions of the -200ER model. The cabin and capacity of the aircraft have not changed (365/550), and the take-off weight has increased by almost 52 tons (351.5 versus 299.4 for the 777-300). The range reached a new record of 13,650 km. With such indicators, the aircraft became a bestseller and an excellent replacement for outdated 4-engine aircraft - with a similar capacity, it cost airlines much less.
The next airliner of the new generation was the Boeing 777-200LR, which underwent a rollout ceremony in 2005. The plane could accommodate the same number of people as other 200s (301/440), but already flew 15,840 km. At the end of 2005, the plane broke the record of its older brother, flying from Hong Kong to London over a distance of 21,602 kilometers in 22 hours 42 minutes.
At this point, Boeing calmed down for a while. The final milestone in the creation of that generation was the appearance in 2008 of the cargo version of the 777F. This aircraft has the design and engines of the latest 777-200LR, with a large cargo hold that spans almost the entire length of the fuselage. Its flight range is the most modest - 9200 km, but the aircraft is capable of transporting up to 102 tons of cargo.
Description: Boeing 777 is the best airliner of the 20th century. History and description
Design
The Boeing 777 is a wide-body twin-engine airliner. Being a classic model in the class, the liner is its largest representative.
The airliner's moderately swept wing is designed for a flight speed of about 900 km/h. To achieve maximum lift and capacity, the wing received increased thickness and span. Thanks to these solutions, the aircraft has a standard flight altitude of 13 km, and the fuel system can hold up to 145 tons of fuel.
Unlike the company's other airliners, the Boeing 777 has never had standard large winglets. Instead, horizontal winglets with an increased sweep angle are used. Boeing calculates that for larger airliners, such designs, now known as ridge winglets, are more efficient. The currently most advanced versions of these winglets are installed on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
In the design of the wing and the entire airframe, composite materials were used quite widely for their time, the share of which reached 9% (not counting the models 777-8 and 777-9).
The aircraft is equipped with a tricycle landing gear with a rotating nose gear. The main landing gear struts of the Boeing 777 are considered the most powerful among commercial airliners. Each rack is equipped with six wheels (each can support a weight of up to 27 tons). This makes it possible to effectively support an aircraft whose weight is comparable to the weight of the Boeing 747 of early modifications on a three-post support.
The Boeing 777 became the company's first airliner equipped with a full-fledged fly-by-wire system. The cockpit is equipped with the usual Boeing control system, including redundant LCD displays and classic steering wheels. Avionics data communications systems make extensive use of fiber optic networks throughout the aircraft.
The passenger cabin has the largest width in its class, reaching 5.84 meters (although it is inferior to the width of the Boeing 747 cabins 6.08 m and A380 6.5 m). The standard configuration involves placing 6 seats in a row in business class (2+2+2) and 10 seats in a row in economy class (3+4+3). One can note the influence of British Airways with its “flexible cabin” concept - the interiors have a large number of modular elements, which greatly expands the possibilities of customization.
Also, the Boeing 777, being an aircraft for long-distance and long-term flights, is equipped with special rest areas for crew members. These rooms are located in the upper part of the fuselage above the passenger compartment.
In 2011, Boeing began work to modernize the airliner's cabin, using developments from the Boeing 787 cabin.
Special modifications
KC-777 is a modification of the strategic air tanker. Designed as an enlarged complement to the KC-767 tankers, capable of carrying a larger load.
The 777 VIP is a version of the Boeing Business Jet family, supplied to corporate customers. The aircraft are manufactured on the basis of the -200LR and -300ER models. The interiors of these airliners are manufactured primarily by third-party contractors.
Government modifications based on the Boeing 777 are used to transport senior executives from Japan, the UAE and other countries. Previously, it was assumed that airliners of the -300ER or 777-9 versions could become the aircraft of the US President (aircraft No. 1), but the US Air Force chose the four-engine Boeing 747-8.
Production
By 2000, the Boeing 777 had become Boeing's most profitable widebody product. The emergence of the second generation of airliners further increased demand: in 2007, the order portfolio exceeded 350 units - the production line was busy until 2012, and the value of contracts almost reached $100 billion at the then catalog prices.
Boeing decided to increase production to 8 aircraft per month in 2013. The complete assembly of one 777-300ER aircraft took 49 days. In 2012, Emirates airline received another -300ER and this was the 1000th 777 aircraft. The total volume of orders for second-generation aircraft is expected to be completed until 2020, when production of third-generation aircraft, currently being developed as part of the 777X program, will begin.
Boeing 777X
The Boeing 777X is a new generation of airliners in the 777 family. Installation of the latest engines, modernization of systems and the use of advanced technologies developed on the 787 model implies a significant increase in the efficiency of new aircraft.
The story of the new generation began in 2010-11, when Airbus was developing the latest A350. Despite the fact that the A350 is often considered a competitor to the Boeing 787, it is nevertheless larger and occupies the niche of the older versions of the 787 and, to a greater extent, the current generation 777 airliners.
To ensure competition for the new European aircraft, a program of deep modernization of aircraft was initiated, with their introduction to the market in 2019-2020.
As a power plant, various options were offered from industry leaders. Rolls-Royce proposed an upgraded version of the Trent 1000 engine. Pratt & Whitney presented a concept for an older version, the PW1000G. General Electric also introduced the GE9X engine. In March 2013, Boeing selected the GE9X as the exclusive engine for the 777X aircraft.
Despite the indignation of a number of operators over the loss of the ability to optionally select engines, such a solution is considered more optimal. Adapting aircraft for different power plants significantly increases development and production costs, which is often not justified by the possibility of choosing between engines with almost identical characteristics.
The project was initiated in 2012. However, due to increased costs associated with the creation of the Boeing 737MAX and Boeing 787-10 aircraft, the development of the 777 aircraft was slightly slowed down. However, the aircraft is scheduled to be launched on the market in 2022.
During the Dubai Airshow in 2013, the creation of two aircraft was officially announced: the younger model 8X and the older 9X. The launch customer was Lufthansa, which placed an order for 34 Boeing 777-9X aircraft. These aircraft, coupled with the A350-900 on order, will soon replace the aging fleet of 747-400 and A340 models. Next came Emirates (150 aircraft), Qatar Airways (50) and Etihad Airways (25). In 2015, the airliners received official designations 777-8 and 777-9. “X” remained only in the name of the 777X program.
Production
Especially for the 777X, Boeing built a new composites production plant in St. Louis in 2014. Composite aircraft elements will be produced there. Final assembly is prepared at the 777 production line in Everett.
Design
The Boeing 777X will receive a completely new wing with an increased span. To ensure the possibility of placing the aircraft in the existing infrastructure (span up to 65 m), the wing will be equipped with folding ridge tips, each 3.5 meters long. It takes about 20 seconds to fold and unfold the ends.
The passenger cabin of the airliner will be expanded by approximately 12 cm (from 5.84 to 5.96 meters). This is planned to be achieved through the use of new finishing materials, which will make the interior walls thinner. A significant part of the cabin elements will be inherited from the cabins of Boeing 787 airliners, including larger windows, more efficient luggage racks, and optimal pressure and humidity.
GE9X engines offer a 10% reduction in fuel consumption. The new composite wing will improve the overall performance of the aircraft by 7%. At the same time, 4-5% of this efficiency will be lost due to the fact that the liners will be larger and heavier. According to general calculations, it is assumed that the new airliners will be, on average, 12-13% more efficient than their predecessors.
Modifications
The Boeing 777X project involves the creation of two airliners: models 777-8 and 777-9.
The Boeing 777-8 is a shortened version of the new generation. With a length of 70 meters, it falls between the old models -200 (63.7 m) and -300 (73.9). In a two-class configuration, the aircraft will accommodate 350-375 passengers and fly at a distance of up to 16,110 km. The aircraft is expected to be a direct competitor to the European Airbus A350-1000 and, according to Boeing calculations, should be 4% more efficient.
The Boeing 777-9 will be a model extended to 77 meters (and will be the longest of all Boeings). This will be the basic version of the aircraft, which will be assembled and presented first in 2022. In a two-class cabin layout, the liner will accommodate 400-425 passengers. The flight range will be slightly reduced and reach 14,075 km.
The maximum take-off weight of both aircraft will be similar and will be 351 tons.
Boeing 777-10. After the Boeing 747 aircraft are discontinued, the new Boeing 777 will become the flagship of the company's line. At the same time, to ensure competition with the flagship Airbus A380, Boeing allows for the creation in the future of an extended version of the 777-10. It is expected that the liner will be about 80 meters long and accommodate up to 450 passengers in a 2-class configuration. However, the 777-10 model has not yet been officially announced.
Orders
At the end of 2022, Boeing has an order book for 53 777-8 aircraft and 273 777-9 aircraft from 8 operators. The catalog price of the aircraft will be from $380 million for model -8 and $410 million for model -9.
Exploitation
Since the start of the project and as of 2022, Boeing has produced 1,518 777 aircraft. 1,387 aircraft of different versions are in service. The three largest operators include Emirates (161), United Airlines (88), Cathay Pacific (70).
The catalog price of the 777-200LR model is $314 million, the cargo version costs $319 million, and the currently most expensive version -300ER will cost $340 million. At the same time, first-generation airliners, primarily the Boeing 777-200, are gradually being phased out .
Accidents and incidents
As of 2022, the Boeing 777 has been involved in 19 aviation accidents, including 6 serious incidents resulting in the death of 541 people.
The first such incident was a fire in 2001 during a gas station at the Denver airport. Then an airport worker died. The airliner suffered minor damage to the wing and engine, but was repaired and returned to service.
The first accident that resulted in the destruction of an aircraft was the hard landing of a British Airways airliner at Heathrow Airport in 2008. Due to icing of the fuel system elements during landing, the engines failed. As a result, the plane landed 270 meters from the runway, which led to the destruction of the landing gear, part of the wing and engines. 47 people were injured, but no one died.
In 2013, an incident occurred with an Asiana Airlines airliner at San Francisco airport. During landing, the plane touched the embankment in front of the runway, hit the runway and collapsed. Of the 307 passengers, three died.
In 2014, a Malaysia Airlines airliner with 227 passengers and 12 crew members disappeared while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The plane or its remains were never found. It is believed that the airliner was hijacked, veered off course and crashed somewhere in the Indian Ocean.
Another disaster in 2014 was the death of a Boeing 777 airliner of the same Malaysia Airlines, flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. While flying in the airspace over eastern Ukraine, the plane was shot down. 298 people died.
The sixth major incident involving the 777 was the hard landing of an Emirates airliner at Dubai Airport. In conditions of strong crosswind, the plane almost landed, but due to the high speed, the crew decided to go around. However, the plane was unable to gain altitude, hit the runway with its tail and engine, lost control and crashed onto the runway. The crew and passengers were evacuated, however, while extinguishing the fire, an explosion occurred, which resulted in the death of one firefighter.
Boeing 777 AIRCRAFT CHARACTERISTICS
| Type | long-haul passenger aircraft | ||
| Modification | 777-200 | 777-200ER | 777-200LR |
| Power point | PW 4077 RR 877 GE90-77B | PW 4090 RR 895 GE90-94B | GE90-110B1 GE90-115B |
| Engine thrust | 2 X 34.9 tf | 2 X 42.5 tf | 2 X 52.3 tf |
| Maximum number of passengers | 313 (2 classes) 440 maximum | 313 (2 classes) 440 maximum | 317 (2 classes) 440 maximum |
| Service ceiling | 13,140 m | ||
| Range of flight | 9,700 km | 13,080 km | 15,840 km |
| Maximum take-off weight | 247.2 t | 297.6 t | 347.5 t |
| Cruising speed | 892 km/h | ||
| Wingspan | 60.93 m | 60.93 m | 64.8 m |
| Length | 63.7 m | 63.7 m | 63.7 m |
| Height | 18.5 m | 18.6 m | 18.6 m |
| Modification | 777F | 777-300 | 777-300ER |
| Power point | GE90-110B1 GE90-115B | PW 4098 RR 892 GE90-92B/-94B | GE90-115B |
| Engine thrust | 2 X 52.3 tf | 2 X 44.9 tf | 2 X 52.3 tf |
| Maximum number of passengers | 102 tons of cargo | 396 (2 classes) 550 maximum | 396 (2 classes) 550 maximum |
| Service ceiling | 13,140 m | ||
| Range of flight | 9,200 km | 11,165 km | 13,650 km |
| Maximum take-off weight | 347.8 t | 299.4 t | 351.5 t |
| Cruising speed | 892 km/h | ||
| Wingspan | 64.8 m | 61 m | 64.8 m |
| Length | 63.7 m | 73.9 m | 73.9 m |
| Height | 18.6 m | 18.5 m | 18.5 m |
Military series Boeing 737
There are a number of military and transport aircraft created on the basis of civilian versions of the 737:
- T-43. Used as a training aircraft for training Air Force navigators.
- SLAMMR . Flying scout. Used by the US Navy as a transport vehicle. It is equipped with radar.
- S-40. Passenger plane. It is intended to transport high-ranking military leaders of the US Army.
- Project Wedgetai. Scout plane. It was created on the basis of the 700th. It is intended for long-range location patrol.
- R-8. Multirole aircraft of the US Navy.
The Boeing 737 is widely used in civil and military aviation. Its high passenger capacity makes it an indispensable tool for transporting people over short distances.
Boeing helicopters
Boeing (Boeing) - USA, Chicago. Sikorsky Aircraft - USA.
Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66
Sikorsky S 97 Raider
Boeing AH-64 Apache
Sikorsky S-70 (UH-60 Black Hawk)
From 2004 to 2009, a whole line of qualitatively new and economical aircraft with two jet engines was created. These aircraft have a wide fuselage, which allows them to accommodate significantly more passengers; they are designated as the “Boeing 787 Dreamliner”. This machine is the most economical among all previous devices of this corporation.
produced many other machines that also deserve high marks in flight and economical characteristics. We should not forget about products that are manufactured for the military and space industries.
