Boeing 737 is the general name for a family of more than ten types of aircraft. The Boeing 737 is the most widely produced and best-selling jet passenger aircraft in the history of aircraft manufacturing, it is the most popular narrow-body passenger jet aircraft in the world, it has been in production since 1967 and throughout its history, aircraft of the Boeing 737 family have transported more than 12,000,000,000 (12 billion ) passengers. The aircraft operates short- and medium-haul flights. At any given time, there are on average about 1,250 737 series aircraft in the air, and every 4.6 seconds one Boeing 737 takes off or lands somewhere in the world. All aircraft of the Boeing 737 family are divided into 3 groups: 737 Original, 737 Classic, 737 Next Generation (NG) Boeing 737 Original: 737 100-200 (produced from 1967 to 1988) Boeing 737 Classic: 737 300-500 (produced from 1983 to 2000) Boeing 737 NG: 737 600-700, -700ER, 800 -900, -900ER, BBJ, BBJ2 (produced since 1997)
Technical characteristics of the Boeing 737
| Type | 737-100 | 737-200 | 737-300 | 737-400 | 737-500 | 737-600 | 737-700 | 737-800 | 737-900 | 737-900 | ||
| Length, m | 28,65 | 30,50 | 33,25 | 36,40 | 31,01 | 31,20 | 33,60 | 39,50 | 42,10 | 42,10 | ||
| Wingspan, m | 28,35 | 28,88 | 34,30 | |||||||||
| Fuselage width, m | 3,76 | |||||||||||
| Cabin width, m | 3,53 | |||||||||||
| Number of places | 85-99 | 96-133 | 123-149 | 146-168 | 103-122 | 110-132 | 128-149 | 162-189 | 177-189 | 180-215 | ||
| Maximum take-off weight, kg | 49 940 | 58 100 | 61 250 | 62 820 | 52 400 | 65 150 | 69 400 | 79 010 | 79 200 | 83 627 | ||
| Cruising speed, km/h | 917 | 907 | 852 | |||||||||
| Minimum speed, km/h | 350 | 350 | 330 | |||||||||
| Flight range, km | 3 440 | 4 200 | 4 400 | 5 000 | 5 200 | 5 648 | 6 230 | 5 665 | 5 800 | 5 925 | ||
| First delivery | 02.1968 | 04.1968 | 11.1984 | 09.1988 | 02.1990 | 08.1998 | 10.1997 | 04.1998 | 05.2001 | 04.2007 | ||
Interesting facts about the Boeing 737
- The first Boeing 737 aircraft were nicknamed "Baby Boeing" by pilots, as they looked like a small Boeing 707
- On Classic (300-500) and NG (600-900) series aircraft, the engine air intakes are non-circular. This technical solution was nicknamed “hamsterisation” due to its resemblance to the cheeks of a hamster.
- The number of Boeing 737 parts exceeds 3 million pieces
- To paint the fuselage of a Boeing 737, you need about 200 liters of paint. When the paint dries, it weighs about 113 kilograms
- Estimated cost of Boeing 737: from 51.5 million to 87 million $ depending on the series and configuration
Boeing 737 interior
Number of passenger seats depending on aircraft type and cabin class
Boeing 737 cabin layout. Layout: Business class + Economy class
Boeing 737 cabin layout. Layout: Economy class
The arrows indicate the emergency exits of a Boeing 737
Boeing 747(Jumbo Jet, “Jumbo Jet”) is the first long-range wide-body passenger aircraft in the world and the most recognizable civil aircraft in the world. The Boeing 747 made its first flight in 1969. From its inception until 2005 (the introduction of the A380), the Boeing 747 was the most spacious, largest and heaviest passenger aircraft in the world. Also, the Boeing 747 was the world's fastest subsonic jet airliner, its cruising speed is 0.855 Mach (Mach number. The speed is 0.855 of the speed of sound at a given altitude). Together with the Boeing 777, the Boeing 747 is a key element of Boeing's strategy in the long-haul airline market.
The Boeing 747 fuselage has a double-deck layout, with the upper deck being shorter than the lower one. There are several modifications of the Boeing 747, most of which are capable of long-range flights. The record holder for the longest range among the 747 is the Boeing of the Australian airline Qantas Airways, which made a non-stop flight from London to Sydney in 1989, covering 18,000 km in 20 hours 9 minutes, without passengers or cargo on board.
The aerodynamic design of the Boeing 747 is a four-engine low-wing aircraft with a swept wing and single-tail tail.
Technical characteristics of the Boeing 747
|
Type |
747-100 |
747-400ER |
747-8 |
|
Length, m |
70,7 |
70,7 |
76,4 |
|
Wingspan, m |
59,6 |
64,4 |
68,5 |
|
Height, m |
19,3 |
19,4 |
19,4 |
|
Empty aircraft weight, t |
162,4 |
180,8 |
276,7 |
|
Maximum take-off weight, t |
340,2 |
412,8 |
435,4 |
|
Cruising speed, M |
0.84 M |
0.855 M |
0.855 M |
|
Maximum speed, M |
0.89 M |
1150 km/h |
1150 km/h |
|
Range with maximum load, km |
9800 |
14 205 |
14 815 |
|
Fuel capacity, l |
183 380 |
241 140 |
227 600 |
|
Fuel consumption with maximum load, l/km |
20,3 |
17,0 |
15,4 |
|
Passenger capacity |
452 (2 classes) |
524 (2 classes) |
467 (3 classes) |
|
Crew, man |
Boeing 747 modifications
- Boeing 747-100 (produced from 1968 to 1986)
- Boeing 747-200 (produced since 1971)
- Boeing 747-300 (produced since 1980)
- Boeing 747-400 (produced from 1989 to this day) is the most popular model of the entire series. The Boeing 747-400 is 25% more economical and two times quieter than the Boeing 747-100, and this aircraft also has an increased degree of comfort.
- 747-8 Intercontinental (passenger) and Freighter (transport version of the Boeing 747-400). The first test flight of this modification took place on February 8, 2010.
On February 9, 1969, an airplane took off for the first time. Boeing 747, which in the next half century became one of the most famous and sought-after airliners from this American company. However, under this brand over almost a hundred years, many no less legendary aircraft, which will be discussed in this review.
Boeing Model 1 – the firstborn from Boeing
The history of the Boeing Corporation should be counted starting on June 15, 1916, when the B&W seaplane, created by William Boeing and his friend, military engineer George Westervelt, made its first flight. The tests were successful, and within a month the comrades established their own aircraft production company - The Pacific Aero Products Company, which a year later was renamed in honor of the creator.
B&W was named Boeing Model 1, but did not go into mass production. A total of two were released like an airplane, which first entered service with the US Navy and was later sold to a civil aviation school in New Zealand. This deal was Boeing's first international agreement.
Boeing Model C - the first production model
Boeing Model C was the first aircraft from Boeing to go into mass production, and the first financial success of the young company. Tests of this aircraft took place in November 1916, and in April 1917 the manufacturer entered into a contract with the US War Department, involving the supply of more than fifty aircraft of this type.
Boeing Model C aircraft (six variations in total) were used by the US Navy for pilot training, as well as for the transport of cargo and correspondence.
Boeing 247 - the first modern airliner
Over the next few years, Boeing produced many aircraft models for the US Army, Post Office Department, etc. But the turning point in the history of this manufacturer came in 1933, when production of the world's first serial passenger airliner began. modern type– Boeing 247.
The Boeing 247 was a true triumph of engineering at the time. It had an all-metal body with a free-supporting wing, retractable and retractable landing gear, and even an autopilot! A total of 75 copies of this 10-seater aircraft were produced, which is quite good for the period when civil Aviation was just emerging.
B-29 Superfortress - flying superfortress
During World War II, Boeing switched almost entirely to the production of military aircraft. At the same time, the aircraft developed by the engineers of this company were also assembled at the factories of other companies - the whole country was aimed at victory.
The most popular military aircraft from Boeing at that time was the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, but the most famous was the B-29 Superfortress. This plane became one of the symbols of the US victory in World War II; for example, it was from the flying “superfortresses” that atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The B-29 Superfortress became the basis for the Soviet Tu-4 bomber, and then, in a redesigned version, for the American Boeing 377 Stratocruiser passenger airliner.
Boeing 707 - the first "seven"
The first truly massive passenger airliner from the Boeing company became the Boeing 707 aircraft. It first took to the skies in 1954, and mass production began in 1958.
The aircraft was produced for twenty years, until 1978, but more than a hundred of its copies still ply the air spaces of the planet. The reason for this is the high reliability of the device, as well as the ability to modify it to suit specific needs. For example, not only passenger aircraft were created on the basis of the Boeing 707, but also cargo planes, as well as tankers, reconnaissance aircraft, flying laboratories and airborne command posts. And even John Travolta flies his personal B-707!
Boeing 737 is the most popular airliner
The 717 and 727 Boeing models also gained quite a lot of popularity in the world, but the Boeing 737 became a truly legendary aircraft. This aircraft is the most popular jet passenger airliner in the history of aviation, because from 1968 to the present time almost eight have been produced thousands of its copies. A total of ten models of the Boeing 737 family were produced.
A study of aviation statistics has shown that at any given time there are at least 1,200 Boeing 737 aircraft in the air. And the takeoff or landing of such a device occurs, on average, every five seconds. These are records that others can only dream of. passenger aircraft, including the direct competitor of the 737 - the Airbus A320.
Boeing 747 - a giant aircraft, a legendary aircraft
The development and construction of the Boeing 747 was accompanied by lamentations from skeptics. They say that this plane is too big, not as economical as its competitors, and even there are no premises for its assembly - the manufacturing company even had to build a new plant for these purposes, one of the largest buildings in the world. Huge expenses brought Boeing to the brink of bankruptcy, but high profits more than compensated for these risks.
Supersonic aviation, which was supposed to compete with aircraft like the Boeing 747, did not live up to the hopes placed on it. But this airliner itself became one of the most popular in the history of passenger air travel. And the number of orders for it began to decline only in the first decade of the 21st century. In total, almost one and a half thousand copies of the B-747 have been produced since 1969.
Boeing 767 - the workhorse of air carriers
The world owes the appearance of the Boeing 767 to the American airline United Airlines, which showed interest in the economical medium- and long-range airliner and placed an order for thirty copies. This happened in 1978, three years later the first B-767 took off into the sky, and a year later its mass production began, which continues to this day.
Boeing 767 gained worldwide popularity thanks to high level comfort comparable to the 747 model, efficiency, use of new technologies and safety. There is a known case when this airliner flew more than a hundred kilometers with an empty tank, gliding from an altitude of 8.5 kilometers and successfully landing without significant damage.
Boeing 777 – three sevens
In the post-Soviet space, the "three sevens" brand is associated with cheap port wine, and in America - with the Boeing 777, the world's largest twin-engine passenger jet. In addition to its size, this airliner also has several other achievements. Eg, absolute record flight range on one refill of fuel tanks is 21,601 kilometers.
The development of this airliner began in 1990, and it took its first flight in June 1994. It is noteworthy that the Boeing 777 was the first aircraft designed entirely on a computer, without any use of paper drawings. And airlines and even passengers took an active part in the work on the new aircraft, who gave a lot of advice on what a new product from Boeing should be like in order to please people and customers.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner – dream airliner
Boeing specialists know the value of their work and the aircraft they create. Proof of this can be the name given to the new aircraft produced by this company - Dreamliner, a dream airliner. It first flew on December 15, 2009.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner, on this moment, is the most scarce aircraft in the world. After all, the Boeing company already has orders for more than a thousand copies of this device, but it has produced only a little more than a hundred units. This excitement among airlines is understandable - a “dream airliner”, despite its big sizes, a very economical, environmentally friendly and profitable aircraft, and even created using “green” technologies, which is very fashionable these days.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner can carry from 210 to 330 passengers and fly a distance of up to 16,299 kilometers.
(average: 5,00
out of 5)
It is the world's largest twin-engine jet passenger aircraft. The Boeing 777 set an absolute range record for passenger aircraft - 21,601 thousand km! Boeing 777 (“Triple Seven” or “three sevens”) - this aircraft was developed in the early 1990s, made its first flight in 1994, and has been in operation since 1995. The Boeing 777 was the first commercial airliner to be designed 100% by computers. And this is the safest long-haul airliner in the history of aviation!
I flew on three sevens only once - from Dubai to Male with Emirates airlines and then I was surprised to learn that they saved a lot on the layout of the economy class cabin; we will put one additional seat in a row, reducing the width of the others! In this report I will tell you about the history of creation, design features and I will show the passenger cabin of the largest operator of this type of aircraft in Russia.
History of creation
In the mid-1970s. The three-engine 777, which was intended as a competitor to the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Lockheed L-1011. This aircraft was conceived as a modified version of the 767 with a redesigned wing and tail section. It was planned to create two main options: a short-haul aircraft, which would be capable of carrying up to 175 passengers over a distance of 5,000 kilometers, and an intercontinental airliner, carrying the same number of passengers over a distance of up to 8,000 kilometers.
Work on twin-engine aircraft soon began, but the 777 project was frozen, as difficulties arose with the design of the tail section of the aircraft, and the company also decided to focus on the more commercially promising 757 and 767. As a result, when both aircraft began to roll off the assembly line, it became Clearly there is a missing link in Boeing's aircraft line. There was an urgent need to have an aircraft that would be in the niche between such machines as the Boeing 767-300ER and Boeing 747-400.
1. At first, Boeing planned to simply modify the 767, which resulted in the concept of the so-called 767-X. It was in many ways similar to the 767, but had a longer fuselage, a larger wing and could carry about 340 passengers over a distance of up to 13.5 thousand kilometers.
2. But the airlines were not impressed with the new plane. They wanted an aircraft capable of flying shorter distances and with a cabin configuration similar to the Boeing 747, which, in addition, could be changed by adding or removing the required number of passenger seats in a particular class of cabin. Another necessary condition was to reduce operating costs - they would have to be significantly lower than those of the 767. As a result, the original project was heavily redesigned and the twin-engine Boeing 777 was born.
The Boeing 777 became the first commercial airliner to 100% computer developed. During the entire development period, not a single paper drawing was released; everything was made using a three-dimensional design system.
Development of the aircraft began in 1990 and the first order was immediately received from United Airlines. In 1995, the first 777 began commercial flights. Currently, the 777-200LR is the aircraft capable of performing the longest passenger flights in the world.
Modifications
3. 777-200 was the first modification of the aircraft and was intended for Segment A. The first 777-200 was delivered to United Airlines on May 15, 1995. With a range of 5,235 nautical miles, the 777-200 modification was aimed primarily at US domestic carriers. A total of 88 different aircraft of the 777-200 modification were delivered to ten customers. Competing model Airbus is A330-300.
4. 777-300. The stretched version of the 777-300 was intended to replace the Boeing 747-100 and Boeing 747-200 aircraft. Compared to older versions of the 747, the stretched version has similar passenger capacity and range, but uses a third less fuel and has 40% lower operating costs. The fuselage of the 777-300 is extended by 11 meters compared to the basic modification of the 777-200, which allows it to accommodate up to 550 passengers in a single-class configuration. The modification's maximum range is 6,015 nautical miles, allowing the 777-300 to serve heavily trafficked destinations previously served by the 747.
5. 777-200LR(LR stands for Longer Range), a Segment C model, in 2006 it became the world's longest-range commercial airliner. Boeing called this model the Worldliner, indicating the airliner's ability to connect almost any two airports. The modification set a world record for the longest non-stop flight among commercial airliners - the flight range is 9,380 nautical miles (17,370 km). The 777-200LR modification is designed for ultra-long flights, such as Los Angeles - Singapore or Dallas - Tokyo. The 777-200LR has an increased maximum takeoff weight and three additional fuel tanks in the rear cargo compartment.
777-300ER(“ER” stands for Extended Range) is a modification of the 777-300. The modification has beveled and extended wingtips, new main landing gear, a reinforced nose strut and additional fuel tanks. The GE90-115B turbofan engines standard for this model are by far the most powerful jet engines in the world and have a maximum thrust of 513 kN. The maximum range is 7,930 nautical miles (14,690 km), made possible by increased maximum take-off weight and fuel capacity. The 777-300ER's fully loaded range is increased by approximately 34% compared to the 777-300. After flight tests, the introduction of new engines, wings and an increase in take-off weight, fuel consumption decreased by 1.4%.
6. And all modifications in the visual series:
7. A good illustration for comparing scales is the 737 in front. Please note that the diameter of the GE-115B engine installed on the 777 is only 30 cm less than the width Boeing cabin 737!
Design elements
8. The design of the aircraft airframe includes the use of composite materials, which make up 9% of the weight of the structure. The interior floor and steering wheels are also made from such materials. The main part of the fuselage has a circular cross-section and at the rear merges into a blade-like tail cone, which houses the auxiliary power unit.
12. The airliner also has the largest landing gear and the largest tires ever used on a commercial jet airliner. Each tire on the 777-300ER's six-wheel main landing gear can support 27 tons, which is more than the tire load on a Boeing 747-400!
15. The aircraft has three backup hydraulic systems, of which only one is needed for landing. An emergency aircraft turbine is located in the wing fairing under the fuselage - a small propeller that extends out of the aircraft in emergency situations to provide minimal power.
The General Electric GE90 engines powering the Boeing 777 are the largest and most powerful jet engines in aviation history. And all five Boeing 777-300 of Transaero are equipped with RR211 Trent 892 engines from Rolls Royse:
Cockpit
17. The cockpit is very spacious. The Boeing 777 in all modifications is a long-haul airliner capable of serving non-stop commercial flights lasting up to 18 hours. However, regulations of various aviation regulatory bodies, professional and trade union organizations limit the continuous work time of crew and flight attendants.
Interior
The 777 interior, also known as the Boeing Signature Interior, features curved lines, extended overhead bins and indirect lighting. Seat configurations range from 4 abreast in first class to 10 abreast in economy class. The window size - 380x250 mm - was the largest of any commercial airliner until the introduction of the 787.
Each airline's passenger cabin has its own layout. It depends on certain customer requirements, and not on the type of aircraft!
Please note that in economy class Transaero has one seat less in a row than, for example, Emirates (!) and Aeroflot.
20. Examples of the layout of Boeing 777 -200 and -300 a/k Transaero. Economy 2-5-2:
21. Economy 3-3-3:
22. Aeroflot - economy: 3-4-3:
23. Let's take a look on board the Boeing 777-300 of Transaero Airlines. This EI-UNM aircraft previously flew in Singapore Airlines. The interior has been completely updated, with a Lumexis entertainment system installed throughout. The upholstery uses wear-resistant Alcantara material, and the seat manufacturer is the Italian company Aviointeriors.
Imperial class:
27. Business class:
28. Economy class. The economy class cabin in red colors is called “economy class”, and the blue one is called “tourist class”. They differ in the pitch of the seats. IN economy class- 36 inches, in tourist - 32 inches.
31. Visually, the color division in the interior is pleasing to the eye:
32. Kitchen at the rear of the plane:
33. And even an installation for uncorking champagne bottles for the Imperial class:
34. In total, about 1,100 aircraft have been produced at the moment! I once photographed the 1000th copy in Dubai:
35. Safety. This airliner is considered the safest aircraft among all long-haul airliners. During its 18 years of operation, the Boeing 777 suffered eight incidents, including one crash and two hijacking attempts. On July 6, 2013, the first plane crash with human casualties occurred. An Asiana Airlines Boeing 777-200ER, flying from Seoul to San Francisco, crashed while landing at San Francisco Airport, hitting the end of the runway with its tail. 2 people died.
The 737 is one of the most successful models of the American aircraft manufacturer The Boeing Company, as well as the most widely used airliner in the world. Since 1967, over seven thousand cars of this modification have been produced. And even today, the Boeing 737 continues to be produced and is in great demand among air carriers around the world. Its main competitor in the air transportation market, among narrow-body aircraft passenger aircraft, is an Airbus A320.
Boeing 737 photo
The Boeing company, in production today, has nine variations of the 737 model, these are different modifications of the 737-600, 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900. The Boeing 737 version can be chronologically divided into three groups - Original (first generation), Classic (second generation) and Next-Generation (third generation).
Generation Original (models -100, -200)
The plane was first presented to the public in 1964, and in February 1968 it took to the skies for the first time. After this, the airliner entered service with the airline. This was a version of the 737-100, which was later modified into a more successful version of the 737-200. The Boeing 737-200 was released in 1988. A total of more than 900 aircraft of this type were sold to air carriers. Boeing initially planned for 60 to 85 passenger seats on its aircraft, but after consultation with its first customer, the number of seats was increased to one hundred. By increasing the number of seats in each row, Boeing beat its rival DC-9
Classic generation (models -300, -400, -500)
In the early eighties, the Boeing 737 underwent significant modernization. The Boeing company has increased the number of passenger seats in the new model range. These modifications allow you to carry up to 150 passengers. Aircraft power has increased. New engines and the latest avionics were installed on the aircraft. The flight range has been increased. There are fewer harmful emissions. They began to meet new standards. Boeing used a completely new CFM56 engine, which had lower fuel consumption and also met strict noise limits. The aircraft's wings were also modified. Aerodynamics have become better. This is how successful models emerged, 737-300, -400, -500, which can satisfy most airports in the world. The Boeing 737-300 first flew in 1984 and ceased production in December 1999.
Boeing 737 interior photo
In 1986, the company began developing an expanded version, designated the Boeing 737-400, with more powerful engines and a capacity of 170 passengers. It has become three meters longer than its predecessor. Production of this model ended in 2000. The smallest and youngest member of the second generation, the 737-500, capable of carrying up to 132 passengers, entered service in February 1990. Before production of the 737-500 ended in 1999, more than 350 units were delivered to the airline.
Next-Generation (models -600, -700, -800, -900)
In the mid-nineties, the creation of the third generation of Boeing 737 began. This generation includes modifications -600, -700, -800 and -900. Unlike previous versions, the -800 and -900 models have undergone significant technological improvements.
One of the most important improvements is the presence of a Head-Up Display (HUD), which is used in military aircraft. The HUD is a transparent display that is located between the pilot and cockpit window. All important data such as altitude, speed, location and much more are projected onto it. During takeoff and landing, it displays a schematic image of the runway, allowing the 737 to fly even in very poor visibility.
Boeing 737 interior diagram
These versions were equipped with new power plant CFM 56-7B. The number of seats on the Boeing 737-700 is identical to the 737-300 version. The first 737-700 aircraft was delivered to Southwest Airlines in 1997. The later version of the 737-800 is a modern variant with a longer range of up to 5,765 km and with 189 passenger seats. The 737-800 is the successful third generation of 737s with over 900 units sold.
Demand for a variant similar to the 727-500 but with greater range led to the development of the 737-600 version. The first flight of the Boeing 737-600 took place in 1998. The Boeing 737-900ER is the largest in the 737 family with a flight range of up to 6,045 km. This model entered flight service in 2007.
