Page 12 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2016 Online Magazine

FEATURE SINGLE AISLE

Winner Takes it All

Intense rivalry between Boeing and Airbus has seen a host
of innovations across every aspect of the two aircrafts’
design and systems By Geoffrey Thomas

INNOVATION AND ThE BOEING 737 ARE “In fact we’ve improved the product
bywords in the airline industry. There is no every year since the Next-Generation went
better example of the constant refinement into service.”
of a design to meet and beat changing market And the 737NG is a huge leap over the 737
conditions and demands than Boeing’s baby Classics it replaced and Boeing incorporated
which first flew in 1967. all but 10 of 350 suggestions made by airlines
At the time it was a miracle that it was on top of all the aerodynamic, engine and
built and then with sluggish sales it was cockpit enhancements for the NG.
almost cancelled. First major improvement for the 737NG
Almost 50 years later it is the best- came in 2003 in the form of the 6ft (1.8m)
selling commercial jet aircraft in history with Aviation Partners Blended Winglet that cut
13,237 sold through December last year. fuel consumption by between 3.5 and 4%.
In its 1967 form it could carry 99 passengers Then in 2004 Boeing delivered the first
over 1,723 miles (2,775km) with a full payload. short field package for GOL and this included
The latest model – the MAX 8 – can typically a two-position tail skid that enabled reduced
carry about double the passengers more than approach speeds, sealed leading-edge slats
double the range burning about 35 per cent less that provide increased lift during take-off,
fuel per passenger. and increased flight spoiler deflection on the
When it was launched it was last to ground that improves take-off and landing
market against three well entrenched performance.
competitors and since 1984 has kept parity The enhancements increase payload
with the Airbus A320 family. capability for landing of up to 8,000lbs on
The intense rivalry between the two the 737-800 and 737-900ER and increase
aerospace giants and their engine partners, the payload capability for take-off of up to
combined with the generally poor levels of airline 2,000lbs on the 737-800 and 737-900ER.
profitability, has seen a host of innovations Along with the various thrust options,
across every aspect of the two aircrafts’ design CFM International introduced two Tech
and systems both inside and out. insertions in 2007 and another in 2011. As
Both manufacturers have leaned heavily for the CFM56-5 for the A320 the CFM56-
on newer wide-body programmes and engine 7 series upgrade resulted in: 5-12% lower
suppliers to deliver both the smallest and often maintenance costs; 15% EGT margin
significant gains. In this special case study we improvement; and 1% lower SFC over the
examine the two best-selling commercial jets engine lifecycle.
from market leaders Airbus and Boeing and
find a relentless drive to extract the smallest
gain for the slightest edge.
The most popular model is of course
the 737NG which was launched in November Boeing’s latest 737MAX 8 can
1993 to combat the A320. typically carry approximately twice
“The story of the Next-Generation the passengers across more than
737 is one of continuous improvement,” double the range, while burning
Boeing’s Vice President - 737 Chief Project about 35 per cent less fuel per
passenger, than the first 737-100
Engineer Mike Murphy tells Asian Airlines & which took to the air almost 50
Aerospace. years ago in 1967
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