Boeing 737: Encyclopedia - Boeing 737

Boeing 737

The Boeing 737 is the world's most popular medium range - narrow body commercial passenger jet aircraft. With 6,025 ordered and 4,867 delivered, it is the most ordered and produced commercial passenger jet aircraft of all time. It has been continuously manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes since 1967.

Boeing 737 - History

The 737 was born out of Boeing's need to field a competitor in the short-range, small capacity jetliner market which had been opened up by the BAC 1-11 and the Douglas DC-9. Boeing was badly behind however when the 737 program was initiated in 1964, as both of these rivals were already into their flight certification programmes. To speed up the development time, Boeing reused as much technology from the existing 707 and 727 as possible, most notably the fuselage. This gave the 737 a critical advantage over the opposition - six abreast seating compared to the 1-11 and DC-9's five abreast layout, and also made the 737 cheaper and quicker to design.

The -100 and -200 series are identifiable by their tubular engine nacelles which are integrated into the wing and project both fore and aft of it. The engines used on the Original 737 models are Pratt and Whitney JT8D turbofans. The Originals can also be identified by the smoothly curving upsweep of the tail fin - the Classics and NG models have a noticeable "kink" at the base of the fin.

The first 737 (a 100 series) took its maiden flight April 9, 1967 and entered service in February 1968 with Lufthansa, the first foreign airline to launch a new Boeing plane. The 737-200 made its maiden flight on August 8, 1967. Lufthansa was the only customer to purchase the 737-100 from new and only 30 aircraft were ever produced. The lengthened 737-200 was widely preferred and was produced until 1988. The launch customer of the 737-200 was United Airlines.

In the early 1980s the 737 had its first major facelift. The biggest change was to the CFM International CFM56 engines in place of the JT8Ds. The CFM56 was larger than the previous P&W unit, so the engine was slung underneath the wing rather than built into it. This posed a problem as the 737's limited ground clearance (a trait of the 707-derived fuselage) meant that the gearbox and accessories normally fitted to the bottom of the engine had to be fitted to the side - giving the cowling the fattened hamster cheek appearance that is often confused with a flattening of the nacelle geometry. At the same time, the 737 gained a partial glass cockpit from the 757 and 767. The first 737-300 entered service in 1984.

By the 1990s, the 737 had lost ground technologically to the newer Airbus A320. In 1993, Boeing initiated the 737-X or Next Generation (NG) program.

The Next-Generation 737 encompasses the -600, -700, -800 and -900, and amounted to a complete redesign of the 30-year old airliner. The 737NG is an entirely new aircraft, sharing very little with previous 737s, other than fuselage frames. New wings, new avionics and revised engines were the biggest engineering changes. The 737 was given a glass cockpit with CRT (except the -900, which had newer and higher tech LCD screens) screens and digital systems inspired by the ones that were used on the 777. A new interior was designed for the Next-Generation 737, again borrowing heavily from the 777. The parts count is down by about 33%, reducing weight and simplifying maintenance. Additional changes since its introduction include a new interior and performance enhancing winglets which reduce fuel consumption and improve take-off and climb performance.

In 2001, the 737 was stretched one more time to create the 737-900, which is in fact longer and carries more passengers than the 707, and steps into the capacity of the 757-200. As a result of weak demand Boeing closed the 757 line in 2004. Early in 2005, the 737 lost its distinctive "eyebrow" windows in the cockpit - once a requirement in the 1960s due to the FAA certification requirement for a minimum windscreen area and also to offer increased visibility in banking maneouvres but all now deemed unnecessary, and a retrofit kit will be offered to remove the windows on existing aircraft.

In July 2005, Boeing announced the 737-900ER (Extended Range), formerly known as the 737-900X. The 737-900ER is the same size as the 737-900, but, with the addition of a pair of exit doors and a flat rear pressure bulkhead, will carry 26 additional passengers, raising the maximum capacity from 189 to 215 in a single-class layout. The first 737-900ER is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2007. Lion Air will be the launch customer, with an order of 30.

Boeing has already hinted that a clean sheet replacement for the 737 (dubbed "Y1") will be the company's next major project after the 787, although it is still unclear if the existing 737 will receive yet one more facelift in the next 7 to 10 years.

Boeing 737 - Variants

There have been three basic generations of the 737, known as the Original, Classic and Next-Generation (NG) models.

• Original: the 737-100 and -200 (Produced from 1967 - 1988)
• Classic: the 737-300, -400, and -500 (Produced from 1983 - 2000)
• Next-Generation (or 737NG): 737-600, -700, -800, and -900 (Produced from 1997 - )

The vast majority of 737s in commercial revenue service are the Classic and Next Generation models.

When referring to variants of the 737, Boeing and the airlines often collapse the model (737) and the capacity designator (-300, -800, etc.) into a smaller form, either 733 or 738. One exception is the 737-700, which is abbreviated as 73G, in order to avoid confusion with the model number itself. Other exceptions exist when the aircraft is equipped with winglets, which results in a 73W designation for the 737-700 and a 73H designation for the 737-800. These notations may be found in aircraft manuals or airline timetables.[1]

Southwest Airlines has the unusual distinction of being the only FAA part 61 certificated commercial airline to select a single make and model of aircraft for its entire fleet--all its planes being Boeing 737's.

Some versions in different generations correspond to each other in size. These are:

Boeing 737 - Original 737

The Original models are quickly heading for extinction owing to poorer fuel efficiency, high noise emissions (despite the vast majority having had their JT8Ds fitted with hush kits) and escalating maintenance costs - although a large number of -200s are still in operation with "second tier" airlines and those of developing countries. No 737-100 remains in airworthy condition; however the original Boeing prototype (now owned by NASA) is now exhibited in the Museum of Flight in Seattle. Original 737s had a cockpit crew of two, a significant change from earlier Boeing models such as the 727, which required a Flight Engineer.

The initial model was the 737-100, and was the smallest model. Lufthansa was the launch customer (who, by extension, launched the 737 itself.)

The 737-200 was an extended version of the 737-100, in order to accommodate the U.S. market. United Airlines was the launch customer. The 737-200C (for "Convertible") could be converted between passenger and cargo use. The 737-200QC (for "Quick Change") was a further extension of the 737-200C, allowing rapid switching between roles.

The 737-200 was later updated as the 737-200 Advanced, which became the standard production version. The 737-200 Advanced was also available as Convertible and Quick Change variants. In addition, the 737-200 Advanced was also sold as the 737-200 Executive Jet and 737-200HGW (High Gross Weight) variants.

Boeing 737 - 737 Classic

The 737-100 and 737-200 eventually began to grow old and inefficient, and thus the airframe was updated considerably. The cockpit was modernized with components from the 757 and 767, and the JT8Ds were replaced by CFM56s.

The 737-300 was the new base model, and was slightly longer than the 737-200. USAir and Southwest Airlines were the launch customers.

The 737-400 was stretched beyond the 737-300, primarily to accommodate charter airlines. USAir and Pace Airlines were the launch customers, and Qantas remains the largest operator, although the airline is now phasing them out.

The 737-500 was a shrunken version of the 737-300. Southwest Airlines, SAS Braathens, Euralair, and Maersk Air were the launch customers.

Boeing 737 - Next Generation 737

The Next Generation 737 (737NG) series was introduced as a response to competition from Airbus' A320 series. The 737 introduced a digital cockpit, an all-new wing and tail, and updated engines. The part count was reduced considerably.

Along with the 737-700 and 737-800, the 737-600 was one of the three initial 737NG variants. The 737-600 superceded the 737-500. Scandanavian Airlines System was the launch customer, but since then this model has suffered from weak sales, being profitable for airlines on primarily long and thin routes.

The direct Airbus equivalent is the A318.

The 737-700 was the new base model, replacing the 737-300. This model was also available as the 737-700C, which offered Quick Change functionality. Southwest Airlines launched the 737-700, while the U.S. Navy launched the 737-700C. An executive conversion is offered as the BBJ1, and the 737-700IGW ("Increased Gross Weight") is available as a military variants. The BBJ is fitted with stronger wings from the 737-800, and has increased range (by use of extra fuel tanks) over the other 737 models and is currently operated by some airlines on premium flights between North America and Europe.

The direct Airbus equivalent is the A319.

The 737-800 was a longer version, directly replacing the 737-400. Hapag-Lloyd Airlines was the launch customer. An executive conversion is offered as the BBJ2, and the 737-800ERX ("Extended Range") is available as a military variant.

The direct Airbus equivalent is the A320.

In order to better compete with offerings from Airbus, Boeing later introduced the 737-900, which was the longest variant. After the cancellation of the 757, the 737-900ER was introduced to fill this niche. Alaska Airlines launched the 737-900, while Lion Air launched the 737-900ER. An executive conversion is offered as the BBJ3.

The direct Airbus equivalent is the A321.

Boeing 737 - Military variants

There are several versions of the 737 with special duties.

• T-43, a 737-200 - Used to train aircraft navigators for the U.S. Air Force.
• SLAMMR: Maritime reconnaissance/transport aircraft, fitted with SLAMMAR (side-looking multi-mission airborne radar.) Three aircraft were sold to the Indonesian Air Force.
• C-40 Clipper, a 737-700C - The U.S. Navy's replacement for the C-9 Skytrain II. Also used by the U.S. Air Force for transport of Generals and other senior leaders.
• Project Wedgetail, a 737-700IGW - This is an AEW&C version of the 737NG. Australia is the first customer, with Turkey, South Korea, and Italy anticipated.
• P-8 Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA), a 737-800ERX - On June 14, 2004, Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division beat Lockheed Martin in the contest to replace the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Eventual orders will probably exceed 100 from the U.S. Navy alone, with other orders from foreign navies certain to follow.

Boeing 737 - Specifications

Boeing 737 - General characteristics

• Wingspan: between 93.0 ft and 112.6 ft (28.3 m and 34.3 m) (36 m for winglet -700, -800, -900)
• Length:
  • 102.5 ft (31.2 m) (600)
  • 110.3 ft (33.6 m) (700)
  • 129.5 ft (39.5 m) (800)
  • 138.2 ft (42.1 m) (900, 900ER)
• Tail height:
  • 41.3 ft (12.6 m) (600)
  • 41.2 ft (12.5 m) (700, 800, 900, 900ER)
• Engines: Two high-bypass turbofan engines, rated at between 64.4 kN and 117.3 kN each
  • Pratt & Whitney JT8D (100, 200)
  • CFMI CFM56-3 (300, 400, 500)
  • CFMI CFM56-7 (600, 700, 800, 900, 900ER)
• Maximum takeoff weight:
  • 143,500 lb (65,090 kg) (600)
  • 174,200 lb (79,010 kg) (700, 800, 900)
• Capacity: 85 to 215 passengers
• Cost: USD $45.5 million to $77 million list price in 2005 [2]
• Autoflight, Displays, Navigation and Sensors by Honeywell
• Section 41, fuselage, and most other components produced in Wichita, Kansas. Final assembly is in Seattle-Renton, Washington.

Boeing 737 - Disasters

Boeing 737 - Recent accidents

• January 3, 2004 - Flash Airlines, Flight 604, a 737-300 crashed shortly after take-off from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt killing all 148 passengers and crew. [3]
• February 3, 2005 - Kam Air, Flight 904, a 737-200 crashed into a mountain 20 miles (30 km) east of Kabul, Afghanistan killing all 96 passengers and eight crew. [4]
• August 14, 2005 - Helios Airways, Flight 522, a 737-300 crashed after cabin decompression and crew loss of consciousness, north of Athens, killing all 118 passengers and crew.
• August 23, 2005 - TANS Peru, Flight 204, a 737-200 crashed during a storm in the Peruvian jungle, killing 40 of the 92 passengers and six crew. [5]
• September 5, 2005 - Mandala Airlines, Flight 091, a 737-200 crashed in Medan, Indonesia, killing 102 of the 117 passengers and crew, plus 47 more on the ground. [6]
• October 22, 2005 - Bellview Airlines , Flight 210 , a 737-200 crashed shortly after take-off from Lagos, Nigeria, killing all 111 passengers and six crew. [7]
• December 8, 2005 - Southwest Airlines , Flight 1248 , a 737-700 slid off the runway during a heavy snowstorm landing on runway 31C (length 6,500 - available to land distance of 5,826 with minimum runway visibility of 4000 feet [3/4 of a mile]) at Chicago's Midway Airport and into a nearby intersection, hitting two cars killing 1 car passenger and injuring eleven other people, including three jet passengers[8]

Boeing 737 - Accidents summary

Statistics as of December 12, 2005:

• Hull-loss Accidents: 114 with a total of 3182 fatalities
• Other occurrences: 6 with a total of 242 fatalities
• Hijackings: 96 with a total of 325 fatalities

Source: Aviation Safety Network

Boeing 737 - Related content

Designation sequence:

• 707 - 717 - 720 - 727 - 733 - 737 - 747 - 757 - 767 - 777 - 787 - 7J7

Related development:

• Boeing Business Jet
• T-43
• Wedgetail
• C-40 Clipper
• MMA

Similar aircraft:

• Airbus A320
• Avro Jetliner
• Boeing 717
• Bombardier CSeries
• EMBRAER E-Jets

Related lists:

• List of airliners

See also:

• List of Boeing 737 operators
• Bombardier CSeries
• Embraer E-jets

External links:

• http://www.b737.org.uk/
• Aircraft-Info.net - Boeing 737-400
• Planemad.net - Boeing 737 all versions Production Lists
• The Boeing 737 Management Reference Guide (for B737 airline pilots)
• Official Boeing page
• List of 737NG operators

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Boeing 737 - Trivia

• The first Boeing 737's were nicknamed, "The Baby Boeing" because it looked like a baby 707 to many pilots.

• The 737 uses the same basic fuselage as the 707, 727 and 757.

• A Boeing 737's fuselage is as wide as the engine nacelle of a Boeing 777.

• With the number of 737s in use, it is estimated that one 737 takes-off every 5 seconds somewhere in the world.

Category: U.S. airliners 1960-1969

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Boeing 737", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki