January 25, 201214 yr Hehe, Norwegian has just bought 222 new a/c, 100 - 320 Airbus and 22 - 738 and 100 new Max8. :-) Edited January 25, 201214 yr by JakobF 737 CL/NG skysurfer
January 25, 201214 yr The new 737 is looking better with the little improvements. I was afraid they would remove the winglets as substitute them by the racked wingtips, like the ones used in the 787, 777 and 747-8. It would be nice if the did some improvements to the cockpit as well. Not necessarily changing the entire layout of it, using the 777/787 style for example, even because that would require major investmentes in training the current 737 pilots. But maybe adding an EICAS, or at least creating system synoptic pages (I believe that's how they're called) in the lower DU for systems like pressurization, fuel, air conditioning, electrical and so on. That would require more training for current 737 pilots, but would put the 737 in par with current standart technologies in today's airliners. I really like the 737, but it's been pretty much the same since the 60's. They just automated some processes, added a few new important systems and added a glass cockpit. Other than that, It's been pretty much the same. Still uses annunciator panels for warnings instead of an EICAS, relies on 'steam gauges' for indications like pressirization, air and fuel temperature, air pressure and other things, uses the flip-button 'technology' (not that there's something wrong with it), while (most) modern airlines use push-buttons, still has cables linking the flight controls to the control surfaces instead of using just hydraulic pressure (correct me if it's wrong).I know some may say those things are the identity of the 737, but we have to admit the market doesn't care to identity any more. They care about efficiency and competitiveness. If the plane remains stuck in it's current technology, it's won't last long. That's why Boeing decided to make the 737 MAX. To be able to compete with the A320 Neo. Otherwise, the 737 would be vanshed from the market and the A320 would stand tall as the only single-aisle airplane for more than 100 pax to be successful in the market. Matheus Mafra
January 25, 201214 yr Well written Matheus,as an interesting tidbit, an EICAS system for the NG was proposed, but FAA would have mandated a different typerating from Classic to the NG if used, and it was deemed more effective/efficient to keep commoniality. Maybe a usage of synoptic screens while retaining current basic crew alerting system design would be feasible? --Peter Fabian
January 26, 201214 yr Well written Matheus,as an interesting tidbit, an EICAS system for the NG was proposed, but FAA would have mandated a different typerating from Classic to the NG if used, and it was deemed more effective/efficient to keep commoniality. Maybe a usage of synoptic screens while retaining current basic crew alerting system design would be feasible?Thanks!That exactly what I thought. If they are not putting an EICAS for commonality sake, a synoptics page would be good enough. But we have to take into account that the first 737 MAX delivery is expected to take place in 2017. 5 years from now. All airliners, even the regionals, like the CRJ and the E-Jets, have EICAS, ECAM or whatever they call it, today. Even GA airplanes have some variant of such system in their glass cockpits. I don't see any advantage for the 737 to be the only one without such system. I think Boeing missed the opportunity to do this change when they came up with the NG. That's when they should have done this. Now it's too late. I believe this could be impractical, but they could develop a brand new cockpit for the MAX and make it standard, while they would leave the current cockpit technology available as an option for the airlines to choose, just like they did with the NG, PMF/ND style as standard. but leaving the EFIS/MAP as an option. Matheus Mafra
January 26, 201214 yr I think boeing is making a mistake with the Max. The design is too old, and even though it is good, there are some big hurdles that they are coming up on like engine fan clearance. The geared turbo-fan would be more efficient with a larger diameter fan, which the 320 airframe can accommodate without a problem. But in the 737 they are gonna reduce the fan size in order to get proper clearance.The cockpit is also in serious need of bringing it up to standards. Of course, airlines being run by accountants, they want same type rating. But it is time to move on. The "old" Boeing would be making the flight deck the same as the 787 and push for commonality between those two aircraft. Why handicap this new model by tying it to the older generation cockpit in the 737, but I can guarantee you that is exactly what they will do.They made the same mistake with the 747-8, and it is costing them big time. They better hope that sales pick up on the -8 or they will need to "re-invent" it, the same way they did when they failed with the 747-300. Anyway, it is still a sweet looking aircraft, but sales wise, I think they should have come out with a new design. Airbus beat them with the re-engine option, they should have sucker punched them with a new design. Then again, maybe that is what they are doing but just haven't told anyone... :(
January 26, 201214 yr [Disregard]. Wrong topic. Edited January 26, 201214 yr by barfra1995 Matheus Mafra
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