World Of Airplane : #737NG #737NextGen

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BOEING 737

The Boeing 737 Next Generation, also known as the 737NG or 737 Next Gen, is a narrow-body Aircraft produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes that is powered by two jet engines. It was introduced in 1993 as the third generation derivative of the Boeing 737 and has been in production since 1997[4], replacing the 737 Classic (300/400/500) series.

It has a new wing with a larger area, wider wingspan, more fuel capacity, higher maximum takeoff weights (MTOW), and a longer range. It is powered by CFM International CFM56-7 series engines and features a glass cockpit as well as upgraded and redesigned interior configurations. The 600/-700/-800/-900 series has four variants that seat between 108 and 215 passengers. The primary competition for the 737NG is the Airbus A320 family.

As of April 2022, a total of 7,124 737NG aircraft had been ordered, with 7,092 delivered, and orders for two -800 and 30 -800A variants still outstanding. The 737-800 was the most popular variant, with 4,991 commercial, 191 military, and 23 corporate jets ordered, for a total of 5,205 jets. Boeing ceased commercial 737NG production in 2019 and completed the final deliveries in January 2020. [2] The 737NG was replaced in 2017 by the fourth generation 737 MAX.

Background

When United Airlines purchased the more technologically advanced Airbus A320 with fly-by-wire controls, Boeing was prompted to convert the slower, shorter-range 737 Classic variants into the more efficient, longer New Generation variants. Boeing began work on an updated series of aircraft in 1991. On November 17, 1993, the 737 Next Generation (NG) programme was announced after working with potential customers.

Testing

On December 8, 1996, the first NG was delivered: a 737700. The 2,843rd 737 was launched on February 9, 1997, with pilots Mike Hewett and Ken Higgins. The prototype 737800 flew for the first time on July 31, 1997, piloted by Jim McRoberts and then by Hewett. The smallest of the new variants, the 600 series, is identical in size to the 500, and was introduced in December 1997, with the first flight taking place on January 22, 1998; it received FAA certification on August 18, 1998. The flight test programme employed ten aircraft: three -600s, four -700s, and three -800s.

Production

Boeing planned to increase 737 production from 31.5 units per month in September 2010 to 35 in January 2012 and 38 in 2013.

In 2014, the production rate was 42 units per month, with plans to increase to 47 units per month in 2017 and 52 units per month in 2018.

In 2016, the monthly production rate was set to increase to 57 units per month by 2019, eventually reaching the factory limit of 63 units. The Boeing Renton Factory then produced a single airplane in 10 days, which was less than half the time it took a few years before. On Day 1, an empty fuselage arrives at the plant from Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas.

On Day 2, electrical wiring is installed, and hydraulic machinery is installed on Day 3. On Day 4, the fuselage is crane-lifted and rotated 90 degrees, the wings and landing gear are mated to the airplane in a six-hour process, and the airplane is rotated 90 degrees again. On Day 6, the final assembly process begins with the installation of airline seats, galleys, lavatories, overhead bins, and so on. On Day 8, the engines are installed, and on Day 10, it is ready for test flights.

Boeing ceased production of passenger 737NGs in 2019. The final assembled aircraft was delivered to KLM in December 2019; the final two deliveries were made to China Eastern Airlines on January 5, 2020. The P-8 Poseidon variant is still being manufactured.

The FAA has proposed a fine of approximately $3.9 million for Boeing's alleged installation of the same faulty components found on the 737 MAX on 133 737 NGs.

Added developments

Beginning in 2006, Boeing considered replacing the 737 with a "clean sheet" design (internally dubbed "Boeing Y1") that would be based on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The decision on this replacement was pushed back into 2011.

The 737 MAX, an updated and re-engineered version of the 737NG, was introduced in 2011 with more efficient CFM International LEAP-1B engines and aerodynamic changes such as distinctive split-tip winglets.

In January 2016, the first 737 MAX took to the skies. The 737 MAX of the fourth generation replaces the 737NG of the third generation.