First Customer Delivery Expected In Early 2007

Boeing representatives tell Aero-News that company engineers have completed 90 percent of the design work on the newest variant of the stalwart 737, the 737-900ER.

The milestone means that nearly all of the engineering work necessary to build parts and tools for assembly has been completed and released to manufacturing.

"This is a critical milestone for the airplane as we make the transition from the development phase to the production phase," said Mike Delaney, 737 chief project engineer. "With most of the drawings complete, our suppliers and fabrication plants can begin manufacturing detailed parts."

What's more, the design milestone was reached spot-on the target date, meaning Boeing is on schedule to begin final assembly of the first 737-900ER this spring at the company's Renton, WA manufacturing facility.

As Aero-News reported last year, the -900ER was launched in July 2005 with a 30-airplane order from Indonesian carrier Lion Air. The Next Generation 737-900ER is designed to carry up to 215 passengers and fly up to 3,200 nautical miles (5,925 km).

Lion Air is expected to receive the first 737-900ER in the first half of 2007, after a five-month flight test program conducted using two test airplanes.

Ramp spotters will be able to identify the -900ER most readily by its additional pair of exit doors, as well as a two-position tail skid and blended winglets. A flat rear pressure bulkhead, aerodynamic and structural design changes that enhance low-speed and cruise performance, enhancements to the leading and trailing-edge flap systems, and strengthened wings are also part of the package.

All -900ERs will be powered by the CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engines.

Boeing stressed the new derivative will have substantial economic advantages over the competing A321 -- including 9 percent lower operating costs per trip and 7 percent lower operating costs per seat.

FMI: www.boeing.com