First Flights Conducted On A B737-800 Last Week

Certification flight testing has begun on a package of Boeing 737 performance improvements, including aerodynamic and engine changes, which the company expects will reduce fuel consumption by 2 percent. Testing and certification will continue through April 2011. Boeing is phasing the changes into production mid-2011 through early 2012. The first test flight was conducted last week on a  Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 in the new United Airlines livery.

One percent of the savings comes from reducing drag reduction. The upper and lower anti-collision lights change from round to a more aerodynamic, elongated teardrop shape. Wheel-well fairings are re-contoured to smooth the air flow near the main landing gear. A redesign of the environmental control system, exhaust vent and streamlined wing slat and spoiler trailing edges round out the aerodynamic changes.

CFM is introducing the new CFM56-7BE engine enhancement program to coincide with Boeing's airframe changes. Low- and high-pressure turbine modifications will result in a 1 percent reduction in fuel consumption. In addition, Boeing is optimizing the engine's primary nozzle and plug. Together, the changes result in cooler-running engines that may provide up to 4 percent lower maintenance costs.

Boeing says its continuous efforts to improve the Next-Generation 737 family have resulted in an accumulated 5 percent gain in fuel efficiency since the first airplane was delivered in 1998. It claims the new improvements will give operators an airplane that is 7 percent more efficient than the first Next-Generation 737s delivered.

FMI: www.boeing.com