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How did Airbus avoid the problem Boeing ran into? As I understand, Boeing wanted to use larger engines because larger, hotter engines burn less fuel. But incre
by petilon 7y ago
How did Airbus avoid the problem Boeing ran into?
As I understand, Boeing wanted to use larger engines because larger, hotter engines burn less fuel. But increasing the diameter of the engine ordinarily means raising the wing in order to accommodate it but that would make the plane incompatible with existing infrastructure (such as jet bridges) at airports. For that reason Boeing positioned the engine forward on the wing instead of raising the wing.
Don't newer Airbus planes also have larger engines? How did they maintain compatibility with existing airport infrastructure while accommodating a larger engine?
- Forge36 7y agoMy understanding was their planes rode higher off the ground so the engines didn't need to be moved forward
- rigden33 7y agoYeah this is right. Vox has a video on this exactly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2tuKiiznsY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2tuKiiznsY
- crocal 7y agoAirbus equivalent plane is taller on wheels than the 737. Thus they could mount the engines without changing the center of gravity of the aircraft.
- AnssiH 7y agoBoeing 737 was designed to operate with minimal ground facilities and therefore it has low ground clearance for easier access. Airbus A320 has a much higher ground clearance.
- petilon 7y agoIn hindsight, should Boeing have increased the Max's ground clearance before fitting it with a large engine? I read that Boeing did not want to do this because that would have meant that the Max would not be compatible with existing airport infra. But if competitor Airbus already has a larger ground clearance then surely Boeing would be no worse off?
- AnssiH 7y agoI don't think airport infra was the reason, unless maybe they wanted to preserve the low clearance for operating to airports without proper facilities? One reason was probably that it is technically difficult to fit larger gear as they would not fit in the 737 wheel wells. Or something related to increased height... But in fact it seems the nose gear was actually lengthened somewhat for MAX, but I guess that was not enough. The MAX 10 will also have longer main gear - it will be telescoping so it fits into existing wheel wells. (per https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737_MAX https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737_MAX)