Boeing 777
The Boeing 777, often referred to as Triple Seven, is a twin-engine long-range aircraft from Boeing for 300 to 550 passengers. It is the largest twin-engine transport aircraft in the world and is also suitable for intercontinental routes through the ETOPS certification ( also ETOPS 330 since the beginning of 2012). The individual variants of the Boeing 777 differ markedly in length and range. The first flight of the basic version Boeing 777-200 took place in 1994. Comparable models to the Boeing 777 are the Airbus A330 and A340, and Ilyushin Il -96. As of March 2014 1188 1548 aircraft ordered this type were delivered.
- 2.1 Fly -by-wire
- 2.2 wings
- 2.3 Hull
- 2.4 Suspensions
- 3.1 Boeing 777-100 (Project)
- 3.2 Boeing 777-200 3.2.1 Boeing 777- 200ER
- 3.2.2 Boeing 777- 200LR "World Liner"
- 3.2.3 Boeing 777 Freighter
- 3.3.1 Boeing 777- 300ER
History
The plans to build the 777 date back to the year 1986, when Boeing saw a good chance of a replacement for the Lockheed L -1011 tristars and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 to offer. Many copies of these two models had been put into service in the early 1970s as the first generation of wide-bodied aircraft next to the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A300. From the outset, the development of the Boeing 767 concentrated as a starting point. The 767 with its body diameter of 5.03 m was not a real widebody aircraft compared to 747 with 6.49 m, 5.64 m with the A300 and DC-10 with 6.02 m. However, Boeing was convinced that this size is best suited for the targeted mainly U.S. domestic market.
The project was named 767 -X. To achieve the larger passenger capacity Boeing foresaw additional fuselage sections, more powerful engines and a greater wingspan with winglets. In the following two years, Boeing pushed ahead with the project, during the presentation, however, rejected the main customers - American Airlines and United Airlines - the proposal.
Then, different improved were drafted, including bizarre concepts such as the combination of a stretched 767-300 with part of the 757 fuselage, which should be planted on the upper rear fuselage of the 767. Against the backdrop of looming competition from more modern developments in McDonnell Douglas (MD -11 ), and especially by Airbus ( A330 and A340 ) decided the product development team in October, the final departure from the previous concepts and began a completely new development.
Here, the producer was a twin-engine design in the operating costs as 10% cheaper than a dreistrahliges and 30 % cheaper than a four-engine model. According to the calculations of the development team engines with a thrust 70000-80000 lbs ( 311-356 kN) were necessary, which were at the time, but not yet available. In the final interpretation Boeing moved the airlines as potential customers with.
However, this concept had the consequence that the sometimes widely spaced requirements of different companies had to be considered. Here stood out particularly the requirement of United Airlines, which required a non-stop flight at maximum take-off weight from the elevation of Denver (Colorado ) to Honolulu (Hawaii). This meant that was required from the date of entry into long-distance overwater ability ETOPS.
United launch customer
In the fall of 1990, the decision-making process of United was held for the replacement of obsolete DC-10 its conclusion. Three cell manufacturers and three engine manufacturers were wearing their proposals at a joint meeting. Airbus introduced the A330 and McDonnell Douglas MD - 11th The United team spent 70 hours with negotiations and announced its decision on October 14. From a technical point of view the project from Boeing, which was now called Boeing 777 was the winner. Financially, the Airbus A330 was in the lead.
To resolve this conflict, wrote James Guyette, Vice President of United, a handwritten addendum, which should convince 777 more oriented to the Airbus camp of the benefits. In it he pointed especially to the Working Together concept, which is implemented only with Boeing. On 15 October 1990, then a letter of intent has been written by United, which included the fixed order and a declaration of option for each 34 machines. Boeing founded immediately after the 777 Division of Boeing Commercial Airplane and appointed Phil Condit as its Managing Director (General Manager), but was replaced in 1992 by Alan Mulally.
Provision of production capacity
In 1990, as preparations for a substantial increase in production capacity in the Boeing plant in Everett. The 390,000 sqm area expansion included two new assembly lines ( 40-35 and 40-36 ) and a new hangar for painting the machines. The production capacity amounted to 7 units per month. Another production facility for composite parts, which make up the tail, was built with a floor area of 39,300 m² in Tacoma (Washington).
Test phase
On April 9, 1994, the aircraft in Everett was presented to the public for the first time. This " Erstvorführung " was repeated every 30 minutes while underlaid with rock music, a laser light show and dry ice fog. On this day had more than 100,000 employees and their families the opportunity to visit the prototype. The first flight then took place on 12 June 1994, reached with a duration of 3:48 hours set a record for a new aircraft from Boeing.
In the ensuing two-year test phase a total of nine machines were used. Three cell - engine combinations were certified in 6700 flying hours. The test flights took almost three times as much time as was the case with the 767 Certification of Boeing. Just the hitherto unique requirement for ETOPS capability from the outset increased the required number of test machines by 30%. Boeing's first priority during the test phase focused on the certification of the equipped with PW4084 engines United version, for which five of the nine machines were used.
Initially, only two variants were offered, the base variant Boeing 777-200 and a version with higher reach, but also heavier: the Boeing 777- 200IGW that one later renamed Boeing 777 -200ER.
Technology
With the Boeing 777, the technique has been partially changed. Distinctive features are here:
Fly -by-wire
The Boeing 777 is the first Boeing aircraft, which is equipped with a so-called fly- by-wire technology. As the plane was planned, Boeing decided to retain conventional control yokes rather than to work with new fly- by-wire aircraft equipped with so-called side-stick as with many. Inter alia, monitors technology the attitude and other security-related information in order to prevent, for example, a stall. Overall, it commands all of the pilots are therefore reviewed and, if necessary, corrected or it is warned of dangers. Due to possible false alarms, the pilots are still able to disable this system, if they see fit.
In addition to this change, the cockpit layout is simplified, but it still has typical Boeing features that were already marked with their predecessors. A simple visible feature is, for example, the brownish color of the cockpit panels, but also the design of the power lever.
Wings
The wings were very critical of the 777 designed with a sweep of 31.6 ° to give the airplane maximum lift and to allow a cruising speed of 0.83 Mach. Furthermore, they are more and more constructed as the wings comparable aircraft. This enables a higher payload, longer range, higher altitudes and improved startup performance. Due to the enormous range is first offered at Boeing also folding wings on to the airlines save costs, such as through the use of smaller and thus more favorable Gates, however there were no airline of such an order. It does not use winglets instead of raked wingtips have some models.
Hull
In particular, the cab floor and rudder made from composite materials which include nine percent of the total body weight. The hull cross section is circular.
Suspensions
The two main landing gears are the largest that have ever been used in commercial jets. There are two three-axle main gear with six and a nose landing gear with two wheels. The rear axis of the main gear can be steered to allow tighter turn radius. In addition, each tire is at a 777- 300ER will be able to carry 29,980 kg. This is more than, for example, on a Boeing 747
Variants
Boeing 777-100 (Project)
Short version of the basic model 777-200. Intended as competition for the Airbus A330 -200, the 777-100 was proposed by potential customers, but did not encounter sufficient interest. The development has been discontinued. It was completed a prototype.
Boeing 777-200
The 777-200 is the base model of the 777 family. The first flight of the prototype took place on 12 June 1994. United Airlines was the launch customer of the Boeing 777 with 34 firm orders and purchase as many declarations of intent. Only after a further order ( ANA ), the 777 program was officially launched. The 777-200 was a long time offered with folding wingtips. This reduce the size of the required at the bottom standby position. But since no one ordered this option was dropped back quickly. The 777-200 is approved for Pratt & Whitney, Rolls -Royce and General Electric. The base variant of the 777 is a long-haul aircraft for 305-440 passengers, their length is 63.73 m, 60.93 m and its wingspan their reach 9700 km. One -off weight of 263,090 kg makes the 777-200 to a heavy aircraft in which the slopes but do not have to be strengthened. The first machine was put into service in April 1995.
There were 88 copies of the 777-200 ordered by ten airlines and until May 2007, all delivered.
Boeing 777- 200ER
Base model with significantly increased range (ER = extended range). On April 2, 1997, a new Boeing flew 777-200 IGW ( IGW for " Increased gross weight " - increased take-off weight; later 777- 200ER ) of Malaysia Airlines in delivery flight from Boeing factory Airport in Everett (USA) to Kuala Lumpur and thus broke the record for the longest non-stop flight to the east. The track was 20,044 km and the flight time of 21 hours and 23 minutes. She lost the record on November 10, 2005, a Boeing 777- 200LR ( see below).
The first 777- 200ER British Airways introduced on February 9, 1997 service.
By July 2013, all 422 copies ordered the 777- 200ER was delivered.
Boeing 777- 200LR "World Liner"
Simultaneously with the Boeing 777- 300ER 777- 200LR, the development of (LR for " longer range" - longer range ) was in January 2000 decided this type, but initially postponed after the events of September 11, 2001 for some time. In August 2004, the delayed construction of the first Boeing 777- 200LR, which had its roll-out began on 15 February 2005. The first flight took place on 8 March 2005, a second prototype followed on 24 May 2005.
This version is designed for 301 passengers with a range of 17,446 km. Thus, the 777- 200LR is the civil aircraft with the longest range and triggers its direct competitors A340 -500 of the European manufacturer Airbus as the record holder from. In contrast to the A340- 500, B777- 200LR has only two engines. The 777- 200LR is available exclusively with General Electric GE90 engines.
The name World Liner was inspired by the name of the new development Dreamliner Boeing 787 While it is the term Dreamliner is a new type of aircraft, the term World Liner only a variant of the 777 family.
On 9 November 2005, the second 777- 200LR prototype broke with the code WD002 with 35 passengers on board from Hong Kong in an easterly direction on to fly across the Pacific, North America and the Atlantic Ocean to London. Test pilot Suzanna Darcy - Hennemann landed on 10 November 2005 at about 14:30 clock CET on Heathrow Airport, 22 hours and 42 minutes after its launch, and put 21,601 km with a new record for the longest non-stop flight a commercial, non-military aircraft on.
The first aircraft was delivered on 24 February 2006 at PIA. Until March 2014 59 copies of the 777- 200LR were ordered by at least eleven airlines and 57 can be delivered from it.
Boeing 777 Freighter
15 November 2004 Boeing announced that it would develop on the basis of the 777- 200LR, a freighter version with a large cargo door in the rear main deck. This 777F -called machine has a range of 9070 km at up to 102 tons of payload. So you surpasses all key figures of the old Boeing 747- 200F, such as 18 % less fuel consumption, a development based on the 777- 300ER would probably have been even in direct competition with the 747- 400F. The first flight took place on 14 July 2008, with first delivery to launch customer Air France on February 19, 2009, after the machine had received approval on February 6, 2009 by FAA and EASA.
By March 2014 132 copies of 777F were ordered by at least fifteen customers and delivered 90 machines. The world 's largest express delivery company FedEx has canceled in November 2006 its order for ten Airbus A380F because of continuing delays and ordered 15 aircraft of this type. The German cargo Aerologic operates eight 777F, their capacity to be used during the week of DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo weekend. Lufthansa Cargo himself ordered five Boeing 777F in March 2011.
Boeing 777-300
To 10,1 m stretched version of the 777-200 with up to a maximum of 550 seats. The 777-300 was from 1997 to 2002 with 73.9 m hull length, the longest passenger aircraft in the world, before it was replaced by the Airbus A340 -600 as such. The first 777-300 flew in October 1997 and in May 1998, Cathay Pacific took the first 777-300 in operation. Other Operator of this version are mainly Asian airlines such as Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates.
There were 60 copies of the 777-300 ordered by eight airlines and by July 2006, all delivered.
Boeing 777- 300ER
Variant of the 777-300 with increased wing and additional fuel tanks for greater range. The 777- 300ER (ER for "extended range" - extended range ) is the largest and heaviest twin-engine aircraft. It is equipped exclusively with the GE90 -115B General Electric, which is so far the most powerful civilian jet engine with 519 kN thrust. In test runs, it reached a maximum thrust of 591 kN.
The first prototype made its maiden flight on 24 February 2003, the second prototype first flew in April 2003. Having brought extensive test flights for the approval of the type behind him, the two prototypes were delivered to Japan Airlines in June 2004.
The first 777- 300ER of Air France were taken into operation in April 2004. By March 2014 721 copies were ordered by at least 35 airlines and 471 delivered.
Boeing 777x
Boeing has announced the end of April 2013 the so-called offer release for the 777- 8X and 777 -9X. Versions of the proposed GE9X of General Electric are to be used as engines. This should at least 105,000 lbf ( 467 kN ≈ ) have thrust; targeted are 108,000 lbf ( 480 kN ≈ ). The 777- 8X will have about 350 seats, the 777 -9X approximately 400
When the program starts on November 17, 2013 Boeing announced that the 777- 8X can fly 17,220 km wide with 350 passengers and 777 -9X with over 400 passengers 15,185 km. Both versions will have wings made of carbon fiber, the tips will be folded up to save space on the ground. The range varies as 71.1 to 64.8 m. The 777- 8X is about 69.5 meters, the 777 -9X to be about 76.5 m long. Cabin window and width should be larger than in the previous 777 versions.
The German Lufthansa has announced the first airline on September 19, 2013, that she is 34, the extra-long 777 -9X order. In announcing the program start were for the 777x before a total of 259 orders and commitments from four airlines, three of which come from the Persian Gulf. The project name is only preliminary; the final sales name to be announced later.
As of March 2014 are 66 firm orders for the 777x.
Boeing 777- 8LX (Project)
Early 2012 gave Boeing announced that it aims to further increase the range of 777 to serve also very long routes such as Sydney -Frankfurt directly and without the previously obligatory stopovers can. To this end, the current fuel consumption compared to the 777- 300ER to be reduced by about 15%. The introduction of the designated as a Boeing 777- 8LX version is given as around 2020, as the drive is currently the GE9X called the span should be increased to 71.7 meters.
Use
The Boeing 777ER models compete with the four-engined Airbus A340 and Ilyushin Il- 96 and located in the twin-engine Airbus A350 testing, the models without ER with the twin-engine Airbus A330. Large Boeing 777 fleets operate, among other things, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Air China, Thai Airways International, Air France, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air Canada, Air India, Turkish Airlines and Korean Air
(As of March 2014)
On 17 November 2010 the 900th Boeing 777 was delivered, one - 200LR for Ethiopian Airlines, and on March 2, 2012, the 1000th Boeing 777, a -300ER for Emirates.
Incidents
Since the introduction into service in 1995 there were in March 2014 four total losses of a Boeing 777:
- On 17 January 2008 crashed British Airways flight 038 from Beijing to London's Heathrow Airport. The Boeing 777- 200ER (G- YMMM, production number 30314/342 ) relied on 300 meters before the runway 27L and was to the running gear, fuselage and engines so badly damaged that the aircraft had to be written off. The 136 passengers and 16 crew left the aircraft via the emergency slides, six inmates had to be hospitalized with minor injuries. According to the accident investigation a passenger was seriously injured and there were minor injuries in eight other passengers and four crew members. According to the cockpit crew of the machine, the engines have stopped responding in the landing approach to control inputs and thus not delivered additionally needed boost. The preliminary investigation report to the British " Air Accidents Investigation Branch " was concluded as a likely cause is that ice clogged the fuel - oil heat exchanger and was responsible for the accident. Rolls- Royce was asked to design this component as soon as possible at the new Trent 800.
- On 29 July 2011 a fire broke out in the cockpit of a Boeing 777 -200ER from (SU- GBP, production number 28423/71 ) of the Egypt Air, as the plane was still prepared to gate F7 Cairo airport for departure to Jeddah. Passengers and crew were able to leave the aircraft uninjured. The fire was fueled by oxygen, which leaked from a damaged cable. There was significant damage to the aircraft, which made the repair uneconomical. The aircraft was written off then. The cause of the fire could not be determined unambiguously.
- On July 6, 2013, came on Asiana Airlines Flight 214 to crash landing of a Boeing 777- 200ER ( HL7742, serial number 29171 ) at the San Francisco International Airport. The plane came from Seoul, with target San Francisco. Three people died. So this was since commissioning of the first incident of a Boeing 777 with death.
- On March 8, 2014 Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared over the Gulf of Thailand from the radar. 239 people were on board the Boeing 777- 200ER. On March 24, 2014 gave Australian and Chinese search parties known to have possibly discovered the wreckage of the aircraft in the Indian Ocean west of Perth. Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott said then that an Australian rescue ship in the suspicious area was on the way. Later, Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia announced that a refined analysis of the collected satellite data by the British company Inmarsat has shown that the lost, Boeing 777 crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, west of Perth, far away from any land of opportunity. It is still not clarified what happened on board during the course of flight MH370 and whether the machine is actually crashed. So far missing from the Boeing trace.