Editor’s observe: We have been within the variations between working the Boeing 737 NG and the 737 MAX. A pilot for a European airline with expertise within the 737 NG and 737 MAX shares this report.
New era plane reminiscent of these of the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo households are important to the continued profitability of the airways that function them, in addition to the business’s general drive in direction of a decrease carbon footprint. The Boeing 737-8, -8-200, -9 and the upcoming -7 and -10 are examples. The MAX household are modified variants of the profitable Boeing 737 ‘Subsequent Era’ plane line, a gaggle of plane which can be amongst essentially the most prolifically utilized and broadly bought industrial plane in historical past.
The MAX incorporates a raft of upgraded options, essentially the most notable being the plane’s new CFM LEAP 1B high-bypass turbofan engines. These new powerplants drive a big enhance in gas effectivity – notably a discount in gas burn of round 14% in comparison with the 737-800 (in response to Boeing). While these two plane have their refined (and never so refined) variations, they’re lined by a typical kind ranking, which means current 737 NG pilots solely have to undertake ‘variations coaching’ with the intention to fly the MAX. That mentioned, there are some notable variations that pilots should have in mind when flying every kind of plane on the road. Let’s check out a few of these variations from a pilot’s perspective, and what actions crews take to entice and mitigate any potential errors led to by these variations.
The brakes, the cabin, and the turnaround
The development and the logic of an plane’s programs body the best way the plane is managed when on the bottom between flights (known as the ‘turnaround’). Turnaround time is a key issue to the daily operations of an airline, and a few funds carriers have focused turnaround instances as little as 25 minutes. Brakes are one system that may have a big affect on that point. The Boeing 737 MAX is fitted with carbon fibre brakes. These present superior efficiency at excessive temperatures and funky down sooner than the metal brakes fitted customary to the Boeing 737-800 (some -800s have non-obligatory carbon fibre brakes. That sooner cooling time means much less time spent on the bottom and extra value financial savings for the airline, certainly one of many value financial savings which can be handed on to the flying public within the type of decrease ticket costs! In truth, carbon brakes provide increased vitality absorption, tackle common 2,200 landings between overhauls (virtually double that of metal), and scale back brake set weight by as much as 320 kg per plane.
When pilots calculate their touchdown efficiency in flight, their onboard efficiency calculation will present essentially the most acceptable brake setting to depart the runway on the level that can give them the shortest taxi route (once more, saving money and time). When flying a Max, you’ll have a shorter brake cooling time and probably a sooner turnaround than a 737-800.
One other key consideration on the bottom is weight and steadiness. An plane’s cabin is split into ‘zones’ containing a set variety of rows and seats. Passengers are seated in every zone to make sure the plane’s heart of gravity is inside the limits set out within the plane handbook (that’s why it’s vital to take your assigned seat when boarding!).
The 737 has 3 cabin zones – ahead, center and aft. The 737-800 usually defines the ahead cabin zone as rows 1–5, with the aft masking the rear third of the cabin. On the 737-8-200, the ahead and aft zones now embrace the primary and final 6 rows. When calculating the loading, weight and steadiness for the plane, pilots should be sure that an acceptable variety of passengers are positioned in these zones, and account for any final minute modifications (reminiscent of passenger no-shows).
Throughout the preflight walkaround, the MAX’s Advance Know-how (AT) Winglets additionally require inspection for unintentional floor harm.
Forms of plane winglets and the way they work
Higher engines, taxi, and takeoff efficiency
One of the vital seen variations between the 737 NG and the 737 MAX is the engines. From a pilot’s perspective, this modifications some key indications we anticipate to see from the engines, in addition to tweaks to the best way they’re operated.
The CFM56 engines fitted to the NG are rated as much as 26,000lbs of thrust, whereas the LEAP 1B fitted to the -8200 are rated as much as 27,000. In apply, this implies the 737-8-200 has a small however helpful enhance in obtainable thrust, offering improved takeoff efficiency or permitting the identical efficiency to be achieved at an additional thrust derate, decreasing engine put on and gas burn. The LEAP-1B really requires a barely longer begin sequence throughout engine begin, because the engine management system carries out further checks and a course of referred to as ‘bowed rotor motoring’. As soon as stabilized, the engines carry out reliably, however start-up instances should be factored into pre-flight planning.
One other distinction is idle thrust. On the bottom, the LEAP-1B produces extra thrust at idle than the CFM56, which implies the plane can typically speed up to taxi velocity with out further energy. This has the advantage of decreasing gas use throughout taxi, however requires cautious dealing with in congested areas. Pilots take into account this throughout their pre-taxi briefings as a part of risk and error administration (TEM), figuring out it as a predictable issue that should be managed throughout floor operations.
Optimistic fee, gear up!
Pilots transitioning between the 2 plane rapidly discover one important cockpit change: the touchdown gear lever. On the 737-800, the lever has three positions: Down, Up, and Off. After takeoff, crews usually transfer the lever to Off, which depressurises the gear hydraulics. On the 737-8200 nonetheless, the lever has solely two positions: Down and Up. Hydraulic strain is eliminated robotically about ten seconds after the gear is chosen Up.
This may occasionally seem to be a small distinction, however highlights a possible space of threat that pilots sort out with risk and error administration.. A pilot accustomed to transferring the 737-800’s touchdown gear lever to off might instinctively transfer the lever, which on the 737-8200 would really decrease the gear. It is a clear instance of the place risk and error administration comes into play. Crews temporary this hazard prematurely and monitor the lever intently throughout takeoff. Ought to an issue come up, reminiscence objects could be actioned instantly.
Checklists and decision-making
Checklists type the spine of protected flight operations, and right here the similarities between the 2 plane outweigh the variations. Reminiscence objects (the steps pilots should recall and perform instantly from reminiscence in an emergency) are largely unchanged between the 737 NG and 737 MAX. This consistency helps pilots transfer between the kinds with out further workload in high-stress conditions.
The place the variations seem is within the Fast Reference Handbook (QRH). Quite a lot of the “learn and do” checklists that pilots full step-by-step utilizing the handbook have been modified to account for modifications in system logic or alerts. Whereas the variations are comparatively minor, they nonetheless require self-discipline. As soon as reminiscence objects are full, crews apply structured problem-solving frameworks primarily based on mnemonics reminiscent of TDODAR or PIOSEE. These fashions encourage the crew to decelerate, analyze the scenario, and determine on one of the best general plan of action, guaranteeing procedural variations don’t compromise security.
Method, touchdown, and system indications
Because the plane returns to the airport surroundings, just a few additional variations come into play. The velocity brake system on the 737 MAX contains up to date logic. Along with the circumstances that set off the amber ‘Pace brake prolonged’ gentle on the 737-800, the MAX additionally screens thrust lever place. If the thrust levers stay above idle for a number of seconds with the velocity brakes armed, the warning gentle will illuminate. This further safety will be helpful, however it might probably additionally introduce new cockpit indications throughout a busy section of flight, one thing pilots put together for of their strategy briefing.
Braking efficiency is once more influenced by means of carbon brakes. Not like the usual metal brakes of the 737-800, carbon brakes don’t lose as a lot effectiveness at increased temperatures. Moreover, handbook braking utilizing carbon brakes requires a barely completely different method, requiring light on-off software of brakes.
When working in winter operations, there are additionally some modifications to anti-ice indications. On the 737-800, valve lights illuminate blue when working usually. On the 737-8, these lights as a substitute illuminate amber when a fault is detected or a valve disagrees with its commanded place. This requires shut consideration, because the absence of a light-weight now signifies each regular operation and sure different circumstances, a refined however vital shift that’s accounted for throughout cold-weather operations.
From the flight deck, the Boeing 737-8 operates and flies in a lot the identical approach because the 737-800, and pilots transitioning between the 2 discover the flying qualities largely unchanged. The variations come within the particulars: from brakes and cabin zoning to engine traits, touchdown gear operation, guidelines logic, and system indications. That is on no account an exhaustive checklist. These modifications are addressed by means of variations coaching and bolstered day by day on the road by means of the usage of efficient risk and error administration.
Ought to irregular conditions come up, structured decision-making fashions reminiscent of TDODAR and PIOSEE present a constant framework for crews to analyse the issue, assess their choices, and choose the most secure plan of action. On this approach, operational security and consistency are maintained throughout each plane varieties. For passengers, these technical nuances are largely invisible, however for airways they characterize enhancements in effectivity, turnaround efficiency, and in the end value management – elements that help the continued competitiveness of contemporary single-aisle fleets.
Monitoring the Max on Flightradar24
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