View Full Version : Some dumb questions
ATPMBA
20th Aug 2008, 13:54
1) What exactly is a B737NG, is it an EFIS glass cockpit setup? Is it the -700, -800 models?
2) I was looking at some technical system docs for A320, I like the redundancy/backups for the FBW. Is this whole aircraft more complex than the Apollo space capsule? 250 hour pilots can get type rated in it, can they learn all the systems for the check-ride?
Rainboe
20th Aug 2008, 14:35
The B737NG is the latest version of the B737 with advanced glass cockpit similar, but not as complex as the B747-400. It is versions -600 to -900.
The Apollo capsule was a 1968 moon orbit machine, with about as much computing power as a toaster. The Airbus is many large computers riveted together. They are different things. You need to do a 14 day course to understand the systems to be able to operate it effectively (after many simulator sessions). Boeing pilots say even that is not enough.
fc101
20th Aug 2008, 14:55
People are often surprised by how little computing power there was (and is) in some space craft.
The shuttle used to use Z80 processors (think your first computer from the 1980s those who are that old) for a few reasons: reliable, almost indestructable, all bugs known, resiliant to cosmic rays etc etc - and you don't nee that much power to make flight trajectory calculations (sliderulers anyone?)
It takes more computing resources to draw the displays than to compute the trajectory of the aircraft
fc101
dixi188
20th Aug 2008, 15:05
ATPMBA.
737NG means "Boeing 737 New Generation"
Old generation means -100 to -500 series.
New generation means -600 to -900 series.
NG has a completely revised wing (many with winglets on the tips),advanced electronic flight instrumentation, and improvements in many other systems.
Hope this helps.
danishdynamite
21st Aug 2008, 23:17
NG stands for Next Generation
john_tullamarine
21st Aug 2008, 23:35
Some dumb questions
If I may be permitted to push the Tech Log party line again ... there are NO dumb questions ... but, sometimes people are dumb and fail to ask the questions to which they need the answer ...
Flightless Falcon
22nd Aug 2008, 13:52
i agreaa wit John Tullomarine
No question is a stupid question if they dont know the answer.....
ATPMBA
22nd Aug 2008, 15:23
NG - Next Generation???
Boeing has bad marketing, most follks think NG stands for NO GOOD.
kijangnim
22nd Aug 2008, 15:27
Greetings,
NGs, Are they not FBW as opposed to the other models?:O
Sorry JT, but i disagree..... this is the dumbest question that i have ever read on Pprune.....
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/340120-should-i-trust-manuals.html
Mutt
john_tullamarine
23rd Aug 2008, 08:59
Mutt ... with my pilot hat on ... I would tend to agree .. but, with a teaching hat ... perhaps it is just an opportunity ?
fc101
The shuttle used to use Z80 processors (think your first computer from the 1980s those who are that old) for a few reasons: reliable, almost indestructable, all bugs known, resiliant to cosmic rays etc etc - and you don't nee that much power to make flight trajectory calculations (sliderulers anyone?)No - it used IBM AP-101 cpus (as also used in B52s). Shuttle procurement was complete in the early 70s, and Zilog only announced the Z80 in '76, I think.
Not that a Z80 would have been considered in any case.
Good myth, though!
klog (IBMer)