Boeing announces design changes for 737 MAX

[FlightPathOBN]

"Boeing has nailed down some key design details for the forthcoming revamp of its single-aisle jet, the 737 MAX, including the crucial fan diameter of the more fuel-efficient engine that will power the jet.

The company released the new details Thursday to try to stem the momentum of the hot-selling A320neo, Airbus' revamp of its single-aisle jet family that features an even larger new engine."

more at

Business & Technology | Boeing announces design changes for 737 MAX | Seattle Times Newspaper (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016682493_boeingmax04.html)

[ImbracableCrunk]

the new MAX design will leapfrog the neo

Really? 1960's tech with new engines is leapfrogging? When they redo the overhead, I might listen. Until then, it's bootstrapping.

[FlightPathOBN]

They didnt want to re-engine, but the Neo success made them...seems like they have over-extended the 737 platform....

The 'new' 737-8 isnt selling well, with less than 100 orders now...

Hopefully the 787 will get sorted out, but then again, they just announced that the design cost will be over 1500 or so aircraft...

Boeing can make aircraft

Boeing needs to figure out how to make money building aircraft.

[FlightPathOBN]

"what are the key features of a single aisle plane?
-Larger cabin for larger seats (avoiding this wedge seating), and wider aisle (for crew ergonomy)
- larger cabin also for container capability (737 is the only plane still requiring manual handling of bulk cargo!)
- higher landing gear for bigger fans (better engine efficiency)
- fly by wire, and modern avionics (cheaper, easier to fly)
The problem is that these features will be offered by BOEING in the 2020s on the NSA
They are available NOW on the A320!
admittedly with a larger cabin, which means more drag, but nearly completely compensated by better aerodynamics.
Very Few qualified people believe in the MAX fuel burn improvements as claimed by BOEING !
http://airinsight.com/2011/10/05/airbus-takes-on-max/#more-2

Last point: it looks as if BOEING requires from CFM a new smaller core for its LEAP engine to match the smaller fan and reach an acceptable efficiency.
It obviously means that the MAX EIS of 2017 will not be possible.
Even under extreme pressure, CFM just can not design test and industrialize a new core that fast . Its R&D resources are already fully committed to earlier versions of the new LEAP family of engines.
Doing as well as the game changing GTF from PRATT is certainly a big job!"