engine performance is the key. The early heavies were restricted by engine performance -with the tri jets available power from the RB 211 and US types restricted the design performance under the old certification rules - the politics is a known story with RR
factor in the operating economics and it became a problem - the 2% over predicted economic fuel ratios sunk the MD11 (during the oil crisis).
the evolution of the freighter market, curtsey of Fred Smith changed that- Lufthansa argued strongly against the closer of the MD11 F line as the only competition was the B747F (and derivatives); No competition = fixed prices. that’s changed - take a look at the offerings from both sides of the Atlantic.
ETOPS with the old rules didn’t allow too much variation in operating structure. this has changed, but have you seen the B777 engine failure rates? Take a look at the recent FAA AD that grounded most of Singapore airlines fleet recently.
On a design note - do you have any idea how much of a P.I.T.A. having an engine sitting above the rear fuselage is?
Last edited by Thirty Eight South; 16th Feb 2007 at 20:41.