Originally Posted by
speed_alive_rotate
Is there a critical engine???- I would say no as jet engines do not suffer the characteristics of a critical engine as Prop driven aircraft .
So which way do the fans rotate???
Do they both rotate anti clockwise as seen from the front??
I understand the expense of counter rotating engines would be rediculous!!
The CFM-56 engines all rotate clockwise (as seen in the direction of flight, so your assumption is correct).
In the regulations, the critical engine is described as the "engine whose failure would most adversely affect the performance or handling abilities of an aircraft". Theoretically you could get some slightly different effects between two gas turbines but for all intents and purposes both engines are equally critical on a 737. You need a bootfull of rudder no matter which one fails.