B737
 

Let's imagine that 50 years ago, the person in the world who knew most about the 737 had fallen asleep and then woke up today. He's taken to a hangar containing a 737-max8 and allowed to examine it all he likes. (Any text saying Boeing or 737 has been removed.)

Would he recognise it?

Oh yes! The moment he sets eyes on the six pack.

six-pack? Not familiar with the term.

Yes , but side on would think it was 707

Very true - IIRC a 707 took 189 pax as does a 737-8.

c52


I think it refers to the 6 basic instruments in the cockpit, ASI, AI, altimeter, VSI, heading, turn

No, the 6 pack is the recall thingy/attention getter for annunciations outside your eye line.

http://www.flaps2approach.com/journa...alled-and.html

Yes the 6 pack refers to 6 annunciator lights arranged together. To maintain a common type rating for all 737s the cockpits are much more similar than you would think. The main thing he would not recognize is the 6 main flight instruments because rather than being round dials they are now contained in a PFD and ND.

apologies- I thought they still had 'analogue' backup instruments

The classics do.

The early NGs had analogue backup instruments, however later the mini PFD backup was introduced and actually required as a third attitude source for the fail operational autoflight system option. It contains its own attitude system, but gets the heading from IRS 1.

I had the six pack quite often jump out when the recall check was done too snappy. Usually a short frantic search was required to get it back and then put it back into its socket.

Would he recognise it?

All the overhead panel switches come from a batch on zillions commissioned before B707 was born. After that & B727 and other had them. Now all B732/3/4/5/6/7/8/9 since 70's are still fitted with them.