Differences between 737-300 and 737-400/500
 

Hello!

I have a sim screening coming up and I would like to prepare for a few hours in simulator before I go to the assessment. Would I have any problems if I practice on 737-400/500 sim and the real screening is done on 737-300? Are there any significant differences in instruments or anything else what may be important for me?


Thank you all!

siljo

Nothing that should be relevant to you if youre not Type Rated and they wanted to check your systems knowledge (if that was the case you wouldn't ask the question ;) ). There are a number of different instrument combinations available though on the classics, there are some which are 100% steam gauge (except the TCAS IVSI) and some that are retrofitted with large LCDs, but usually you can expect the 1980s EFIS, a CRT PFD with a speed tape, an electromechanical ASI, IVSI and altimeter and a CRT ND. Engine instruments might be electromechanical or small LCDs, but that shouldn't matter for the purpose of a sim ride. Size wise, as you probably know, the 500 is the smallest and the 400 the largest model of the series, so even that shouldnt be a factor.

On the -400 you have 2 recirculation fans whereas the -300/500 have only 1 and therefore makes the whole air conditioning schematic different

Didn't that play a role in that British Midland crash in 1989 where a 737-400 crashed due to the pilot shutting the wrong engine?

This guy is going for sim screening, I doubt they will ask him about the air conditioning system and the implications of trim air and an extra recirculation fan...

Yes, the engines on a 737-400 are interchanged :ugh:

May be interesting:

the airspeed bug setting for approach is:

2 bugs Vref, 1 bugs at Vref+15 (-300/500) Vref+20 (-400), 1 bugs Vclean

The Vref + ___ are for Go Around.

As happens with stretches, when used to the -300, the -400 would land just that fraction of a second before you expected it to. :ooh:

Bug speeds as already mentioned, max flaps speeds and I know a few 400s where the xpdr alt info comes from the stby alt....
The 300 with 22k engines is a space shuttle, the 400 with 22k engines in heavy and hot conditions can be a handful if you have a problem on V1....
But both are nice to fly, you will manage.

No flap 1 takeoff on 400.