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Video answers: Building the 737MAX

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. It has paper checklists, a seven-step startup process, a warning light, physical cables to link fight controls to flight surfaces, all of which made it different to other modern aircraft.
  2. The original plan was to replace the 737 with an all-new aircraft.
  3. Fuel efficiency was less important for short-haul flight because these planes traditionally spent less time in the air per day than long-haul aircraft.
  4. Airlines are starting to use narrowbody aircraft for longer and longer flights.
  5. The American Airlines order for an ‘updated’ 737 convinced Boeing to modify the 737NG instead of building a totally new airplane.
  6. It would want a less modern, less efficient plane because they’re cheaper to buy and don’t require expensive training sessions to get their pilots type rated.
  7. Boeing had to move the engine higher and further forward on the wing to be able to fit it with the new, more efficient engine.
  8. MCAS was necessary because the new engine position and increased height of the landing gear created a tendency for the plane to pitch up more than the previous generation.
  9. It was likely caused by a malfunctioning MCAS sensor which kept pushing the plane’s nose down.

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Video: Building the 737MAX

This week’s video discusses the circumstances that made Boeing decide to build the 737.

Try to answer the following questions about the video and come back on Monday for the answers.

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

Continue reading Video: Building the 737MAX
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Video answers: Why are the 737 engines flat?

Here are the answers to the previous video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. It was designed in 1960s.
  2. Designing it to be low to the ground made it easier to load by baggage handlers.
  3. This characteristic became an issue for the 737 designers when they wanted to update it with turbofan engines which were much bigger than the previous turbojet ones.
  4. The solution was to redesign the engine pylons and move the engines further forward to the front of the wings and raising them a little. Also, by making the engine intake a little flatter they were able to gain a few more centimetres of clearance from the ground.
  5. Landings are sometimes performed with a slight bank angle and this could cause engines which are low to the ground to hit the runway, so making them as high as possible is desirable.
  6. A lot of equipment was moved to the side of the engines, making them wider.
  7. The MAX has a higher ground clearance to accommodate the new LEAP engines. This means that the MAX doesn’t have the iconic engine shape of former 737 generations.

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Video: Why are the 737 engines flat?

This week’s video describes why the 737 engines have their iconic shape.

Try to answer the following questions about the video and come back on Monday for the answers.

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

  1. When was the original 737 designed?
  2. What characteristic made it easier to be loaded with baggage?
  3. When did this characteristic become an issue for the design of the plane?
  4. What was the solution to this issue?
  5. How is this issue affected by the landing procedure?
  6. Why is the engine a lot wider than it is high?
  7. How is the ground clearance different on the MAX?

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Have a great weekend!

Why are the Boeing 737NG engines FLAT?

Have you ever noticed that the lower part of the Boeing 737NG engines appear flat? What is the reason for this and a few more interesting details will be covered in todays video. Enjoy!

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737 & A320 cockpit differences answer

Here are the answers to last Friday’s video, enjoy!

Suggested ICAO level for video: 5+

1. There are many differences metioned, so let’s group them by category;

Instruments: 737, analogue with 4 flight displays (primary flight display and navigation display).
Instruments: A320, glass cockpit (primary flight display, navigation display, 2 more displays.

Throttle: 737, can be moved by hand as well as autothrottle.
Throttle: A320, throttles not moved by the autothrust system, can only be moved by the pilot.

Overhead panel: 737, all of the switches need to be flicked, it can be difficult to see if a switch is on or off in a hurry.
Overhead panel: A320, most of the switches are pushable, good because you can quickly see if one is on or off.

Control of the aircraft: 737, by yoke.
Control of the aircraft: A320, by sidestick (joystick).

Stabilizer trim: 737, controlled manually by flicking a switch.
Stabilizer trim: A320, autotrim and is only used manually when there is a computer failure.

In the event of a failure: 737, use the QRH (quick reference handbook).
In the event of a failure: A320, use the QRH or use the instructions on the ECAM (Electronic centralized aircraft monitor).

Comfort: 737, not much space to rest your feet, write or stand up.
Comfort: A320, lots of space to rest your feet, a table to write or eat on and space to stand up.

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737 & A320 cockpit differences

Here’s an interesting video about the differences between a 737 cockpit, and an A320 cockpit..

Try to answer the following question about the video and come back on Monday for the answer.

1. What are the differences mentioned in the video?
Use these categories; instruments, throttle, overhead panel, control of the aircraft, stabiliser trim, in the event of a failure, comfort.

Suggested ICAO level: 5+

Have a great weekend!!

Boeing 737 and Airbus A320: Cockpit Differences

http://www.balticaa.com Baltic Aviation Academy at its Vilnius premises operates both of these types full flight simulators and decided to take an advantage of it by making video report. Pranas Drulis, ATPL integrated student and Assistant Training Manager, who already has the excellent skills of operating B737 and A320, has agreed to show and explain control devices, cockpit, engine failure controlling, comfort differences.