Boeing 737-300 Program Milestones |
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Boeing 737-300 Aircraft Dimensions |
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| 105 feet 7 inch (32,18 m) |
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Prices |
| Model out of production - no prices current |
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Boeing 737-300 General Information |
| In the early 1980's work started on this new short-range transport. The airframe of the Boeing 737-300 is about 72 percent common with that of the Advanced 737-200 (737-200/Adv). The fuselage was lengthened in order to accomodate additional passengers and underfloot freight, and the installation of new-generation turbofan engines. The installment of these newer engines added significantly to the fuel efficiency of the aircraft and lower seat-mile costs compared with the earlier model. In short, the 737-300 can carry 20 passenger more and has a range increase of approximately 500 nautical miles.
First orders for the type were placed on 5 and 18 March 1981 by US Air and Southwest Airlines, each ordering ten aircraft with options on ten more; Southwest stated that is intended to negotiate an increase of its option to 30 aircraft. On the basis of this, Boeing announced that development and production would start on March 26 that same year. Eventually, by December 1982 more than 1,000 737s had been ordered.
The manufacturing plan of the new aircraft, announced at the time of production committal, scheduled the completion of a Class II mockup in 1982; the beginning of major assembly in early 1983; rollout in late January 1984; and first flight, certification and initial deliveries later that year. It is important to mention that Boeing did not offer the 737-300 as a replacement for the 737-200, but as a complement to the existing Boeing range of aircraft.
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Overall, the design of the 737-300 is based on the 737-200 with some major modifications. The wings are generally similar to those on the 737-200 except for a modified aerofoil section for the leading-edge slats outboard of the engine nacelles, revised trailing-edge flap sections and flap track fairings aft of the engines. Furthermore, the wing structure is strengthened and each wingtip extended by 0.28 m (11 inch).
The fuselage of the Boeing 737-300 is stretched by 2.64 m (8 feet 8 inch) compared to the 737-200, and was accomplished by implementing a 1.12 m (3 feet 8 inch) fuselage plug forward of the wing, and a 1.52 m plug aft of the wing carry-through structure. Besides offering increased passenger capacity, the increased length gives a lower freight hold volume which is greater by 5.47 cubic meters compared to that on the 737-200.
The Boeing 737-300 is powered by two 89 kN CFM International CFM56-3 turbofan engines, which are mounted on pylons underneath each wing. The nacelles are forward of the wings, and slightly higher than those used on the -200. Fuel capacity is determined at 20,290 litres, which is equivalent to 5,360 US gallons, with integral fuel cells in the wing centre-section and integral wing tanks.
The aircraft is operated by a crew of two sitting side by side on the flight deck (which is unchanged from the 737-200). The fuselage can accomodate approximately 149 passengers in a typical all-tourist class configuration. Depending on airline wishes and configuration, the aircraft has one or two galleys and one lavatory forward, and one or two galleys and lavatories aft.
The systems integrated into the -300 are pretty much similar to the 737-200. It has a Garrett blead air control system for air-conditioning and thermal anti-icing systems. Furthermore, the -300 is equipped to FAA Category II low weather minimum criteria as standard. The AFCS includes a digital CAT II autopilot, dual digital air data computer, and a full-range digital autothrottle. Other systems include a performance data computer, VHF nav, color digital radar, dual NAV/COM, and digital autobrake. |
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