GUY NORRIS / SEATTLE

Customer surveys and postponed 747X prompt new plan

Boeing plans to begin formally offering airlines new 'quiet' versions of the 747-400 and -400ER families early this year for possible first deliveries as soon as late 2003.

The move comes in the wake of intensive customer surveys and the shelving of the 747X effort in 2001. "Instead of an 'improved' 747, we're talking about the Quiet aircraft," says 747 vice president and general manager Jeff Peace, who took over in November from recently retired Walt Orlowski.

"Instead of saying these are the aircraft we can do, we are thinking about what the 747 capability improvements could be.

"We are therefore looking at areas like improved ton/mile costs, higher reliability, a bit more range, increased volume and reduced operating costs as we understand the capability needs of the airlines. It's more of an evolutionary approach," he adds.

The Quiet 747 package will apply to both the standard 396,900kg (875,000lb) maximum take-off weight variants and the higher gross weight, 412,770kg -400ER passenger and Freighter versions.

It will focus on performance improvements to engines, changes to aerodynamic surfaces and several noise-reduction features.

"We are looking at improving the aerodynamics for higher and faster performance, changes to engine nacelles for noise and improvements in thrust characteristics from existing engine types," says Peace.

"Noise targets will include Chapter 4, and we'd like to get to QC2 [London Heathrow airport noise grading]. Potentially we will take the 747 community noise-levels to comparable levels with the 777," he adds.

Engine noise reduction features will include an increased inlet acoustic lining area, as well as chevrons on both primary and secondary nozzles.

Drooped ailerons and raked tips are also being studied as one aspect of aerodynamic improvements, which, along with higher thrust, will be needed to boost take-off and climb performance.

"We also plan to build changes into the flight management computer so we can use the steeper climb," Peace adds. Although available for new-build standard and Longer Range models, Boeing says that not all features will be cost- effective to retrofit.

Details of the Quiet 747 plan emerge as Boeing marks the 90% design release milestone for the-400ER and -400ERF models. Major assembly for the first -400ER passenger model is set to commence on 8 February with roll-out in June.

The aircraft will then undergo a four-month flight-test programme, primarily associated with performance trials such as nautical air miles range evaluation. Delivery to launch customer Qantas, which has ordered six, is set for October.

Assembly of the first freighter begins around the time of the-400ER rollout and, following a shorter test programme, is also scheduled to lead to first delivery in October.

Five -400ERFs have been ordered to-date by International Lease Finance, the first of which will be leased to Air France.

The -400ER will have a 777-style interior, and additional fuel in an auxiliary tank housed forward of the wing to enable up to 241,370litres (63,765USgal) to be carried. This provides for up to 805km (435nm) extra range, or a 6,800kg bigger payload.

The -400ERF, which has been structurally adapted to be almost identical to the current -400F, with the exception of the strengthened main undercarriage, will have up to 525nm additional range, or 9,525kg extra payload. Maxpayload capability goes up to 122,525kg.

Source: Flight International