Boeing started assembling the first 737 MAX 8 in a unit of Renton, Washington. The model is the first of the new family of devoted 737.
The assembly began after the arrival of the first fuselage provided by Spirit Aerosystems, on August 21. Since then, the mechanics started the installation of the flight systems and insulation blankets. Then the mechanics put together the wings to the fuselage of the aircraft.
The wings bring a new winglets technology developed by Boeing. Designed exclusively for the 737 MAX, the expectation is that they provide to airlines an energy efficiency gain of up to 1.8% from current winglets.
"We keep up with the 737 MAX program schedule," says Keith Leverkühn, vice president and general manager of the 737 program, Boeing Commercial Aviation MAX. "We still have much work ahead, but we are very pleased with the progress so far."
Boeing will build the first 737 MAX exclusively on the new line of plant production in Renton. After the mechanical test, and approve the production processes, the assembly line MAX is enlarged to two more.
"The opening of a new production line in Renton increases our flexibility and ability," said Scott Campbell, vice president and general manager of the 737 program and Renton plant leader of Boeing Commercial Aviation.
Boeing maintains forecast finalizing the first unit of the 737 MAX later this year, with the first flight scheduled for early 2016. The initial delivery, to the Southwest Airlines, expected in the third quarter 2017.
In total, 737 MAX family has received 2,869 orders from 58 customers worldwide.
The assembly began after the arrival of the first fuselage provided by Spirit Aerosystems, on August 21. Since then, the mechanics started the installation of the flight systems and insulation blankets. Then the mechanics put together the wings to the fuselage of the aircraft.
The wings bring a new winglets technology developed by Boeing. Designed exclusively for the 737 MAX, the expectation is that they provide to airlines an energy efficiency gain of up to 1.8% from current winglets.
"We keep up with the 737 MAX program schedule," says Keith Leverkühn, vice president and general manager of the 737 program, Boeing Commercial Aviation MAX. "We still have much work ahead, but we are very pleased with the progress so far."
Boeing will build the first 737 MAX exclusively on the new line of plant production in Renton. After the mechanical test, and approve the production processes, the assembly line MAX is enlarged to two more.
"The opening of a new production line in Renton increases our flexibility and ability," said Scott Campbell, vice president and general manager of the 737 program and Renton plant leader of Boeing Commercial Aviation.
Boeing maintains forecast finalizing the first unit of the 737 MAX later this year, with the first flight scheduled for early 2016. The initial delivery, to the Southwest Airlines, expected in the third quarter 2017.
In total, 737 MAX family has received 2,869 orders from 58 customers worldwide.
Fonte: Aeromagazine