The new aircraft Boeing will have the tips of the folding wings. It was the way the US manufacturer found designing a larger jet than the current 777 without compromising its operation on the ground. Is that to extend the cigar this second generation triple family seven engineers have had to increase the wingspan of the aircraft, ie the distance between one end and the other of the wings, which would make it incompatible with some of the major international airports to around the world if not for the new device. In other words, make every taxi with wings folded, as a matter of space.
The decision to develop the new 777X born of competition with the Airbus A350 XWB. For two decades, the Boeing 777 has been long plane synonymous with high capacity. Its launch in 1995 changed the course of aviation, especially after the arrival of the 777-300ER, in 2004. Since then, the major airlines in the world have to fly with the huge twin-engine Boeing, retiring most of the Boeing 747- veterans 400, which have a slightly greater capacity, but with costs up to 40% higher. The same happened to the four-engine Airbus A340, economically uncompetitive on the 777-300ER.
The emergence of the Airbus A350 XWB changed that story. The European rival proved to have characteristics similar to those of the Triple Seven, but with more attractive costs, which led Boeing to work on a second generation of its bestseller. In this scenario, the 777X was born, consisting of two members, 777-8 and 777-9, the latter with greater capacity and reach.
To meet the requirements of major customers of 777-9, especially the Emirates Airline, Boeing had to lengthen the fuselage in almost 3 m of -300 series, reaching 76.5 m long. The biggest change, however, came in scale: the distance between one end and the other wing rose to 71.8 m. The problem is that Boeing intends to maintain the new aircraft within the same category of current 777-300ERs and the new wings would limit the use of new aircraft at various airports that the current generation flies. At the same time, the lower wings would reduce the scope.
Art system actuator details: Aviation Week
Drawing attached to the patent application made by Boeing which shows design details of folding wings of the new 777
In order to meet the operational requirements of reach and operation, Boeing resumed an old plan, created just for the 777, even in the 1990s, the tips of the folding wings. The principle is similar to that used in aircraft operating on aircraft carriers, where space is important and the wings are folded to save precious meters. In the case of 777-9, the wings go from 71.8 m to 64.8 m, exactly the same size as the 777-300ER wings. The device will be the first of its kind to enter service in any commercial aircraft.
Cab with folded wing
The operating principle is simple. An actuator system installed in the wings will fold the wings when the aircraft slow down after landing. Also return to the normal position when the crew completed the pre-takeoff checks. Boeing would not confirm whether the system is completely automatic and will depend on the actions of the pilots.
Engineers are also working on a number of changes related to the design and operation of the wings, as repositioning of motors, which are slightly smaller than the current, changes in the aerodynamic profile, among others.
Boeing recently completed components testing of various system components including the lock pin, to ensure that has the correct wear characteristics. Engineers work on two prototypes of wings, only a functional section, with the section that will effectively sobrada, while the second is the complete wing.
It is known that the system is quite safe. Technicians say that if the wing tip to bend in flight, there will only be a detriment to the performance of the aircraft in flight, without compromising security.
