The Boeing Fleet
Boeing is an aircraft production facility in Seattle, Washington. There are a variety of planes ranging from fighters to jet planes that can hold 440 passengers. One component Boeing faces are the Airbuses that are made in France, however, Boeing will always be the United States plane manufacturer. Throughout the years Boeing has released new models along with new technology in the cockpit.
The planes Boeing make all have different fuel capacity, sizes, range, payload, and passenger capacity. The Boeing 737-400 came aboard the Boeing fleet on April 9, 1967 when the first test plane flew. At 575 MPH and 39,000 feet the 737-400 can cover a max range of 2,650 miles. Among the 737-400’s many characteristics, 130 passengers can climb aboard, plus three more for the flight attendants. It takes two pilots to operate the 115,500 pound aircraft.
Boeing intended for the 737-400 to be a medium range aircraft. When you look out the window and see the wing, you are only looking at half on the 93 foot wingspan. The 737 series is still in production and now Boeing workers are working on 737-900. Among the biggest planes Boeing has made is the 747. The 747-200 made it’s debut flight on October 11, 1970, shortly after the 737-400. To load/unload this massive aircraft, it can take up to 30 minutes to get 440 passenger’s bags on/off.
Two major differences you might notice are 1) Instead of two engines, there are four. 2) On top of the first floor there lays another fourth of a floor. The cockpit is on the top floor. An amazing characteristic is that the 747-200 can go 585 MPH at 45,000 feet for 5980 miles. Boeing made the plane 63 feet 6 inches tall, 231 feet long, a wingspan of 165 feet 8 inches and weighing in at 805,000 pounds. After the 747-200, Boeing made the 747-400 and now they are currently working on the 747-800.
Behind the Boeing 747 came out the 757-200. This 595 MPH and 220,000 pound aircraft can go up to 39,000 feet and can hold 201 passengers. The 757-200 is a medium range jet that has the capability to go 4550 miles. Boeing made the 757 series without winglets. Winglets are the piece of metal that is vertical at the end of the wing. The major function of winglets are to save fuel.
After the 757-200 came the 757-300, which is the longest twin engine plane that only had one aisle. Today the 757 still flies, however, Boeing quit making the 757 series. On April 9, 1994 the worlds largest twin engine jet rolled into the aviation world, the 777-300 (also known as the “Triple Seven”). The 777-300 offers a range on 6,720 miles. The 660,000 pound aircraft can go a max height of 43,100 feet before stressing the aircraft.
In spite of the plane ascending to high the frame of the plane will start to close in or even the entire plane will blow up! Boeing made the plane 60 feet 9 inches tall, 209 feet long, a wingspan of 200 feet, and can hold 386 passengers. Because of the size of the plane there can be three to four pilots operating it at once, depending on the model. Without Boeing we wouldn’t be able to experience all types of planes. Boeing also helps with making military planes. Throughout the years the Boeing Company has made planes better and better by the year.
