Boeing 777X

[sdspinelli2]

Anyone see this yet?
http://www.newairplane.com/777x/

[NickPeterman]

I did, and I can't wait to see it in the air. Only 7 more years to wait...

[gonzalu]

...and Gulf Air apparently just placed a commitment on 225 of these beauties? That's a close to $80 Billion Dollar nut!! wow....

[NickPeterman]

And by Gulf Air I assume you do not mean the Bahrani flag carrier

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Air

[Mattimus]

...and Gulf Air apparently just placed a commitment on 225 of these beauties? That's a close to $80 Billion Dollar nut!! wow....

150 from Emirates, 50 from Qatar Airways and 25 from Etihad, along with the 34 they had from Lufthansa

[Mateo]

Airlines in the Gulf - not Gulf Air! Even if Gulf Air wanted 225 new planes, they would have to build an entirely new airport to accommodate a fleet of that size.

[gonzalu]

touche ... I meant the gulf airlines :)

[puckstopper55]

Anyone else notice the part about the folding wing? That caught my attention. Has this been done on a commercial airline before? I wonder what additional requirements the FAA may require to prove the safety of this.

[PhilDernerJr]

The first 777s had briefly offered the option of a folding wing (with a larger bend than on the 777X) for airlines that might be able to operate at smaller airports like LGA, allowing them to get around the gate space issue. No one developed interest and the idea was shelved. I have a cool PDF on it if anyone is interested.

[gonzalu]

[Landing Lights]

I wonder what additional requirements the FAA may require to prove the safety of this.

Several months ago, Boeing said that part of the 777X certification tests will be with the folding wingtips folded and/or missing.

[puckstopper55]

Several months ago, Boeing said that part of the 777X certification tests will be with the folding wingtips folded and/or missing.

Interesting. It makes sense .. worst case is it not being there. With that said, I guess the surface area of the folded area is minimal when compared to the rest of the wing.

[gonzalu]

I believe that as you get closer to the wingtip, the purpose on a modern airliner, and indeed the 777x, is to reduce turbulence and smooth the release of the air from the contact of the wing as smoothly and quietly as possible... the new foldeing area is likely not contributing to lift much if at all and instead makes for a smoother and more economic ride. I bet the thing can fly with half the wings missing... Ever see the video showing the 777 being broken in half? It is sobering and disturbing. These things are made very strong even though most people think they're made out of papier-mâché

[megatop412]

Mmmm....777 model with folding wingtips in Delta classic widget livery....delicious

[Speedbagel_001]

Very cool images. Never saw those before. What's odd to me is that the fuselage looks like it came from a 767 and not a 777. I wonder what that was about.