Book: Boeing 737: The World's Jetliner

[biggiraffe]

Hello!

With the release of HJG's Boeing 737-200, I got interested in reading more about the 737 and found this book by Captain Dan Dornseif. Some years ago, I'd read his book about the 727 and I didn't realize he had also written a book on the 737. I'm only partway into the book, but it's VERY good (as was the 727 book) and has all sorts of interesting information that makes flying this new 737-200 even more fun. For example:

- Boeing did extensive work to simplify the system controls so a single pilot could control the aircraft in the event the other was incapacitated. I had thought the 737 controls were mostly scaled-down from the 727, but there were many changes, many functions made to be automatic.

- The wing slat extension is more complicated than on many aircraft, some slats having multiple stop positions. This was necessitated for tuning stall and other flight characteristics. I'd noticed the HJG slat light coming on often, as flaps are selected, and now I understand more of what is going on.

- I thought the 737-200 "Advanced" aircraft was mostly a 737 with upgraded engines. As it turns out, there are many modifications, particularly engine pylons and slat configuration, to reduce drag. The book has a neat photo of both types with their slats extended which really highlights the changes. As often as I've looked at 737's, I never noticed any of this!

- The 737 program came close to getting cancelled a couple of times before it became a success. It turns out the gravel kit, mentioned in other threads on the HJG forum, was a very important factor in many of the sales, and it gave the 737 and advantage over the DC-9 and other aircraft.

Anyway, this book is quite interesting and nicely put-together.

Best regards,

Kurt

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

- I thought the 737-200 "Advanced" aircraft was mostly a 737 with upgraded engines. As it turns out, there are many modifications, particularly engine pylons and slat configuration, to reduce drag. The book has a neat photo of both types with their slats extended which really highlights the changes. As often as I've looked at 737's, I never noticed any of this!

OH YEAH .... BOEING did all of that .... and more.

In addition to some of the details mentioned above: Changes were also applied to the flap/slat system as well .... and which then enabled a slightly reduced approach-to-landing airspeed being flown by the -200 ADV's. Fly the early B732 versions (as we simulate them) at the slightly lower B732 ADV approach to landing airspeeds and one should notice the nose/pitch attitude will increase accordingly .... and whereas such isn't the case among the -200 ADV versions.

Mike and I applied all of our combined knowledge into perfecting the B737-200 FDE's (engine thrust, weights, MOI's, flight tuning .... "and a whole lot more") we offer and as best we could "in accordance with certain FS limitations" (not everything can be applied to/is supported by FS though). The original FDE's were "HORRIBLE" .... for many years (since the early 2000's), but, we feel what we've collaborative produced, and now offer, results in far better/more realistic B732-like performance across each of the major aircraft versions we offer .... "again subject to FS limitations".

We may be able to do more later, since the B732 project we offer isn't quite finished yet, but, I'm not prepared to elaborate any further on this until I know, for certain, that what we'd like to be able to do is actually possible/deliverable


FURTHER IN REGARD TO THE B737 ADV UPGRADES (R/W) ....


The B732 ADV flight deck instrumentation was also modernized.

This all happened "around the same-ish time" as BOEING also began marketing both the B707 and B727 as "ADVANCED" aircraft versions too.


Mark C
AKL/NZ

[biggiraffe]

I remember you saying the approach speeds are lower on the ADV aircraft, and it sinks in more now that I've read more of the background.

And I'll say this again: Your 737-200 flies wonderfully! I really do like the way it handles, how easy it is to fly a good approach and landing! Before you released the -200 here at HJG, I'd pretty much given up on the 737 because, as you indicated, the flying qualities were horrible. Now the 737 is a joy to fly -- and so many versions and color schemes to choose from!

Best regards,
Kurt

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Now the 737 is a joy to fly -- and so many versions and color schemes to choose from

That justifies all of our efforts

As I mentioned before .... if we offered "just a B737-200 simulation", then, we'd effectively be offering nothing more that what's been previously done/offered over the past 20 years. What HJG's always done (since 2000) is to try'n represent "each of the major sub types" within each aircraft family/group.

It's just a matter of "trying to do things properly" (otherwise it's simply not worth doing at all) .... OR RATHER .... "trying to do the best we can in accordance with both our own skills/knowledge and certain FS dictated limitations as well".

Such a marketing philosophy/strategy does make offerings "a wee bit more complex" .... but .... it's not difficult to achieve if/when "real effort" is applied

ANYWAY .... glad to read you're enjoying these simulations and which is what it's all about at the end of the day.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[Herman]

Hello Kurt....thank you for your post regarding the book "Boeing 737 The Worlds Jetliner". Where is this book available??

Herman

[biggiraffe]

Hey Herman, I got mine from Amazon.  I'm sure it can be found other places, too.

Best regards,

Kurt