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A Closer Look: Transitioning to the next generation 777 and A340
Building on last Friday's post about unlocking customers to evaluate competing airframer's products, I wanted to look a bit closer at the changes Airbus and Boeing made to develop their respective second generation 777s and A340s. For Boeing, the aircraft maker would evolve the 777-200ER and -300 into the the 777-300ER, -200LR and freighter, while Airbus would take its A340-300 and -200 to become the A340-500 and -600. (www.flightglobal.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
After the advent of A320 all wide bodies are computerised automatics, which the pilots love so much so that, AP failure scares them stiff. If an in-flight-shut down in 777 is followed by an AP 'dis-engage', it is the worst scenario.Whereas in A340 there still will be three engines ticking away whish boosts the confidence of even the run-of-the-mill pilot. The 2009 fatal crash of AF447 should be am eye-opener.The first jet airliner was a Quad-Jet, and every aircraft that crissed the Atlantic for the second world war was four engined.
Mayampurath.J.
Mayampurath.J.
The passenger version of the MD-11 was only ordered by two U.S. airlines: American and Delta. I flew on Delta operated MD-11s many times in first and business class (and also on Swissair in business class) and from a passenger's standpoint, they were just fine.
Then Swissair lost an MD-11 off the coast of eastern Canada with the total loss of all souls on board. It appeared an electrical problem that began in the IFE system propagated into the flight deck causing a catastrophic event.
Both AA and DL quietly began getting rid of their respective MD-11 aircraft, opting instead for new B777s. Bear in mind these MD-11s were not that old.
I've also talked with FedEx pilots who fly the MD-11 and most of them don't like the airplane. Control problems are mentioned in various flight regimes. And FedEx has also lost two MD-11s in landing accidents.
Then Swissair lost an MD-11 off the coast of eastern Canada with the total loss of all souls on board. It appeared an electrical problem that began in the IFE system propagated into the flight deck causing a catastrophic event.
Both AA and DL quietly began getting rid of their respective MD-11 aircraft, opting instead for new B777s. Bear in mind these MD-11s were not that old.
I've also talked with FedEx pilots who fly the MD-11 and most of them don't like the airplane. Control problems are mentioned in various flight regimes. And FedEx has also lost two MD-11s in landing accidents.
A 340 has been continued for lack of sales. It was never a big success. Initially underpowered and uneconomical.
Discontinued, not continued.
This traveller likes having 4 engines. Call me an A340 fan over 777.
And doing the hop accross the pond on a 767 or DC-10 is just miserable.
And doing the hop accross the pond on a 767 or DC-10 is just miserable.
Wouldn't the more appropriate comparison be between the 777 and the A330, given that the latter is also a two-hole plane?