American black bear and Boeing 737: Difference between pages

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<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]]
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{{Taxobox
{{infobox Aircraft
| name = American Black Bear
|subtemplate={{Infobox Boeing Aircraft}}
| fossil range = early Pleistocene- recent
|name =Boeing 737 family
| status = LR/lc
|image =Image:Air_Berlin_B737-700_Dreamliner_D-ABBN.jpg
| status_system = iucn2.3
|caption =[[Air Berlin]] Boeing 737-700 in a hybrid Boeing and Air Berlin livery.
| image = Black_bear_large.jpg
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
|type =[[Airliner]]
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
|national origin = [[United States]]
|manufacturer =[[Boeing Commercial Airplanes]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
|designer =
| ordo = [[Carnivora]]
|first flight =9 April 1967
| familia = [[bear|Ursidae]]
|introduction =10 February 1968 with [[Lufthansa]]
| genus = ''[[Ursus (genus)|Ursus]]''
|retired =
| species = '''''U. americanus'''''
|status = Active
| binomial = ''Ursus americanus''
|primary user = [[Southwest Airlines]]
| binomial_authority = [[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1780
|more users = [[Continental Airlines]] <br/> [[Ryanair]] <br/> [[Alaska Airlines]]<!--Limit is three in more users field. Please separate with <br/>.-->
| range_map = Map_black_bear_1.png
|produced = 1968 - Present
| synonyms = ''Euarctos americanus''
|number built =5,844 as of August 2008<ref name="737_O_D_summ"/>
}}
|unit cost ='''737-100''' US$32 million<ref>Bowers 1989, p. 495.</ref><br />
The '''American Black Bear''' (''Ursus americanus'') is the most common [[bear]] [[species]] native to [[North America]]. It lives throughout much of the continent, from northern [[Alaska]] south into [[Mexico]] and from the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the [[Pacific Ocean]]. This includes 41 of the 50 [[U.S. state]]s, all [[provinces and territories of Canada|Canadian provinces]] except [[Prince Edward Island]], and some of Mexico. Populations in the [[Southern United States]] remain in the protected mountains and woodlands of parks and preserves, though bears will occasionally wander outside the parks' boundaries and have set up new territories, in some cases on the margins of urban environments in recent years as their populations increase. Although there were probably once as many as two million Black Bears in North America long before European colonization, the population declined to a low of 200,000 as a result of habitat destruction and unrestricted hunting. By current estimates, more than 800,000 are living today on the continent.<ref>http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/noframe/c286.htm{{Dead link|date=October 2008|date=October 2008}}</ref> It is a close relative of the [[Asian Black Bear|Asiatic Black Bear]] with which it is thought to share a European common ancestor.<ref name="Encyclopedia">{{cite book | author = Macdonald, David | url = http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Mammals-David-W-Macdonald/dp/0871968711 | title = The Encyclopedia of Mammals: 1| year = 1984 | pages = pp.446 | id = ISBN 0-04-500028-x}}</ref>
'''737 NG''' US$50-85 million (2008)<ref name="prices">[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/prices/ Boeing Commercial Airplanes prices], Boeing. Retrieved: 29 May 2008.</ref><ref name="cost"> Karp, Aaron. [http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=9337 "Boeing boosts aircraft prices 5.5% on rising cost of labor, materials"], ''Air Transport World'', 26 June 2007. Retrieved: 13 April 2008.</ref>
|variants with their own articles = [[Boeing T-43]] <br/>[[Boeing 737 Classic]] <br/>[[Boeing 737 Next Generation]]
}}


The '''Boeing 737''' is a short to medium range, single aisle, [[narrow-body aircraft|narrow body]] jet [[airliner]]. Originally developed as a shorter, lower cost twin engine airliner derived from Boeing's [[Boeing 707|707]] and [[Boeing 727|727]], the 737 has nine variants, from the early -100 to the most recent and largest, the -900. Series -600 through -900 are still being produced.
==Description==
The American Black Bear usually ranges in length from 150 to 180&nbsp;[[Centimetre|cm]] (5 to 6&nbsp;[[foot (length)|feet]]) and typically stands about 76 to 91 cm (2.5 to 3 feet) at the shoulder.<ref><http://www.americanbear.org/Size.htm></ref> Standing up on its hind feet, a Black Bear can be up to 7 feet tall (2.12 m).<ref>[http://whozoo.org/Intro2001/natdavis/JNDavis_blackbear.htm Black Bear: WhoZoo<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Males are 33% larger than females.<ref name="Bearalmanac">{{cite book | author = Brown, Gary | title = Great Bear Almanac | year = 1996 | pages = pp.340 | id = ISBN 1558214747}}</ref> Females weigh between 40 and 180&nbsp;[[Kilogram|kg]] (90 and 400&nbsp;[[pound (mass)|pound]]s); males weigh between 115 and 275&nbsp;kg (250 and 600&nbsp;pounds) [http://www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/mammals/ursu-ame.html]. Adult black bears can reach 300&nbsp;kg (660&nbsp;pounds) [http://animal.discovery.com/news/afp/20031215/bear.html], but exceptionally large males have been recorded from the wild at up to 240&nbsp;cm (95&nbsp;inches) long and at least 365&nbsp;kg (800&nbsp;pounds). The biggest American Black Bear ever recorded was a male from North Carolina that weighed 881 lbs (400 kilograms).<ref>[http://www.helium.com/tm/379331/american-black-lives-north All about the American black bear - Zoology - Helium - by P.H.Rh<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Cubs usually weigh 200 to 450&nbsp;g (between 7&nbsp;[[ounce]]s and 1&nbsp;pound) at birth. The adult has small eyes, rounded ears, a long snout, a large body, and a short tail. It has an excellent sense of smell. Though they generally have shaggy black hair, the coat can vary in color from white through chocolate-brown, cinnamon-brown, and blonde (found mostly west of the [[Mississippi River]]), to black in the east (the same is generally true in [[Canada]], the border being between [[Manitoba]] and [[Ontario]]). They occasionally have a slight ''V''-shaped white chest blaze. The tail is 4.8 inches (12.12 cm) long.<ref name="Bearalmanac" />


First envisioned in 1964, the 737 entered service in 1968. Forty years later it has become the most ordered and produced commercial passenger jet in the world. It is Boeing's last surviving narrow-body airliner currently in production, sometimes serving markets previously filled by 707, 727, 757, DC-9 and MD-80/90 airliners. The 737 has been continuously manufactured by [[Boeing]] since 1967 with over 8,000 ordered and over 5,800 delivered as of 2008.<ref name="737_O_D_summ">[http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=737&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=737&ViewReportF=View+Report 737 Model Orders and Deliveries data], Boeing, August 2008.</ref> There are over 1,250 737s airborne at any given time,<ref name="flightglobal"/> with one departing or landing somewhere every five seconds on average.<ref name="737 Facts"/>
Although Black Bears can stand and walk on their hind legs it is more normal for them to walk on all fours. When they do stand, it is usually to get a better scent or to look at something. Their characteristic shuffling gait results from their plantigrade ([[flat feet|flat-footed]]) walk, with the hind legs slightly longer than the forelegs. Another reason for the apparent shuffle is that they commonly walk with a pacing gait. Unlike many [[quadruped]]s, the legs on one side move together instead of alternating, much like a pacer horse.<ref>[http://www.zenwaiter.com/blackbearhuntingguidequebec.htm]</ref> Each [[paw]] has five long, strong claws used for tearing, digging, and climbing. When necessary, they can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour (48 kph) and are good swimmers.<ref>[http://www.bear.org/website/Bear-Facts/Senses-Abilities.html North American Bear Center - Senses & Abilities<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The ears of a black bear are larger and more erect than those of the brown bear, and it lacks a prominent shoulder hump. <ref name="Animal">{{cite book |last=Kindersley |first= Dorling |year=2001,2005 |title=Animal |location=New York City |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=0-7894-7764-5}}</ref>


==Development==
== Ecology and Behavior ==
===Origins===
[[Image:Tracks of Ursus americanus, the American black bear in Yellowstone.jpg|Tracks of black bear at [[hot spring]], [[Yellowstone National Park]]|thumb|300px]]
Black bears are found in a wide variety of habitats across their range. They prefer forested and shrubby areas but they are also known to live on ridgetops, in tidelands, burned areas, riparian areas, agricultural fields, and, sometimes, avalanche chutes. Black bears can be found from hardwood and conifer swamps to the rather dry sage and pinyon-juniper habitats in the western states. Black bears typically "[[hibernation|hibernate]]" during winter in hollowed-out dens in tree cavities, under logs or rocks, in banks, caves, or culverts, and in shallow depressions. Dens are normally not reused from one year to the next. While they do not eat, drink, defecate, or urinate during hibernation, it is not the true hibernation of smaller mammals since their body temperature does not drop significantly and they remain somewhat alert and active. Females give birth and nurse their young while hibernating.


Boeing had been studying short-haul jet aircraft designs and wanted to produce another aircraft to supplement the [[Boeing 727|727]] on short and thin routes.<ref name="nyt transport news"> "Transport News: Boeing Plans Jet." ''[[The New York Times]]'', 17 July 1964. Retrieved: 26 February 2008.</ref> Preliminary design work began on 11 May 1964,<ref>Endres 2001, p. 122.</ref> and Boeing's intense market research yielded plans for a 50 to 60 passenger plane for routes 50 to 1,000&nbsp;mi (80 to 1,609&nbsp;km) long.<ref>Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 12.</ref><ref name="nyt transport news"/> [[Lufthansa]] became the launch customer on 19 February 1965,<ref name="Sharpe, p. 13">Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 13.</ref> with an order of 21 aircraft, worth $67&nbsp;million<ref name="german order">"German Airline Buys 21 Boeing Short-Range Jets." ''[[The Washington Post]]'', 20 February 1965. Retrieved: 26 February 2008.</ref> (1965, $190.28&nbsp;million in 2008), after the airline reportedly received assurances from Boeing that the 737 project would not be cancelled.<ref name="Wallace"/> Consultation with Lufthansa over the previous winter resulted in an increase in capacity to 100 seats.<ref name="Sharpe, p. 13"/>
After emerging from their winter dens in spring, they seek carrion from winter-killed animals and new shoots of many plant species, especially wetland plants. In mountainous areas, they seek southerly slopes at lower elevations for forage and move to northerly and easterly slopes at higher elevations as summer progresses. Black bears use dense cover for hiding and thermal protection, as well as for bedding. They climb trees at speeds up to 20 mph to escape danger and use forested areas and rivers as travel corridors.


On 5 April 1965, Boeing announced an order by [[United Airlines]] for 40 737s. United wanted a slightly larger airplane than the original design; therefore, Boeing stretched the fuselage an extra 91&nbsp;cm (36&nbsp;in) ahead of, and 102&nbsp;cm (40&nbsp;in) behind the wing.<ref name="Sharpe, p. 17">Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 17.</ref> The longer version was designated 737-200, with the original short body aircraft becoming the 737-100.<ref>Redding 1997, p. 182.</ref>
==Reproduction==
[[Image:Bear cub.jpg|thumb|Black Bear cub]]
Females generally reach [[reproduction|breeding]] maturity at 3 to 4 years of age and with adequate nutrition can breed every 2 years. In poor quality habitat, they may not mature until 5-7 and may skip breeding cycles. Males are sexually mature at the same age, but may not become large enough to win breeding rights until they are 4-5 years old (they have to be large enough to win fights with other males and be accepted by females). Mating is generally during summer, from mid-June to mid-August with some variation depending on latitude, but with [[embryonic diapause]], the embryos do not begin to develop until the mother dens in the fall to [[Hibernation|hibernate]] through the winter months. Because of this delay, gestation can be 7 to 8 months, but actual development takes about 60 days. However, if food was scarce and the mother has not gained enough fat to sustain herself during hibernation as well as produce and feed cubs, the embryos do not develop.


[[Image:NASA TEST 737-100.jpg|thumb|right|The prototype 737, a -100 operated by [[NASA]] for testing.]]
The cubs are generally born in January or February. They are very small, about 10-14 ounces, and are blind, nearly hairless, and helpless when born. Two to three cubs are most common, though up to four and even five cubs have been documented. First-time mothers typically have only a single cub. The mother nurses the cubs with rich milk, and by spring thaw, when the bears start leaving their dens, the cubs are fur-balls of energy, inquisitive and playful. By this time, they are about 4 to 8 pounds (2-4 kg). When their mother senses danger, she grunts to the cubs to climb high up a tree. They are [[weaning|weaned]] between July and September of their first year and stay with the mother through the first winter. The cubs become independent during their second summer (when they are 1.5 years old). At this time, the sow goes into [[estrous cycle|estrus]] again.


Detailed design work continued on both variants at the same time. Boeing was far behind its competitors when the 737 was launched, as rival aircraft [[BAC One-Eleven|BAC 1-11]], [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9|Douglas DC-9]], and [[Fokker F28]]<ref name="german order"/> were already into flight certification. To expedite development, Boeing reused 60% of the structure and systems of the existing 727, most notably the fuselage cross section. This fuselage permitted six-abreast seating compared to the rival 1-11 and DC-9's five-abreast layout,<ref name="Sharpe, p. 13"/> but the widened cross-section and short fuselage complicated the aerodynamics of the aft-mounted engines common with airliners of the time. As a result, engineers decided to mount the nacelles directly to the underside of the wings. The placement of this weight below the center of the aircraft also reduced stresses on the airframe, which allowed for a lighter wing,<ref>Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 18.</ref> and kept the aircraft low to the ground for easy ramp operations.<ref name="JoeSutter">Sutter 2006, pp. 76–78.</ref> The engine chosen was the [[Pratt & Whitney]] [[Pratt & Whitney JT8D|JT8D-1]] low-bypass ratio turbofan engine.<ref>Shaw 1999, p. 6.</ref> With the wing-mounted engines, Boeing decided to mount the [[Elevator (aircraft)|elevator]] on the fuselage rather than the [[T-tail]] style of the Boeing 727.<ref name="Sharpe, p. 17"/>
Cub survival is totally dependent on the skill of the mother in teaching her cubs what and where to eat, how to forage, where to den, and when and where to seek shelter from heat or danger.


[[Image:Boeing 737-200 planform.jpg|thumb|right|Boeing 737-200 Adv [[planform]] and exposed landing gear tires are visible on this USAF [[Boeing T-43|T-43]] takeoff]]
==Diet==
[[Image:Ursus americanus.jpg|thumb|200px|right|]]
[[Image:transaero b737-400 planform ei-cxk arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Transaero]] 737-400 in [[planform]] view at takeoff]]
Black bears are omnivores whose diet includes plants, meat, and insects. They are apex predators in North America, with the exception of areas where they coexist with the brown bear. The black bear eats a wide variety of foods, mainly herbs, nuts and berries. In the state of Washington and other parts of the Pacific Northwest, black bears eat a large amount of [[skunk cabbage]], [[horsetail]] and tree bark during the spring.<ref>Efficacy of Black Bear Supplemental Feeding to Reduce Conifer Damage in Western Washington, Georg J. Ziegltrum, ''The Journal of Wildlife Management'', Vol. 68, No. 3 (Jul., 2004), pp. 470-474</ref> They also commonly feed on spring acorns in Massachusetts.<ref>Effects of Spring acorn availability on Black Bear diet, milk composition, and cub survival,
John E. McDonald Jr.A, B and Todd K. Fuller, ''Journal of Mammalogy'' Article: pp. 1022–1028</ref>


The initial assembly of the 737 was adjacent to [[Boeing Field]] (now officially called King County International Airport) because the factory in [[Renton Municipal Airport|Renton]] was at capacity building the 707 and 727. After 271 aircraft, production was moved to Renton in late 1970.<ref name="Wallace">Wallace, J. [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/259251_boeing13.html "Boeing delivers its 5,000th 737,"] ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'', 13 February 2006. Retrieved: 18 December 2007.</ref><ref>Gates, Dominic. [http://www.forecastinternational.com/notable/seattletimes.pdf "Successor to Boeing 737 likely to be built in state."] ''Seattle Times'', 30 December 2005. Retrieved: 10 February 2008.</ref> A significant portion of the fuselage assembly is in Wichita, Kansas previously by Boeing but now by Spirit AeroSystems, which purchased some of Boeing's assets in Wichita.<ref>[http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=25041&cat=PR+Newswire&more=/pr_newswire/ "Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Completes First Developmental Section for 787 Dreamliner."] Pr newswire. Retrieved: 23 January 2008.</ref> The fuselage is joined with the wings and landing gear, then moves down the assembly line for the engines, avionics and interiors. After rolling out the aircraft, Boeing tests the systems and engines before its maiden flight to Boeing Field, where it is painted and fine tuned before delivery to the customer.<ref>Shaw 1999, p. 16.</ref>
They feed on [[carrion]] and [[insect]]s (mainly for the larvae) such as [[carpenter ant]]s, [[yellow jacket]]s, [[bee]]s, [[wasps]] and [[termite]]s. They raid beehives for both [[honey]] and bee larvae as both are easy sources of carbohydrates (honey) and protein (larvae.) They also kill and eat small mammals (such as [[rodent]]s) and [[ungulate]]s, mostly the young. In Michigan<ref>Ozoga, J. J., and R.K Clute. 1988. Mortality rates of marked and unmarked fawns. ''Journal of Wildlife Management 52:549-551.</ref> and the state of New York,<ref>Mathews, N. E., and W. F Porter. 1988. Black bear predation on white-tailed deer neonates in the central Adirondacks, ''Canadian Journal of Zoology'' 66:1241-1242.</ref> black bears prey on [[white-tailed deer]] fawns. In addition they have been recorded preying on [[elk]] calves in Idaho<ref>Schlegal. M. 1976, Factor affecting calf elk survival in north central Idaho. ''Western Association of State Game and Fish Commission'' 56:342-355.</ref> and [[moose]] calves in Alaska.<ref>Franzmann. A. W. C. C, Schwartz and R.O. Peterson, Moose calf mortality in summer at Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. ''Journal of Wildlife Management'' 44:764-768</ref>


The first of six -100 prototypes rolled out in December 1966, and made its maiden flight on 9 April 1967 piloted by [[Brien Wygle]] and [[Lew Wallick]].<ref name="737_30th">[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1997/news.release.970502.html "Original 737 Comes Home to Celebrate 30th Anniversary"], The Boeing Company press release, 2 May 1997. Retrieved: 12 April 2008.</ref> During nearly 1,300 hours of flight testing it was discovered that the aircraft produced excess drag at high speeds, which could buckle the rear [[Spar (aviation)|wing spar]] at loads only 34% above normal. The aircraft were modified with reinforcements, but at a cost to the weight and short-field performance.<ref>Sharpe 2001, pp. 19–20.</ref> On 15 December 1967 the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] certified the -100 for commercial flight,<ref name="Sharpe p. 20">Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 20.</ref> issuing Type Certificate A16WE.<ref name="Type_Cert_A16WE">[http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/e038ae3ed2dbc2ae86257479004d1e57/$FILE/A16WE.pdf "Type Certificate Data Sheet A16WE"]</ref>. The 737 was the first aircraft to have, as part of its initial certification, approval for [[Instrument approach|Category II approaches]].<ref name="Redding 183">Redding 1997, p. 183.</ref> Lufthansa received their first aircraft on 28 December 1967 and on 10 February 1968 became the first non-American airline to launch a new Boeing aircraft.<ref name="Sharpe p. 20"/> [[Lufthansa]] was the only significant customer to purchase the 737-100 and only 30 aircraft were ever produced.<ref>Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 120.</ref>
Additionally, black bears will eat [[salmon]], [[Catostomidae|suckers]], [[alligator]] eggs, [[crayfish]], and [[trout]] and will seek out food within [[orchard]]s, [[beehive (beekeeping)|beehives]], and agricultural croplands. They may frequently raid garbage dumps, campsites, or appropriate food from the trash bins of businesses or private homes.


The 737-200 had its maiden flight on 8 August 1967. It was certified by the FAA on 21 December 1967,<ref name="Type_Cert_A16WE"/><ref>Endres 2001, p. 124.</ref> and the inaugural flight for United was on 28 April 1968 from [[Chicago]] to [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]].<ref name="Sharpe p. 20"/> The lengthened -200 was widely preferred over the -100 by airlines.
Black bears often drag their prey to cover, preferring to feed in seclusion and frequently begin feeding on the udder of lactating females, but generally prefer meat from the viscera. The skin of large prey is stripped back and turned inside out with the skeleton usually left largely intact. Unlike wolves and coyotes, black bears rarely scatter the remains of their kills. Vegetation around the carcass is usually matted down by black bears and their droppings are frequently found nearby. Black bears may attempt to cover remains of larger carcasses, though they do not do so with the same frequency as [[cougar]]s and [[grizzly bear]]s.<ref name="Predation">[http://texnat.tamu.edu/ranchref/predator/bears/t-bears.htm Bear Predation - Description<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


[[Image:Boeing 737-200 thrust reverser.jpg|thumb|left|Extended thrust reversers on a retrofitted 737-200]]
==Interspecific predatory relationships==
In some areas, Black Bears share their range with the [[Brown Bear]]. Due to their smaller size, Black Bears are at a competitive disadvantage against Brown Bears in open, non-forested areas. Although displacement of black bears by Brown Bears has been documented, actual interspecific killing of Black Bears by brown bears has only occasionally been reported. The [[diurnality|diurnal]] Black Bear's habit of living in heavily forested areas as opposed to the largely nocturnal brown bear's preference for open spaces usually ensures that the two species avoid confrontations in areas where they are sympatric.<ref>http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/products/Predation_Papers.pdf{{Dead link|date=October 2008|date=October 2008}}</ref>


In 1968 an improvement to the [[thrust reversal]] system was introduced. The improvement became standard on all aircraft after March 1969, and a retrofit was provided for active aircraft. Boeing fixed the drag issue by introducing new longer nacelle/wing fairings, and improved the airflow over the flaps and slats. The production line also introduced an improvement to the flap system, allowing increased use during takeoff and landing. All these changes gave the aircraft a boost to payload and range, and improved the short-field performance.<ref name="Sharpe p. 20"/> In May 1971, after aircraft #135, all improvements, including more powerful engines and a greater fuel capacity, were incorporated into the 737-200, giving it a 15% increase in payload and range over the original -200s.<ref name="Redding 183"/> This became known as the 737-200 Advanced, which became the production standard in June 1971.
Black Bears are also sympatric with [[cougar]]s and may compete with them over carcasses. Like Brown Bears, they will sometimes steal kills from cougars. One study found that both bear species visited 24% of cougar kills in Yellowstone and [[Glacier National Park]]s, usurping 10% of carcasses.<ref>{{cite paper |author=COSEWIC. Canadian Wildlife Service |title=Assessment and Update Status Report on the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) |publisher=[[Environment Canada]] |year=2002 |url=http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/CW69-14-166-2002E.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=2007-04-08 }}</ref> However, Black Bears and cougars rarely engage in violent combat with each other and usually try to scare each other with bluff changes, growls, swipes, etc.


In 1970, Boeing received only 37 orders. Facing financial difficulties, Boeing considered closing the 737 production-line and selling the design to Japanese aviation companies.<ref name="Wallace"/> After the cancellation of the [[Boeing 2707|Boeing Supersonic Transport]], and the scaling back of 747 production, enough funds were freed up to continue the project.<ref>Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 21.</ref> In a bid to increase sales by offering a variety of options, Boeing offered a ''737C'' (Convertible) model in both -100 and -200 lengths. This model featured a 340 x 221&nbsp;cm (134 x 87&nbsp;in) freight door just behind the cockpit, and a strengthened floor with rollers which allowed for [[Unit Load Device|palletized cargo]]. A ''737QC'' (Quick Change) version with palletized seating allowed for faster configuration changes between cargo and passenger flights.<ref>Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 19.</ref> With the improved short-field capabilities of the 737, Boeing offered the option on the -200 of the gravel kit, which enables this aircraft to operate on remote, unpaved runways.<ref>[http://www.b737.org.uk/unpavedstripkit.htm Unpaved Strip Kit]. www.b737.org.uk Retrieved: 10 February 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0686303&size=L&width=1024&height=695&sok=&photo_nr=&prev_id=&next_id= Boeing 737-2T2C/Adv aircraft picture]. airliners.net. Retrieved: 10 February 2008.</ref> Until retiring its -200 fleet in 2007, [[Alaska Airlines]] used this option for some of its rural operations in [[Alaska]]. With the retirement of these aircraft, some airports, such as [[Red Dog Airport]], have upgraded runway facilities from gravel to paved.<ref>[http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/aeis/NWAB/Transportation/NWAB_Transportation_Narrative.htm Northwest Arctic Borough: Transportation]. Retrieved: 21 January 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.world-airport-codes.com/Alaska/red-dog-6237.html|title=www.world-airport-codes.com/Alaska/red-dog-6237.html Red Dog (RDB) Alaska] Retrieved: 12 April 2008.</ref>
Black Bear interactions with wolves are much rarer than with Brown Bears, due to differences in habitat preferences. The majority of Black Bear encounters with wolves occur in the species' northern range, with no interactions being recorded in Mexico. Wolves have been recorded to kill Black Bears on numerous occasions without eating them. Unlike Brown Bears, Black Bears frequently lose against wolves in disputes over kills.<ref name="WOLVES">{{cite book | author= L. David Mech & Luigi Boitani | url = | title=Wolves: Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation | year=2001 | pages= p 448 | id= ISBN 0226516962 }}</ref> Black Bears are generally timid and prefer to flee rather than fight.


In 1988 the initial production run of the -200 model ended after producing 1,114 aircraft. The last one was delivered to [[Xiamen Airlines]] on 8 August 1988.<ref name="Sharpe p. 23">Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 23.</ref><ref name="first flight"/>
==Relationships with humans==
===Livestock and crop damage===
Livestock depredations by Black Bears occur mostly in spring. A limitation of food sources in early spring and wild berry and nut crop failures during summer months are probably major contributing factors. Black Bears can do extensive damage in some areas of the northwestern states by stripping the bark from trees and feeding on the cambium.<ref name="Predation">[http://texnat.tamu.edu/ranchref/predator/bears/t-bears.htm Bear Predation - Description<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


===Improved variants===
Though Black Bears will attack adult cattle and horses, they seem to prefer sheep, goats, calves, and pigs. They normally kill by biting the neck and shoulders, though they may break the neck or back of prey with blows from the paws. Evidence of a bear attack includes claw marks are being frequently found on the neck, back, and shoulders of these larger animals. Surplus killing of sheep and goats are relatively common. Bears have been known to frighten livestock herds over cliffs, causing injuries and death to many animals; whether or not this is intentional is not known.<ref name="Predation" />
{{seemain|Boeing 737 Classic}}


Development began in 1979 for the 737's first major facelift. Boeing wanted to increase capacity and range, incorporating improvements to upgrade the plane to modern specifications, while also retaining commonality with previous 737 variants. In 1980 preliminary aircraft specifications of the variant, dubbed 737-300, were released at the [[Farnborough Airshow]].<ref>Endres 2001, p. 126.</ref>
===Attacks on humans===
Like many animals, they seldom attack unless cornered, threatened, or wounded. They are less likely to attack humans than [[Grizzly Bear]]s and typically flee for cover as soon as they identify a human visitor. Deaths by Black Bear, though, are most often predatory, while the more numerous grizzly fatalities on humans are often defensive.<ref>[http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_bear_problem_faqs.htm Black Bear Problems and Control - FAQ]</ref> This makes feigning death when a Black Bear attacks ineffective. Although 15 North Americans have been killed since the year 2000, it is estimated that there have been only 56 documented killings of humans by Black Bears in North America in the past 100 years.


[[Image:Southwest Airlines Cabin.jpg|thumb|right|[[Southwest Airlines]] popularized [[Low-cost carrier|low-cost fares]] with all-economy seating]]
=== History and controversy ===
[[Image:bearskin.cenotaph.london.arp.jpg|thumb|right|Welsh Guards, wearing bearskins]]
[[Image:White-blackbear.jpg|thumb|right|A stuffed white-furred individual, [[Natural History Museum at Tring|Rothschild Museum]], Tring]]
Because little of their behavior has been understood until recently, Black Bears have been feared and hated. Before the 20th century, these bears were shot intermittently as vermin, food, and trophies, being seen as either a vicious beast or an endless commodity; until recently, in many areas, bounties were paid for Black Bears. Despite conservationists' demands to the contrary, the [[bearskin]] hats made of Black Bear fur are still used by regiments of many nations, including the Queen of England's [[Foot Guards]].


The [[CFM International CFM56|CFM56-3B-1]] [[turbofan]] engine was chosen to power the aircraft, which yielded significant gains in fuel economy and a reduction in noise, but also posed an engineering challenge given the low ground clearance of the 737 and the larger diameter of the engine over the original Pratt and Whitney engines. Boeing and engine supplier [[CFM International|CFMI]] solved the problem by placing the engine ahead of the wing, and by moving engine accessories to the sides of the engine pod, giving the engine a distinctive non-circular air intake.<ref name="Endres p128">Endres 2001, p. 128.</ref>
Paradoxically, Black Bears have also been portrayed as harmless and cuddly. For example, the [[teddy bear]] owes its existence to a young Black Bear cub [[Theodore Roosevelt]] refused to shoot, and [[Christopher Robin Milne]] named his teddy [[Winnie-the-Pooh]] after [[Winnipeg the Bear|Winnipeg]], a Black Bear which he and his father often saw at [[London Zoo]]. Today, Black Bears are as much an important game species as they are a point of debate across the continent, especially when many bears are finding life in the suburbs quite comfortable. Given their relatively low reproductive rate, Black Bear hunting must be carefully controlled and is probably inappropriate in areas where populations are feeble or where habitat is no longer intact.


The passenger capacity of the aircraft was increased to 149 by extending the fuselage around the wing by 2.87&nbsp;m (9&nbsp;ft 5&nbsp;in). The wing incorporated a number of changes for improved aerodynamics. The wing tip was extended 9 in (23&nbsp;cm), and the wing span by 1&nbsp;ft 9&nbsp;in (53&nbsp;cm). The leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps were adjusted.<ref name="Endres p128"/> The flight deck was improved with the optional EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrumentation System), and the passenger cabin incorporated improvements similar to those developed on the [[Boeing 757]].<ref name="Shaw10">Shaw 1999, p. 10</ref> The prototype -300, the 1,001st 737 built, first flew on 24 February 1984 with pilot [[Jim McRoberts]].<ref name="Shaw10"/> It and two production aircraft flew a nine month long certification program.<ref>Shaw 1999, pp. 12–13.</ref>
Their tendencies to follow their stomachs and habitat encroachment by humans have created human-bear conflicts. This is especially true in areas where they may have been uncommon or absent for a long time, as in many parts of the eastern [[United States]]. An excellent example is the state of [[New Jersey]]. In New Jersey, now the nation's most densely populated state, bears were quite common before the modern era. Because so much land was cleared for homes and farming and as a result of poor policies regarding hunting and forestry, by 1970 only about 100 bears remained. However, because of changes in land use, management, and bear population increases in neighboring [[Pennsylvania]] and [[New York]], that number increased to an estimated 3,529 by 2003. The result is that the residents increasingly encounter bears near their homes and workplaces. Education and precaution are needed, especially in areas such as New Jersey where bear encounters are a fairly new phenomena in recent history. Fear of bear attacks is a common concern for these residents. Attacks can happen when a bear has lost its fear of humans and has come to associate people with food. This is a cause for concern among civilians and scientists alike. Similar events have unfolded in other states and in Canada. The rate of contact between Black Bears in search of food and humans rose to record levels in the western United States in autumn 2007.<ref>{{cite web|author=Reuters|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Bear-havoc-at-record-heights-in-US-West/2007/09/25/1190486264789.html|title=Bear havoc at record heights in US West|date=[[2007-09-25]]|accessdate=2007-09-25 |work=Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> State, provincial, and federal agencies are working to address the issue with trap-and-release programs, limited hunting, and hazing bears with rubber bullets, other aversion techniques, and dogs. In agricultural areas, electric fences have been very effective.


In June 1986 Boeing announced the development of the 737-400,<ref>Redding 1997, p. 185</ref> which stretched the fuselage a further 10&nbsp;ft (3.45&nbsp;m), increasing the passenger load to 170.<ref>Shaw 1999, p. 7.</ref> The -400s first flight was on 19 February 1988 and, after a seven-month/500-hour flight testing run, entered service with [[Piedmont Airlines]] that October.<ref>Shaw 1999, p. 14.</ref>
== Taxonomy and subspecies ranges ==
The American Black Bear is classified in the class [[Mammal]]ia, order [[Carnivora]] and family [[Bear|Ursidae]]. Many subspecies are named, such as the [[Kermode bear]], [[Cinnamon bear]], and Glacier Bear (or American Blue Bear). Currently accepted [[subspecies]] (with their respective ranges) include:


The -500 series was offered, due to customer demand, as a modern and direct replacement of the 737-200. It incorporated the improvements of the 737 Classic series; allowing longer routes with fewer passengers to be more economical than with the 737-300. The fuselage length of the -500 is 1&nbsp;ft 7&nbsp;in (47&nbsp;cm) longer than the 737-200, accommodating up to 132 passengers. Both glass and older style mechanical cockpits arrangements were available.<ref name="Shaw p14">Shaw 1999, p. 14.</ref> Using the CFM56-3 engine also gave a 25% increase in fuel efficiency over the older -200s P&W engines.<ref name="Shaw p14"/>
{|
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus altifrontalis''
| valign="top" | Found in the Pacific Northwest coast from central [[British Columbia]] through northern [[California]] and inland to the tip of northern [[Idaho]] and British Columbia
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus amblyceps''
| valign="top" | Native to [[Colorado]], [[New Mexico]], west [[Texas]], the eastern half of [[Arizona]] into northern [[Mexico]]; southeastern [[Utah]]
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus americanus''
| valign="top" | Found in eastern [[Montana]] to the Atlantic coast; from [[Alaska]] south and east through [[Canada]] to the Atlantic and south to [[Texas]]. Thought to be increasing in some regions.
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus californiensis''
| valign="top" | Found in the mountain ranges of Southern [[California]], north through the Central Valley to southern [[Oregon]]
|-----
| valign="top" | ''[[Ursus americanus carlottae]]''
| [[Queen Charlotte Islands]] and [[Alaska]]
|-----
| valign="top" | ''[[Cinnamon bear|Ursus americanus cinnamomum]]''
| valign="top" | Idaho, western Montana, and Wyoming, eastern Washington and Oregon, northeastern Utah
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus emmonsii''
| valign="top" | southeastern Alaska. Stable.
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus eremicus''
| valign="top" | northeastern Mexico
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus floridanus''
| valign="top" | [[Florida]], southern [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and [[Alabama]]. Threatened.
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus hamiltoni''
| valign="top" | the island of [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]]
|-----
| valign="top" | ''[[Kermode bear|Ursus americanus kermodei]]''
| valign="top" | the central coast of British Columbia
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus luteolus''
| valign="top" | eastern Texas, [[Louisiana]], southern [[Mississippi]] Endangered.
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus machetes''
| valign="top" | north-central Mexico
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus perniger''
| valign="top" | [[Kenai Peninsula]], Alaska
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus pugnax''
| valign="top" | [[Alexander Archipelago]], Alaska
|-----
| valign="top" | ''Ursus americanus vancouveri''
| valign="top" | [[Vancouver Island]], British Columbia
|}


The 737-500 was launched in 1987 by [[Southwest Airlines]], with an order for 20 aircraft,<ref>Shaw 1999, p. 40.</ref> and flew for the first time on 30 June 1989.<ref name="Shaw p14"/> A single prototype flew 375 hours for the certification process,<ref name="Shaw p14"/> and on 28 February 1990 [[Southwest Airlines]] received the first delivery.<ref>Endres 2001, p. 129.</ref> The 737-500 has become a favorite of some [[Russia]]n airlines, with [[Aeroflot-Nord]], [[S7 Airlines]], and [[Rossiya Airlines]] all buying second-hand models of the aircraft to replace aging [[USSR|Soviet]]-built aircraft.
==Legal status==
[[Image:Blkbearzoo.jpg|thumb|right|Captive Black Bears at a zoo in Florida]]
Today, a major threat to the American Black Bear is [[poaching]], or illegal killing, to supply [[Asia]]n markets with bear [[gallbladder|galls]], hearts, and paws, considered to have medicinal value in [[China]], [[Japan]], and [[Korea]]. The demand for these parts also affects grizzly and polar bears. The [[CITES|Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora]] (CITES), a treaty among more than 120 nations, provides measures to curb illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products across international boundaries, helping to protect the Black Bear from poaching. Perpetrators caught poaching or smuggling either item out of the United States or Canada may face very serious legal ramifications, and park rangers within both countries are charged with the protection of the bears under their jurisdictions up to and including arrest.


After the introduction of the -600/700/800 series, the -300/400/500 series was called the 737 Classic series.
[[Image:bear heart.jpg|thumb|right|Bear parts from American Black Bears may wind up illegally in Chinese markets like the heart depicted above as native Asian bears' numbers decline.]]


The price of jet fuel has skyrocketed in the past five years; airlines devote 40% of the retail price of an air ticket to pay for fuel in 2008, versus 15% in 2000.<ref>"To Save Fuel, Airlines Find No Speck Too Small." ''[[New York Times]]'', 11 June 2008</ref> Consequently, carriers have begun to retire the Classic 737 series to reduce their fleet sizes; replacements consist of more efficient Next Generation 737s or [[Airbus A320]]/A319/A318 series aircraft. On June 4, 2008, [[United Airlines]] announced it would retire all 94 of its Classic 737 aircraft (64 737-300 and 30 737-500 aircraft), replacing them with Airbus A320 jets taken from its [[Ted (airline)|Ted]] subsidiary, which is being shut down.<ref>"UAL Cuts Could Be Omen." ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'', 5 June 2008, p. B3.</ref><ref>[http://www.united.com/press/detail/0,6862,59665,00.html United Airlines Press Release, [[22 July]] 2008]</ref><ref>"Airline Shares Gain Despite Losses." ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'', 23 July 2008, p. B3.</ref>
Black Bears are abundant in most of the western states and in most of Canada, but its presence in the Midwest is uneven by comparison. For example, [[Ontario]] is home to about 100,000 bears, with at least as many in neighboring [[Quebec]], while the Upper Midwest has a very healthy population with 30,000 bears in [[Minnesota]] alone. In contrast, nearby places like [[Iowa]], [[Kansas]], and [[Illinois]] have virtually none. Many Midwestern states have not had a native breeding population of bears since the turn of the 19th century or earlier.<ref>[http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:nGkoNVygtzAJ:www.inhs.uiuc.edu/releases/Buhnerkempe_OutdoorIL_1007.pdf+black+bear%2BIllinois&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us&client=firefox-a 403 Forbidden<!-- Bot generated title -->]{{Dead link|date=October 2008|date=October 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ksr.ku.edu/libres/Mammals_of_Kansas/ursus-amer.html Bears (Family Ursidae)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>http://www.iowadnr.com/wildlife/pdfs/bear%20log%202003%20complete.pdf</ref>


===Next Generation===
Most populations east of the [[Mississippi River]] are seeing a marked, steady increase in population: bears are moving back into places where they typically have been absent for over a century as suitable habitat has returned. In eastern states with heavily wooded areas, populations are growing rapidly; in [[North Carolina]] there were 11,000 bears at last count in 2004, [[Pennsylvania]] estimates 15,000 bears currently, New Jersey (a heavily urbanized state) estimated 3,529 in 2003, and even tiny [[Rhode Island]] has seen evidence of bears moving into areas where they haven't been in decades. The Florida Black Bear has also seen increases in numbers in recent decades; in 2004, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission estimated over 2,400 bears were in the state. Unfortunately, not all is well. Continued development may reduce connectivity between the already separated populations in Florida. The Louisiana subspecies continues to be at critically low levels, although several successful reintroduction projects have added bears to new areas of the state.
{{multiple image
| align = right
| width =
| image1 = Boeing 737 cockpit.jpg
| width1 = 150
| caption1 = Early 737 cockpit
| image2 = Atamdw251 1.jpg
| width2 = 150
| caption2 = Modern 737-800 cockpit
}}
Prompted by the modern [[Airbus A320]], in 1991 Boeing initiated development of an updated series of aircraft.<ref>Endres 2001, p. 132.</ref> After working with potential customers, the 737 Next Generation (NG) program was announced on 17 November 1993.<ref name="Shaw p8">Shaw 1999, p. 8.</ref> The 737NG encompasses the -600, -700, -800 and -900, and is to date the most significant upgrade of the airframe. The performance of the 737NG is essentially that of a new airplane, but important commonality is retained from previous 737 models. The wing was modified, increasing its area by 25% and span by 16&nbsp;ft (4.88&nbsp;m), which increased the total fuel capacity by 30%. New, quieter, more fuel-efficient [[CFM International CFM56#CFM56-7 series|CFM56-7B]] engines were used.<ref>Endres 2001, p. 133.</ref> All three improvements combined increase the 737's range by 900&nbsp;nmi, now permitting transcontinental service.<ref name="Shaw p8"/> A flight test program was operated by 10 aircraft; 3 -600s, 4 -700s, and 3 -800s.<ref name="Shaw p8"/>


The first NG to roll out was a -700, on 8 December 1996. This aircraft, the 2,843rd 737 built, first flew on 9 February 1997 with pilots [[Mike Hewett]] and [[Ken Higgins]]. The prototype -800 rolled out on 30 June 1997 and first flew on 31 July 1997, again with Hewett and [[Jim McRoberts]]. The smallest of the new variants, the -600s, is the same size as the -500. It was the last in this series to launch, in December 1997. First flying 22 January 1998, it was given certification on 18 August 1998.<ref name="Shaw p8"/><ref>Shaw 1999, pp. 14–15.</ref>
In Mexico, the indigenous Black Bear population is listed as endangered and is mostly limited to increasingly fragmented habitat in the mountainous northern parts of the country. Individuals from this area seem to have naturally recolonized parts of southern Texas and along the [[Rio Grande]].<ref>http://www.nps.gov/bibe/naturescience/bears.htm88{{Dead link|date=October 2008|date=October 2008}}</ref>


In 2004, Boeing offered a Short Field Performance package in response to the needs of [[Gol Transportes Aéreos]], which frequently operates from restricted airports. The enhancements improve takeoff and landing performance. The optional package is available for the 737NG models and standard equipment for the 737-900ER.
In 1992, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Louisiana Black Bear subspecies as "threatened" under the [[Endangered Species Act]], meaning it could be in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range in the near future. The American Black Bear is also protected by legislation in the affected states (Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas), owing to its close resemblance to this subspecies. The Florida Black Bear was denied protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1998 and 2004 due to its adequate protection and management by the State of Florida.


On 21 August 2006, [[Sky News]] alleged that Boeing's Next Generation 737s built from 1994 to 2002 contained defective parts. The report stated that various parts of the airframe produced by [[Ducommun]] were found to be defective by Boeing employees but that Boeing refused to take action. Boeing said that the allegations were "without merit".<ref>[http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060821-113928-7593r "Report alleges faulty parts in jets."] ''United Press International'', 21 August 2006. Retrieved: 22 August 2006.</ref>
== Miscellaneous ==


Boeing has already hinted that a "clean sheet" replacement for the 737 (internally dubbed "[[Boeing Y1]]") could follow the [[Boeing 787]].<ref> [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2006/03/03/205223/boeing-firms-up-737-replacement-studies-by-appointing.html Boeing firms up 737 replacement studies by appointing team] ''[[Flight International]]'', 3 March 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2008</ref>
* There has been considerable evidence of Black Bear activity that seems to suggest that the population may be extending its range back into historical territories in Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, and other areas where bears were eradicated and have not been present for a considerable amount of time. It is suspected that adolescent males seeking new territory are wandering far and wide, literally hundreds of miles, by following natural and manmade corridors (rivers and highways) back into their ancestral lands. It has generally been recent policy that if the animal does not become a nuisance, is not a danger, or is not in any imminent peril, that it be allowed to exist unmolested and without hindrance. Most cases remain out of the general public's knowledge until there has been a significant human-bear encounter. Note that while dispersing male bears wander far, females generally stay near where they were born. Because of this, although bears may show up in unexpected places, reproducing populations are slower to expand from core areas.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kypost.com/2004/07/14/bear071404.html|title=Boone County bear still on the lam|author=David Wecker|first=David|last=Wecker|work=[[The Cincinnati Post|The Kentucky Post]]|publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]]|date=2004-07-14|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070317120729/http://www.kypost.com/2004/07/14/bear071404.html|archivedate=2007-03-17}}</ref>

* The sports teams of the [[University of Maine]] are known as ''Black Bears''; it is also the mascot for [[Baylor University]] where two bears are kept on campus.
==Design==
* ''Ursus americanus kermodei'', commonly known as the [[Kermode bear|spirit bear]], is a rare white (not [[albinism|albino]]) subspecies found in [[Pacific temperate rain forests|temperate rain forests]] on the Pacific coast of North America. Native tradition credits these animals with supernatural powers.
[[Image:Boeing 737-400 Engine.JPG|thumb|right|A Boeing 737-400 series of [[Garuda Indonesia]] showing the non-circular inlet]]
* [[Smokey Bear]], mascot of the [[United States Forest Service]] is based on an actual Black Bear cub found in [[New Mexico]] after a forest fire. The Black Bear is also the state animal for New Mexico.
[[Image:737under.jpg|thumb|right|A Boeing 737 showing open retracted [[landing gear]]]]
* In August 2004, several news media outlets[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3580626.stm] reported that a wild Black Bear was found passed out after drinking about 36 cans of [[beer]] in Baker Lake, [[Washington]], USA. The bear opened a camper's cooler and used its [[claw]]s and [[tooth|teeth]] to puncture the [[beverage can|cans]]. It was found the bear selectively opened cans of [[Rainier Brewing Company|Rainier Beer]] and left all but one [[Anheuser-Busch|Busch]] beer unconsumed.

* The largest Black Bear on record was legally harvested in North Carolina in 1999 and was weighed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at 400 kg (880 pounds). It was reported to have been eating hogs from an industrial hog farm.
Engines on the 737 Classic series (300, 400, 500) and Next-Generation series (600, 700, 800, 900) appear not to have circular inlets, as most aircraft do. The accessory gearbox was moved from the 6 o'clock position under the engine to the 4 o'clock position (forward looking aft). This was done because the 737 sits lower to the ground than most airplanes and the original 737s were designed for small P&W engines, but additional ground clearance was needed for the larger CFM56 engines. This side-mounted gearbox gives the engine a somewhat triangular rounded shape. Boeing and CFM International, the engine manufacturer, claim that the shape actually yields slightly improved performance.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} The necessary nacelle redesign is known in the industry as "hamsterisation", because of the resemblance of the shape to the rodent.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} Because the engine is so close to the ground, 737-300s and later are more prone to engine foreign-object damage (FOD).
[[Image:Honey the Bear.jpg|thumb|right|Honey, the world's largest female black bear in [[Captivity (animal)|captivity]], at the North American Bear Center.]]

[[Image:Ted the Bear.jpg|thumb|left|Ted, the world's largest male black bear in [[Captivity (animal)|captivity]], at the North American Bear Center.]]
737s are not equipped with [[fuel dump systems]]. Depending upon the nature of the emergency, 737s either circle to burn off fuel or land overweight. To save weight and reduce cost and complexity the 737 lacks full doors to cover the main landing gear. The main landing gear (under the wings at mid-cabin) rotate into wells in the aircraft's belly, the legs being covered by partial doors, and "brush-like" seals aerodynamically smooth (or "fair") the wheels in the wells. The sides of the tires are exposed to the air in flight. "Hub caps" complete the aerodynamic profile of the wheels. It is forbidden to operate without the caps, because they are linked to the ground speed sensor that interfaces with the anti-skid brake system. When observing a 737 takeoff, or at low altitude, the dark circles of the tires can be plainly seen.
* The North American Bear Center, located in [[Ely, Minnesota]], is home to the world's largest captive male and female black bears. Ted, the male, weighed 430-453.6 kg (950-1,000 pounds) in the Fall of 2006.<ref>[http://www.bear.org/website/Ted/How-Big-is-Ted.html North American Bear Center - How Big is Ted?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Honey, the female, weighed 252 kg (555.5 pounds) in the Fall of 2007.<ref>[http://www.bear.org/website/Honey/ North American Bear Center - Honey's Page<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Both bears have a high [[protein]] diet.

*[[Winnie-the-Pooh]] was named after [[Winnipeg the Bear]] an orphaned black bear cub originally from the Canadian township of [[White River, Ontario]]. During [[World War I]], the bear was adopted by (then) [[Lieutenant]] [[Harry Colebourn]], a member of [[The Royal Winnipeg Rifles]] of the Canadian [[Infantry]]. It later became the mascot for the company and was moved to [[London Zoo]] where it was seen by [[A. A. Milne]] and his son.
Most 737 cockpits are equipped with "eyebrow windows" positioned above the main glareshield. Eyebrow windows were a feature of the original 707. They allowed for greater visibility in turns, and offered better sky views if navigating by stars. With modern avionics, they became redundant, and many pilots actually placed newspapers or other objects in them to block out sun glare. They were eliminated from the 737 cockpit design in 2004, although they are still installed in military variants and at customer request. These windows are sometimes removed and plugged, usually during maintenance overhauls and can be distinguished by a metal plug which differs from smooth metal which appears in later aircraft that were not originally fitted with the windows.
*The Black Bear, a two-part 2/4 march, is a famous traditional tune played by [[Pipe band]]s around the world; it is the traditional march for Scottish soldiers returning to barracks at the end of the day. It is traditionally played at the end of each performance of the [[Edinburgh Military Tattoo]].

*The Black Bear is sometimes pursued by smaller animals. In [[newspaper]]s on June 11, 2006, the [[Associated Press]] ran a photograph from [[West Milford, New Jersey]], of a Black Bear treed by a woman's [[cat]], a 15-pound tomcat named Jack. After she called the cat home, the bear descended from its perch, about 25 feet up in the tree, and ran off.
[[Image:Boeing 737 blended winglet 0007.JPG|thumb|right|A blended winglet of a 737-800 of [[Jet Airways]]]]

Blended [[wingtip device|winglet]]s are available as retrofits and in production on newer 737 aircraft. These winglets stand approximately 8&nbsp;feet tall and are installed at the wing tips. They help with reduced fuel burn (by reducing [[vortex]] drag), reduced engine wear, and less noise on takeoff.

A short-field design package is available for the 737-600, -700 and -800, allowing operators to fly increased payload to and from airports with runways under 5,000&nbsp;feet. The package consists of sealed leading-edge [[slats]] (improved lift), a two-position tail skid (enabling reduced approach speeds) and increased flight spoiler deflection on the ground. These improvements are standard on the 737-900ER.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q3/060729a_nr.html "Boeing Delivers First 737 with Enhanced Short Runway Package to GOL."] boeing.com, 31 July 2006. Retrieved: 10 February 2008.</ref>

==Variants==
The 737 models can be divided into three generations, including nine major variants. The "Original" models consist of the 737-100, 737-200/-200 Advanced. The "Classic" models consist of the 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500. The "Next Generation" variants consist of the 737-600, 737-700/-700ER, 737-800, and 737-900/-900ER. Of these nine variants, many feature additional versions.

===737 Original===
====737-100====
[[Image:Pluna.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pluna]] 737-200 taking off from [[Carrasco International Airport]] ([[Montevideo]], [[Uruguay]]).]]
The initial model was the '''737-100'''. It was launched by [[Lufthansa]] in 1965 and entered service in 1968. The aircraft is the smallest variant of the 737. Only thirty 737-100s were ordered and delivered, and no 737-100s remain in service today. The original Boeing prototype, last operated by [[NASA]], retired more than 30 years after its maiden flight, and is on exhibit in the [[Museum of Flight]] in Seattle.<ref name="Shaw p8"/>

====737-200====
The '''737-200''' is a 737-100 with an extended fuselage. It was launched by [[United Airlines]] in 1965 and entered service in 1968. The '''737-200 Advanced''' is an improved version of the -200, introduced by [[All Nippon Airways]] on 20 May 1971.<ref>Bowers 1989, p. 496.</ref> The aircraft has improved aerodynamics, automatic wheel brakes, more powerful engines, more fuel capacity and longer range than the -200.<ref>Sharpe and Shaw, 2001, p. 41.</ref> Boeing also provided the '''737-200C''' (Convertible), that allowed conversion between passenger and cargo use and the '''737-200QC''' (Quick Change), facilitating rapid conversion between roles. The last delivery of a -200 series aircraft was in August 1988.<ref name="About the 737 Family">[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/background.html "About the 737 Family."] The Boeing Company. Retrieved: 20 December 2007.</ref> A large number of 737-200s are still in service, mostly with "second tier" airlines and those of developing nations. They are being phased out because of poor fuel efficiency, high noise emissions (despite the vast majority having had their JT8Ds fitted with [[hush kit]]s) and escalating maintenance costs. This plane was able to operate on
gravel runways after a [[gravelkit]] was installed; this was done in [[Alaska]].

[[Image:Aloha 732.jpg|thumb|An [[Aloha Airlines]] 737-200]]
Nineteen 737-200s were converted to be used to train aircraft navigators for the [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]], designated '''[[Boeing T-43|T-43]]'''. Some were modified into CT-43s which are used to transport passengers and one was modified as the NT-43A Radar Test Bed. The first one was delivered on 31 July 1973 and the last on 19 July 1974. The [[Indonesian Air Force]] ordered three modified 737-200s, designated '''Boeing 737-2x9 Surveiller'''. They were used as Maritime reconnaissance (MPA)/transport aircraft, fitted with SLAMMAR (Side-looking Multi-mission Airborne Radar). The aircraft were delivered between May 1982 and October 1983.<ref>Bowers 1889, pp. 498–499.</ref>

After 40 years, the final 737-200 aircraft in the United States flying scheduled passenger service were phased out on 31 March 2008 with the last flights of [[Aloha Airlines]] (Aloha continues to fly its interisland cargo flights). The aircraft had been eliminated from regular service in the continental United States in 2006, when [[Delta Air Lines]] withdrew the type.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}

===737 Classic===
{{Main|Boeing 737 Classic}}
[[Image:Aircraft at Oslo Airport Gardermoen2005 2.jpg|thumb|right|Close-up of the engine nacelles of a 737 showing the flattened underside and triangular shape.]]

The new [[Boeing 737 Classic|737 Classic]] series featured [[CFM International CFM56|CFM56]] [[turbofan]] engines, which yielded significant gains in fuel economy and a reduction in noise, but also posed an engineering challenge given the low ground clearance of the 737. Boeing and engine supplier [[CFM International|CFMI]] solved the problem by placing the engine ahead of (rather than below) the wing, and by moving engine accessories to the sides (rather than the bottom) of the engine pod, giving the 737 a distinctive non-circular air intake.<ref name="Endres p.128">Endres 2001, p. 128.</ref> The wing incorporated a number of changes for improved aerodynamics.

====737-300====
The '''737-300''' was launched in 1981 by both [[US Airways|USAir]] and [[Southwest Airlines]] becoming the first model of the 737 Classic series. The aircraft has a typical capacity of 128 passengers in a two class configuation (137 seats in a one class coach seating configuration).<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE4DD163BF93BA25752C1A965958260 "Boeing Gets Orders for 63 737-X."], ''New York Times''. Retrieved: 1 February 2008.</ref> The 300 series remained in production until 1999 when the last aircraft was delivered to [[Air New Zealand]] on 17 December 1999.

Various modifications have been made to aircraft previously in service. The 737-300 can be retrofitted with [[Aviation Partners Inc.|Aviation Partners]] [[Boeing]] winglets. The 737-300 retrofitted with winglets is designated the -300SP (special performance). Used passenger -300 aircraft have also been converted to freighter versions. The [[Lockheed Martin CATBird]] is a modified 737-300 with the nose of a Lockheed [[F-35 Lightning II]], a pair of canards, and (inside) an F-35 cockpit; to be used to flight test the F-35's complete avionics suite.

[[Image:britair.b737-400.g-docp.arp.jpg|thumb|left|[[British Airways]] 737-400]]
====737-400====

The '''737-400''' was stretched beyond the 737-300, primarily to accommodate charter airlines. [[Piedmont Airlines (1948-1989)|Piedmont Airlines]] and [[Pace Airlines]] were the launch customers. The -400 was launched in 1985 and entered service in 1988 with Piedmont. The last delivery of the -400 occurred on 25 February 2000 to [[Czech Airlines|CSA Czech Airlines]].<ref name="About the 737 Family"/>

The 737-400F was not a model delivered by Boeing but a converted 737-400 to an all cargo aircraft. [[Alaska Airlines]] was the first to convert one of its 400s from regular service to an aircraft with the ability to handle 10 pallets.<ref>[http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/company/fleet/fleet.asp "Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Aircraft Information."]</ref> The airline has also converted five more into fixed combi aircraft for half passenger and freight. These 737-400 Combi aircraft are now in service.

====737-500====
[[Image:lot.b737-500.sp-lkb.arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[LOT Polish Airlines]] 737-500]]
The 737-500 was launched in 1987 by [[Southwest Airlines]] and entered service in 1990. The fuselage length of the 737-500 is similar to the 737-200 while incorporating the improvements of the 737 Classic series. It offered a modern and direct replacement of the 737-200, while also allowing longer routes with fewer passengers to be more economical than with the 737-300. The last -500 was delivered to All Nippon Airlines on 26 July 1999.<ref name="About the 737 Family"/>

The 737-500 has become a favorite of some [[Russia]]n airlines, with [[Aeroflot-Nord]], [[S7 Airlines]], and [[Rossiya Airlines]] all buying second-hand models of the aircraft to replace aging [[USSR|Soviet]]-built aircraft.

===737 Next Generation===
{{Main|Boeing 737 Next Generation}}

In November 1993, Boeing's board of directors authorized the Next Generation program to replace the 737 Classic series. The -600, -700, and -800 series were planned.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/pf/pf_ng_milestones.html "Next Generation 737 Program Milestones."] The Boeing Company. Retrieved: 22 January 2008.</ref> By the early 1990s, it became clear that the new [[Airbus]] [[A320]] was a serious threat to Boeing's market share, as Airbus won previously loyal 737 customers such as Lufthansa. After engineering trade studies and discussions with major 737 customers, Boeing proceeded to launch the 737 Next Generation series.

New features included:
* Improved [[CFM International CFM56|CFM56-7]] turbofan engine, 7% more fuel efficient than the CFM56-3
* Intercontinental range of over 3,000 nautical miles (5,556&nbsp;km).<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/pf/pf_ng_back.html "737 Family, Comprehensive Background."]</ref>
* Increased fuel capacity and higher [[Maximum Takeoff Weight]] (MTOW)
* Six-screen LCD [[glass cockpit]] with modern avionics, retaining crew commonality with previous generation 737
* Passenger cabin improvements similar to those on the [[Boeing 777]], featuring more curved surfaces and larger overhead bins than previous generation 737s. The Next Generation 737 interior was also adopted on the [[Boeing 757|Boeing 757-300]].
* New [[airfoil]] section, increased wing span, area, and [[Chord (aircraft)|chord]]
* [[Wingtip device|Winglets]] on most models
* Redesigned vertical stabilizer
* (As of July 2008) Carbon [[brake]]s manufactured by Messier-Bugatti. These new brakes, now certified by the [[Federal Aviation Administration]], weigh 550-700 lbs (250-320 kg) less than the steel brakes normally fitted to the Next-Gen 737s (weight savings depend on whether standard or high-capacity brakes are fitted).<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080804c_nr.html Boeing Press Release, [[4 August]] 2008.] Retrieved: 5 August 2008.</ref>A weight reduction of 700 pounds on a Boeing 737-800 results in 0.5% reduction in fuel burn.<ref>[http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/business_travel/story/biz/714.html Mindful of rivals, Boeing keeps tinkering with its 737, Orlando Business Journal, August 11, 2008] Retrieved August 24, 2008</ref>

Boeing delivered the 5,000th 737 to [[Southwest Airlines]] on 13 February 2006.

====737-600====
[[Image:Sas.b737.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Scandinavian Airlines System]] 737-600]]
[[Image:Tarom.b737-700.yr-bgg.arp.jpg|thumb|right|A [[TAROM]] 737-700]]

The 737-600 is the direct replacement of the 737-500, was also intended for sale to succeed [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9|DC-9s]]. The 737-600 was launched by [[Scandinavian Airlines System]] in 1995 with the first aircraft delivered on 18 September 1998. The -600 is the only Boeing 737 still in production that does not include winglets as an option.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/winglets/index.html "Next-Generation 737 Production Winglets"], Boeing. Retrieved: 10 February 2008.</ref>

The 737-600 competes with the [[Airbus A318|A318]], [[Embraer]] [[Embraer 195|195]], and [[Bombardier]]'s upcoming [[Bombardier CSeries|Cseries]] jet.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-airshow-bombardier.html "Bombardier Launches CSeries Jet"], ''New York Times'', 13 July 2008].</ref><ref>[http://www.kansascity.com/382/story/703285.html "Bombardier rejects KC, will build plant in Canada"], ''Kansas City Star'', 13 July 2008.</ref> A total of 69 -600s have been delivered with no further unfilled orders as of 2008.<ref name="737_O_D_summ"/>

====737-700====

The 737-700 was the first of Next Generation series when launch customer [[Southwest Airlines]] ordered the variant in November 1993. The variant was based on the 737-300 and entered service in 1998.<ref name="airliners_600-700">[http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=95 Boeing 737-600/700], airliners.net. Retrieved: 4 February 2008.</ref> It replaced the 737-300 in Boeing's lineup, and its direct competitor is the [[Airbus A320|A319]]. It typically seats 132 passengers in a two class cabin or 149 in all economy configuration.

The '''737-700C''' is a convertible version where the seats can be removed from the plane to carry cargo. There is a large door on the left side of the aircraft. The [[United States Navy|US Navy]] was the launch customer for the 737-700C.<ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=2647 "U.S. Naval Reserve Gets First Look at Newest Class of Aircraft."], DefenseLink (U.S. Department of Defense). Retrieved: 21 January 2008.</ref>

Boeing launched the '''737-700ER''' on 31 January 2006.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q1/060131a_nr.html "Boeing Launches Longest-Range 737 with ANA."]</ref> [[All Nippon Airways]] is the launch customer, with the first one delivered on 16 February 2007. The 737-700ER is a [[mainline (flight)|mainline]] passenger version of the BBJ1 and 737-700IGW. It combines the 737-700 fuselage with the wings and landing gear of a 737-800. It will offer a range of 5,510 nautical miles (10,205 kilometers), with seating for 126 passengers in a 2-class configuration. A competitor to this model would be the A319LR. The 700ER has the second longest range for a 737 after the [[BBJ2]].

At the end of July 2008, [[Delta Air Lines]] took delivery of the first of 10 -700 model aircraft fitted with Messier-Bugatti's carbon brakes.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080804c_nr.html Boeing Press Release, [[4 August]] 2008.] Retrieved: 4 August 2008.</ref>

All Nippon Airways, Japan’s second-biggest carrier, is to pioneer the model in Asia with a daily service between Tokyo and Mumbai. ANA’s service, believed to be the first all-business class route connecting to a developing country, was to start in September 2007 and use a Boeing 737-700ER outfitted with 36 seats and an extra fuel tank.<ref>[http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/aboutana/press/2006/070125.html Press release]</ref>

The '''[[C-40 Clipper|C-40A Clipper]]''' is a 737-700C used by the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] as a replacement for the [[McDonnell Douglas C-9|C-9B Skytrain II]]. The [[C-40 Clipper|C-40B]] and [[C-40 Clipper|C-40C]] are used by the US Air Force for transport of [[General]]s and other senior leaders. The '''[[Boeing 737 AEW&C]]''' is a 737-700IGW roughly similar to the 737-700ER. This is an [[Airborne Early Warning and Control]] (AEW&C) version of the 737NG. [[Royal Australian Air Force|Australia]] is the first customer (as Project Wedgetail), followed by [[Turkey]] and [[South Korea]].

====737-800====<!-- This section is linked from [[American Airlines]] -->
[[Image:ryanair2.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Ryanair]] 737-800]]

The 737-800 is a stretched version of the 737-700, and replaces the 737-400. It also filled the gap left by Boeing's discontinuation of the [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80/MD-90|McDonnell Douglas MD-80]] and [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80/MD-90|MD-90]] after Boeing's merger with McDonnell Douglas. The -800 was launched by [[Hapagfly|Hapag-Lloyd Flug]] (now [[TUIfly]]) in 1994 and entered service in 1998. The 737-800 seats 162 passengers in a two class layout, or 189 in one class, and competes with the [[Airbus A320|A320]]. For many airlines in the U.S., the 737-800 replaced aging [[Boeing 727|Boeing 727-200]] trijets and [[McDonnell Douglas]] [[MD-80]] and [[MD-90]] series aircraft.

The '''[[P-8 Poseidon]]''' is a 737-800ERX ("Extended Range") that, on 14 June 2004, Boeing's [[Boeing Integrated Defense Systems|Integrated Defense Systems]] division beat [[Lockheed Martin]] in the contest to replace the [[P-3 Orion]] maritime patrol aircraft. Eventual orders may exceed 100 from the US Navy. The P-8 is unique in that it has [[Boeing 767|767-400ER]]-style [[Wingtip device|raked wingtips]], instead of the [[Wingtip device|blended winglets]] available on other 737NG variants.

====737-900====
[[Image:Alaska Airlines 737-900.JPG|thumb|right|An [[Alaska Airlines]] 737-900]]
Boeing later introduced the 737-900, the longest variant to date. Because the -900 retains the same exit configuration of the -800, seating capacity is limited to 177 seats in two classes, or 189 in a single-class layout. The 737-900 also retains the MTOW and fuel capacity of the -800, trading range for payload. These shortcomings until recently prevented the 737-900 from effectively competing with the [[Airbus A320 family#A321|Airbus A321]].

[[Alaska Airlines]] launched the 737-900 in 1997 and accepted delivery on 15 May 2001. There are no announced orders that have not been delivered yet. A total of 52 aircraft have been delivered.

The '''737-900ER''', which was called the 737-900X prior to launch, is the newest addition and the largest variant of the Boeing 737 line and was introduced to meet the range and passenger capacity of the discontinued [[Boeing 757-200|757-200]] and to directly compete with the [[Airbus A321]].

An additional pair of exit doors and a flat [[rear pressure bulkhead]] increase seating capacity to 180 passengers in a 2-class configuration or 215 passengers in a single-class layout. Additional fuel capacity and standard winglets improve range to that of other 737NG variants.

The first 737-900ER was rolled out of the [[Renton, Washington]] factory on 8 August 2006 for its launch customer, [[Lion Air]]. Lion Air received this aircraft on 27 April 2007 in a special dual paint scheme combining the Lion Air lion on the vertical stabilizer and the Boeing livery colors on the fuselage.

====Boeing Business Jet====
{{seemain|Boeing Business Jet}}
Plans for a business jet version of the 737 are not new. In the late 1980s, Boeing marketed the Boeing 77-33 jet, a business jet version of the 737-300.<ref>Endres 2001.</ref> The name was short-lived. After the introduction of the next generation series, Boeing introduced the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) series. The BBJ1 was similar in dimensions to the 737-700 but had additional features, including stronger wings and landing gear from the 737-800, and has increased range (through the use of extra fuel tanks) over the other 737 models. The first BBJ rolled out on 11 August 1998 and flew for the first time on 4 September.<ref name="BBJ">[http://cdn-www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=108 The Boeing 737-700/800 BBJ/BBJ2]. www.airliners.net. Retrieved: 3 February 2008.</ref>

On 11 October 1999 Boeing launched the BBJ2. Based on the 737-800, it is 5.84&nbsp;m (19&nbsp;ft 2&nbsp;in) longer than the BBJ, with 25% more cabin space and twice the baggage space, but has slightly reduced range. It is also fitted with auxiliary belly fuel tanks and winglets. The first BBJ2 was delivered on 28 February 2001.<ref name="BBJ"/>

Boeing's BBJ3 is based on the 737-900ER. The BBJ3 has 1,120 square feet of floor space, 35% more interior space and 89% more luggage space than the BBJ2. It has an auxiliary fuel system, giving it a range of up to 4,725 [[nautical mile]]s, and a [[Head-up display]]. Boeing completed the first example in August, 2008. This aircraft's cabin is pressurized to a simulated 6,500 foot altitude.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080814b_nr.html Boeing Press Release, August 14, 2008]</ref>

==Operators==
[[Image:Polynesian Blue 737-800.JPG|thumb|right|[[Polynesian Blue]] 737-800 at [[Wellington International Airport]], [[New Zealand]].]]

The 737 is operated by more than 500 airlines, flying to 1,200 destinations in 190 countries. With over 8,000 aircraft ordered, over 5,000 delivered, and over 4,500 still in service, at any given time there are over 1,250 airborne worldwide. On average, somewhere in the world, a 737 takes off or lands every five seconds. Since entering service in 1968, the 737 has carried over 12 billion passengers over 120 billion km (65 billion nm), and has accumulated more than 296 million hours in the air. The 737 represents more than 25% of the worldwide fleet of large commercial jet airliners.<ref name="flightglobal">[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2006/02/07/204505/the-737-story-little-wonder.html flightglobal.com "The 737 Story: Little Wonder"]. Retrieved: 7 January 2008.</ref><ref name="737 Facts">[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/pf/pf_facts.html ''737 Facts'']. Boeing. Retrieved: 30 October 2006.</ref>

===Civilian===
{{main|List of Boeing 737 operators}}

=== Military===
Many countries operate the 737 passenger and cargo variants in government or military applications.
* [[Australia]], [[Brazil]], [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], [[India]] ([[Indian Air Force]]) , [[Indonesia]], [[Kuwait]], [[Mexico]], [[Niger]], [[Peru]], [[South Africa]], [[South Korea]], [[Republic of China]] (ROC's Air Force One), [[Thailand]] ([[Royal Thai Air Force]]), [[United Arab Emirates]], [[United States]] ([[United States Air Force|Air Force]], [[United States Navy|Navy]]), [[Venezuela]] and [[Malaysia]] ([[Malaysian Air Force]] VIP).
* The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of the [[People's Republic of China]] operates a 737-300 (registered B-4052) as an airborne command post.{{Fact|date=March 2008}}

==Incidents and accidents==

As of August 2008, a total of 289 incidents involving 737s had occurred,<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/dblist.php?Type=103 "Boeing 737 incident occurrences"], Aviation-Safety.net, 14 September 2008. Retrieved: 14 September 2008.</ref> including 140 [[Aviation accidents and incidents|hull-loss accidents]]<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/type/type.php?type=103 "Boeing 737 Accident summary"], Aviation-Safety.net, 14 September 2008. Retrieved: 14 September 2008.</ref> resulting in a total of 3,830 fatalities. The 737 has also been in 106 [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacking]]s involving 324 fatalities.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/type/type-stat.php?type=103 "Boeing 737 Accident Statistics"], Aviation-Safety.net, 3 December 2007. Retrieved: 16 February 2008.</ref>

;737-100 and 737-200 variants
* October 29, 2006 - [[ADC Airlines Flight 53]], a 737-200 crashed during a storm shortly after takeoff from [[Abuja]], [[Nigeria]]. All but seven of the 104 passengers and crew are reported to have been killed.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/10/29/nigeria.crash/index.html "Muslim leader among those killed in Nigerian plane crash."]</ref>
* August 24, 2008 - [[Iran Aseman Airlines Flight 6895]], a 737-200 crashed while attempting emergency landing on return 10 minutes after departure. The airliner was flying from [[Bishkek]], [[Kyrgyzstan]] to [[Tehran]]. Out of 83 passengers and 7 crew, there were 22 survivors.
<!-- Before adding an incident entry read the notability requirements in the Incidents section at [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]]. -->

See [[Boeing 737 Classic#Incidents and accidents|Boeing 737 Classic incidents]] and [[Boeing 737 Next Generation#Accidents and incidents|Boeing 737 Next Generation incidents]] for other 737 variants.

==Specifications==
{| style="text-align: center; font-size:93%;" class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#DDDD"
!Measurement
!737-100
!737-400
!737-500
!737-600
!737-700/<br />737-700ER
!737-800
!737-900ER
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Cockpit Crew || colspan=7 | Two
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Seating capacity || 118 (1-class, dense)<br />104 (1-class, standard) || 168 (1-class, dense), <br />159 (1-class, standard) || colspan=2 | 132 (1-class, dense), <br />123 (1-class, standard)) || colspan=1 | 149 (1-class, dense), <br />140 (1-class, standard) || | 189 (1-class, dense), <br />175 (1-class, standard)|| | 215 (1-class, high-density), <br />204 (1-class, dense), <br />177 (1-class, standard)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Seat Pitch || 30 [[inch|in]] (1-class, dense), <br />34 in (1-class, standard) || colspan=5 | 30 in (1-class, dense), 32 in (1-class, standard) || 28 in (1-class, high-density), <br />30 in (1-class, dense), <br />32 in(1-class, standard)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Seat width || colspan=7 | 17.2 in (1-class, 6 abreast seating)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Length || 94 ft<br />(28.6&nbsp;m) || 119&nbsp;ft 6 in <br />(36.5&nbsp;m) || 101&nbsp;ft 8&nbsp;in<br />(31.1&nbsp;m) || 102&nbsp;ft 6&nbsp;in<br />(31.2&nbsp;m) || colspan=1 | 110&nbsp;ft 4&nbsp;in<br />(33.6&nbsp;m) || 129&nbsp;ft 6&nbsp;in<br />(39.5&nbsp;m) || 138&nbsp;ft 2&nbsp;in<br />(42.1&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Wingspan || 93&nbsp;ft<br />(28.3&nbsp;m) || colspan=2 | 94&nbsp;ft 8&nbsp;in<br />(28.9&nbsp;m) || colspan=4 | 117&nbsp;ft 5&nbsp;in<br />(35.7&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Height || 37&nbsp;ft<br />(11.3&nbsp;m) || colspan=2 | 36&nbsp;ft 5&nbsp;in<br />(11.1&nbsp;m) || 41&nbsp;ft 3&nbsp;in<br />(12.6&nbsp;m) || colspan=3 | 41&nbsp;ft 2&nbsp;in<br />(12.5&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Wing Sweepback || colspan=3 | 25° (436 mrad) || colspan=4 | 25.02° (437 mrad)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Aspect Ratio || 8.83 || colspan = 2 | 9.16 || colspan=4 | 9.45
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Fuselage Width || colspan=7 | 12&nbsp;ft 4&nbsp;in (3.76&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Fuselage Height || colspan=7 | 13&nbsp;ft 2&nbsp;in (4.01&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Cabin Width || colspan=7 | 11&nbsp;ft 7&nbsp;in (3.54&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Cabin Height || colspan=7 | 7&nbsp;ft 3&nbsp;in (2.20&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Empty Weight || 61,864 [[pound (mass)|lb]]<br />(28,120&nbsp;kg) || 73,040&nbsp;lb<br />(33,200&nbsp;kg) || 68,860&nbsp;lb<br />(31,300&nbsp;kg) || 80,031&nbsp;lb<br />(36,378&nbsp;kg) || 84,100&nbsp;lb<br />(38,147&nbsp;kg) || 91,108&nbsp;lb<br />(41,413&nbsp;kg) || 98,495&nbsp;lb<br />(44,676&nbsp;kg)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Maximum take-off weight || 108,218&nbsp;lb <br />(49,190&nbsp;kg) || 149,710&nbsp;lb <br />(68,050&nbsp;kg) || 133,210&nbsp;lb <br />(60,550&nbsp;kg) || 145,500&nbsp;lb <br />(66,000&nbsp;kg) || '''Basic:''' 154,500&nbsp;lb <br />(70,080&nbsp;kg) <br /> '''ER:''' 171,000&nbsp;lb <br />(77,565&nbsp;kg) || 174,200&nbsp;lb<br />(79,010&nbsp;kg) || 187,700&nbsp;lb<br />(85,130&nbsp;kg)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Maximum landing weight || 99,000&nbsp;lb<br />(44,906&nbsp;kg) || 124,000&nbsp;lb<br />(56,246&nbsp;kg) || 110,000&nbsp;lb<br />(49,895&nbsp;kg) || 121,500&nbsp;lb<br />(55,112&nbsp;kg) || 128,928&nbsp;lb<br />(58,604&nbsp;kg) || colspan=2 | 146,300&nbsp;lb<br />(66,361&nbsp;kg)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Cargo Capacity || 650&nbsp;ft³ <br />(18.4&nbsp;m³) || 1,373&nbsp;ft³ <br />(38.9&nbsp;m³) || 822&nbsp;ft³ <br />(23.3&nbsp;m³) || 756&nbsp;ft³ <br />(21.4&nbsp;m³) || 966&nbsp;ft³ <br />(27.3&nbsp;m³) || 1,591&nbsp;ft³ <br />(45.1&nbsp;m³) || 1,852&nbsp;ft³ <br />(52.5&nbsp;m³)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Takeoff run at MTOW || 6,646&nbsp;ft (1,990&nbsp;m) || 8,483&nbsp;ft (2,540&nbsp;m) || 8,249&nbsp;ft (2,470&nbsp;m) || 8,016&nbsp;ft (2,400&nbsp;m) || 8,283&nbsp;ft (2,480&nbsp;m) || colspan=2 | 8,181&nbsp;ft (2,450&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Service Ceiling || 35,000&nbsp;ft<br />(10,700&nbsp;m) || colspan=2 | 37,000&nbsp;ft<br />(11,300&nbsp;m) || colspan=4 | 41,000&nbsp;ft<br />(12,500&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Cruising speed || colspan=3 | 0.74 (485&nbsp;mph, 780&nbsp;km/h)|| colspan=3 | 0.785 (514&nbsp;mph, 828&nbsp;km/h) || 0.78 (511&nbsp;mph, 823&nbsp;km/h)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Maximum speed || colspan=7 | 0.82 (544&nbsp;mph, 876&nbsp;km/h, 473 kt)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Range fully loaded || 1,860&nbsp;[[nautical mile|NM]] (3,440&nbsp;km) || 2,165&nbsp;NM (4,005&nbsp;km) || 2,402&nbsp;NM (4,444&nbsp;km) || 3,050&nbsp;NM (5,648&nbsp;km) || '''Basic:''' 3,365&nbsp;NM (6,230&nbsp;km) <br /> '''WL:''' 3,900&nbsp;NM (7,220&nbsp;km) <br /> '''ER:''' 5,375&nbsp;NM (9,955&nbsp;km) || 3,060&nbsp;NM (5,665&nbsp;km) || 2,700&nbsp;NM (4,996&nbsp;km) in 1 class layout, <br /> 3,200&nbsp;NM (5,925&nbsp;km) in 2 class layout <br />with 2 aux. tanks
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Max. fuel capacity || 4,725 US gal <br />(17,860 L) || 6,130 US gal <br />(23,170 L) || 6,296 US gal <br />(23,800 L) || colspan=3 | 6,875 US gal <br />(26,020 L) || 7,837 US gal <br />(29,660 L)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Engine (x 2)|| [[Pratt & Whitney JT8D|Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7]] || [[CFM International CFM56#CFM56-3 series|CFM International 56-3B-2]] || CFM 56-3B-1 || [[CFM International CFM56#CFM56-7 series|CFM 56-7B20]] || CFM 56-7B26 || CFM 56-7B27 || CFM 56-7
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Max. Thrust (x 2)|| 19,000&nbsp;lbf (84.5 kN)|| 22,000&nbsp;lbf (97.9 kN)|| 20,000&nbsp;lbf (89.0 kN)|| 20,600&nbsp;lbf (91.6 kN)|| 26,300&nbsp;lbf (116.0 kN)|| colspan=2 | 27,300&nbsp;lbf (121.4 kN)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Cruising Thrust (x 2)|| 3,870&nbsp;lbf (17.21 kN)|| 4,930&nbsp;lbf (21.92 kN) || 4,902&nbsp;lbf (21.805 kN)|| 5,210&nbsp;lbf (23.18 kN)|| colspan=3 |5,480&nbsp;lbf (24.38 kN)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Fan Tip Diameter || 44 in (1.12&nbsp;m) || colspan=2 | 60 in (1.52&nbsp;m) || colspan=4 | 61 in (1.55&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Engine Length || 126 in (3.20&nbsp;m) || colspan=2 | 93 in (2.36&nbsp;m) || colspan=4 | 98.7 in (2.51&nbsp;m)
|- bgcolor="#EEEEEE"
|Engine Ground Clearance || 20 in (51&nbsp;cm) || colspan=4 | 18 in (46&nbsp;cm) || colspan=2 | 19 in (48&nbsp;cm)
|}
Sources: Boeing 737 Specifications,<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/specs.html Boeing 737 Technical Information], Boeing Commercial Airplanes.</ref> 737 Airport Planning Report<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/737.htm Boeing 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning], Boeing Commercial Airplanes.</ref>

==737 deliveries==
{{seealso|List of Boeing 737 orders}}
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|-----
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">2008
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">2007
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">2006
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">2005
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">2004
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">2003
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">2002
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">2001
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">2000
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1999
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1998
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1997
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1996
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1995
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1994
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1993
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1992
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1991
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1990
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1989
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1988
|-
|215
|330
|302
|212
|202
|173
|223
|299
|281
|320
|281
|135
|76
|89
|121
|152
|218
|215
|174
|146
|165
|-
|-----
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1987
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1986
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1985
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1984
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1983
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1982
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1981
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1980
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1979
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1978
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1977
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1976
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1975
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1974
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1973
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1972
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1971
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1970
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1969
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1968
<th style="color:#fff;font-weight:bold;background-color:#069;padding:0.3em">1967
|-
|161
|141
|115
|67
|83
|95
|108
|92
|77
|40
|25
|41
|51
|55
|23
|22
|29
|37
|114
|105
|4
|-
|}
* Data through July 2008. Updated on 14 August 2008.<ref name="Boe_O_D">[http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/index.cfm?content=userdefinedselection.cfm&pageid=m15527 Orders and Deliveries search page], Boeing. Retrieved: 14 August 2008.</ref>

{| class="wikitable" align="right" style="text-align:center; background:#faf5ff"
|+ Production numbers
! Variant !! Produced !! First flight<ref name="first flight">[http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/background.html "737 Family."] Boeing.com, 5 January 2008. Retrieved: 12 April 2008.</ref>
|-
| 737-100 || 30<ref>Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 33.</ref> || 9 April 1967
|-bgcolor="#f5faff"
| 737-200 || 1,114<ref name="Sharpe p57">Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 57.</ref> || 8 August 1967
|-bgcolor="#f5faff"
| 737-200C || 96<ref>Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 35.</ref> || 18 September 1968
|-bgcolor="#f5faff"
| 737-200 Adv || 865 || 15 April 1971
|-
| 737-300 || 1,113<ref name="Sharpe p57"/> || 24 February 1984
|-bgcolor="#f5faff"
| 737-400 || 486<ref name="Sharpe p57"/> || 19 February 1988
|-
| 737-500 || 389<ref name="Sharpe p57"/> || 30 June 1989
|-bgcolor="#f5faff"
| 737-600 || 68<ref name="737.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.b737.org.uk/737ng.htm|title=History & Development of the Boeing 737 - NG}}</ref> || 22 January 1998
|-
| 737-700 || 847</br>378 on order<ref name="737.org"/> || 9 February 1997
|-
| 737-BBJ1 || 95 on order<ref name="737.org"/> || 4 September 1998
|-bgcolor="#f5faff"
| 737-800 || 1207</br>886 on order || 31 July 1997
|-bgcolor="#f5faff"
| 737-BBJ2 || 13 on order || N/A
|-
| 737-900 || 55 built<ref name="737.org"/> || 3 August 2000
|-
| 737-900ER || 165 on order<ref name="737.org"/> || 1 September 2006<ref name="737.org"/>
|-
| 737-BBJ3 || N/A || N/A
|-bgcolor="#f5faff"
| Total || 5000+ ||
|}


==See also==
==See also==
{{aircontent|
*[[List of fatal bear attacks in North America by decade]]
|related=
* [[Boeing 737 Classic]]
* [[Boeing 737 Next Generation]]
* [[Boeing T-43]]
* [[Boeing Business Jet]]
* [[Boeing 737 AEW&C]]
* [[C-40 Clipper]]
* [[P-8 Poseidon]]

|similar aircraft=
* [[Airbus A320 family]]
* [[Boeing 717]]
* [[Bombardier CSeries]]
* [[Dassault Mercure]]
* [[Embraer 195]]
* [[Kawasaki YPX]]
* [[McDonnell Douglas DC-9]]
* [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80]]
* [[McDonnell Douglas MD-90]]
* [[MS 21]]
* [[Tupolev Tu-154|Tupolev Tu-154M]]
* [[Tupolev Tu-204]]
* [[Yakovlev Yak-42|Yakovlev Yak-42D]]

|lists=
* [[List of airliners]]
|see also=
* [[Boeing 737 rudder issues]]
}}


==References==
==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|3}}
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=Bear Specialist Group|year=1996|id=41687|title=Ursus americanus|downloaded=12 May 2006}}

* {{ITIS|ID=180544|taxon=Ursus americanus|year=2006|date=18 March}}
===Bibliography===
* Bears, consulting editor Ian Stirling, Fog City Press, 1993.
{{refbegin}}
* Bowers, Peter M. ''Boeing Aircraft since 1916''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1989. ISBN 0-87021-037-8.
* Endres, Günter. ''The Illustrated Directory of Modern Commercial Aircraft''. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company, 2001. ISBN 0-7603-1125-0.
* Redding, Robert and Bill Yenne. ''Boeing: Planemaker to the World''. Berkeley, California: Thunder Bay Press, 1997. ISBN 1-57145-045-9.
* Sharpe, Michael and Robbie Shaw. ''Boeing 737-100 and 200''. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company, 2001. ISBN 0-7603-0991-4.
* Shaw, Robbie. ''Boeing Jetliners''. London, England: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-8553-2528-4.
* Shaw, Robbie. ''Boeing 737-300 to 800''. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company, 1999. ISBN 0-7603-0699-0.
* Sutter, Joe. ''747: Creating the World's First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures from a Life in Aviation''. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books, 2006. ISBN 0-06-088241-9.
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons|Ursus americanus}}
{{commons|Boeing 737}}
* [http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/background.html 737 page on Boeing.com]
{{wikispecies|Ursus americanus}}
* [http://www.bearaware.bc.ca/ Bear Aware British Columbia]
* [http://www.b737.org.uk/ Boeing 737 technical guide site]
* [http://www.b737.org.uk/unpavedstripkit.htm About the gravel kit on Boeing 737-200]
* [http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/image_info.cfm?species_id=415 Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History species account-Black Bear]
* [http://www.aircraft-info.net/aircraft/jet_aircraft/boeing/737-400/ Boeing 737-400 on Aircraft-Info.net]
* [http://www.bbcc.org/ Black Bear Conservation Committee]
* [http://www.aviationhistoryonline.com/aircraft/index.php?id=15 Aviation History Online - Boeing 737-100/200] and [http://www.aviationhistoryonline.com/aircraft/index.php?id=25 Boeing 737-300/400/500]
* [http://www.sinapu.org/Pages/Bears/Bears.htm Black Bears in the Southern Rockies]
* [http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/boeing737_NG/ Aerospace Technology - Boeing 737-600/700/800/900]
* [http://species.fws.gov/species_accounts/bio_bear.html US Fish and Wildlife Service]
* [http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2006/01/31/Navigation/252/204410/Celebrating+the+5%2c000th+aircraft+The+Boeing+737+story.html Celebrating the 5000th 737 on FlightInternational.com]
* [http://www.bear.org North American Bear Center]
* [http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=4141199&nav=2CSf Black Bears Returning to Mississippi]
* [http://www.speednews.com/lists/737NG.html Boeing 737NG operator list]
* [http://www.b737mrg.net/ Boeing 737 Management Reference Guide (for 737 airline pilots)]
* [http://www.thomasoneil.com/species2.php?n=503 Black Bear images] from Alaska.
* [http://www.wildernessutah.com/brain/blackbears.html Wilderness Utah] - handling a black bear encounter
* [http://www.flydamnit.com/2006/06/30/how-to-start-a-737 How to start a real Boeing 737 Tutorial]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/business/11air.html?ref=business "To Save Fuel, Airlines Find No Speck Too Small", New York Times, [[11 June]] 2008]
* [http://www.fieldtripearth.org/div_index.xml?id=4 Field Trip Earth] - Field Trip Earth is a conservation education website operated by the North Carolina Zoological Society.

* [http://www.theblueridgehighlander.com/Black-Bears-of-the-Blue-Ridge-Smoky-Mountains/index.html Black Bears of the Blue Ridge Smoky Mountains]
{{Ursidae nav}}
{{Boeing airliners}}
{{North American Game}}
{{Boeing 7x7 timeline}}
{{Boeing model numbers}}
{{aviation lists}}


[[Category:1967 introductions]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bear, American Black}}
[[Category:Bears]]
[[Category:Boeing aircraft|737]]
[[Category:Mammals of Canada]]
[[Category:Jet aircraft]]
[[Category:Mammals of North America]]
[[Category:Low wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Hunting in the United States]]
[[Category:Multiple engine aircraft]]
[[Category:Scavengers]]
[[Category:United States airliners 1960-1969]]
[[Category:Mammals of Michigan]]
[[Category:Megafauna]]


[[af:Boeing 737]]
[[zh-min-nan:Bí-chiu o͘-hîm]]
[[bg:Черна мечка]]
[[ar:بوينغ 737]]
[[ca:Ós negre]]
[[bs:Boeing 737]]
[[cs:Medvěd baribal]]
[[bg:Боинг 737]]
[[da:Amerikansk sortbjørn]]
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[[de:Amerikanischer Schwarzbär]]
[[nv:Shash]]
[[da:Boeing 737]]
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[[fr:Ours noir]]
[[el:Boeing 737]]
[[ik:Iggabri]]
[[es:Boeing 737]]
[[it:Ursus americanus]]
[[eo:Boeing 737]]
[[fa:بوئینگ ۷۳۷]]
[[he:דוב שחור אמריקני]]
[[fr:Boeing 737]]
[[ka:ბარიბალი]]
[[la:Ursus americanus]]
[[gl:Boeing 737]]
[[lt:Juodasis lokys]]
[[ko:보잉 737]]
[[hu:Fekete medve]]
[[hr:Boeing 737]]
[[nah:Tecuanōtl]]
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[[ja:アメリカグマ]]
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[[it:Boeing 737]]
[[pl:Baribal]]
[[he:בואינג 737]]
[[pt:Urso-negro]]
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[[ro:Ursus americanus]]
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[[ru:Барибал]]
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[[mr:बोईंग ७३७]]
[[simple:American Black Bear]]
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[[zh:波音737]]

Revision as of 15:14, 10 October 2008

Template:Infobox Aircraft

The Boeing 737 is a short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower cost twin engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has nine variants, from the early -100 to the most recent and largest, the -900. Series -600 through -900 are still being produced.

First envisioned in 1964, the 737 entered service in 1968. Forty years later it has become the most ordered and produced commercial passenger jet in the world. It is Boeing's last surviving narrow-body airliner currently in production, sometimes serving markets previously filled by 707, 727, 757, DC-9 and MD-80/90 airliners. The 737 has been continuously manufactured by Boeing since 1967 with over 8,000 ordered and over 5,800 delivered as of 2008.[1] There are over 1,250 737s airborne at any given time,[2] with one departing or landing somewhere every five seconds on average.[3]

Development

Origins

Boeing had been studying short-haul jet aircraft designs and wanted to produce another aircraft to supplement the 727 on short and thin routes.[4] Preliminary design work began on 11 May 1964,[5] and Boeing's intense market research yielded plans for a 50 to 60 passenger plane for routes 50 to 1,000 mi (80 to 1,609 km) long.[6][4] Lufthansa became the launch customer on 19 February 1965,[7] with an order of 21 aircraft, worth $67 million[8] (1965, $190.28 million in 2008), after the airline reportedly received assurances from Boeing that the 737 project would not be cancelled.[9] Consultation with Lufthansa over the previous winter resulted in an increase in capacity to 100 seats.[7]

On 5 April 1965, Boeing announced an order by United Airlines for 40 737s. United wanted a slightly larger airplane than the original design; therefore, Boeing stretched the fuselage an extra 91 cm (36 in) ahead of, and 102 cm (40 in) behind the wing.[10] The longer version was designated 737-200, with the original short body aircraft becoming the 737-100.[11]

The prototype 737, a -100 operated by NASA for testing.

Detailed design work continued on both variants at the same time. Boeing was far behind its competitors when the 737 was launched, as rival aircraft BAC 1-11, Douglas DC-9, and Fokker F28[8] were already into flight certification. To expedite development, Boeing reused 60% of the structure and systems of the existing 727, most notably the fuselage cross section. This fuselage permitted six-abreast seating compared to the rival 1-11 and DC-9's five-abreast layout,[7] but the widened cross-section and short fuselage complicated the aerodynamics of the aft-mounted engines common with airliners of the time. As a result, engineers decided to mount the nacelles directly to the underside of the wings. The placement of this weight below the center of the aircraft also reduced stresses on the airframe, which allowed for a lighter wing,[12] and kept the aircraft low to the ground for easy ramp operations.[13] The engine chosen was the Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1 low-bypass ratio turbofan engine.[14] With the wing-mounted engines, Boeing decided to mount the elevator on the fuselage rather than the T-tail style of the Boeing 727.[10]

Boeing 737-200 Adv planform and exposed landing gear tires are visible on this USAF T-43 takeoff
Transaero 737-400 in planform view at takeoff

The initial assembly of the 737 was adjacent to Boeing Field (now officially called King County International Airport) because the factory in Renton was at capacity building the 707 and 727. After 271 aircraft, production was moved to Renton in late 1970.[9][15] A significant portion of the fuselage assembly is in Wichita, Kansas previously by Boeing but now by Spirit AeroSystems, which purchased some of Boeing's assets in Wichita.[16] The fuselage is joined with the wings and landing gear, then moves down the assembly line for the engines, avionics and interiors. After rolling out the aircraft, Boeing tests the systems and engines before its maiden flight to Boeing Field, where it is painted and fine tuned before delivery to the customer.[17]

The first of six -100 prototypes rolled out in December 1966, and made its maiden flight on 9 April 1967 piloted by Brien Wygle and Lew Wallick.[18] During nearly 1,300 hours of flight testing it was discovered that the aircraft produced excess drag at high speeds, which could buckle the rear wing spar at loads only 34% above normal. The aircraft were modified with reinforcements, but at a cost to the weight and short-field performance.[19] On 15 December 1967 the Federal Aviation Administration certified the -100 for commercial flight,[20] issuing Type Certificate A16WE.[21]. The 737 was the first aircraft to have, as part of its initial certification, approval for Category II approaches.[22] Lufthansa received their first aircraft on 28 December 1967 and on 10 February 1968 became the first non-American airline to launch a new Boeing aircraft.[20] Lufthansa was the only significant customer to purchase the 737-100 and only 30 aircraft were ever produced.[23]

The 737-200 had its maiden flight on 8 August 1967. It was certified by the FAA on 21 December 1967,[21][24] and the inaugural flight for United was on 28 April 1968 from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Michigan.[20] The lengthened -200 was widely preferred over the -100 by airlines.

Extended thrust reversers on a retrofitted 737-200

In 1968 an improvement to the thrust reversal system was introduced. The improvement became standard on all aircraft after March 1969, and a retrofit was provided for active aircraft. Boeing fixed the drag issue by introducing new longer nacelle/wing fairings, and improved the airflow over the flaps and slats. The production line also introduced an improvement to the flap system, allowing increased use during takeoff and landing. All these changes gave the aircraft a boost to payload and range, and improved the short-field performance.[20] In May 1971, after aircraft #135, all improvements, including more powerful engines and a greater fuel capacity, were incorporated into the 737-200, giving it a 15% increase in payload and range over the original -200s.[22] This became known as the 737-200 Advanced, which became the production standard in June 1971.

In 1970, Boeing received only 37 orders. Facing financial difficulties, Boeing considered closing the 737 production-line and selling the design to Japanese aviation companies.[9] After the cancellation of the Boeing Supersonic Transport, and the scaling back of 747 production, enough funds were freed up to continue the project.[25] In a bid to increase sales by offering a variety of options, Boeing offered a 737C (Convertible) model in both -100 and -200 lengths. This model featured a 340 x 221 cm (134 x 87 in) freight door just behind the cockpit, and a strengthened floor with rollers which allowed for palletized cargo. A 737QC (Quick Change) version with palletized seating allowed for faster configuration changes between cargo and passenger flights.[26] With the improved short-field capabilities of the 737, Boeing offered the option on the -200 of the gravel kit, which enables this aircraft to operate on remote, unpaved runways.[27][28] Until retiring its -200 fleet in 2007, Alaska Airlines used this option for some of its rural operations in Alaska. With the retirement of these aircraft, some airports, such as Red Dog Airport, have upgraded runway facilities from gravel to paved.[29][30]

In 1988 the initial production run of the -200 model ended after producing 1,114 aircraft. The last one was delivered to Xiamen Airlines on 8 August 1988.[31][32]

Improved variants

Main article: Boeing 737 Classic

Development began in 1979 for the 737's first major facelift. Boeing wanted to increase capacity and range, incorporating improvements to upgrade the plane to modern specifications, while also retaining commonality with previous 737 variants. In 1980 preliminary aircraft specifications of the variant, dubbed 737-300, were released at the Farnborough Airshow.[33]

File:Southwest Airlines Cabin.jpg
Southwest Airlines popularized low-cost fares with all-economy seating

The CFM56-3B-1 turbofan engine was chosen to power the aircraft, which yielded significant gains in fuel economy and a reduction in noise, but also posed an engineering challenge given the low ground clearance of the 737 and the larger diameter of the engine over the original Pratt and Whitney engines. Boeing and engine supplier CFMI solved the problem by placing the engine ahead of the wing, and by moving engine accessories to the sides of the engine pod, giving the engine a distinctive non-circular air intake.[34]

The passenger capacity of the aircraft was increased to 149 by extending the fuselage around the wing by 2.87 m (9 ft 5 in). The wing incorporated a number of changes for improved aerodynamics. The wing tip was extended 9 in (23 cm), and the wing span by 1 ft 9 in (53 cm). The leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps were adjusted.[34] The flight deck was improved with the optional EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrumentation System), and the passenger cabin incorporated improvements similar to those developed on the Boeing 757.[35] The prototype -300, the 1,001st 737 built, first flew on 24 February 1984 with pilot Jim McRoberts.[35] It and two production aircraft flew a nine month long certification program.[36]

In June 1986 Boeing announced the development of the 737-400,[37] which stretched the fuselage a further 10 ft (3.45 m), increasing the passenger load to 170.[38] The -400s first flight was on 19 February 1988 and, after a seven-month/500-hour flight testing run, entered service with Piedmont Airlines that October.[39]

The -500 series was offered, due to customer demand, as a modern and direct replacement of the 737-200. It incorporated the improvements of the 737 Classic series; allowing longer routes with fewer passengers to be more economical than with the 737-300. The fuselage length of the -500 is 1 ft 7 in (47 cm) longer than the 737-200, accommodating up to 132 passengers. Both glass and older style mechanical cockpits arrangements were available.[40] Using the CFM56-3 engine also gave a 25% increase in fuel efficiency over the older -200s P&W engines.[40]

The 737-500 was launched in 1987 by Southwest Airlines, with an order for 20 aircraft,[41] and flew for the first time on 30 June 1989.[40] A single prototype flew 375 hours for the certification process,[40] and on 28 February 1990 Southwest Airlines received the first delivery.[42] The 737-500 has become a favorite of some Russian airlines, with Aeroflot-Nord, S7 Airlines, and Rossiya Airlines all buying second-hand models of the aircraft to replace aging Soviet-built aircraft.

After the introduction of the -600/700/800 series, the -300/400/500 series was called the 737 Classic series.

The price of jet fuel has skyrocketed in the past five years; airlines devote 40% of the retail price of an air ticket to pay for fuel in 2008, versus 15% in 2000.[43] Consequently, carriers have begun to retire the Classic 737 series to reduce their fleet sizes; replacements consist of more efficient Next Generation 737s or Airbus A320/A319/A318 series aircraft. On June 4, 2008, United Airlines announced it would retire all 94 of its Classic 737 aircraft (64 737-300 and 30 737-500 aircraft), replacing them with Airbus A320 jets taken from its Ted subsidiary, which is being shut down.[44][45][46]

Next Generation

Early 737 cockpit
Modern 737-800 cockpit

Prompted by the modern Airbus A320, in 1991 Boeing initiated development of an updated series of aircraft.[47] After working with potential customers, the 737 Next Generation (NG) program was announced on 17 November 1993.[48] The 737NG encompasses the -600, -700, -800 and -900, and is to date the most significant upgrade of the airframe. The performance of the 737NG is essentially that of a new airplane, but important commonality is retained from previous 737 models. The wing was modified, increasing its area by 25% and span by 16 ft (4.88 m), which increased the total fuel capacity by 30%. New, quieter, more fuel-efficient CFM56-7B engines were used.[49] All three improvements combined increase the 737's range by 900 nmi, now permitting transcontinental service.[48] A flight test program was operated by 10 aircraft; 3 -600s, 4 -700s, and 3 -800s.[48]

The first NG to roll out was a -700, on 8 December 1996. This aircraft, the 2,843rd 737 built, first flew on 9 February 1997 with pilots Mike Hewett and Ken Higgins. The prototype -800 rolled out on 30 June 1997 and first flew on 31 July 1997, again with Hewett and Jim McRoberts. The smallest of the new variants, the -600s, is the same size as the -500. It was the last in this series to launch, in December 1997. First flying 22 January 1998, it was given certification on 18 August 1998.[48][50]

In 2004, Boeing offered a Short Field Performance package in response to the needs of Gol Transportes Aéreos, which frequently operates from restricted airports. The enhancements improve takeoff and landing performance. The optional package is available for the 737NG models and standard equipment for the 737-900ER.

On 21 August 2006, Sky News alleged that Boeing's Next Generation 737s built from 1994 to 2002 contained defective parts. The report stated that various parts of the airframe produced by Ducommun were found to be defective by Boeing employees but that Boeing refused to take action. Boeing said that the allegations were "without merit".[51]

Boeing has already hinted that a "clean sheet" replacement for the 737 (internally dubbed "Boeing Y1") could follow the Boeing 787.[52]

Design

A Boeing 737-400 series of Garuda Indonesia showing the non-circular inlet
A Boeing 737 showing open retracted landing gear

Engines on the 737 Classic series (300, 400, 500) and Next-Generation series (600, 700, 800, 900) appear not to have circular inlets, as most aircraft do. The accessory gearbox was moved from the 6 o'clock position under the engine to the 4 o'clock position (forward looking aft). This was done because the 737 sits lower to the ground than most airplanes and the original 737s were designed for small P&W engines, but additional ground clearance was needed for the larger CFM56 engines. This side-mounted gearbox gives the engine a somewhat triangular rounded shape. Boeing and CFM International, the engine manufacturer, claim that the shape actually yields slightly improved performance.[citation needed] The necessary nacelle redesign is known in the industry as "hamsterisation", because of the resemblance of the shape to the rodent.[citation needed] Because the engine is so close to the ground, 737-300s and later are more prone to engine foreign-object damage (FOD).

737s are not equipped with fuel dump systems. Depending upon the nature of the emergency, 737s either circle to burn off fuel or land overweight. To save weight and reduce cost and complexity the 737 lacks full doors to cover the main landing gear. The main landing gear (under the wings at mid-cabin) rotate into wells in the aircraft's belly, the legs being covered by partial doors, and "brush-like" seals aerodynamically smooth (or "fair") the wheels in the wells. The sides of the tires are exposed to the air in flight. "Hub caps" complete the aerodynamic profile of the wheels. It is forbidden to operate without the caps, because they are linked to the ground speed sensor that interfaces with the anti-skid brake system. When observing a 737 takeoff, or at low altitude, the dark circles of the tires can be plainly seen.

Most 737 cockpits are equipped with "eyebrow windows" positioned above the main glareshield. Eyebrow windows were a feature of the original 707. They allowed for greater visibility in turns, and offered better sky views if navigating by stars. With modern avionics, they became redundant, and many pilots actually placed newspapers or other objects in them to block out sun glare. They were eliminated from the 737 cockpit design in 2004, although they are still installed in military variants and at customer request. These windows are sometimes removed and plugged, usually during maintenance overhauls and can be distinguished by a metal plug which differs from smooth metal which appears in later aircraft that were not originally fitted with the windows.

A blended winglet of a 737-800 of Jet Airways

Blended winglets are available as retrofits and in production on newer 737 aircraft. These winglets stand approximately 8 feet tall and are installed at the wing tips. They help with reduced fuel burn (by reducing vortex drag), reduced engine wear, and less noise on takeoff.

A short-field design package is available for the 737-600, -700 and -800, allowing operators to fly increased payload to and from airports with runways under 5,000 feet. The package consists of sealed leading-edge slats (improved lift), a two-position tail skid (enabling reduced approach speeds) and increased flight spoiler deflection on the ground. These improvements are standard on the 737-900ER.[53]

Variants

The 737 models can be divided into three generations, including nine major variants. The "Original" models consist of the 737-100, 737-200/-200 Advanced. The "Classic" models consist of the 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500. The "Next Generation" variants consist of the 737-600, 737-700/-700ER, 737-800, and 737-900/-900ER. Of these nine variants, many feature additional versions.

737 Original

737-100

File:Pluna.jpg
Pluna 737-200 taking off from Carrasco International Airport (Montevideo, Uruguay).

The initial model was the 737-100. It was launched by Lufthansa in 1965 and entered service in 1968. The aircraft is the smallest variant of the 737. Only thirty 737-100s were ordered and delivered, and no 737-100s remain in service today. The original Boeing prototype, last operated by NASA, retired more than 30 years after its maiden flight, and is on exhibit in the Museum of Flight in Seattle.[48]

737-200

The 737-200 is a 737-100 with an extended fuselage. It was launched by United Airlines in 1965 and entered service in 1968. The 737-200 Advanced is an improved version of the -200, introduced by All Nippon Airways on 20 May 1971.[54] The aircraft has improved aerodynamics, automatic wheel brakes, more powerful engines, more fuel capacity and longer range than the -200.[55] Boeing also provided the 737-200C (Convertible), that allowed conversion between passenger and cargo use and the 737-200QC (Quick Change), facilitating rapid conversion between roles. The last delivery of a -200 series aircraft was in August 1988.[56] A large number of 737-200s are still in service, mostly with "second tier" airlines and those of developing nations. They are being phased out because of poor fuel efficiency, high noise emissions (despite the vast majority having had their JT8Ds fitted with hush kits) and escalating maintenance costs. This plane was able to operate on gravel runways after a gravelkit was installed; this was done in Alaska.

An Aloha Airlines 737-200

Nineteen 737-200s were converted to be used to train aircraft navigators for the U.S. Air Force, designated T-43. Some were modified into CT-43s which are used to transport passengers and one was modified as the NT-43A Radar Test Bed. The first one was delivered on 31 July 1973 and the last on 19 July 1974. The Indonesian Air Force ordered three modified 737-200s, designated Boeing 737-2x9 Surveiller. They were used as Maritime reconnaissance (MPA)/transport aircraft, fitted with SLAMMAR (Side-looking Multi-mission Airborne Radar). The aircraft were delivered between May 1982 and October 1983.[57]

After 40 years, the final 737-200 aircraft in the United States flying scheduled passenger service were phased out on 31 March 2008 with the last flights of Aloha Airlines (Aloha continues to fly its interisland cargo flights). The aircraft had been eliminated from regular service in the continental United States in 2006, when Delta Air Lines withdrew the type.[citation needed]

737 Classic

Main article: Boeing 737 Classic
Close-up of the engine nacelles of a 737 showing the flattened underside and triangular shape.

The new 737 Classic series featured CFM56 turbofan engines, which yielded significant gains in fuel economy and a reduction in noise, but also posed an engineering challenge given the low ground clearance of the 737. Boeing and engine supplier CFMI solved the problem by placing the engine ahead of (rather than below) the wing, and by moving engine accessories to the sides (rather than the bottom) of the engine pod, giving the 737 a distinctive non-circular air intake.[58] The wing incorporated a number of changes for improved aerodynamics.

737-300

The 737-300 was launched in 1981 by both USAir and Southwest Airlines becoming the first model of the 737 Classic series. The aircraft has a typical capacity of 128 passengers in a two class configuation (137 seats in a one class coach seating configuration).[59] The 300 series remained in production until 1999 when the last aircraft was delivered to Air New Zealand on 17 December 1999.

Various modifications have been made to aircraft previously in service. The 737-300 can be retrofitted with Aviation Partners Boeing winglets. The 737-300 retrofitted with winglets is designated the -300SP (special performance). Used passenger -300 aircraft have also been converted to freighter versions. The Lockheed Martin CATBird is a modified 737-300 with the nose of a Lockheed F-35 Lightning II, a pair of canards, and (inside) an F-35 cockpit; to be used to flight test the F-35's complete avionics suite.

British Airways 737-400

737-400

The 737-400 was stretched beyond the 737-300, primarily to accommodate charter airlines. Piedmont Airlines and Pace Airlines were the launch customers. The -400 was launched in 1985 and entered service in 1988 with Piedmont. The last delivery of the -400 occurred on 25 February 2000 to CSA Czech Airlines.[56]

The 737-400F was not a model delivered by Boeing but a converted 737-400 to an all cargo aircraft. Alaska Airlines was the first to convert one of its 400s from regular service to an aircraft with the ability to handle 10 pallets.[60] The airline has also converted five more into fixed combi aircraft for half passenger and freight. These 737-400 Combi aircraft are now in service.

737-500

LOT Polish Airlines 737-500

The 737-500 was launched in 1987 by Southwest Airlines and entered service in 1990. The fuselage length of the 737-500 is similar to the 737-200 while incorporating the improvements of the 737 Classic series. It offered a modern and direct replacement of the 737-200, while also allowing longer routes with fewer passengers to be more economical than with the 737-300. The last -500 was delivered to All Nippon Airlines on 26 July 1999.[56]

The 737-500 has become a favorite of some Russian airlines, with Aeroflot-Nord, S7 Airlines, and Rossiya Airlines all buying second-hand models of the aircraft to replace aging Soviet-built aircraft.

737 Next Generation

Main article: Boeing 737 Next Generation

In November 1993, Boeing's board of directors authorized the Next Generation program to replace the 737 Classic series. The -600, -700, and -800 series were planned.[61] By the early 1990s, it became clear that the new Airbus A320 was a serious threat to Boeing's market share, as Airbus won previously loyal 737 customers such as Lufthansa. After engineering trade studies and discussions with major 737 customers, Boeing proceeded to launch the 737 Next Generation series.

New features included:

  • Improved CFM56-7 turbofan engine, 7% more fuel efficient than the CFM56-3
  • Intercontinental range of over 3,000 nautical miles (5,556 km).[62]
  • Increased fuel capacity and higher Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)
  • Six-screen LCD glass cockpit with modern avionics, retaining crew commonality with previous generation 737
  • Passenger cabin improvements similar to those on the Boeing 777, featuring more curved surfaces and larger overhead bins than previous generation 737s. The Next Generation 737 interior was also adopted on the Boeing 757-300.
  • New airfoil section, increased wing span, area, and chord
  • Winglets on most models
  • Redesigned vertical stabilizer
  • (As of July 2008) Carbon brakes manufactured by Messier-Bugatti. These new brakes, now certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, weigh 550-700 lbs (250-320 kg) less than the steel brakes normally fitted to the Next-Gen 737s (weight savings depend on whether standard or high-capacity brakes are fitted).[63]A weight reduction of 700 pounds on a Boeing 737-800 results in 0.5% reduction in fuel burn.[64]

Boeing delivered the 5,000th 737 to Southwest Airlines on 13 February 2006.

737-600

A Scandinavian Airlines System 737-600
A TAROM 737-700

The 737-600 is the direct replacement of the 737-500, was also intended for sale to succeed DC-9s. The 737-600 was launched by Scandinavian Airlines System in 1995 with the first aircraft delivered on 18 September 1998. The -600 is the only Boeing 737 still in production that does not include winglets as an option.[65]

The 737-600 competes with the A318, Embraer 195, and Bombardier's upcoming Cseries jet.[66][67] A total of 69 -600s have been delivered with no further unfilled orders as of 2008.[1]

737-700

The 737-700 was the first of Next Generation series when launch customer Southwest Airlines ordered the variant in November 1993. The variant was based on the 737-300 and entered service in 1998.[68] It replaced the 737-300 in Boeing's lineup, and its direct competitor is the A319. It typically seats 132 passengers in a two class cabin or 149 in all economy configuration.

The 737-700C is a convertible version where the seats can be removed from the plane to carry cargo. There is a large door on the left side of the aircraft. The US Navy was the launch customer for the 737-700C.[69]

Boeing launched the 737-700ER on 31 January 2006.[70] All Nippon Airways is the launch customer, with the first one delivered on 16 February 2007. The 737-700ER is a mainline passenger version of the BBJ1 and 737-700IGW. It combines the 737-700 fuselage with the wings and landing gear of a 737-800. It will offer a range of 5,510 nautical miles (10,205 kilometers), with seating for 126 passengers in a 2-class configuration. A competitor to this model would be the A319LR. The 700ER has the second longest range for a 737 after the BBJ2.

At the end of July 2008, Delta Air Lines took delivery of the first of 10 -700 model aircraft fitted with Messier-Bugatti's carbon brakes.[71]

All Nippon Airways, Japan’s second-biggest carrier, is to pioneer the model in Asia with a daily service between Tokyo and Mumbai. ANA’s service, believed to be the first all-business class route connecting to a developing country, was to start in September 2007 and use a Boeing 737-700ER outfitted with 36 seats and an extra fuel tank.[72]

The C-40A Clipper is a 737-700C used by the U.S. Navy as a replacement for the C-9B Skytrain II. The C-40B and C-40C are used by the US Air Force for transport of Generals and other senior leaders. The Boeing 737 AEW&C is a 737-700IGW roughly similar to the 737-700ER. This is an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) version of the 737NG. Australia is the first customer (as Project Wedgetail), followed by Turkey and South Korea.

737-800

A Ryanair 737-800

The 737-800 is a stretched version of the 737-700, and replaces the 737-400. It also filled the gap left by Boeing's discontinuation of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and MD-90 after Boeing's merger with McDonnell Douglas. The -800 was launched by Hapag-Lloyd Flug (now TUIfly) in 1994 and entered service in 1998. The 737-800 seats 162 passengers in a two class layout, or 189 in one class, and competes with the A320. For many airlines in the U.S., the 737-800 replaced aging Boeing 727-200 trijets and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and MD-90 series aircraft.

The P-8 Poseidon is a 737-800ERX ("Extended Range") that, on 14 June 2004, Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division beat Lockheed Martin in the contest to replace the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Eventual orders may exceed 100 from the US Navy. The P-8 is unique in that it has 767-400ER-style raked wingtips, instead of the blended winglets available on other 737NG variants.

737-900

An Alaska Airlines 737-900

Boeing later introduced the 737-900, the longest variant to date. Because the -900 retains the same exit configuration of the -800, seating capacity is limited to 177 seats in two classes, or 189 in a single-class layout. The 737-900 also retains the MTOW and fuel capacity of the -800, trading range for payload. These shortcomings until recently prevented the 737-900 from effectively competing with the Airbus A321.

Alaska Airlines launched the 737-900 in 1997 and accepted delivery on 15 May 2001. There are no announced orders that have not been delivered yet. A total of 52 aircraft have been delivered.

The 737-900ER, which was called the 737-900X prior to launch, is the newest addition and the largest variant of the Boeing 737 line and was introduced to meet the range and passenger capacity of the discontinued 757-200 and to directly compete with the Airbus A321.

An additional pair of exit doors and a flat rear pressure bulkhead increase seating capacity to 180 passengers in a 2-class configuration or 215 passengers in a single-class layout. Additional fuel capacity and standard winglets improve range to that of other 737NG variants.

The first 737-900ER was rolled out of the Renton, Washington factory on 8 August 2006 for its launch customer, Lion Air. Lion Air received this aircraft on 27 April 2007 in a special dual paint scheme combining the Lion Air lion on the vertical stabilizer and the Boeing livery colors on the fuselage.

Boeing Business Jet

Main article: Boeing Business Jet

Plans for a business jet version of the 737 are not new. In the late 1980s, Boeing marketed the Boeing 77-33 jet, a business jet version of the 737-300.[73] The name was short-lived. After the introduction of the next generation series, Boeing introduced the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) series. The BBJ1 was similar in dimensions to the 737-700 but had additional features, including stronger wings and landing gear from the 737-800, and has increased range (through the use of extra fuel tanks) over the other 737 models. The first BBJ rolled out on 11 August 1998 and flew for the first time on 4 September.[74]

On 11 October 1999 Boeing launched the BBJ2. Based on the 737-800, it is 5.84 m (19 ft 2 in) longer than the BBJ, with 25% more cabin space and twice the baggage space, but has slightly reduced range. It is also fitted with auxiliary belly fuel tanks and winglets. The first BBJ2 was delivered on 28 February 2001.[74]

Boeing's BBJ3 is based on the 737-900ER. The BBJ3 has 1,120 square feet of floor space, 35% more interior space and 89% more luggage space than the BBJ2. It has an auxiliary fuel system, giving it a range of up to 4,725 nautical miles, and a Head-up display. Boeing completed the first example in August, 2008. This aircraft's cabin is pressurized to a simulated 6,500 foot altitude.[75]

Operators

Polynesian Blue 737-800 at Wellington International Airport, New Zealand.

The 737 is operated by more than 500 airlines, flying to 1,200 destinations in 190 countries. With over 8,000 aircraft ordered, over 5,000 delivered, and over 4,500 still in service, at any given time there are over 1,250 airborne worldwide. On average, somewhere in the world, a 737 takes off or lands every five seconds. Since entering service in 1968, the 737 has carried over 12 billion passengers over 120 billion km (65 billion nm), and has accumulated more than 296 million hours in the air. The 737 represents more than 25% of the worldwide fleet of large commercial jet airliners.[2][3]

Civilian

Main article: List of Boeing 737 operators

Military

Many countries operate the 737 passenger and cargo variants in government or military applications.

Incidents and accidents

As of August 2008, a total of 289 incidents involving 737s had occurred,[76] including 140 hull-loss accidents[77] resulting in a total of 3,830 fatalities. The 737 has also been in 106 hijackings involving 324 fatalities.[78]

737-100 and 737-200 variants

See Boeing 737 Classic incidents and Boeing 737 Next Generation incidents for other 737 variants.

Specifications

Measurement 737-100 737-400 737-500 737-600 737-700/
737-700ER 		737-800 737-900ER
Cockpit Crew Two
Seating capacity 118 (1-class, dense)
104 (1-class, standard)		 168 (1-class, dense),
159 (1-class, standard)		 132 (1-class, dense),
123 (1-class, standard))		 149 (1-class, dense),
140 (1-class, standard)		 189 (1-class, dense),
175 (1-class, standard)		 215 (1-class, high-density),
204 (1-class, dense),
177 (1-class, standard)
Seat Pitch 30 in (1-class, dense),
34 in (1-class, standard)		 30 in (1-class, dense), 32 in (1-class, standard) 28 in (1-class, high-density),
30 in (1-class, dense),
32 in(1-class, standard)
Seat width 17.2 in (1-class, 6 abreast seating)
Length 94 ft
(28.6 m)		 119 ft 6 in
(36.5 m)		 101 ft 8 in
(31.1 m)		 102 ft 6 in
(31.2 m)		 110 ft 4 in
(33.6 m)		 129 ft 6 in
(39.5 m)		 138 ft 2 in
(42.1 m)
Wingspan 93 ft
(28.3 m)		 94 ft 8 in
(28.9 m)		 117 ft 5 in
(35.7 m)
Height 37 ft
(11.3 m)		 36 ft 5 in
(11.1 m)		 41 ft 3 in
(12.6 m)		 41 ft 2 in
(12.5 m)
Wing Sweepback 25° (436 mrad) 25.02° (437 mrad)
Aspect Ratio 8.83 9.16 9.45
Fuselage Width 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
Fuselage Height 13 ft 2 in (4.01 m)
Cabin Width 11 ft 7 in (3.54 m)
Cabin Height 7 ft 3 in (2.20 m)
Empty Weight 61,864 lb
(28,120 kg)		 73,040 lb
(33,200 kg)		 68,860 lb
(31,300 kg)		 80,031 lb
(36,378 kg)		 84,100 lb
(38,147 kg)		 91,108 lb
(41,413 kg)		 98,495 lb
(44,676 kg)
Maximum take-off weight 108,218 lb
(49,190 kg)		 149,710 lb
(68,050 kg)		 133,210 lb
(60,550 kg)		 145,500 lb
(66,000 kg)		 Basic: 154,500 lb
(70,080 kg)
ER: 171,000 lb
(77,565 kg)		 174,200 lb
(79,010 kg)		 187,700 lb
(85,130 kg)
Maximum landing weight 99,000 lb
(44,906 kg)		 124,000 lb
(56,246 kg)		 110,000 lb
(49,895 kg)		 121,500 lb
(55,112 kg)		 128,928 lb
(58,604 kg)		 146,300 lb
(66,361 kg)
Cargo Capacity 650 ft³
(18.4 m³)		 1,373 ft³
(38.9 m³)		 822 ft³
(23.3 m³)		 756 ft³
(21.4 m³)		 966 ft³
(27.3 m³)		 1,591 ft³
(45.1 m³)		 1,852 ft³
(52.5 m³)
Takeoff run at MTOW 6,646 ft (1,990 m) 8,483 ft (2,540 m) 8,249 ft (2,470 m) 8,016 ft (2,400 m) 8,283 ft (2,480 m) 8,181 ft (2,450 m)
Service Ceiling 35,000 ft
(10,700 m)		 37,000 ft
(11,300 m)		 41,000 ft
(12,500 m)
Cruising speed 0.74 (485 mph, 780 km/h) 0.785 (514 mph, 828 km/h) 0.78 (511 mph, 823 km/h)
Maximum speed 0.82 (544 mph, 876 km/h, 473 kt)
Range fully loaded 1,860 NM (3,440 km) 2,165 NM (4,005 km) 2,402 NM (4,444 km) 3,050 NM (5,648 km) Basic: 3,365 NM (6,230 km)
WL: 3,900 NM (7,220 km)
ER: 5,375 NM (9,955 km)		 3,060 NM (5,665 km) 2,700 NM (4,996 km) in 1 class layout,
3,200 NM (5,925 km) in 2 class layout
with 2 aux. tanks
Max. fuel capacity 4,725 US gal
(17,860 L)		 6,130 US gal
(23,170 L)		 6,296 US gal
(23,800 L)		 6,875 US gal
(26,020 L)		 7,837 US gal
(29,660 L)
Engine (x 2) Pratt & Whitney JT8D-7 CFM International 56-3B-2 CFM 56-3B-1 CFM 56-7B20 CFM 56-7B26 CFM 56-7B27 CFM 56-7
Max. Thrust (x 2) 19,000 lbf (84.5 kN) 22,000 lbf (97.9 kN) 20,000 lbf (89.0 kN) 20,600 lbf (91.6 kN) 26,300 lbf (116.0 kN) 27,300 lbf (121.4 kN)
Cruising Thrust (x 2) 3,870 lbf (17.21 kN) 4,930 lbf (21.92 kN) 4,902 lbf (21.805 kN) 5,210 lbf (23.18 kN) 5,480 lbf (24.38 kN)
Fan Tip Diameter 44 in (1.12 m) 60 in (1.52 m) 61 in (1.55 m)
Engine Length 126 in (3.20 m) 93 in (2.36 m) 98.7 in (2.51 m)
Engine Ground Clearance 20 in (51 cm) 18 in (46 cm) 19 in (48 cm)

Sources: Boeing 737 Specifications,[80] 737 Airport Planning Report[81]

737 deliveries

See also: List of Boeing 737 orders
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
215 330 302 212 202 173 223 299 281 320 281 135 76 89 121 152 218 215 174 146 165
1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967
161 141 115 67 83 95 108 92 77 40 25 41 51 55 23 22 29 37 114 105 4
  • Data through July 2008. Updated on 14 August 2008.[82]
Production numbers
Variant Produced First flight[32]
737-100 30[83] 9 April 1967
737-200 1,114[84] 8 August 1967
737-200C 96[85] 18 September 1968
737-200 Adv 865 15 April 1971
737-300 1,113[84] 24 February 1984
737-400 486[84] 19 February 1988
737-500 389[84] 30 June 1989
737-600 68[86] 22 January 1998
737-700 847
378 on order[86]		 9 February 1997
737-BBJ1 95 on order[86] 4 September 1998
737-800 1207
886 on order		 31 July 1997
737-BBJ2 13 on order N/A
737-900 55 built[86] 3 August 2000
737-900ER 165 on order[86] 1 September 2006[86]
737-BBJ3 N/A N/A
Total 5000+

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b 737 Model Orders and Deliveries data, Boeing, August 2008.
  2. ^ a b flightglobal.com "The 737 Story: Little Wonder". Retrieved: 7 January 2008.
  3. ^ a b 737 Facts. Boeing. Retrieved: 30 October 2006.
  4. ^ a b "Transport News: Boeing Plans Jet." The New York Times, 17 July 1964. Retrieved: 26 February 2008.
  5. ^ Endres 2001, p. 122.
  6. ^ Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 12.
  7. ^ a b c Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 13.
  8. ^ a b "German Airline Buys 21 Boeing Short-Range Jets." The Washington Post, 20 February 1965. Retrieved: 26 February 2008.
  9. ^ a b c Wallace, J. "Boeing delivers its 5,000th 737," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 13 February 2006. Retrieved: 18 December 2007.
  10. ^ a b Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 17.
  11. ^ Redding 1997, p. 182.
  12. ^ Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 18.
  13. ^ Sutter 2006, pp. 76–78.
  14. ^ Shaw 1999, p. 6.
  15. ^ Gates, Dominic. "Successor to Boeing 737 likely to be built in state." Seattle Times, 30 December 2005. Retrieved: 10 February 2008.
  16. ^ "Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Completes First Developmental Section for 787 Dreamliner." Pr newswire. Retrieved: 23 January 2008.
  17. ^ Shaw 1999, p. 16.
  18. ^ "Original 737 Comes Home to Celebrate 30th Anniversary", The Boeing Company press release, 2 May 1997. Retrieved: 12 April 2008.
  19. ^ Sharpe 2001, pp. 19–20.
  20. ^ a b c d Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 20.
  21. ^ a b "Type Certificate Data Sheet A16WE"
  22. ^ a b Redding 1997, p. 183.
  23. ^ Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 120.
  24. ^ Endres 2001, p. 124.
  25. ^ Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 21.
  26. ^ Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 19.
  27. ^ Unpaved Strip Kit. www.b737.org.uk Retrieved: 10 February 2008.
  28. ^ Boeing 737-2T2C/Adv aircraft picture. airliners.net. Retrieved: 10 February 2008.
  29. ^ Northwest Arctic Borough: Transportation. Retrieved: 21 January 2008.
  30. ^ Red Dog (RDB) Alaska Retrieved: 12 April 2008.
  31. ^ Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 23.
  32. ^ a b "737 Family." Boeing.com, 5 January 2008. Retrieved: 12 April 2008.
  33. ^ Endres 2001, p. 126.
  34. ^ a b Endres 2001, p. 128.
  35. ^ a b Shaw 1999, p. 10
  36. ^ Shaw 1999, pp. 12–13.
  37. ^ Redding 1997, p. 185
  38. ^ Shaw 1999, p. 7.
  39. ^ Shaw 1999, p. 14.
  40. ^ a b c d Shaw 1999, p. 14.
  41. ^ Shaw 1999, p. 40.
  42. ^ Endres 2001, p. 129.
  43. ^ "To Save Fuel, Airlines Find No Speck Too Small." New York Times, 11 June 2008
  44. ^ "UAL Cuts Could Be Omen." Wall Street Journal, 5 June 2008, p. B3.
  45. ^ United Airlines Press Release, 22 July 2008
  46. ^ "Airline Shares Gain Despite Losses." Wall Street Journal, 23 July 2008, p. B3.
  47. ^ Endres 2001, p. 132.
  48. ^ a b c d e Shaw 1999, p. 8.
  49. ^ Endres 2001, p. 133.
  50. ^ Shaw 1999, pp. 14–15.
  51. ^ "Report alleges faulty parts in jets." United Press International, 21 August 2006. Retrieved: 22 August 2006.
  52. ^ Boeing firms up 737 replacement studies by appointing team Flight International, 3 March 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2008
  53. ^ "Boeing Delivers First 737 with Enhanced Short Runway Package to GOL." boeing.com, 31 July 2006. Retrieved: 10 February 2008.
  54. ^ Bowers 1989, p. 496.
  55. ^ Sharpe and Shaw, 2001, p. 41.
  56. ^ a b c "About the 737 Family." The Boeing Company. Retrieved: 20 December 2007.
  57. ^ Bowers 1889, pp. 498–499.
  58. ^ Endres 2001, p. 128.
  59. ^ "Boeing Gets Orders for 63 737-X.", New York Times. Retrieved: 1 February 2008.
  60. ^ "Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Aircraft Information."
  61. ^ "Next Generation 737 Program Milestones." The Boeing Company. Retrieved: 22 January 2008.
  62. ^ "737 Family, Comprehensive Background."
  63. ^ Boeing Press Release, 4 August 2008. Retrieved: 5 August 2008.
  64. ^ Mindful of rivals, Boeing keeps tinkering with its 737, Orlando Business Journal, August 11, 2008 Retrieved August 24, 2008
  65. ^ "Next-Generation 737 Production Winglets", Boeing. Retrieved: 10 February 2008.
  66. ^ "Bombardier Launches CSeries Jet", New York Times, 13 July 2008].
  67. ^ "Bombardier rejects KC, will build plant in Canada", Kansas City Star, 13 July 2008.
  68. ^ Boeing 737-600/700, airliners.net. Retrieved: 4 February 2008.
  69. ^ "U.S. Naval Reserve Gets First Look at Newest Class of Aircraft.", DefenseLink (U.S. Department of Defense). Retrieved: 21 January 2008.
  70. ^ "Boeing Launches Longest-Range 737 with ANA."
  71. ^ Boeing Press Release, 4 August 2008. Retrieved: 4 August 2008.
  72. ^ Press release
  73. ^ Endres 2001.
  74. ^ a b The Boeing 737-700/800 BBJ/BBJ2. www.airliners.net. Retrieved: 3 February 2008.
  75. ^ Boeing Press Release, August 14, 2008
  76. ^ "Boeing 737 incident occurrences", Aviation-Safety.net, 14 September 2008. Retrieved: 14 September 2008.
  77. ^ "Boeing 737 Accident summary", Aviation-Safety.net, 14 September 2008. Retrieved: 14 September 2008.
  78. ^ "Boeing 737 Accident Statistics", Aviation-Safety.net, 3 December 2007. Retrieved: 16 February 2008.
  79. ^ "Muslim leader among those killed in Nigerian plane crash."
  80. ^ Boeing 737 Technical Information, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
  81. ^ Boeing 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
  82. ^ Orders and Deliveries search page, Boeing. Retrieved: 14 August 2008.
  83. ^ Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 33.
  84. ^ a b c d Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 57.
  85. ^ Sharpe and Shaw 2001, p. 35.
  86. ^ a b c d e f "History & Development of the Boeing 737 - NG".

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  • Shaw, Robbie. Boeing Jetliners. London, England: Osprey, 1995. ISBN 1-8553-2528-4.
  • Shaw, Robbie. Boeing 737-300 to 800. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company, 1999. ISBN 0-7603-0699-0.
  • Sutter, Joe. 747: Creating the World's First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures from a Life in Aviation. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books, 2006. ISBN 0-06-088241-9.

External links

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