Wed Mar 20, 2019 10:25 am
#1683179
It’s the Comet disaster without the [innocent] error of design, which was resolved by extensive testing while the 707 was able to take the lead.
The Comet IV was a very safe aeroplane afterwards.
Has anyone a comparison between the efficiency of the 707 with podded engines vs the Comet/Nimrod with buried engines?
Seems the commercial concerns competing with Airbus have exceeded those for safety.
Boeing promise their fix by the end of the month, but probably the fix will take a lot longer to make, and confidence in the aeroplane will take even longer.
Maybe 737 Max (non)operators should be looking to lease A320/321 aircraft to fill the gap?
I think the gap is going to be a lot longer than Boeing’s estimates, how many airlines can bear having brand new aeroplanes sitting on the ground for as long as it will take for Boeing to fix their problem?
I wonder how many pilots support an aerodynamic resolution, and how many pilots are comfortable with a software solution?
Ultimately, I think Boeing should learn from de Havilland’s experience and get back to the drawing board. Rather than the new midsize jet, perhaps Boeing should redesign the 737, accept that this will be a new, different type, different type rating, but have the capability to develop into a modern jet to compete with Airbus.
MichaelP
Wandering the World