Big fans gear up for new battles

The big difference in newer commercial airplanes comes where it can't be seen-in the structure, in new materials, in the avionics and communications systems, and, most importantly, in the engines.

Since the first turbo-fan (then known as bypass) jet engines entered service in the early 1960s on the Boeing 707, Douglas DC-8, and Vickers VC10, their thrust has increased from 18,000 lb to greater than 100,000 lb, yet their noise levels have been reduced by 75%, and they are now more efficient per passenger-mile than a small family automobile.

Perhaps the most impressive feature in the advance of high-thrust turbofan engines is that they keep improving on a regular basis by significant steps, with each new engine shaving at least 10% off existing fuel-consumption rates, with perhaps a 15-20% gain through further development over the lifetime of the engine. This keeps fleet modernization affordable for operators and customers.