The Boeing 7J7-The Evolution of Technology and Design

Technological development has always played a crucial part in the highly competitive world of commercial aviation, but the last decade has seen a redirection of its importance by the increasing need to reduce operating costs. Thus, the role of technology is changing from making airplanes fly more passengers further and faster to making them fly the same payloads over the same ranges more economically. This changing emphasis is nowhere better illustrated than in the Boeing 7J7 where advanced technology must result in reduced cost to the airlines, or it will not be incorporated in the design.

This paper describes some of the technologies that are being considered for the 7J7 and how those that benefit the ultimate bottom line of operating costs are being incorporated.