Although the latest history of the Boeing 737 has been checked, it does not deny the previous 50 -year -old star services and the increasing versatility. What started as a short distance aircraft to service small domestic airports has changed dramatically over the years. Certain versions now offer long -distance transatlantic flights, far from the powder sweater that was before.
Although about 737 changed (not always the best), one unique design feature remained: the main lane wheels are still on display when the gear retreats. (Traditional doors still cover the nose wheel.)
The reason returns to the original aircraft purpose, service to less developed regional airports in the 1960s. Not all of them had wide repair units, so the idea was to keep 737 as simple as possible. Lander gear doors are large, heavy, complex mechanisms that can be prone to failure, especially then. The main design tool design that helped to flush with the bottom of the fuselage, when distracted, eliminated the need for the door.
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Little driving 737
Boeing 737 loaded with a suitcase. – Rob Atherton/Getty Images
Another way Boeing designed 737 small regional air ports was to give it a short landing tool that stood below the ground, making it easier for the crews to work with engines and the bottom of the aircraft. Although most airports today have straps for luggage and jet bridges for passengers, they were not as common in smaller airports in the 1960s. A small 737 height meant that passengers could enter the staircase set, and the luggage handlers, loading and unloading their suitcase, could reach a low cargo bay door.
Some say that 737 low driving height is another reason why the main wheels of landing tools are exposed. They believe that there is simply no enough space in the door enough to cover them. Others disagree, emphasizing that the BAC 1-11, another short-term plane has a landing tool door, despite the low height. He started his service in 1965, two years before the first flying 737, so the decision to leave the revealed wheels was probably not due to the technical challenges of Landing Gear door.
What about aerodynamics?
The main reason for routing tools is to reduce stretching. It may seem that leaving the wheels on display will work against this goal, but how Boeing has designed 737, additional drag through a completely smooth belly is insignificant.
The most noticeable feature of landing equipment gear is the giant circle that remains affected. When retreating, the tires are as smooth as possible to the body, and Hubcap continues the smooth surface through the circle, without falling as a cyber direction. They are not good looking, but rather to improve aerodynamics. Because the opening must be slightly larger than the diameter of the tire to fit inside, the rubber seal presses against the tire to close the section from the rain and garbage when the gear is in the actuator. Wisely when the plane rises, the brakes automatically turn to stop the wheel until it falls into the section.
Although there is no divert tool door, this does not mean that there are no other aerodynamic measures at work. When retreating, the sheath attached to the struts of the descent tools covers the entire mechanism. It is equal to the bottom of the aircraft, as is the door above the landing tool. You can see how it works in the video above. It looks a bit funny and out of place when the gear down, but when it rises, this shell is the reason why all you see is a smooth belly where only wheels are exhibited.
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