Civil Aircraft Generations?

Question

Hi guys

you know with military planes there is a generation system ie 1st 2nd 3rd 4th (4.5th) 5th

is there a similar system for civil aircraft and if so what are the technologie jumps in each generation and what examples are there.

thanks

Answer 1

Yes there is - a good example is the Boeing 737

The 100 series first flew in 1967 - only 14 were built.

The 200 series was a larger version, this was more successful :)

The 300 series had new fuel effinent turbofan engines to replace the original turbojets, and partial computerised glass cockpit replacing the original dials.

The 400 series was a lengthened version of the 300

The 500 series was a shorterned version of the 300

These were launched in the 1980s

Then came the 737NG (Next Generation) the most visable difference is winglets on some aircraft, but a lot has changed 'under the skin'.

The 600 is a modernised 500

The 700 is a modernised 600

The 800 is a mordenised 400

The 900 is a further lengthening which replaced the Boeing 757 :(