Boeing 757

The history of the Boeing 757

The 757 family of airliners was originally Boeing's attempt in the 1970s to replace the aging three-engine "tri-engine" model 727 airliner. The move was part of Boeing's 1978 plan to develop a new generation of airliners that took advantage of the latest aerospace technology and brought the prospect of two new designs -- the narrow-body 757 and wide-body 767 families.

With the 757's design, Boeing chose to go a more traditional route, using only two engines for the design and airframe. The fuselage cross-section itself is based on the 727 model, but is significantly longer and optimized for short- and medium-haul routes. The top of the fuselage will adopt a new nose design, and the cockpit will be equipped with the latest and most advanced flight instruments and technologies.

In addition, an all-new wing arrangement has been developed that will feature a pair of fuel-efficient high-bypass turbofan engines, delivering about 45 percent fuel savings compared to other airliner types elsewhere. Envisioned to accommodate between 150 and 239 passengers, the overall design of the aircraft is aided by computer graphics.

Boeing began development of a new airliner in 1978, bringing with it the similar 767 series. Both rely heavily on the same manufacturing techniques, engineering and construction methods. Their similarities are so great that a pilot only needs to get a rank in one to give him the right to fly the other. The 767 differs from the 757 mainly in that it uses larger wings, a wider sweep and a wider fuselage.

The main parts of the tail, engine nacelles and landing gear are identical for both designs. Of the two airframes, the 767 prototype actually made its first flight, followed by the 757 prototype just a few months later, on February 19, 1982. After passing the evaluation phase, Boeing officially entered the 757, and production of the first model began in 2018. Series named "757-200" (plans for a shorter fuselage model 757-100 were eventually abandoned when customer interest focused more on the 757-200 product and the 757-200 left as the "base" 757 model ). This type of service started in January 1983.

The first production prototypes of the Type 757 were offered to waiting customers using either Rolls-Royce RB211-535 or General Electric CF6-32C1 turbofan engines. GE eventually removed the CF6-32 family of engines from its product line, opening the door for Pratt & Whitney to showcase its PW2037 turbofan with the 757 hybrid.

Externally, the design of the 757 series is distinguished by a slender body. The cockpit is designed to lean forward, with the upper nose assembly sloping down significantly. At the stern, the hull slopes significantly upwards. The wings are low-mounted monoplane units swept along the leading and trailing edges. Large turbofan engines are housed in cylindrical nacelles suspended under each wing outside the main landing gear legs.

The rear is conventional, consisting of a vertical fin and a pair of horizontal fins sloping upwards. The landing gear is fully retractable and consists of a two-wheel nose landing gear strut and a pair of four-wheel main landing gear struts.

The nasal bone is retracted forward, while the main leg is retracted inward toward the midline of the torso.

The 757 series includes other notable variants including the 757-200PF, 757-200M "Combi" and 757-300. The 757-200PF (PF = "Package Freighter") is a dedicated air freighter, while the 757-200M is a retrofit that can take on either the passenger or air freighter role depending on the operator's needs. Both versions are designed with a large main deck cargo door for easy loading and unloading of cargo. The 757-300 first flew in August 1998, with a lengthened fuselage, strengthened wings and landing gear, and increased maximum take-off weight (MTOW) (270,000 lbs), increasing total passenger capacity to 240.

Deliveries of this model began in 1999. The final total number of passengers reached 289.

The 757 series proved to be a financial success story for Boeing, with more than 1,000 airframes ultimately ordered and subsequently produced for various local and overseas operators. The model has also received limited service with the militaries of several countries, including the U.S. Air Force, which dubs the model the "C-32" and uses it for VIPs of members of the U.S.

Congress and the President's Cabinet. Transportation (including Vice President "Air Force Two").

These were ordered in 1996 to replace the aging 707 series (designated "VC-137" in USAF service) and feature Pratt & Whitney PW2040 series turbofan engines, "air stair case", upgraded communications suite and additional internal parts range. Deliveries to the 89th Airlift Wing from Andrews AFB in early 1998.

Argentina and Mexico eventually ordered 757s for their own use, which were also VIP transports. Royal Saudi Airline purchased 757s for passenger air travel.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes