737 MAX quietly rolls out today

Boeing officially rolls out it's latest iteration of the 737, the 737 MAX, today in front of a hand full of employees and expecting customers at it's Renton 737 production facility. The roll out occurs a full three months before expected as the MAX program flew through the miles stones in its development. It is expected to stay ahead of schedule and is due to take it's first flight early next year and eventual delivery in 2017. The Max promises a 14% increase on fuel efficiency over current jets.

I hope they have a good rain cover for the rollout attendees today, it's pouring down rain here.

“They built some cushion into schedule and have outperformed,” said Howard Rubel, aerospace analyst at Jefferies & Co, who estimates the Max program is still at least three months ahead of schedule.

The single-aisle 737 has been in production since 1966 and is the largest contributor to Boeing profits and cash flow, with the company planning to produce more than 700 a year of the new Max by the end of the decade on more automated assembly lines at its Renton plant near Seattle.

www.wsj.com...

a reply to: Sammamishman

After the 787 they need a program that goes better than projected.

Pictures and news from the rollout.

airwaysnews.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

That first picture says it all. A fitting homage to a NW jet rolled out on a NW day.

So did anyone besides Sammamishman (you butt out) notice the significant external difference of the Max? And it's not the winglets.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Lol. Well, fine be that way.

a reply to: Sammamishman

That would be cheating since I told you.

It appears a bit longer to me.

a reply to: billygentry

It's something that's completely different than any other recent 737 besides the winglets.

The nose is more streamlined.

I see scallops on the jet engine discharge frame. Now I've got to study it.

edit: And a cone on the tail.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
So did anyone besides Sammamishman (you butt out) notice the significant external difference of the Max? And it's not the winglets.

a) pointier nose
b) fan exterior duct has scalloped trailing edge
c) some models have additional emergency exit in between wings and rear (was on -900 though?)

edit: confirm tailcone

i.ytimg.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

The tail behind the stabs is different and it sits higher up on the ground, among others.

Hey Samm,

Thats a good looking plane. And 14% fuel savings is nothing to laugh at. The plane does look different in several ways. Hey zaph other than 14% fuel efficiency increase what can you tell us about the LEAP engines?

Gotta love Boeing and their winglets. Always a nice touch.

All of those are relatively minor aerodynamic changes. Think something that hasn't been seen on a 737 in a long time.

Hey zaph, Samm,

Just behind the rear door and underneath the root of the rear stabilizer appears from some of the photos a blister or something. I can't make it out clearly. What is that? Or am I seeing things?

Double mid exit doors and an expansion to hold about a dozen more people?

Hey whats that blister on the top of the fuselage?

Dude the suspense is killing me....THe blister....is the new 737 Max gunna have killer wifi and sat comms or something? Like live movie streaming and netflix on every flight for every passenger?

a reply to: BASSPLYR

That's not up to Boeing. They can put the antenna on, and install the system, but it's entirely up to the owner which options to install.