So basically the 777 officially replaces the -11 if they approve 100 total which is what we expected. Looks like about 15ish more airframes than the 777/11 total now but that makes sense with TNT and the whole total/operational fleet number deal. The 767 keep replacing MD10's and eventually the Bus which becomes the new 'flex' plane in the sense that it's around a lot longer than initially projected. Makes sense that they would go with a younger, two engine airframe that's pretty much interchangeable with the 767 capacity wise in that role. Of course we won't order anymore sims before we do this, so that the 777 can join in with the 757/767 and Airbus with outrageously long training letters!

 

I thought that all 777 freighters had to be "new builds" because the passenger version floors aren't strong enough?


MM

 

Boeing developed a 777 BCF about 2010. It's on a shelf, waiting.

 

After this week's award ceremony, FWS asked what is the top item for improving safety and the response was right seat HUD; TBD if anything comes from it. They want to pull the -11 out of Intl ops completely.

 

I think the bigger question on additional 777's that aren't new build is where are they going to get the feed stock from? Boeing and Airbus are in kind of this weird dance no one really talks about in recent years with respect to all new aircraft. They really have only been directly competing with variants of the 737/320. Boeing went with the 787-8 to replace 763's and compete with the derivative A330-200 vs competing with the 380. Airbus went to the A350 which is really a 777-200/200LR replacement in the initial versions & Boeing's 777x are initially targeted to be bigger than the 350-800/900. The yet to be built A350-1000 vs the 777x in the 2020's looks like the first time they'll be competing head to head with truly identical products followed but the proposed 777x model designed to compete with the 380.

So the 777x doesn't come out to 2020-2021 and is really designed as a bigger aircraft as Boeing is still trying to coax 777-200LR orders out of airlines with early model exchanges that would provide the freighter stock. But they don't want to give discounts on an airplane that doesn't stack up as well vs the A350-800/900. So unless we're talking A350 airlines who are willing to sell their earlier model 777's, who's giving up big numbers of 777's before they acquire 777x's or later planned 787 stretches toward the 2020's? Word is that Boeing's attempt to not discount the 777-200LR or LRF freighters ahead of the 777x isn't really going well, I wonder if we just wait a bit and see if we can get mostly new builds for cheaper?

 

Those are the same rumors I've heard but I'll add that both of my sources were from different standards check airmen in the MD and triple who were on the same crew bus...

The bus lady said.....
MD's will do the proving runs and revenue flights DXB-JNB until more triples become available then that will become a 777 city pair.
Right seat HUDs MD11 only, no MD10 right seat HUD.

She had no news on the USPS or total 777 number but she did say that VCP will go to the triple when airframes become available.

 

The Boeing school house instructors have been saying for a while now that we are going to get right seat HUDs. However, there is a catch. They're not going to be a full system like the CA has. The right seat HUDs will be repeaters of the information on a much smaller display located to the right of the PFD and will not be intended for the right seat pilot to make HUD landings. This is being done to only satisfy an ICAO requirement for both pilots having a HUD so as to take advantage of some exemptions.

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just passing along what I've heard from 777, 767, and 757 instructors.

 

So maybe it should not be called a HUD? That sentence contradicts itself.

 

Maybe DUD. Down up Display....

 

I think another question is (if FedEx moves to a mostly 777, MD-11 and 767/57 fleet) is where are they going to park the new 777s? Many airfields will loose a parking spot or two+ with the company having to re draw parking spots. As it is, they ordered 767's without winglets...my suspicion is because of parking issues, not fuel economy.

I guess my point is, while the parking issue probably isn't hard to fix...it's not simply a 1:1 swap when it comes to getting new airplanes.