Originally posted by Yeager
the 7E7 is going to forego the pleasure and pain of engine bleed air. All electric engine starts. Did you know that? Should save about 5000 pounds of airplane weight and inumerable technical hassles not to mention making the engines dedicated thrust puppies. Just one fascinating fact on the new 7E7. More to follow.
Modern engines put out so much thrust efficiently; I have my doubts whether in the long run it will be such a terrific idea, but I honestly don’t understand it. I mean, the MD11 was a electrical/avionics marvel, and they ended up flying a avionics tech rep on many flights just to keep airworthy for the next leg. Not sure if they are even in service anymore. Maybe with Fed Ex?
Very intriguing though. I wonder what the costs in the first batch of aircraft delivered will be in troubleshooting, and repair of the expensive control boxes, and if that will outweigh the fuel savings in weight? Remember, BITE of any avionics box actually means it “bites” the operator in the bellybutton with cost. A plane comes in fine, a routine BITE check says some valve has failed, and once you start to F’ with it, it’s grounded till even more boxes and valves are F’d with to make it test OK. It’s still a very interesting take on a old system.
And I do like Dingbats idea. But just hope the mirrors are calibrated. I’d hate to see a wing cut off.
