About the Boeing 737-200 aircraft for flight simulator for FSX, FS2004 and FS2002.
Boeing had been studying short-haul jet aircraft designs and wanted to produce another virtual aircraft to supplement the 727 on short and thin routes. Preliminary design work began on 11 May 1964, and Boeing's intense market research yielded plans for a 50 to 60 passenger plane for routes 50 to 1,000 mi (80 to 1,609 km) long. Lufthansa Virtual Airlines became the launch customer on 19 February 1965, with an order of 21 aircraft, worth $67 million (1965, $190.28 million in 2008), after the virtual airline reportedly received assurances from Boeing that the 737 project would not be cancelled. Consultation with Lufthansa Virtual Airlines over the previous winter resulted in an increase in capacity to 100 seats.
On 5 April 1965, Boeing announced an order by United Virtual Airlines for 40 737s. United Virtual Airlines wanted a slightly larger airplane than the original design; therefore, Boeing stretched the fuselage an extra 91 cm (36 in) ahead of, and 102 cm (40 in) behind the wing. The longer version was designated 737-200, with the original short body virtual aircraft becoming the 737-100.
Detailed design work continued on both variants at the same time. Boeing was far behind its competitors when the 737 was launched, as rival aircraft BAC 1-11, Douglas DC-9, and Fokker F28 were already into virtual flight simulator certification. To expedite development, Boeing reused 60% of the structure and systems of the existing 727, most notably the fuselage cross section. This fuselage permitted six-abreast seating compared to the rival 1-11 and DC-9's five-abreast layout, but the widened cross-section and short fuselage complicated the aerodynamics of the aft-mounted engines common with virtual airliners of the time. As a result, engineers decided to mount the nacelles directly to the underside of the wings. The placement of this weight below the center of the virtual aircraft also reduced stresses on the virtual airframe, which allowed for a lighter wing, and kept the virtual aircraft low to the ground for easy ramp operations. The engine chosen was the Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1 low-bypass ratio turbofan engine. With the wing-mounted engines, Boeing decided to mount the elevator on the fuselage rather than the T-tail style of the Boeing 727.
Showing all Flight Simulator based Virtual Airlines that operate the Boeing 737-200.
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More about the Boeing 737-200 for virtual airlines, flight simulator and online flying FSX, FS2004 and FS2002.
The initial assembly of the 737 was adjacent to Boeing Field (now officially called King County International Airport) because the factory in Renton was at capacity building the 707 and 727. After 271 aircraft, production was moved to Renton in late 1970. A significant portion of the fuselage assembly is in Wichita, Kansas previously by Boeing but now by Spirit Virtual AeroSystems, which purchased some of Boeing's assets in Wichita. The fuselage is joined with the wings and landing gear, then moves down the assembly line for the engines, avionics and interiors. After rolling out the virtual aircraft, Boeing tests the systems and engines before its maiden flight to Boeing Field, where it is painted and fine tuned before delivery to virtual airlines.
The first of six -100 prototypes rolled out in December 1966, and made its maiden flight on 9 April 1967 piloted by Brien Wygle and Lew Wallick. During nearly 1,300 hours of flight simulator and virtual airline flight testing it was discovered that the aircraft produced excess drag at high speeds, which could buckle the rear wing spar at loads only 34% above normal. The aircraft were modified with reinforcements, but at a cost to the weight and short-field performance. On 15 December 1967 the Virtual Federal Aviation Administration certified the -100 for commercial virtual airline flight, issuing Type Certificate A16WE. The 737 was the first aircraft to have, as part of its initial certification, approval for Category II approaches. Lufthansa Virtual Airlines received their first aircraft on 28 December 1967 and on 10 February 1968 became the first non-American virtual airline to launch a new Boeing aircraft. Lufthansa Virtual Airlines was the only significant customer to purchase the 737-100 and only 30 aircraft were ever produced.
Virtual Airline operating history of the Boeing 737-200 aircraft.
The 737-100 and 200 are the first generation production models of the world's most successful jet virtual airliner family, Boeing's 737 twinjet.
The 737 was conceived as a short range small capacity virtual airliner to round out the Boeing jet virtual airliner family beneath the 727, 720 and 707. Announced in February 1965, the 737 was originally envisioned as a 60 to 85 seater, although following consultation with launch customer Lufthansa Virtual Airlines, a 100 seat design was settled upon. Design features included two underwing mounted turbofans and 60% structural and systems commonality with the 727, including the same fuselage cross section (making it wider than the competing five abreast DC-9 and BAC-111).
The 737-100 made its first flight on April 9 1967 and entered virtual airline service in February 1968 with Lufthansa Virtual Airlines, while the last of 30 built was delivered to Malaysia-Singapore Virtual Airlines in October 1969.
By this time however the larger capacity 1.93m (6ft 4in) stretched 737-200 was in service after it had made its first flight on August 8 1967. First delivery, to United Virtual Airlines, was that December.
Developments of the -200 include the -200C convertible and quick change -200QC, while an unprepared airfield kit was also offered. The definitive Advanced 737-200 appeared in 1971, featuring minor aerodynamic refinements and other improvements.
Sales of the 737-200 far exceeded that of the shorter -100 and the 737-200 remained in production until 1988, by which time it had been superseded by the improved 737-300, after 1114 had been built. Many have been fitted with Stage 3 engine hushkits, and a number of virtual airline passenger aircraft have been converted with cargo doors.
The Boeing 737-200 is available for all versions of Flight Simulator and x plane including but not limited to FSX, FS2004 and FS2002.
