Pond Ingenuity Fall 2018

Pond Ingenuity Fall 2018 9 maintenance area, and allows continued access to the departure runway for other airport operations to continue,” Weaver said. When landing a 777x, the flight crew would activate the aircraft’s computer for landing retraction before touchdown. Once the maingear touch down and the airspeed reduces to a preset condition, the wingtips would automatically retract, allowing the airplane to exit the runway and taxi as a Group V operation. “Should the wingtips not fully withdraw, the aircraft would likewise need to occupy a ‘penalty box’ area sited to allow continued access to exit the arrivals runway for other operations,” Weaver said. “Airports should also be mindful of other operational impacts on the airfield,” said Weaver. This includes functionality of wing articulation during icing conditions and access to deicing pads with wings in vertical position. The folding wing technology of the 777x may present challenges for airport operators at the concourse as well, Weaver advised. Gate areas sized for Group V aircrafts may provide seating for 250 to 300 flyers whereas the Group VI-sized 777x can park in a Group V gate and enplane 400 passengers. “Concourses may be significantly unde r s i zed to accommodate passengers for these flights,” Weaver said. “Such overcrowding also will be noticed at the concourse restrooms after an arriving 777x deplanes.” Boeing predicts that global air traffic will grow five percent a year over the next two decades, contributing to gate gridlock and increased delays at the world’s busiest airports. As the demand for air travel continues to grow, the 777-9x offers a promising solution: to deliver the same number of passengers as the massive Airbus A380, but, with its folding wing technology, fit into existing gates meant for smaller planes. Airport operators should think twice before dismissing the folding wing planes as a non-impact for their airport. Weaver said that Boeing has hinted that if folding wing technology is successful on the new 777-9x, the company will begin to evaluate its application to the ever popular 737 series. This would bring a new Group IV aircraft to operate at Group III airports and impact an entirely different market of operators. While airlines, airport regulators and planners agree this folding wing technology is a great idea, airport infrastructure challenges could become a headache if not proactively acknowledged and resolved. Hugh Weaver, Jr., PE, LEED AP Vice President Aviation Images: Copyright © 1995 - 2018 Boeing. All Rights Reserved.