Airshows are a chance for manufacturers to display their latest technologies and products in the hope of winning new customers.
Boeing showed off its 737 MAX 10 aircraft in both flying and static displays at the Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom between July 18 and 22, 2022.
The airshow, taking place for the first time since 2018, marked the international debut of the largest variant of the 737 MAX family.
The showcase came a week after Boeing chief executive Dave Calhoun warned that there was a risk the plane maker could cancel its 737 MAX 10 program over certification issues with US regulators.
When asked about the timetable, Rafael Gonzalez, 737 Communications Manager at Boeing, said certification timing was entirely determined by the regulator. “We’re continuing on the path right now to certify on schedule with a targeted first delivery of the -10 next year.”
Despite the concerns over certification, Boeing’s efforts to win customers for the newest MAX seem to have paid off, with US air carrier Delta Air Lines kicking off the airshow by placing an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, with options for an additional 30 airplanes.
AeroTime took a look inside the Boeing 737 MAX 10.
(Credit: AeroTime)
The MAX 10 is capable of carrying up to 230 passengers with a maximum range of 3,300 nautical miles (6,111 kilometers). However, the test version on the display at Farnborough doesn’t carry that many.
Flight test engineer Jacob Samuelsen, a member of the Boeing team onboard the aircraft on the day that the UK hit record temperatures of over 40 degrees, said a typical test flight usually carried between 8-16 people.
“Typically on this airplane, we’re focused on the differences between the MAX 9 and MAX 10 designs, such as landing gear, flight characteristics,” Samuelsen said.
(Credit: AeroTime)
As with other 737 aircraft, the MAX 10 also sports the distinctive flattened engine cowlings, designed to ensure the newer, larger engines on what is essentially a 1960-s designed airframe, can clear the ground.
While the show was quiet compared to pre-pandemic years in terms of orders, Boeing announced new orders for the smaller version of the 737 MAX from customers, including 777 Partners and lessor ACG.