ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-135 - 970x90
Go PREMIUM to remove Ads

Aircraft Series



Premium Posted by Dougiehd on 28 June 2015 - 06:34:52
Local Airport: CMB

Traditionally when a new aircraft is launched, it has been a -100 series; stretched or otherwise modified versions become the -200, -300 etc.

Yet with the latest aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, they've started at the other end of the scale. The first A380 launched was the -800 The first 787s are the -9 and -10 The first A350s into service with QR are -900s

Does anyone know why this is?

Premium Posted by Dougiehd on 30 March 2016 - 18:41:46
Local Airport: CMB

I guess that's a no, then! :)

Premium Posted by Polehill on 30 March 2016 - 20:55:31
Local Airport: MAN

A good question Dougie, I read that the B787 series was too start with a -3, designed for the Japanese domestic market and hopefully developed as a replacement for Boeing 757-300 and 767-200s. The -8 was the start of the long haul series. As very little interest outside of the Japanese market developed the -3 was scrapped and the orders converted into -8s. I don't know why Airbus A350s start with an 800.

Mike

Admin Posted by nighthawk on 31 March 2016 - 08:53:47
Local Airport: CAX

The A380 started the trend. They picked the -800 for two reasons - 1) the 8 looks like the cross section of the fuselage. 2) The number 8 is considered to be lucky in Asia.

As Asia was becoming a big market at the time, anything that helped sales out there was welcome, and so the lucky number 8 was chosen.

Likewise when Boeing introduced the dreamliner, they went with -8 to appeal to the Asian market.

Also, -100s are often skipped, most models recently have launched with the -200.

Premium Posted by Polehill on 31 March 2016 - 12:55:50
Local Airport: MAN

Very interesting thanks Nighthawk.

Premium Posted by ux166c on 01 April 2016 - 09:07:42
Local Airport: RNT

The trend continues with the 737MAX 7, 8, & 9. Who knows? Probably the 777X also.




Reply To Topic

You need to log in to post a reply to this topic.


<- Back To Forum