The Boeing 777 is a very successful aircraft, and the latest model, the Boeing 777X, is also a striking aircraft.
The Boeing 777X is powered by the world's largest aero engine, the GE9X, which is longer than any aircraft in the sky, with a wingspan of more than 747-8"Baguettes"But the real attraction is the foldable wingtips.
Why design folding wingtips?
Benefits of folding wingtips
1.It is possible to land at more airports
Civil aviation airports set 6 different levels of restrictions according to the wingspan of the aircraft taking off and landing, which are A to F. Among them, the E-class represents the maximum wingspan length that can take off and land is 52-65 meters. The highest class is the F class, and the maximum wingspan length that can take off and land is 65-80 meters.
Both the 777-300ER and A350-1000 have a wingspan of 648 meters, the wingspan of the A380 reaches 798 meters. The 777x wing can reach 71 in the extended state8 meters, too wide to land at a 4e level airfield. This will severely limit the airports that airlines can operate, which is the same problem that operators of the A380 are experiencing.
The 777x is reduced to 64 by having the wingtips fold into a wingspan after landing8 meters, keeping the aircraft within the limits of Class 4E airports, opening up more airports worldwide to its operators.
This means that he has the same applicability as the previous generation 777. With the wings folded, there is little difference in gate and taxiway operation.
This allows the Boeing 777X to be directly interchangeable with the Boeing 777 without any problems, with good compatibility and reduced cost of use for airlines.
1.Improve pneumatic efficiency
After the aircraft takes off, folding winglets can be deployed to bring more lift, making it more fuel efficient. According to Boeing's calculations, the 777X's increased 7m wingspan could reduce the Boeing 777X's fuel consumption by 10% compared to the previous generation.
The combination of a large stretch and a composite wing allows the 777X to outperform any of its competitors, significantly improving fuel efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. According to Boeing, the aerodynamic efficiency of its wings is more than 5 higher than that of its competitor A350-1000.
The safety of folding wingtips
Boeing took into account, the folding mechanism, the locking pins and the safety redundancy of the latch. There is a main door latch and a backup latch system, with multiple layers of redundancy and protection to ensure the normal extension and folding of the wing.
The Boeing 777x is equipped with folding wingtips that can be folded in less than 20 seconds, ensuring that the aircraft meets the standards of a Class 4E airport during taxiing and docking.
It has to be said that Boeing's folding winglet design is really smart, and this innovation not only improves flight efficiency, but also shows its unique advantages in many aspects.
I wonder if other aircraft will have folding wingtips in the future?