History of the 737
The heritage of the 737 began in 1965 when Boeing launched this short-range airplane to complement the larger 707 and 727 jetliners. The first 737-100 was delivered to Lufthansa Dec. 28, 1967, and began commercial revenue service in Europe on Feb. 10, 1968. The last 737-100 model was produced in 1969 and delivered in November that same year.

On April 28, 1968, the 737 began airline service in the United States with a -200 model operated by United Airlines. During its production run from 1966 to 1988, 1,114 737-200s -- nearly one third of all 737s ordered -- were delivered.

737- 400
In December 1985, Boeing decided to offer a 737 twinjet with a 10-foot (3 m) fuselage stretch that would add three more economy seat rows and two more first class seats, or 21 more two-class passengers when compared with earlier the 737-300.

Boeing engineers had been studying a larger 737 for a number of years -- one with a fuselage lengthened enough to bring capacity to 147 seats in mixed-class service. Airlines operating the 737-300 model had been pleased with its low fuel consumption and high dispatch reliability, and they urged the development of an airplane with slightly more capacity, but one that would blend easily into existing fleets of 737s.

Airlines especially liked the fact that the 737-400 is a straightforward derivative of the 737-300; therefore, 737-300 pilots could be cross-qualified. Flight crews who can operate both a 737-300 and -400 give airlines great flexibility in scheduling and subsequent savings in fleet operations.

The 737-400 was formally launched in June 1986 to augment the fleets of carriers needing more capacity to meet traffic growth. Rollout of the first 737-400 was Jan. 26, 1988. Following an 8-month flight-test program, first delivery was Sept. 15, 1988, to kickoff customer Piedmont Airlines.

The 737-400 twinjet retains basic systems commonality with the -300. Thus, it is a short- to medium-range airliner with increased passenger seating, low noise levels, low fuel consumption and high dispatch reliability.

Apart from the longer fuselage, other changes from the 737-300 are engines of slightly higher thrust, strengthened wing components and landing gear, and an environmental control system (the airplane's "air conditioning") that is enlarged to handle higher passenger loads. The airplane is 119 feet 7 inches (36.4 m) long with a tail height of 36 feet 6 inches (11.1 m) and wingspan of 94 feet 9 inches (28.9 m).

The engines that power the 737-400 are the CFM56-3, built by CFM International, a company owned by General Electric of the United States and Snecma of France. The engine is a high-bypass-ratio powerplant rated at 22,000 pounds thrust and offers a 19 percent fuel burn improvement over engines powering early models of the 737 and 727. The quietness of takeoffs is surprising: generally the takeoff noise cannot be heard outside of the airport boundaries. Much of the noise reduction and low fuel consumption of the 737-400 is because of this superior engine.

The Design
A brand new wing design improved fuel capacity and increased aerodynamic efficiency. Besides flying farther and faster than earlier models, the new 737s also can fly higher than the competing A320, giving passengers a smoother ride. Airlines benefit from its altitude capability by being able to fly above bad weather, congested routes and less capable airplanes. Next-Generation 737 designers also drew inspiration from the 777, placing large displays in the flightdeck dashboard and updating the passenger cabin with contoured walls and ceilings that create a spacious feeling and greater stowage capacity than the classic 737s.

With the longer fuselage, airlines gain larger cargo areas. With a total usable cargo volume of 1,373 cubic feet (38.9 m³), the 737-400 still offers a freight hold accessible from the ground without ladders.

First class - 10 Passengers

Economy - 137 Passengers

Click on a part of the aircraft to go inside!!

Download printable copies!!

Checklists (procedures)

Pre flight inspection.....................................................................................Completed
Logbook, Forms and Manuals......................................................................Checked
Gear pins......................................................................................................Stowed
Circuit breakers............................................................................................Checked
Flight recorder..............................................................................................Checked
aft overhead panel.......................................................................................Checked
IRS mode selectors.......................................................................................Nav
Flight control panel......................................................................................Checked
Fuel panel.....................................................................................................Checked
Electrical panel.............................................................................................Checked
Equipment cooling........................................................................................Normal
Emergency exit lights...................................................................................sampled and armed
Seat belt/no smoking...................................................................................As required
Ice protection...............................................................................................Checked
Hydraulics....................................................................................................Checked
Cockpit voice recorder.................................................................................Tested
Air conditioning/Pressurization panels.........................................................Checked and set
Light panel...................................................................................................As desired
Engine Start switches...................................................................................Off
Mode control panel set.................................................................................Set
Light test.......................................................................................................Tested
Flight instruments/radio altimeter.................................................................X-checked/set
GPWS............................................................................................................Tested
Standby flight instruments.............................................................................Checked and set
Engine instruments........................................................................................Checked
Anti-skid and autobrake.................................................................................On/Off
Gear lever...................................................................................................Down/lights checked
FMC/CDU.......................................................................................................Checked
Radar.............................................................................................................Standby/aux
Speed brakes..................................................................................................Down detent
Throttles and reverse levers...........................................................................Closed and down
Start levers......................................................................................................Cutoff
Flaps................................................................................................................Up
Parking brake...................................................................................................As required
Stabalizer and trim........................................................................................3 checked and set
Fire control panel...........................................................................................Checked
Radios.............................................................................................................Checked and set
ACARS............................................................................................................Checked and set
Transponder...................................................................................................Standby
Static selectors...............................................................................................Normal
Oxygen/masks interphone..............................................................................Checked and set

Before start

IRS mode selectors......................................................................................NAV/Align LTS. Out
Altimeters, FLT INSTR..................................................................................Xchecked/set
Engine instruments......................................................................................Checked/set
Fuel, oil, hyd Quantities...............................................................................Check LBS
Speed brake.................................................................................................Down detent
FMC/CDU/ACARS..........................................................................................Checked
Papers..........................................................................................................Aboard
Fuel panel....................................................................................................Set/start
Seat belt/no smoking on..............................................................................On
Hydraulics....................................................................................................Set/Start
AC packs/pressure........................................................................................Off_, PSI
Anti collision lights.......................................................................................On
Parking brake/pressure................................................................................As required

After start

Electrical panel............................................................................................Checked/set
Hydraulics..........................................................................................."A" system pressurized
Engine Anti-ice............................................................................................As required
Air conditioning/Pressurization panels.........................................................Checked and set
Radar.............................................................................................................Standby/aux
Start levers......................................................................................................Idle/detent
Door lights and lock........................................................................................Checked

Before takeoff

Fuel quantity..................................................................................................Checked
Shoulder harness...........................................................................................Fastened
Takeoff data/brief/..........................................................................................Bugs set
Stabalizer and trim........................................................................................3 checked/takeoff
Pitot heat.......................................................................................................On/checked
Yaw damper...................................................................................................On/checked
Flight controls.................................................................................................Checked
Flaps..............................................................................................................Green light/detent
APU................................................................................................................As required
Transponder..................................................................................................On

After takeoff

start switches.................................................................................................As required
Air conditioning/Pressurization panels..........................................................Check
Landing gear.................................................................................................Up/Off
Flaps..............................................................................................................Up/Off

Download printable copies!!

LIMITATIONS All references to airspeed or Mach Number relate to Indicated Airspeed or Indicated Mach Number, unless otherwise noted.  All references to altitude relate to Pressure Altitude, unless otherwise noted. Takeoff Weight The takeoff weight (weight at brake release or at start of takeoff roll) is limited by the most restrictive of the following: . Maximum Climb Limited Takeoff - based on the aircraft's engine-out climb capability at a given density altitude . Maximum Runway Limited Takeoff Weight - determined by the ability of the aircraft to accelerate to takeoff speed on a given runway. Maximum Certificated Takeoff Weight - the weight set by the manufacturer as the highest allowable under any conditions Obstacle Clearance, Enroute, and Landing Limitations Tire Speed and Brake Energy Limit Weights Landing Weight Maximum landing weight is limited by the most restrictive of the following requirements: . Maximum Landing Weight (Runway Length plus Obstacle, and including Limitations for Inoperative Equipment) . Maximum Landing Weight (Climb Limited) Maximum Certified Landing Weight