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Boeing 757:

General information and a bit of Boeing 757 airplane history:

The Boeing 757 (member of the 757/767 family) is a medium sized airplane designed to operate for airlines on short-to-medium routes. Designed to replace the Boeing 727, the first 757 made its first flight on the 19^th of February 1982. The aircraft received official certification on the 21^st of December 1982 preceded by around 1400 flight test hours.

The first Boeing 757-200 (757-225 to be more precise) was delivered on the 22^nd of December 1982 to its launch customer Eastern Air Lines. In 1983, British Airways also launched the 757 following certification by the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The last Boeing 757 retired from BA on the 30^th of October 2010 after 27 of service with the airline. In total there were 1050 B-757 units built and serial production of this airliner ended on the 28^th of October 2004 with Shanghai Airlines being the last customer. Many 757 aircraft however still remain in active service worldwide and operate both passenger and cargo flights.

(In this photo: Far Eastern Air Transport Boeing 757)

Performance, technical details and the flight deck:

The Boeing 757 is powered by 2 high-bypass-ratio engines that are built by either Pratt & Whitney (PW2000) or Rolls-Royce (RB211). Thrust ratings range from 36 600 to 43 500 pounds respectively. The engines are mounted under the wings and utilize large fans that propel air over and around the core section which results in reduced noise and increased fuel efficiency. If compared to its predecessor, the Boeing 727, the B-757 consumes up to 40% less fuel per passenger seat which meant a great saving for airlines at that time.

Boeing 757 video: Boeing 757 aircraft landing as seen from different angles

The 757-200 series has a maximum takeoff weight of 225000 lb and the longer 757-300 an MTOW of 272500 lb. A loaded B757 aircraft can fly up to 4100 nm and operate from runways as short as 5500 feet, which is actually less than is required for an older Boeing 737-200. The typical cruise speed for a 757 is around Mach 0.80 at an altitude of 35000 feet. All of these performance characteristics are attributable to lightweight materials used in the structure of the aircraft. Improved graphite-epoxy composite materials are utilized in flight control surfaces (including ailerons, elevators, and the rudder) as well as engine cowlings and various aerodynamic fairings. Even the skin of the relatively long spanned wing of the 757 is built from improved aluminium alloys in order to achieve a substantial weight saving. Thanks to a very high reliability rating demonstrated by the Boeing 757 (the version which is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines) the aircraft was granted a 180-minute ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) certificate from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).

Boeing 757 video: taxi, take-off, cruise, descent, landing

The flight deck on this airplane was designed for a two-crew operation. The role of the flight engineer was no longer needed thanks to the pioneered use of new digital electronics and advanced flight displays. The cockpit of the 757 is almost identical to the Boeing 767 which means that pilots can have a common type rating, reducing training costs for airlines operating both aircraft types. All of the processes that control the navigation aspects, flight guidance and engine thrust are linked together and managed by an integrated FMC (Flight Management Computer). This system allows pilots to control and monitor the aircraft’s behavior throughout all phases of flight and ensure a most efficient operation. Both the captain and the FO (First Officer) receive flight information from six Rockwell Collins cathode-ray tube displays. Analogue attitude and horizontal situation indicators were replaced by digital systems called the EADI (Electronic Attitude Director Indicator) and EHSI (Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator). The engine and system parameter indicators are also displayed in electronic form on a system called the EICAS.

Aircraft cabin:

The standard 3 by 3 seat passenger cabin of the Boeing 757-200 can accommodate up to 230 passengers in a one class charter service layout. Initially the interior of the 757 was also developed for the 737 and featured a new ceiling sculpture and an overall spacious feeling for the passengers. The cabin width of the Boeing 757 measures at around 12 feet and length at 118 feet for the 757-200 series and 141 feet for the 757-300 series.

Boeing 757 video: take-off, cruise (in-flight meal) and landing

The cargo version of the airplane has neither passenger windows nor any other interior amenities. The main deck of the 757PF (Package Freighter) is 6600 cubic feet in volume and can fit around 87000 pounds of payload loaded through a specially designed cargo door.

(In this photo: DHL Boeing 757 - Aircraft registration G-BIKP)