Boeing Could Launch the QLR 747
As Soon as June, If Orders Come In

Boeing could launch the 747-400X Quiet Longer Range (QLR) aircraft in June if orders are obtained, and aircraft could be delivered by late 2003.

The QLR is designed to improve the sales appeal of the 747, which has not been selling strongly-particularly in its passenger version-since Boeing launched the longer-range variant of the 777. Larry Dickenson, senior sales VP for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, did not give details of the current and projected 747 deliveries and backlog here.

However, the six 747-400ERs ordered by Qantas in 2000 are currently the only passenger 747s covered by firm, announced orders. "There are quite a few 747Fs and we expect a few more," says Dickenson, "and there are some orders in the unannounced category."

Noise reduction is a major concern for potential 747 customers, says 747 program VP/GM Jeff Peace. "We started talking to our customers over a year ago, and they told us that improvements were extremely important to them. They told us that the aircraft was the right size but that they wanted to be more environmentally conscious."

With a more efficient wing, "chevron" jet nozzles and new acoustic liners in the nacelles, the QLR is 6 dB quieter than the 747-400ER, on a cumulative basis, allowing it to meet the tighter QC4 noise limits at London Heathrow airport. QC4-compliant aircraft are less affected by curfews than today's 747, which is classified as QC2.

Other changes on the 747-400 QLR include a further increase in gross weight (from 910,000 to 921,000 pounds) and more fuel in an enlarged horizontal tail tank. Range is increased by 310 nautical miles to 7,980 nautical miles, allowing the airplane to fly non-stop between New York and Bangkok, or Singapore and Los Angeles. The QLR will also adopt some of the interior improvements developed for the 777 and 767-400, including more carry-on capacity.

So far, Boeing has been working more closely with GE than other engine manufacturers, although Rolls-Royce and P&W are looking at engine offerings for the new version.

By Bill Sweetman