Aircraft Factfile and Recognition Guide - Boeing 757

Background

The 757 (designated "7N7" during initial development) was designed by Boeing to complement the Boeing 767 on less dense routes. Originally conceived as the Boeing 727-300, a stretched variant over the 727-200, the 757 was a newer design. Original designs of this plane featured a "T-tail" as the Boeing 727 but a conventional tail was ultimately adopted.  The 757 has transatlantic range, and was one of the earliest ETOPS-rated airliners. For better economics, the passenger capacity is increased by 50 over the 727.

The 757 uses many of the same components as the widebody 767, and the two planes have a common FAA type-rating, enabling flight crews to earn certification for both by training and testing only on one. The 757 maintains the same fuselage diameter as the previous Boeing 707, 727, and 737.

The 757 was discontinued just after sales had reached 1000. The 737-900 fulfills Boeing's marketing niche previously occupied by the 757, though it does not have the same range or take-off performance. Indeed, the 757 was preferred by airlines which needed to traverse long, thin routes, chiefly transcontinental and transatlantic routes. It was also desired by airlines flying from hot and high climates, such as Mexico City. The 757 has sometimes been called the Rocket Plane because of its ability to rapidly climb (it is able to carry its full Maximum Take Off Weight, and climb to 41,000 feet faster than any other commercial airplane).  The 757's resale value has increased since the discontinuation of new production. In fact, a December 29, 2004 order from Continental Airlines for Boeing's new 787-8 and currently-produced 737-800 airliners included ten used 757-300s.

The 757 is the first Boeing airliner launched with non-US engines, Rolls-Royce RB211-535. Later, however, the Pratt & Whitney PW2000 was also offered as an option. Initially, a General Electric engine, the CF6-32, was also offered, but was cancelled due to lack of interest from airlines.

Variants of the 757

757-200:  The 757-200 is the definitive version and forms the majority of the 757. It has also been manufactured in freighter (757-200F) and passenger-freight combo (757-200M) versions. In the late 1990's some of the passenger 757-200 series were converted to dedicated freighters.

The passenger-carrying versions of the 757-200 was available in two different door configurations. One version used three standard doors per side with an additional, smaller door aft of the wing on each side for emergency evacuations. All eight door locations are equipped with inflatable evacuation slides. The alternate version is equipped with three standard doors per side (two towards the front and one at the aft of the cabin) with two "plug-type" overwing exits per side replacing the smaller door aft of the wing.

• 757-200ER: Extended range version, never went past design phase. Some airlines have given this title to their higher gross weight versions, especially on intercontinental applications.
• 757-200PF: Package freighter version.
• 757-200SF: Special freighter version for DHL.

757-300:  The 757-300 is a stretched version, trading range for passenger capacity and the plane first flew in August 1998. The 757-300 is configured to carry 252 passengers. Range is 3,500 nautical miles. Only 55 were ordered. This model has 8 standard doors, with 4 over-the-wing exit doors, 2 on either side. This model also features the interior of the Next Generation 737, which blends aspects of the 757-200 interior with the Boeing 777-style interior.

C-32:  The United States Air Force has fitted 757s for VIP transport duties: designated C-32, these aircraft are often used to transport the Vice President of the United States under the callsign "Air Force Two". The Royal New Zealand Air Force has two 757s that are used for transporting troops and VIPs.

Although production has ceased for the 757, blended winglets are now available from Aviation Partners Inc. as a retrofit to increase fuel efficiency and range. Winglets on the 757 have only been approved for the -200 series, and are pending approval for the -300 series. American Airlines, Continental Airlines, and Icelandair have commenced fitting them to some of their fleets, targeted at longer range routes which are too far for 737 or MD-80 aircraft but not popular enough to operate a B767 or A300. Northwest Airlines, and Finnair both will fit their 757-200 with winglets.

Recognizing the 757

The 757 is a somewhat easy airplane to recognize anywhere. Here's how you can easily identify a 757, without knowing what airlines operate the aircraft:

Wings: Low-mounted, swept-back, and tapered with curved tips and negative slant.  The -400 version features winglets.
Engine(s): Two turbofans, suspended on pylons, and extending forward of the wings’ leading edges. Round air intakes.
Fuselage:  Slim bodied.
Tail: Swept-back, tapered tail flats, tapered tail fin.

Specifications

Sources: Wikipedia Boeing 757

© 2006-2007 Steven Holzinger