The topic that in Russia they will dismantle "grounded" aircraft to extend the life of Airbus and Boeing in the sky has already been discussed many times, but even global aircraft manufacturers resort to this practice. In particular, Boeing is engaged in the "cannibalization" of aircraft.

The problem is the shortage of CFM LEAP-1B engines: the manufacturer cannot cope with deliveries. Therefore, the company decided to remove the engines from the 737 Max on the ground to install them on the new 737 Max coming off the assembly line in Renton, Washington.

“Our inventory provides additional flexibility [in production] and in some cases we are reallocating our existing stock of new engines to maintain the stability of 737 MAX production and maintain short-term supply commitments with the intention of replacing reallocated engines for future deliveries,” the company explained. companies.

Recall that after the disasters on October 29, 2018 near Jakarta and on March 10, 2019 in Ethiopia, global airlines refused to use the Boeing 737 MAX, and the American regulator launched a major check. At the moment, the updated safe 737 MAX is coming off the assembly line, and those aircraft that are on the ground have been finalized. The problem is that about half of the 290 grounded 737 Max are destined for Chinese customers, but China, unlike many other countries, has not yet recertified the aircraft. So Boeing does have a large stock of engines, as well as other components.

Boeing has already built about 30 counterweight kits, which it will install on the 737 MAX once the engines are removed. Without these counterweights, non-powered MAX "gliders" run the risk of landing on their tail due to uneven mass distribution. It is noted that in the first six months of this year, CFM delivered Boeing 465 Leap engines, and this was clearly not enough.

bbabo.Net