Chapter 712 New Passenger Aircraft
After leaving Heiyun Bank, Bao Zixuan did not go home. Instead, they came to the aircraft manufacturing center. The Black Cloud passenger aircraft combined with the Soviet Tu-204 passenger aircraft has been designed, and the first experimental prototype has been built.
Fortunately, the complete set of technologies for the new passenger aircraft had been exchanged from the Soviet Union through ground-effect aircraft. Otherwise, Bao, the richest man, would not have been able to develop a passenger aircraft even if he was extremely capable.
Bao Zixuan came to the Heiyun Aircraft Manufacturing Center. He had been here several times before, but this was the first time he saw an aircraft being manufactured. Looking at this behemoth in front of us, the beauty of industrial art is vividly displayed, making people feel excited.
At this time, an Asian mixed-race man saw Bao Zixuan and immediately walked up to him and said, "Boss, how about our big guy? We have completed many simulated flights and now that we have reached the test flight conditions, we are waiting for you to come and make a decision."
To say that this Asian aircraft engineer is quite extraordinary, it is not an exaggeration to describe him as having a family background. His family plays a decisive role in the history of world aircraft, and it is well deserved to be said to be the first family of Chinese-American aircraft designers.
Wang Quanming, 36 years old this year; graduated from MIT with a major in aerospace design and manufacturing and has been working at Boeing since graduation. It was Heiyun Group who spent a huge price and Bao Shoufang promised that he could leave at any time if he was not happy at work, and he was satisfied with Wang Quanming's idea of designing two of his favorite aircraft in the future, so he recruited this young talent in the aircraft design industry.
For this reason, there was a stalemate with Boeing, and Wang Quanming was almost expelled from the family. You must know that their family has a tradition in Boeing, and he has even been working for Boeing since his grandfather.
Wang Zhu, courtesy name Yupeng, was born in Kyoto, China. He is an aircraft designer and manufacturing technology expert.
In August 1909, Wang Zhu was sent to study in England. In 1910, he first entered the Armstrong Naval University in the United Kingdom and then interned at the Vickers Factory. In June 1916, he became the second graduate of MIT's aeronautical engineering program and received a master's degree in aeronautical engineering.
Wang Zhu is an early aircraft designer and manufacturing technology expert who studied abroad and obtained a master's degree in aeronautical engineering in China. He participated in the establishment of China's first formal aircraft manufacturing plant - Mawei Naval Aircraft Engineering Office. Initiative and preparation for the establishment of the Hangzhou Aircraft Manufacturing Factory in cooperation with China and the United States. During the Anti-Japanese War, the China Aviation Research Institute was established and personally participated in the development of a variety of aircraft components with bamboo and wood composite structures. He is one of the main founders of China's modern aviation industry.
Wang Quanming is Wang Zhu's grandson, from an absolute aviation family. This kind of talent is wanted by major aircraft manufacturers around the world, but I didn't expect that he would eventually come to Heiyun Group. It was also from this time that Boeing regarded Heiyun as an opponent. Not only because of Heiyun's success in aviation engines, but also because of Wang Quanming's joining.
At that time, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Gentel said that Qian Lao could be worth five divisions by himself. Although Wang Quanming was not that capable, according to the chief designer of Boeing, Heiyun Group could save at least five years by acquiring Wang Quanming. detour. This is a very high praise and one of the greatest compliments for an engineer.
Bao Zixuan: "It's very spectacular. I have worked hard these days. I am looking forward to the moment when it can fly in the blue sky. I think it will not disappoint anyone. Let me introduce it well. After all, this is the result of the hard work of all engineers, especially the seniors."
Wang Quanming knew that Bao Zixuan was speaking politely. The basis of this aircraft came from the Soviet Union, and the aerospace engine was a mature product of Heiyun. The team he brought over from the United States served more of a role in integrating resources. The role here is not very big. Even an ordinary aircraft designer can complete this job well.
If he had to take credit, the most it would be for bringing some of Boeing's advanced ideas to Heiyun Group; he didn't dare to take credit. However, as a Hong Kong company, it is still something to be proud of for being able to produce such an advanced aircraft.
Wang Quanming: "Boss, these are mature technologies. I'm just integrating resources, but I don't dare to take credit."
When Bao Zixuan calls you "senior", he is being polite, but you can't do it in a disrespectful manner. If you really call the other person a junior, what will other colleagues think? You must know that the engineering team of Heiyun Group has many people who graduated from MIT. Is it strange that all engineers who graduated from MIT call Bao Zixuan their junior?
Bao Zixuan: "Tell me, can this aircraft reach the world's advanced level?"
Wang Quanming organized his language and said: Technical parameters of the Black Cloud 1 passenger aircraft;
cockpit crew 2
Seats 210 (1st level cockpit) 175 (2nd level cockpit)
Seat pitch 32 (level 1 cockpit) 39 and 32 (level 2 cockpit)
Length 46.14 meters
Wingspan 41.8 meters
Height 13.9 meters
Body width 3.8 meters
Body height 4.1 meters
Cabin width 3.57 meters
Cabin height 71 inches
Maximum take-off weight 105,000 kg
Maximum landing weight 89,500 kg
Maximum payload 23,000 kg
Ceiling ceiling 12,100 meters (39,700 feet)
Cruising speed 810 km/h to 850 km/h
Top speed 900 km/h
Not fully loaded: 7,000 km
Maximum fuel capacity 49,700kg
Engine × 2: HY-K-10 engine
Maximum thrust ×2: 220 kN
Although I know the specific design parameters of this aircraft, after it was produced, I still felt that the Soviet aircraft manufacturing level was really good. It is precisely because of the suppression and blockade in the United States that it has not been extended to the whole world. Perhaps there are also financial and institutional factors. After all, the political environment at the time did not allow the Soviets to vigorously develop civil aviation.
The high military pressure prevented the Soviets from putting any effort into passenger aircraft and focused mainly on the research and development of military weapons. You must know that in the eyes of the Soviets, without powerful weapons and equipment, they would not be able to suppress the Americans.
At that time, when the Soviets produced the Tu-204 passenger plane, the Americans were very nervous. But later it was discovered that there were problems with the avionics system, operating system, fax system, and engine thrust, which were just superficial. Only then did Boeing feel reassured that the threat was not as great as imagined and that it could let customers make their own choices.
The Soviet Union was already in decline at the time and had no ability to significantly upgrade and improve its aircraft. Due to various factors, the Tu-204 passenger aircraft did not win the international market. It can only be said that it was fate.
But this time it is Heiyun Group who is developing it, and Bao Zixuan is improving the Tu-204 passenger aircraft. The avionics system has been revolutionaryly improved, with two industrial computers placed inside the aircraft alone. The supporting system is also specially developed and is definitely ahead of its time.
Bao Zixuan: "Senior, how do you feel about this aircraft compared to the Boeing 757?"
In fact, it is not only Bao Zixuan who has thought about this issue, Wang Quanming is also constantly comparing the two aircraft.
The Boeing 757 aircraft is a 200-seat single-aisle, twin-engine, narrow-body, medium-range civil aviation transport aircraft produced by Boeing Company. Due to the surge in oil prices in the 1970s, fuel consumption accounted for an increase in the direct cost of air transportation. The civil aviation aircraft used at that time had high fuel consumption, so there was an urgent need for new civil aviation aircraft with low fuel consumption. In the mid-1970s, Boeing decided to develop a new 200-seat aircraft to replace the Boeing 727 and some Boeing 707s. Initially named 7N7 (N: narrow body), after obtaining 40 initial orders and 42 intention orders from British Airways and Eastern Airlines, Boeing officially launched the 7N7 development plan in March 1979. After the Boeing 727 It adopts new wings and advanced engines on the basis of the aircraft to reduce the cost of use by reducing fuel consumption and reducing the weight of the aircraft body. At the end of 1979, the 7N7 was officially renamed the Boeing 757.
The Boeing 757 has the longest range among subsonic narrow-body airliners, with a range of more than 7,200 kilometers, which is enough to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Very similar to the upgraded version of the Black Cloud Tu-204. It can be said that the two aircraft will definitely become competitors.
Wang Quanming thought for a while and said: "Each one has its own merits, and it can be described as indistinguishable."
"The technology of our aircraft is very advanced, but some layouts when designed by the Soviets were not very reasonable, which would invisibly waste the thrust of the engine. However, the aircraft has been tested in the wind tunnel, and no one can change it now."
"Boeing 757 has a more reasonable appearance design, but its engine thrust-to-weight ratio is worse. At the same time, it is not as good as us in some details."
"If these two aircraft compete in the competition, as long as the prices are similar, the sales volume should be similar. However, we have to consider Boeing's customer base, so we dare not draw a clear conclusion yet."
As a former designer at Boeing, my evaluation is very objective. At this time, Bao Zixuan has made up his mind to engage in a price war at worst. Although it goes against the original intention, there is currently no particularly effective method.