Boeing Approaching Firm Configuration With 737 Max
An artist’s concept shows the future configuration of Boeing’s narrowbody plant in Renton, Washington, where plans call for creating a third line meant to ease the full transition to 737 Max production by 2019.
An artist’s concept shows the future configuration of Boeing’s narrowbody plant in Renton, Washington, where plans call for creating a third line meant to ease the full transition to 737 Max production by 2019.

A switch from composite to titanium inner wall of the thrust reversers on the Boeing 737 Max has allowed designers to increase the fan diameter in the airplane’s CFM Leap-1B turbofans without a proportional increase in the size of the nacelle. The relatively minimal growth of the nacelle means Boeing could keep its original plans for coping with the small amount of ground clearance margin available while optimizing thrust levels, explained 737 Max program vice president and general manager Keith Leverkuhn.