Ask Captain Lim

Hi Capt Lim,

You have produced a great website. I googled for the comparison between Boeing 777 and Airbus, and your website has been very helpful.

I am currently a Boeing 747-400 pilot about to convert to the 777 for a prominent Asian carrier. I would like to add a few comments that you may want to add into your website.

The 777*s super-critical computer designed wing is designed for maximum range (min drag) without needing winglets. As you know, it is elongated on the wingtips to reduce the drag inducing wing tip vortices the same as winglets do. Also note how all Boeings new products do not have winglets but raked wing tips. The winglets are not required.

Also on the "which aircraft should airlines buy" topic, in reality, it doesn*t so much matter about the 4 eng /2 eng question. Remembering that airlines are businesses, airlines will buy the aircraft that will make the most profit over the long term for the routes they have. Cost per seat mile is the most important factor. Ranges, passenger capacity and freight capacity, are all important but purchase price is also a big difference between the Airbus and 777.

Purchase price (or leasing cost), running costs and maintenance cost are always the deciding factor in whether a business will invest millions of dollars in one product or another. Passenger appeal is always subjective to marketing and bad press. If an aircraft crashes for a year some people will prefer to fly the other brand. But most people just want the best price/service/comfort ratio. And will usually just fly with the (safe) airline with the cheapest seat cost then note which aircraft they are flying on last!

Lastly, I think that your website can do without the negative and sly comments of people like "Arnold Long from Brisbane". May I suggest some subjective editing out of negative statements will improve this sites readability.

Thanks for a great website. Keep up the good work.

Cheers,

Darren

Hi Darren,

Thanks for your additional facts regarding winglets and what aircraft an airline tends to purchase for their fleet.

Your contribution helps me to keep readers informed and as you know, maintaining a good website needs a lot of spare time that I don*t have much now! :-)