Very interesting video: AA and Boeing are testing variable area fan nozzles and adaptive trailing edges being "small flap-like devices near the outer portion of the wing" on a line 738:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=qL21pK6gkRA&NR=1

Any chance of seeing these novelties on the MAX? How much efficiency gain can be expected of each of these design innovations?


Faro

That's really cool! Am I right in thinking that the trailing edge flap device can be used in cruise to change the center of lift which would result in changing pitch in cruise reducing drag on the airframe?

Pffft, TWA already did this in 1979... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWA_Flight_841_(1979)

Quoting Starlionblue (Reply 2): Pffft, TWA already did this in 1979... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWA_Fli...1979)

Very interesting read! It's also very interesting to read about the foul play of the NTSB with numerous regulations of their own that they broke. Although it seems this has been done before, it is interesting to see them implementing this into the 737. Furthermore, with having variable area fan nozzle, it will be interesting to see how that effects aircraft performance numbers.