Tale of a New Boeing

Continental Airlines has many new Boeing aircraft on order. The Boeing 787, B-777, and the Boeing 737. As a B737 First Officer, we are qualified to fly all the 737 versions that Continental operates. This includes the B737-300, -500, -700, 800, -900, and the newest -900ER. Over the past two months, we have started taking deliveries of the B737-900ER.

The B-737-900ER is big for a 737. In fact, this airplanes actually holds one more person than the Boeing 757-200! It's long, heavy, and fun to fly. It has lots of new technology and I had the
opportunity to fly it for the first time yesterday.
Tail number N37413.

My first impression was it's exactly like the B737-900. However, after sitting in my seat, I noticed quite a few differences. The most noticeable was the standby instruments. They are now integrated into one electronic display instead of 3 separate instruments. The autopilot had more functionality as we were now given control over altitude and speed intervention during vertical navigation climbs and descents and one of my favorites is the ability to see a profile view of your flight plan and the terrain underneath you.

Our flight yesterday took us from Newark (KEWR) to Ft. Lauderdale (KFLL) and back. It was a nice day to work a day trip to Florida as the weather from the previous day in EWR had moved out and there was a break before thunderstorms were to move into EWR for the evening rush hour. Our departure was at 7:25 am and I was flying with a captain who recently turned 60 and was taking advantage of the new FAA regulation that allows pilots to fly beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60 that used to be the norm.

I flew the first leg to KFLL and the route of flight took us over land until we reached Wilmington, North Carolina and then over water until we reached KFLL. It was an uneventful takeoff and climb out. The airplane flew great and responded quickly to my inputs. After studying about the new technology the company provided us, I was anxious to put it to good use too. It worked as advertised and was a welcome addition to our cockpit resources.

About an hour and a half into our flight, at Flight Level 400 (about 40,000 Ft) we were on AR21 about 134 nm off the coast of Savannah, Georgia (KSAV). We encountered scattered thunderstorms and were navigating around them to provide a safe and comfortable ride for our passengers. These storms were above our altitude and this picture is one of the larger thunderstorms we flew around.

It's always a fantastic site to see these storms from this position. Knowing how dangerous these storms can be and how much destruction they can cause to the people on the ground, I was glad
this one was over over the ocean.

We started our descent when I briefed the approach and selected flaps 30 and our arrival speed for landing. We checked the weather, runway conditions, length, and notice to airman to assure our arrival into KFLL. At about 1200 feet above the ground, we were configured at flaps 30 and slowing to our approach speed. I started hand flying the aircraft and clicked off the autopilot that we use to reduce our workload during the flight so I can get a feel of how this new aircraft will fly at slow speeds.

At 50 feet above the ground I began to flare and slowly reduce the power to touchdown. When the wheels smoothly began to spin up to 150 kts (Vref) the autospeed brakes deployed, the autobrakes applied smooth anti-skid braking and I applied idle reverse thrust while commanding the rudders to keep the aircraft right on the centerline. After the captain called out 80 kts as we were slowing, I smoothly took over the brakes from the autobrake system and stowed the thrust reversers. As we slowed to taxi speed, the captain took over the aircaft so he can taxi us to the gate in KFLL.

My first experience with the B737-900ER was wonderful. It was smooth and responsive and the new technology was outstanding. As we prepared for the flight home, I commented to the captain that it was a great plane to fly.

On the return flight to KEWR, we were 100% full. We had 184 souls on board the aircraft which included two jumpseaters, 6 crew members, 173 passengers and 3 lap children. The plane was loaded with over 22,000lbs of fuel and our 2:32 flight plan was routed similar to our route down, over water and then back over land by Wilmington.

Newarks weather had cleared up and on the descent it was cloudy with winds gusting up to 35 mph. It was perfect weather conditions to test the aircrafts ability to fly such a heavy load in very gusty wind. These conditions are challenging for any pilot, but a new aircraft and a heavy load added to the stress of this arrival. This flight also found us holding for 20 minutes for volume and gusty winds so air traffic control could space aircraft out further due to the weather conditions.

We finally turned and lined up with runway 22R in EWR and were given clearance from air traffic control to land. The captain did a fantastic job and the aircraft flew as expected . The touchdown and rollout were excellent despite the heavy winds. We taxied to our gate and cleaned up the aircraft for the next crew. This plane was headed back to KFLL for another turn this evening while the captain and I went home for some much needed rest.

The new technology of the Boeing 737-900Er is a welcome addition to the Continental Airlines Fleet. While we fly mostly new aircraft, the privilege of flying a brand new airplane that is still under warranty is always exciting. Thanks for reading, check back often!