Sir - There are pros and cons about new-generation Boeing 737-600/-700/-800 receiving grandfather rights towards its certification, but I would like to point out that European Joint Airworthiness Authorities regulations safety requirements on the amount and size of exits only increase safety. Surely the safe transportation of passengers is the primary goal.
If Boeing cannot change the basic design of the fuselage, thereby retaining its grandfather rights, it should consider the liability involved in retaining a cockpit which has the highest noise levels of modern commercial jet aircraft industry-wide, not to mention the cruise speeds of the newest derivative.
As an experienced 737 pilot, I can only say that I believe that Boeing needs to redesign the nose/window junction to decrease the extreme aerodynamic noise level at high speeds. Is this possible within the original design?
DAVID WILDER McCALEB
Berlin, Germany
Source: Flight International
