The Boeing 767 is a wide-bodied twin-aisle, twin-engine airliner. The aircraft is the most widely used aircraft on cross-Atlantic routes. The 767 first entered service in 1982 with United Air Lines. Boeing has delivered more than 1,000 767s that are flown by more than 80 operators around the world. The 767 has accumulated more than nine million flights.

The 767 and Boeing 757 have a common type rating and common crew qualification. More than 26 airlines operate both 757 and 767 aircraft allowing the airlines flexibility in flight crew assignment and in reduced operating logistics requirements such as reduced spares inventories. The aircraft have the same flight crew operating instructions, similar maintenance schedules, manuals and inspection routines.

The Boeing 767 is used as the platform for the 767 AWACS airborne warning and control system, in service with the Japanese Defence Agency, and for the military tanker transport aircraft that has been ordered by the Italian Air Force and the Japanese Air Self Defence Force.

Boeing 767 variants

Four models of the 767 are available:

The 767-200ER is an extended-range version announced in 1983 seating 181 to 224 passengers. The range is up to 12,325km. The aircraft first flew in 1984 with first delivery in 1984 to El Al airlines. 121 767-200ER aircraft have been ordered and delivered.

The Boeing 767-300ER, around 6.43m (21ft) longer than the 200ER, provides seating for 218 to 269 passengers and has a range up to 11,389km. First flight was in 1986 with first delivery in 1988 to American Airlines. 540 767-300ER aircraft have been ordered and 528 delivered.

The 767-300 freighter, launched in 1993 and first flight in 1994, has a freight volume capacity of 16,034m³ and a range of 5,560km. First delivery was in 1995 to United Parcel Service. 82 767-300F aircraft have been ordered and 49 delivered.

The 767-400ER, around 6.43m (21ft) longer than the 300ER, is the latest member of the 767 family and the first flight took place in October 1999. The stretched aircraft provides seating for 304 passengers in two-class cabin layout and 245 seats for passengers in a three-class layout. The 767-400ER entered service with Continental Airlines (total order 16) in September 2000 and with Delta Airlines (total order 21) in October 2000.

The 767-400ER features aerodynamic improvements, including new raked wing tips, increased take-off weight capability, a new main landing gear, and a new upgraded flight deck. The new, highly backswept (raked) wing-tip extensions increase the 767’s 156ft wingspan to 170ft 4in (52m). The 7ft 8in (2.4m) wing extensions are designed to increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the wing and thus improve the range. 38 767-400ER aircraft have been ordered and 37 delivered.

Flight deck

The flight deck, which accommodates the pilot and co-pilot is similar to that of the 757. The aircraft’s flight instrument system is the Honeywell EFIS-700.The navigation suite includes Honeywell VHF omnidirectional radio, an integrated instrument landing system, and a marker beacon receiver, an automatic direction finder, distance measuring system and a radio magnetic indicator RMI-743. There are dual digital flight management systems and triple redundant flight control computers. The aircraft carries CAT IIIb landing certification.

“The 767 is the most widely used aircraft on cross-Atlantic routes.”

Rockwell Collins has developed a large-format display system, which has been fitted in the 767-400ER. The system incorporates six 203mm x 203 mm (8in x 8in) liquid crystal displays.

The 767 aircraft in service with All Nippon Airways, Britannia Airways and Transbrasil are fitted with the Honeywell RDR-4A colour weather radar.

Engines

The aircraft has two turbofan podded engines mounted below the leading edges of the wings. The available engines are General Electric CF6-80 engines rated at 225kN to 276kN, Pratt and Whitney PW 4052, 4056, 4060 and 4062 rated at 233 to 282kN and the Rolls Royce RB211 rated at 251kN and 265kN.

The auxiliary power unit is installed in the tailcone.

Landing gear

The aircraft is equipped with hydraulically operated, retractable tricycle-type landing gear. The forward retracting nose unit supplied by Menasco has twin wheels. The inward retracting main landing gear supplied by Cleveland Pneumatic is fitted with two four wheeled bogies. The wheels are supplied by Honeywell. The main landing gear has steel disc brakes and a hydraulically actuated tail skid.