|
AIRCRAFT |
||||||
|
VARIG also operated thirteen Boeing 737-500 units, after merger with Rio Sul and Nordeste, in 2003/2004. The B737-500 is a shortened version of the Boeing 737-300. Configured to carry 120 passengers in a single class, they complemented Boeing 737-300 on domestic routes with lower demand. Those aircraft were previously operated by Rio Sul with just 108 seats in economy class, the most comfortable aircraft of Brazil's domestic market.
These Boeing 737-500 were originally purchased
by VARIG's regional subsidiary Rio Sul, which received the first two
units in September and December 1992. Despite being capable of
carrying up to 138 passengers in a single class, Rio Sul's Boeing
737-500 were configured with only 108 seats, becoming most
confortable aircraft in Brazilian domestic market. The first routes
were between São Paulo, Londrina, Foz do Iguaçu, Curitiba, Belo
Horizonte, Araxá and Brasília. Rio Sul and Nordeste came to operate
20 Boeing 737-500 simultaneously in 2001, with 16 units operated by
Rio Sul and 4 by Nordeste.
Together with ERJ-145, the Boeing 737-500s replaced the turboprop
EMB-120 and Fokker F-50 operated by Rio Sul and Nordeste. With the
increase in demand, Rio Sul began to incorporate Boeing 737-300
aircraft in 2000 and later Boeing 737-700 aircraft in 2001. In order
to increase seat offer and make the aircraft more profitable, the
Boeing 737-500s were reconfigured with 120 seats.
In 2004, after the merger with Rio Sul and Nordeste, twelve Boeing
737-500 started to operate for VARIG. The company's objective was to
replace them by larger versions, but they remained in the company's
fleet until the end of its activities in June 2006. In 2004 two
units left the fleet and in 2005 more four units were returned,
remaining only 6 units in 2006.
VARIG's Boeing 737-500 internal configuration:
1st: 108 seats (Economy Class only)
2nd: 110 seats (Economy Class only)
3th: 111 seats (Economy Class only)
4th: 117 seats (Economy Class only)
5th: 120 seats (Economy Class only)
| No. of units operated | 20 |
| Constructor | The Boeing Company, EUA |
| Engines | Two CFM International CPM-56-3C1, 23.500 pounds each |
| Wingspan | 28,90m |
| Length | 31,00m |
| Height | 11,10m |
| Cruising Speed | 850Km/h |
| Range | 4.400Km |
| Maximum flight altitude | 11.300m |
| Empty weight | 31.000Kg |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 52.389Kg |
| Technical crew | 02 (2 pilots) |
| Maximum Capacity | 120 passengers |
| Maximum Capacity ( VARIG configuration) | 108 or 110 or 120 passengers |
| Maximum fuel capacity | 20.100 liters |
| Minimum runway length | 2,400m |
