AIRPLANE CONFIGURATION BULLETIN

Technical Summary

Short Field Performance Enhancements

The two new short field performance enhancements are available in two options:
Number

Title

0222C472A09

Short Field Performance Enhancement

0222C472A10

Short Field Performance Enhancement with Two

Position Tail Skid

These options contain enhancements in several separate components:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Speedbrakes
Krueger flap seal door
Sealed leading edge slats
Two position tail skid

All these components are included in the 0222C472A10 option, available on the
737-800 and -900 minor models. Option 0222C472A09 includes all of the above
components except the two position tail skid and is available on all 737NG minor
models, although the sealed leading edge slats (item 3) are available only on the
737-800 and -900 minor models. All components taken together yield significant
improvements in takeoff and landing performance from airports with runway
lengths of 5,000 feet or less. These options also may result in increased payload
for these same runway lengths. A more detailed explanation of the revised
components is as follows:
1. Speedbrakes
The travel of the Flight Spoilers and the Inboard Ground Spoilers will be
increased such that they will travel to an equivalent of 60 degrees on the ground.
Currently, the Flight Spoiler deploys to approximately 30 degrees on the ground,
while the Inboard Ground Spoiler deploys to approximately 52 degrees on the
ground (see Figure 1).
The effect of the increased spoiler deflection on ground will be increased drag
and increased loading on the main landing gear for improved braking
performance. These result in a subsequent reduction in landing distance and a
reduction in required runway length for takeoff.

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Increased inboard
ground spoiler
deflection to 60o

Figure 1
2. Krueger Flap Seal Door
The addition of an actuated Krueger flap seal door will reduce landing distances
by improving stall lift characteristics and thus reducing approach speeds. The
seal door will be actuated to open the gap between the flap and the engine cowl
when the trailing edge flaps are in the Flaps 40 position. The seal door will
remain closed at all other flap settings due to the increased drag from this
configuration (see Figure 2).

Figure 2

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3. Sealed Leading Edge Slats

The leading edge (LE) slats will be rescheduled so the slats remain in the sealed
(intermediate) position for all takeoff flap settings (Flaps 1 through 25). The LE
slats will transition to the Full Extend position for landing flap settings 30 and 40.
The trailing edge (TE) flap system will be revised to include flap load relief for flap
detents 10, 15, 25, 30, and 40. This enhancement is included in both Short Field
Performance options, but is available on 737-800 and -900 airplanes only (see
Figure 3).

Figure 3
The intent of sealing the leading edge slats when the flaps are in the takeoff
settings is to reduce drag and takeoff speeds, thereby improving takeoff
performance.
4. Two Position Tail Skid
The final component, available only with option 0222C472A10 on 737-800 and 900 airplanes, is a new two position tail skid (see figure 4). The existing tail skid
protects the aft fuselage from the damaging effects of tail strikes if over-rotation
occurs during takeoffs. This new tail skid, which extends an additional 5 inches
(approximate), will provide protection during landing. It will allow for higher
angles of attack during approach, with a subsequent reduction in approach
speeds and reduced landing distances.

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Takeoff position

~5

Landing position

Figure 4
All of the Airplane Flight Manual, Flight Crew Operations Manual and software
changes to the Stall Management Yaw Damper (SMYD), Flight Management
Computer (FMC), Common Display System (CDS) and Enhanced Digital Flight
Control System (EDFCS) necessary to take advantage of the enhancements are
included as part of these new options. Currently, Boeing is studying the
possibility of offering the sealed leading edge slats for takeoff portion of this
package for retrofit.
Provisions for these options will be provided on all airplanes.