Originally Posted by
fairviewroad
True, but the existing stock will probably do for many years to come. But it's not the fuel-guzzling inefficiency of the 737-200 that makes it well-suited to gravel runways, right?
I would guess that the smaller diameter low-bypass engines on the -200 are what make it suitable for less improved runways. Newer 737s have high-bypass engines with their larger diameters that put the bottom lip of the engine closer to the ground. It also appears that the availability of a gravelkit for the -200 is what makes it preferred for those uses.