Question for ACAvionics guy?
 

Why is it that 747s, 767s etc. are coded as 743, 763 etc. in a lot of cases? Is there an obvious reason I haven't clicked into?

763 = 767-300 series, just a way of differentiating from base/other models

The flight schedules only allow for 3-character codes for "Equipment type" used on the flight (prob a throwback to older computer systems). Often the last character is substituded with another to indicate the series or variant of aircraft used. For example "737" is used for the original 737-200 series, while you'll also see things like "738" for a 737-800 series.

"767" usually means 767-200, while "763" would indicate 767-300. "744" is a 747-400 and so on. Same goes for Airbuses, so a "343" is an A340-300.

FewMiles..

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Yah, what they said. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I wonder sometimes why 747 is the largest jet? 727 is smaller than 747 so shouldn't 767 be reserved for a future model larger than 747?

Kindda a great idea looking back now, but let's look at the evolution of the commercial Boeing airplane.

1st the 707. Then the 727 and the invention of the slat (oh lala), then the 737 with only 2 engines. But then the 747-100 came into play with the 757 comming later. the 767 was developed in part as a smaller wide body and also to fly over all that nasty weather that the rest had to fly through. Now the 777 and the 717 (OK, I don't have an explanation for the 717).

Soon the new Boeing tripple decker, 787!!

Thanks ACAv and everyone else. Ask a simple question, get an exhaustive answer. I only wish my resarch were that easy.

AVtypeguy:
Was there not in the Boeing development sequence an earlier 717 (between 707 and 727) that ended up as a pure cargo aircraft? Any info on that? Or am I simply articulating the product of a dream that sought to fill in a numerical sequence?

717(-100) was the original design of the 707 (or 367 as it was originally designated). The fuselage was too narrow (5-abreast) and the airlines got Boeing to widen the fuselage to 6-abreast. The U.S.A.F. C/KC-135s are "717"s.

707/717 history according to Boeing

And if you see 73G, it's the 737-700. I wonder what the code for a 737-1X00 would be if Boeing extends the family to beyond the -900.

Another bit of trivia.

In order for an aircraft derivative to get an "official" designation and use in their displays there must be a majority vote by an IATA council. You can't just make up your own