Interior Decor Outstanding Feature Of Boeing 737

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31809, 14 October 1968, Page 15

Interior Decor Outstanding Feature Of Boeing 737

Passengers travelling on the National Airways Corporation’s Boeing 737 today might be forgiven for thinking they are on board one of the Boeing company’s 727 s or even the larger intercontinental 707.

Although the 737 is outwardly not a large aircraft it shares the identical cabin width, 12ft 4in, with these larger jets. It is for this reason that the NAC.'s approach to

the interior decor of the 737, particularly in regard to colour, had to be drastically different from that used in the smaller Viscounts and Friendships. When faced with 90 seats in a layout of five abreast, the use of conventional blue or grey one-colour fabric would not only become monotonous, even drab, but would also contribute to an over-all tube-like effect. To counter this problem the airline decided to branch out . into multi-coloured seats. The selected scheme features three distinct colours—gold, turquoise and rust; the gold predominating throughout Window Panels To compliment this, passengers will see a deep blue carpet coupled with pale coral-beige vinyl side and head linings, with gold and black trim, giving an overall lightness to the cabin interior.

The specially • mounted window panels feature stylised scenes of New Zealand in subtle tones. Cove lights running the length of the passenger cabin on each side provide the main cabin lighting. Fluorescent lamps radiate through a translucent grille on the wall under the hatracks. Strip lighting is installed over the hatracks to provide indirect lighting off the ceiling for general cabin illumination. Individual passenger reading lights are installed in the passenger service units over each row of seats. Sound Levels Cabin sound levels in the 737 are reduced through the use of an acoustical insulation blanket in the sidewalls and ceiling; special panels which absorb rather than reflect sound; special air conditioning components which minimise sound

effects; vibration insulators mounted on the engines; and special techniques to reduce sound leaks through insulation material. An electronically-control-led cabin pressure system permits an essentially “hands off” operation. The Boeing 737 is the first fully automatic system of its type on an American commercial airliner. The cruise altitude and destination altitude are selected before take-off, and the system automatically controls comfortable cabin conditions without attention. The system maintains sealevel cabin pressure at aircraft altitudes up to 18,500 ft. At flight altitudes of 35,000 ft a cabin altitude of 7900 ft may be maintained. Although not in the Boeing 737 yet the National Airways Corporation will shortly install taped music which will be played during boarding, taxi-ing and disembarkation. Beneath the cabin floor of the 737 arp the aircraft’s equipment bays and cargo areas.