Boeing earned certification last week from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for its new carbon brakes designed for the Next-Generation 737. The brakes, supplied by Messier-Bugatti, entered service last week when Boeing delivered a Next-Generation 737-700 to Delta Air Lines — the first of 10 737-700s the airline will receive over the next several years.
Carbon brakes weigh 700 pounds (320 kg) less than high-capacity steel brakes for Next-Generation 737-700, -800 and -900ER (Extended Range) airplanes; and 550 pounds (250 kg) less than standard-capacity steel brakes for Next-Generation 737-600s and -700s. Reduced weight contributes to reductions in associated fuel burn and CO2 emissions depending on airline operations.