Chapter 423: Economy first

Hearing Tan Zhenhua’s answer, Lu Guangjie and Ma Fengshan looked at each other, and Ma Fengshan asked: "Zhenhua, where do you start? We haven't even set a price for "Yun Ten"..."
Tan Zhenhua interrupted Ma Fengshan's words: "Master Ma, I know that you will definitely not feel comfortable with this, but I still want to talk to you, because my thinking and yours are different from the starting point."
"Why is it different?"
"If I remember correctly, the reason why the development task of the "708" project was assigned that year actually had a very clear purpose, right?"
Ma Fengshan nodded. It’s not a secret. At the beginning of the
Yun Ten
project, it was to allow Zhou Shoufu to take the passenger plane of his own country when he visited foreign countries. And this destination was set at
European "Bright Light" Albany, so all the technical parameters of this aircraft were designed in accordance with this indicator.
"So, when you developed this aircraft, you didn't even consider whether it would be suitable for commercial use, right?" Tan Zhenhua said politely.
Lu Guangjie couldn't help but retorted: "Zhenhua, although you are right, this passenger plane was indeed designed according to clear mission targets, but can't it be said that civil aviation cannot be used?"
Tan Zhenhua replied: "Secretary Lu, don't get excited, listen to me first."
"Actually, I just said that I will prioritize economic issues."
"Let’s put it this way, the current international aviation market, from the perspective of route distribution, can be roughly divided into three types of routes: short-haul, short- and medium-haul, and intercontinental routes. Among the three types of route distribution, short-haul routes generally connect large and medium-sized hub cities. Between small and medium-sized cities, the passenger flow is not large, and it is generally carried by the so-called "regional passenger aircraft". This type of aircraft has a small body and usually carries between 50-80 passengers. The engine generally uses twin-engine, turbofan or vortex. There are propellers, and even piston propellers are used. For example, the "Yun 7" we just visited falls into this category."
"The second type of short- and medium-haul routes are generally used to connect large and medium-sized cities in the intercontinental. The distance between these cities is generally between a few hundred to 3,000 to 4,000 kilometers. This type of route is actually the largest in the market and requires The number of aircraft is also the largest, and when an airline purchases aircraft for this type of route, in addition to considering the number of passengers on the aircraft, it also needs to consider the flight density of the flight. Therefore, it generally chooses aircraft with 100 to 150 seats."
Ma Fengshan interjected: "Our "Yun Ten" can also fly such routes?"
Tan Zhenhua replied: "If I were the owner of an airline, I would not buy "Yun Ten" for anything."
"why?"
"Because you use two more engines than others, and the price of the engine is very expensive. Not only is it expensive to buy, it is also more expensive to maintain and use!"
Ma Fengshan was silent immediately. He has been engaged in civil aviation for more than ten years. Of course, he knows the international development situation well. Tan Zhenhua is right. In terms of the purchase cost of passenger aircraft, the engine part of an aircraft basically accounts for the whole Twenty to thirty percent of the cost of an airplane!
Not to mention, the engine is the most work-intensive and cost-intensive component in daily maintenance on passenger aircraft.
Therefore, judging from the recent trends in the purchase of passenger aircraft by several major airlines, short- and medium-range passenger aircraft have almost completely eliminated the four-engine models, the three-engine models have gradually been marginalized, and the two-engine aircraft have become popular. Therefore, the "Boeing 737 -200", "McDonnell Douglas DC-9" as the representative of the short- and medium-range 100-seat passenger aircraft can sell better.
This should also be an important reason why the child in front of him chose "BAC" instead of "Trident"?
Tan Zhenhua has not stopped his analysis: "The last kind of intercontinental flight. The responsibility of the flying aircraft is to connect the intercontinental transportation hub cities. This was originally the main function that the "Yun X" should undertake, but we You can take a look at what kind of aircraft are currently flying on intercontinental routes in the world. Mr. Ma, you are most familiar with it. Can you tell me?
Ma Fengshan blurted out without even thinking: "The main ones should be "Boeing 747", "McDonnell Douglas DC-10" and "Airbus A300".
Tan Zhenhua smiled and said: "Master Ma is right. You see, the "Airbus A300" is the first twin-engine intercontinental aircraft. Its passenger capacity is close to 300 people, while the "McDonnell Douglas DC-10" is three aircraft. It carried more than 300 passengers, while the fourth-engine "Boeing 747" carried more than 400 passengers. What does this mean? It shows that in the eyes of airlines operating intercontinental routes, an intercontinental aircraft , Its passenger capacity is a very important indicator. Of course, it is actually true. Therefore, with our current state of "Yun X", four rounds, but the passenger capacity can not even reach 200 people, you In fact, which airline can ask for it?"
Lu Guangjie said unconvincedly: "That's not necessarily true. We Huaxia, aren't we still operating "Boeing 707"? I heard that we will buy more..."
Tan Zhenhua said unceremoniously: "That's because some people in China now don't settle accounts when they buy things!"
What Lu Guangjie's mouth choked for a while, and opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't say anything. He thought to himself that this Mr. Tan is so courageous, he dare to say such words casually, if it is morning. A few years... However, I am afraid it is precisely because of his courage that he can break out of this wealth?
But, why does he think what he said is really reasonable?
After listening to Tan Zhenhua’s words, Ma Fengshan carefully pondered for a long time before sighing: "Zhenhua, this is the first time I heard of your opinion today, but the more I think about it, the more I think it makes sense. Your starting point is to create The planes airlines really need are completely different from our original starting point. I guess this is the main reason why you can continue to succeed in business?"
Tan Zhenhua smiled and said: "Mr. Ma, in fact, don't be discouraged. In fact, whether it is scientific research or business, you need to keep trial and error. If you have made all the mistakes, that is also a good thing. It means that the remaining one must be correct. The road that you spent ten years on the
Yun Ten
will never be wasted in vain. As I just said, our China must need a four-engine intercontinental plane, but it will be better than the current one. The "Yun Ten" is much larger, and the current "Yun Ten", if it is reduced a bit and replaced with a double-engine, it may not be impossible to make a very good short- and medium-range passenger aircraft."
"Zhenhua, do you mean..."
"Mr. Ma, don’t worry, you have to eat one bite at a time. The road has to be taken step by step. Let’s take the
BAC
thing steadily, and then think about other things. Like I said, in business, he must To give priority to the economy, let's build this "BAC" first, and increase the localization rate. I will sell one hundred and eighty of it. Can we steadily develop the next generation of aircraft?"
Ma Fengshan looked forward to: "Zhenhua, the more you talk about it, the more I become more excited, but I want to remind you one thing, whether it is a four-engine large intercontinental aircraft or a double-engine 100-seat mid-to-short-range passenger plane, we do not have it in China. The engine that can match it, don't mention the "Turbofan 8", even I dare not use it. This is actually a place that I was very distressed at the beginning..."
Tan Zhenhua smiled unpredictably: "Engine, wait, he will come in a while!"