Final answer:
Aircraft engine reliability has improved due to advancements in engine technology, materials, and electronic instrumentation, with the Boeing 777 as a notable example featuring a fly-by-wire system.
Step-by-step explanation:
An aircraft engine's extra reliability is a result of several key advancements in aviation technology. Initially, aircraft relied on gasoline-powered piston engines with flywheels, which reduced vibrations by evenly distributing the forces generated during individual piston firings. However, the introduction of jet engines in the 1940s, and the transition to highly efficient turbofan engines, marked a significant evolution in aircraft engine design. The use of lightweight metal alloys and composite materials has allowed for larger aircraft that can carry heavier payloads and are more fuel-efficient. The advancement in electronic instrumentation and the implementation of autopilot systems have made navigation more precise and reliable in various weather conditions. The Boeing 777 is an example of this complex engineering, with its groundbreaking fly-by-wire system and use of Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) software.