787 Test Flight

[chickoroll]

I hope this does not come across as a stupid question, as im still only a in G.A. and yet to get a start on the jets, but could anyone shed some light on the shute draging behind the tail fin on the test flight of the 787 today. What purpose does it serve???

[The Green Goblin]

Its redundancy in case the wing stringers give way leading to the death clap. Bit like the chutes on the Cirrus :cool:

[grade-3]

I haven't seen the pics in question, but it's probably a trailing cone used to measure static pressure free from the disturbances created by the aircraft.

See this thread (http://www.pprune.org/flight-testing/174082-bucket-tail.html) from the Flight Testing forum for details.

Grade 3

[AIMS2]

Static cone to measure true static pressure.

[Angle of Attack]

GG, lol!

Hi chiko Roll,
I am not certain but I beleive it may be a stall/spin chute, they generally carry them on initial testing flights of large aircraft. If the aircraft enters an unrecoverable stall or spin/ flat spin (or all of them!) that little drag chute can pull out a bigger chute and it causes the aircraft to pitch nose down once it deploys. Once stabilised the crew can then jettison the chute and hopefully then recover from the dive. It's a last defence option of course if the plane behaves badly during stall testing or other manouveres. Or it could just be a chute with instruments to measure possibly turbulent airflow or pressure behind the aircraft. Thats my understanding I read about them ages ago, so if anyone has further info I stand to be corrected! :ok:

[LambOfGod]

If something goes wrong. eg, the wings fall off. Could the pilots bail out, are they wearing parachutes?

[ZEEBEE]

If something goes wrong. eg, the wings fall off. Could the pilots bail out, are they wearing parachutes?

Probably, that is , if they don't die of fright when one of the wings or tailplane falls of.

I would :eek:

[The Green Goblin]

If you can open the doors in flight good luck to ya!

[Wally Mk2]

The detachment of a wing from structural failure in flight would create pretty much a chain of destructive events that would have the airframe break up in flight rapidly rendering the pilots unable to do much other than say "I love ya ma"!:)
As for the trailing chute? It's to catch the sh1t from the pilots when & if a wing did fall off, trust me that gooey stuff would be everywhere hence that's the reason for the saying "I love ya ma" 'cause nobody else would love a 'soiled pilot'!:}

Lots of wing flex upon rotation I see, fantastic plastic:-) Sleek looking bird though:ok: Here's a Q for the boffins in here, much FBW in this beast? I know Boeing said FBW was overrated once upon a time.

I awed at the first arrival of the A300 (TAA's) at Tulla back in the 80's, it's now just an old aeroplane, what's next?:)

Wmk2

[DH 200']

During initial A380 test flights the crew were equipped with parachutes. There was an escape hatch located on the cabin floor which was rigged with explosive bolts. In effect it was simply a slide which would enable the crew to clear the aircraft during an in-flight emergency exit. Phew!!:eek:

[flying-spike]

Obviously it is a sensor that activates the auxilliary thronomeister in the event of a premature activation of the flight attendant controlled wing detach mechanism. Don't you guys know nuffin!

[ab33t]

Data collection sensors

[training wheels]

If something goes wrong. eg, the wings fall off.

They've just spent the last 6 months fixing that .. should be ok, now! ;)

[pistanbroke]

Its a device to distract everyone, and not let them think about the fact the aircraft is 2 years late.:suspect:

[OFSO]

There are a line of perforations along the wing root to ensure the wings cannot detach. This design feature was copied from rolls of toilet paper after Boeing engineers noticed that the paper never tears along the perforations.

[fasterblaster]

I know there has been delay after delay but when are Jet Star or QF meant to be expecting their first 787??

Anyone else in Oz got some on the order?

[training wheels]

Anyone else in Oz got some on the order?

I'm surprised Oxford hasn't ordered any for their MECIR training. :)