TK Removes Tailstrike Skids

[Winnerhofer]

TK has orderers their new batch of B77Ws without tail strike skids as the bean counters get their way.
The beanies stated that the 700 KG was simply not worth it in terms of cost, weight and MRO.
They also want to remove it from their current B77Ws.

[Supermarinemk9]

Woe betide the pilot who scrapes the underside of one of those planes.

[Cough]

Seem to remember that the newly delivered triple7's sport some sort of FBW tailstrike prevention software which reduces the chance?

[B737900er]

Cough:

Just like Airbus having Alpha protection to stop their planes from stalling :}

[champair79]

Yup I think G-STBI and 777s delivered afterwards for BA are also 'skid-less'. Although the option is probably still there to have them fitted, Boeing are clearly confident in the modifications they've made to the FBW system which in theory will reduce the chances of a tail strike happening.

[nitpicker330]

Our latest ER delivered last month doesn't have a Tailskid.
Something about the ER software not allowing Tailstrikes and it therefore no longer being required.

I assume there is still a Tailstrikes detector fitted as well as the appropriate EICAS warnings.

[Emma Royds]

The beanies stated that the 700 KG was simply not worth it in terms of cost, weight and MRO.

It has got nothing to do with the beanies as it is now standard for new 777W aircraft. The one I flew a couple of days ago came off the line at the end of last year and was 'skidless'.

[SMOC]

Plus with the new software installed you can now remove the tail skid from early versions saving over 100kg in weight apparently.

[Wizofoz]

All new-build 777s have had the tail-skid removed, as, as has been said, the software has been updated.

I'm not aware of much incidence of tail-strike in the 300ER in any case- the semi-levered gear and control logic seem to make it easy to avoid.

The "straight" 300 is another matter- but they have skids.

I assume there is still a Tailstrikes detector fitted as well as the appropriate EICAS warnings.

Actually, no and no- there is no detractor and the EICAS message has been removed.

[Winnerhofer]

Yes, that's right the anti-stike mode à la A346 and now standard on all new Airbuses has been adapted on the B77W.

[B-HKD]

Can anyone confirm any aircraft in their fleets delivered with the tailskid. (line number < 1166) , that have now had the software updated and tailskid removed?

BTW, weight saving is nowhere near 700kg.

SMOC's number is accurate. (~100kg)

[Wizofoz]

I believe block-point 17 updates the software and removes the EICAS message, but no skids are being removed.

[DaveReidUK]

BTW, weight saving is nowhere near 700kg.

SMOC's number is accurate. (~100kg) It would be reasonable to expect that building the aircraft without the tailskid installation saves more weight than building it with, and subsequently removing it.

But I agree that either number is unlikely to be anything approaching 700kg.

[Tinwacker]

It sounds as though this is a Boeing improvement added to the B777 fleet, taken from the B748 tail skid prevention technology.

[nitpicker330]

The 77W came with tail strike protection software 5 years ago. Before the 748 was flown I think.

[DaveReidUK]

taken from the B748 tail skid prevention technologyTailskids should be prevented at all costs. :O

[RAT 5]

Is not the removal of weight in the tail in itself a help in avoiding the a/c tipping tailwards? I know the normal cause of tail scrapes is over rotation, but every little helps. N'est ce pas?
But let's not enter into suggestions about concrete in nose cones.

Tongue now removed from cheek.

[Capn Bloggs]

Tongue now removed from cheek.
Phew! I'm glad you wrote that! I had a lot of respect for you, Rat, before I read the first part of that post! :)

[cod liver oil]

Boeing ACB specifies removal of TS system provides approximate weight savings of 323lbs per airplane.

[Cough]

Rat5...

I'm amazed at your suggestion. The only real thing that stops landing tail strikes is of course a sloping runway....

[Al Murdoch]

It's a 145Kg weight reduction.