Originally Posted by
Cat Techie
Hopefully if it comes back to the UK next time and if still in the same state, the CAA will plan to do a SAFA inspection on it. I would ground it if I saw that as an inspector.
What for having an approved temp repair carried out iaw the manufacturers procedure? I don't think you'd last long as a SAFA inspector.
The speed tape is there to protect the composite from UV damage. It gets applied and then reinspected at set intervals with any damaged tape removed and recovered.
It's a known problem fleetwide and there is a repaint scheme to fix it. Only prob is there's a limited number of paint shops that are willing and approved by Boeing to do it as its a fairly in depth procedure. Add in the fact there's quite a few 787s to be done and the small issue of airlines wanting to resume as much flying as possible post covid = plenty of speed tape for a while yet.