Are these winglets intentionally frangible to allow for idiots in catering trucks who drive into aeroplanes?
I think they must be... If they were "firmly" attached then the subsequent inspections and potential for serious damage would be huge.
Poor old Nigel really does seem to be suffering rather with this clever new spares supply system.
Whilst I would not disagree with this statement, IMHO it does not apply to Airbii winglets. They were "in short supply" well before EWS. I had queried what "wing tip fence must be replaced at the earliest maintenance opportunity" meant when I had one missing. Problem is all the way back to Airbus - lack of spares - and also something along the lines of they need some custom work (in composites?) before fitting i.e. not all are identical.
2% over the life of an aircraft is a huge amount of money
Bear in mind this crude figure is "worst case", so on a typical sector, effect of no winglet on 1 airframe is probably less than 1%. In short term, not a lot. Long term, over a fleet of aircraft, as has been said, huge.
Not sure what sort of an image is presented to fare-paying passengers by an airline whose aircraft have obvious bits missing and bodge tape in their place....?
Couldn't agree more. however not sure a winglet comes into this. Only the spotters will notice the "absence" of a winglet, and the tape is really outward facing. Flap Track fairings are another matter! I tend to brief the CC to answer queries, but not volunteer information until asked, about such matters...