A320 airflow deflector

[Genghis the Engineer]

This...

http://www.aircraft.airbus.com/fileadmin/media_gallery/photogallery/big/800x600_1404740573_A320_-_Air_Flow_Deflector.jpg

It's a 2" wide vortex generator used to eliminate the infamous A320 howl. I am writing a short case study about it in a book on aircraft mods. However, I don't have access to an A320, and I can't get an answer out of anybody who has posted pictures online about permission to use their pictures (this photo I can find on both Lufthansa and Airbus websites, but I can't get an answer from Lufthansa, and there's no obvious contact for Airbus).

Can anybody do me a good photograph or two of it, and (vitally to keep my publisher happy!) an email with it giving me permission to reproduce the photograph. My pprune mail box is permanently full, but I can be emailed on boffin at engineer dot com.

G

[Exup]

Performed that mod about this time last year, did have some pictures but not sure if I can find them, will try. There is also another vortex generator fitted on the inboard panel which doesn’t seem to be fitted on that aircraft, could just be the picture.

[clarkieboy]

Did you get any pictures of the wee mod? If not, I can probably get some at work tonight, if that's any good?

[Rigga]

I'll see what's in our shed on Monday...

[clarkieboy]

E-mail sent.
Hope they are of some use.
Cheers!

[Genghis the Engineer]

E-mail sent.
Hope they are of some use.
Cheers!

Received and absolutely perfect - many thanks.

I'll drop you an email later about what I'm up to - only fair, but thanks again.

G

[Ant]

Would be interested to know a bit more about that "infamous A320 howl", and how the vortex generator overcomes it.
Thanks.

[B2N2]

Would be interested to know a bit more about that "infamous A320 howl", and how the vortex generator overcomes it.
Thanks.

I’d assume that under certain flight conditions ( angle of the wing) airflow actively by on that vent will produce an unpleasant sound.
Not unlike you blowing over the top of a bottle.
That little ridge ( vortex generator) will deflect the airflow sufficiently to fix it.
But I’m not an Airbus guru.

[Exup]

A bit of info here a320 Whine (http://a320whine.com)

[Ant]

Thanks guys.

I remember reading an interesting discussion regarding the BAE 146 flap noise, due if I remember rightly to the proximity of the flaps to the fuselage. Same problem, different cause.