Tail strikes
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Tail strikes
Has any ATCO ever witnessed/ dealt with a tail strike from a departing/landing a/c at their aerodrome? It just seems bit weird that whenever I go to Heathrow for a bit of a/c spectating I always think some of the departing a/c are fairly close to a tail strike!
When I witnessed a Saudi Arabian 777 departing 27L this afternoon, from where I was standing- perhaps due to the angle I was viewing from - it almost seemed like the tailplane was about to make contact with the runway as the pilot rotated about halfway down his take-off run!.........Expeditious departure with slots to keep to I thought!!
When I witnessed a Saudi Arabian 777 departing 27L this afternoon, from where I was standing- perhaps due to the angle I was viewing from - it almost seemed like the tailplane was about to make contact with the runway as the pilot rotated about halfway down his take-off run!.........Expeditious departure with slots to keep to I thought!!
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Why would an 'expeditious departure with slots to keep' mean you need to rotate early and strike the tail? Rotate speed is rotate speed, however much of a hurry you are in!
Of course, if you have miscalculated that speed and try and get airborne before the speed is right for the configuration and weight, then a funny noise may emanate from the rear end of the aircraft (and, probably, you!).
Never seen a tailstrike.
Of course, if you have miscalculated that speed and try and get airborne before the speed is right for the configuration and weight, then a funny noise may emanate from the rear end of the aircraft (and, probably, you!).
Never seen a tailstrike.
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I've seen a tailstrike - and very impressive it was too.
I was taxiing out on a 744 at Heathrow. A China Eastern (I think) A340 banged its tail on departure from RW09R. It was at night and the spectacular display of sparks was the giveaway. At first I couldn't believe what I had seen, but somebody else jumped on the RT and confirmed it. ATC ordered a runway inspection and a scrape was found.
The A340 continued to Beijing
The tail does get close to the runway on most departures, but if the speeds are correct and the rotation flown sensibly then it works. Very occasionally things get screwed up and damage occurs.
Some aircraft have sensors or warning systems for tail strikes. Some have tail bumpers to protect the structure. (Concorde had a little wheel). The aircraft I fly has a computer program that prints a trace of your rotation if it calculates it was a bit "hot". It is a bit over sensitive and a print out usually mean you did an FCOM perfect rotation.
T'Bug
I was taxiing out on a 744 at Heathrow. A China Eastern (I think) A340 banged its tail on departure from RW09R. It was at night and the spectacular display of sparks was the giveaway. At first I couldn't believe what I had seen, but somebody else jumped on the RT and confirmed it. ATC ordered a runway inspection and a scrape was found.
The A340 continued to Beijing
The tail does get close to the runway on most departures, but if the speeds are correct and the rotation flown sensibly then it works. Very occasionally things get screwed up and damage occurs.
Some aircraft have sensors or warning systems for tail strikes. Some have tail bumpers to protect the structure. (Concorde had a little wheel). The aircraft I fly has a computer program that prints a trace of your rotation if it calculates it was a bit "hot". It is a bit over sensitive and a print out usually mean you did an FCOM perfect rotation.
T'Bug
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tailstrike
i arrived for an early at heathrow back in the 80's and no sooner had i taken over deps. that a departing alitalia DC9 scraped the tail on departure from 28R. i called for Checker who closed the runway instantly because 8 centre-line fittings had been smashed. the sparks were spectacular to say the least and caused chaos all morning!
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Tunderbug
Your encounter made for very interesting reading! I can just imagine a sense of disbelief in your cockpit as you were taxiing and witnessing a tail strike resembling some sort of elaborate firework display!
Actually that reminds me of when I used to live in Hounslow and when the local ethnic community celebrated Divali around Guy Fawkes every year I often wondered if pilots inbound to LL on the final approach ever reported any fireworks, and / or explosions to ATC that had come just a little bit too close to their aircraft for comfort flying over Hounslow ?!?
I do recall their fireworks / explosions being somewhat louder and more powerful than those of our traditional Guy Fawkes celebrations, however whether this caused any disruption to inbounds into Heathrow I remain unaware to this day?!
I've seen a tailstrike - and very impressive it was too.
Actually that reminds me of when I used to live in Hounslow and when the local ethnic community celebrated Divali around Guy Fawkes every year I often wondered if pilots inbound to LL on the final approach ever reported any fireworks, and / or explosions to ATC that had come just a little bit too close to their aircraft for comfort flying over Hounslow ?!?
I do recall their fireworks / explosions being somewhat louder and more powerful than those of our traditional Guy Fawkes celebrations, however whether this caused any disruption to inbounds into Heathrow I remain unaware to this day?!
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I remember starting a night duty at Heathrow as an assistent back in the 80's. A Flying Tigers 747 did a very impressive tail strike landing on 28L (as it was then), lots of nice fireworks!!
