Global Express XRS device extended from nose door
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Sydney
Posts: 24

Really curious what this is extended from the nose of VH-LAW this morning at YSSY. I'm sure I'm showing my lack of internet searching skills, but haven't been able to answer my own question so far.

Join Date: May 2005
Location: France / Qatar
Age: 67
Posts: 1,079
Yes, it's the Ram Air Turbine, which provides emergency electrical and hydraulic power. Unless this aircraft suffered a real problem, the most likely explanation is that the crew were conducting an in-flight check of the system, as part of a regular maintenance check.
We did one recently and it worked fine but was very noisy!
We did one recently and it worked fine but was very noisy!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Sydney
Posts: 24

The flight path does look like it was maybe a check flight of some sort. I didn't hear anything unusual on the radio. If it was a real issue, then well done to the crew because the landing looked completely normal. Thanks for the help.