question about winglets~
 

Dear professionals,
As you taxi into the gate and you hit the winglet on your aircraft, can you fly without one? Why?

YES.

MEL.

so, what's the reason then? a more detailed answer perhaps? thx

14182

Certainly on the Airbus you can. If you are asked this at an interview you should say that you would have to refer to the MEL. Don't say yeas or no as that isn't the answer they are after.

Don't get into too much detail. Keep the answer simple and straight to the point.

14182,

Yes you can and as stated, the MEL states you can.

The reason you can is the winglet provides marginally more lift, reduces induced drag and increases profile drag. The net result is effectively a larger wing (i.e. more lift) and an overall reduction in the total drag. Missing one would be like flying with the ailerons out of trim which means a cross-control setting with increased drag and thus increased fuel burn.:ok:

I think you'll find your answer in the CDL not the MEL.....

Edit because i'm bored...

A340 CDL 57-2
One may be missing provided hole is covered.
Increase fuel consumption by 1%.
Reduce the take-off and approach climb
limiting weight by 2%.
The maximum take-off weight must not be
higher than 245 tonnes.

Bloody Airbus pilot!:}

if you read the question it says "As you taxi into the gate and you hit the winglet on your aircraft, can you fly without one? Why?"

I think you would be more likely to be visiting the unemployment exchange rather than the CDL/MEL to see if you can go on the next Sector...............

Cathay don't take too kindly to you "Pranging" the plane...................

(Mind you........it helps if you want to get into management !!!!)

sizematters, how do you know he is talking about CX? Could be Dragonair...Hong Kong Express...CRAirways?

Because he started it off !:ouch:

Too funny! :E :ok:

nice one spanners.....................can you nail a winglet back on for me so no-one notice's ????.....................:ouch:

Give me some speed tape and you'll be ok.:ok:

No problem on a B744. 2,5 % extra fuel burn. One may be missing provided the performance limited weights are reduced by 9435 kg for Take off and Landing, aand by 4536 kg for enroute climb. You can find the info in the CDL.
Difficult to see your wing tips from the cockpit on a B744...

Check out this picture I took when I was in town:O :} (note it is in fact a 400)
http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5682132

flyer_spotter, it is a 400, although you say 300 in the photo facts, looking at your photo there is a real easy way to determine if it is a 300 or 400. (That is assuming that the missing winglet is so easy to spot)? Do you know what it is?

bye the way, nice photo.

Yea i know its not hard to tell whether it is a 400 or not, even without seeing the winglets, but for some people it is hard, since most people distinguish the 300 and 400 by looking at their winglets. :ok:

I think the differences are that:
-the 743 has a VHF antenna on the roof just behind the hump. The 744 does not.
-engines used are different
-and the wingroot

:)

Just look at the leading edge flaps 200/300 only have 5 outboard of the engines, 400's have 6. Not everyone knows the difference between engines, CF6-50 and 80 etc.

Easiest way to tell it's a -400.........???


the autothrottle don't tell jokes.............................

probably doesn't know any good bars ..............or where to get laid for that matter.....................

good old flight Engineers...............don't you just miss 'em ???

The new style wing root is fitted to every 747 after line number 703 it's not just a -400 thing :)