787 Test Flight
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787 Test Flight
I hope this does not come across as a stupid question, as im still only a in G.A. and yet to get a start on the jets, but could anyone shed some light on the shute draging behind the tail fin on the test flight of the 787 today. What purpose does it serve???
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Flight Test Instrumentation
I haven't seen the pics in question, but it's probably a trailing cone used to measure static pressure free from the disturbances created by the aircraft.
See this thread from the Flight Testing forum for details.
Grade 3
See this thread from the Flight Testing forum for details.
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GG, lol!
Hi chiko Roll,
I am not certain but I beleive it may be a stall/spin chute, they generally carry them on initial testing flights of large aircraft. If the aircraft enters an unrecoverable stall or spin/ flat spin (or all of them!) that little drag chute can pull out a bigger chute and it causes the aircraft to pitch nose down once it deploys. Once stabilised the crew can then jettison the chute and hopefully then recover from the dive. It's a last defence option of course if the plane behaves badly during stall testing or other manouveres. Or it could just be a chute with instruments to measure possibly turbulent airflow or pressure behind the aircraft. Thats my understanding I read about them ages ago, so if anyone has further info I stand to be corrected!
Hi chiko Roll,
I am not certain but I beleive it may be a stall/spin chute, they generally carry them on initial testing flights of large aircraft. If the aircraft enters an unrecoverable stall or spin/ flat spin (or all of them!) that little drag chute can pull out a bigger chute and it causes the aircraft to pitch nose down once it deploys. Once stabilised the crew can then jettison the chute and hopefully then recover from the dive. It's a last defence option of course if the plane behaves badly during stall testing or other manouveres. Or it could just be a chute with instruments to measure possibly turbulent airflow or pressure behind the aircraft. Thats my understanding I read about them ages ago, so if anyone has further info I stand to be corrected!
Last edited by Angle of Attack; 16th Dec 2009 at 05:36. Reason: Spelling
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If something goes wrong. eg, the wings fall off. Could the pilots bail out, are they wearing parachutes?
I would
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The detachment of a wing from structural failure in flight would create pretty much a chain of destructive events that would have the airframe break up in flight rapidly rendering the pilots unable to do much other than say "I love ya ma"!
As for the trailing chute? It's to catch the sh1t from the pilots when & if a wing did fall off, trust me that gooey stuff would be everywhere hence that's the reason for the saying "I love ya ma" 'cause nobody else would love a 'soiled pilot'!
Lots of wing flex upon rotation I see, fantastic plastic:-) Sleek looking bird though Here's a Q for the boffins in here, much FBW in this beast? I know Boeing said FBW was overrated once upon a time.
I awed at the first arrival of the A300 (TAA's) at Tulla back in the 80's, it's now just an old aeroplane, what's next?
Wmk2
As for the trailing chute? It's to catch the sh1t from the pilots when & if a wing did fall off, trust me that gooey stuff would be everywhere hence that's the reason for the saying "I love ya ma" 'cause nobody else would love a 'soiled pilot'!
Lots of wing flex upon rotation I see, fantastic plastic:-) Sleek looking bird though Here's a Q for the boffins in here, much FBW in this beast? I know Boeing said FBW was overrated once upon a time.
I awed at the first arrival of the A300 (TAA's) at Tulla back in the 80's, it's now just an old aeroplane, what's next?
Wmk2
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During initial A380 test flights the crew were equipped with parachutes. There was an escape hatch located on the cabin floor which was rigged with explosive bolts. In effect it was simply a slide which would enable the crew to clear the aircraft during an in-flight emergency exit. Phew!!
Last edited by DH 200'; 16th Dec 2009 at 08:18.
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Cone Doover
Obviously it is a sensor that activates the auxilliary thronomeister in the event of a premature activation of the flight attendant controlled wing detach mechanism. Don't you guys know nuffin!
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There are a line of perforations along the wing root to ensure the wings cannot detach. This design feature was copied from rolls of toilet paper after Boeing engineers noticed that the paper never tears along the perforations.