Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Misc. Forums > Passengers & SLF (Self Loading Freight)
Reload this Page >

What was this stream of aerosol I saw?

Wikiposts
Search
Passengers & SLF (Self Loading Freight) If you are regularly a passenger on any airline then why not post your questions here?

What was this stream of aerosol I saw?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 14th Apr 2024, 19:45
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 56
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
What was this stream of aerosol I saw?

I flew on an Airbus A380 last week, sitting over the wing, and from during take-off from LHR until late in the ascent, inboard of at least one of the engines, about where the writing is, there was a thick but tight stream of vapour coming from just in front of and below the leading edge to near the trailing edge where it dissipated. It was as if there was a hose playing upwards hidden just out of sight. It wasn't all along the wing, just this one stream. It was as if there were a fuel leak from the inner engine spraying upwards. But the stream disappeared at some point when we went through clouds. I asked one of the cabin what it was and they did not know.

I also saw it during the landing at LHR on the return trip; I did not see it when landing at DFW.

FWIW I was looking out over the wing to see how it flexed. Most impressive.
Quartz-1 is offline  
Old 14th Apr 2024, 20:10
  #2 (permalink)  
Son of Slot
Super Senior Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
Posts: 1,359
Received 104 Likes on 58 Posts
hello Quartz-1 not sure I've seen you in the Cabin before.

My first guess is that it is condensation formed by the air stream being funnelled through the leading edge. Once that closes - the stream stops. But there will be a proper person along soon to say what is what.
S.o.S. is offline  
Old 14th Apr 2024, 20:13
  #3 (permalink)  

PPRuNe Handmaiden
 
Join Date: Feb 1997
Location: Duit On Mon Dei
Posts: 4,670
Received 42 Likes on 23 Posts
It's more than likely not a fuel leak.
Did it stream over the wing, from the leading edge to the trailing edge?
It does depend on the ambient humidity. It often streams from a vortex generator or other lift device on the leading edge. It's designed to re-energise the boundary layer and/or control spanwise flow.

Someone much smarter will be along soon.
redsnail is offline  
Old 14th Apr 2024, 22:42
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Location: Location!
Posts: 2,302
Received 35 Likes on 27 Posts
What aerosol? A vortex of WD40?

Jack
Union Jack is offline  
The following users liked this post:
Old 14th Apr 2024, 22:54
  #5 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 56
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by S.o.S.
hello Quartz-1 not sure I've seen you in the Cabin before.
I haven’t posted in a long while. Maybe 2020?
Quartz-1 is offline  
Old 14th Apr 2024, 23:01
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: UK
Age: 58
Posts: 3,502
Received 169 Likes on 91 Posts
Here ya go...

TURIN is online now  
The following users liked this post:
Old 15th Apr 2024, 09:31
  #7 (permalink)  
Son of Slot
Super Senior Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
Posts: 1,359
Received 104 Likes on 58 Posts
Thank You TURIN and redsnail.
That is most interesting. I have noticed the small strakes on the engines but did not what they were called. Thanks also to Quartz-1 for asking a good question. Now we wait for someone to tell us which airport it was - without going to the video on YT first!
S.o.S. is offline  
Old 15th Apr 2024, 10:04
  #8 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 56
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by TURIN
That looks spot on! Had I been sat farther forward I'd have seen the origin. Thank you.
Quartz-1 is offline  
The following users liked this post:
Old 15th Apr 2024, 14:25
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 182
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by S.o.S.
Thank You TURIN and redsnail.
That is most interesting. I have noticed the small strakes on the engines but did not what they were called. Thanks also to Quartz-1 for asking a good question. Now we wait for someone to tell us which airport it was - without going to the video on YT first!
I'm going to guess Singapore based on a recent trip to Australia.
SamYeager is offline  
Old 15th Apr 2024, 15:52
  #10 (permalink)  
Son of Slot
Super Senior Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
Posts: 1,359
Received 104 Likes on 58 Posts
SamYeager You are correct claim a free drink at the bar.
S.o.S. is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.