Speed tape, much?
 

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....d398d37996.jpg
Picture via Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfur...to_saudi_from/

I think at some point it might be more efficient to paint the airplane.

B787? There is a known issue with paint adhesion on the wing top surface - https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avia.../SAFO20006.pdf

Haven't seen one that bad before though. Slightly ironic having a QR aircraft in the background.....or is it a QR 787? :E

The made-for-metal-wings-paint is unable to follow the increased bending of the "softer" CFRP-wing and peels of? How about FOD including by all that tape coming off one day?

How might the wrinkles affect the drag profile. Or lift characteristics, stalling speed, Mach trim ?

Are the wrinkles proportional to wing flexing;- effect of mass, manoeuvre, thence control effectiveness.
Could be some interesting test flying in these areas !

Speed tape is an invaluable "quick fix" and I used it, as do most engineers, many times over the years.

The only reason for those wrinkles, and they are excessive, is poor application technique. Once the patch is cut to size, and in place, you simply ensure even pressure is applied and lo and behold, a smooth surface results. It's not a complex technique. And if you do get a wrinkle, you simply remove the patch....and start again.

Didn't there used to be something in the books about surfaces being "clean" in the context of all weather ops and contamination?

I know use of speedtape as/is fairly widespread for small dinks (as per K'n'Cs comment) but wonder if there is any guidance on it being used to cover significant areas of aerodynamically important surfaces?

And I can't help but wonder what the passengers think... doesn't really instill confidence. Even if it works.

Takeoff performance and icing might be affected?

Without having reference to the 787 Structural Repair Manual.

I would say there’s an excessive amount of tape on this wing!

More to the point, surely, is the simple "why"?
I can't think of any reason to use that much, nor anything like it.
I'd love to read the associated Tech Log entry.

Was a weight and balance amendment completed after the tape installation?
Otherwise safety could be compromised!
Hat, coat, door.

The tape is to protect the CFRP from UV damage where the paint has flaked off. Think of it as sun cream.

Absolutely..as a pax if on that aircraft I would be quite alarmed looking out at that wing. Infact I would suggest most people would...

:D
:D
no further comment. Welcome to „banana“ airlines. I would disembark this flight with this a/c on the spot

I remember being somewhat concerned when I noticed a smallish hole in the upper surface of a wing prior to take off.
But when we climbed above the cloud it became obvious that it was just some locallly exposed black CFRP that had looked awfully like a hole in the dull light at ground level.
Doh!

The machine in the background is not a 787. It is triple 7 ...

I hope there is the ADD's raised for these temporary repairs and wonder if they have been applied in accordance with the Boeing instructions for doing so. I suspect not by the shoddy application. Embraer do allow such alloy tape repairs to surface exposed composites and some liberal permanent repair times. However they tend to be under the requirement of an Embraer Technical Directive and with SRM directives of weekly inspections of said repairs as part of the concession to operate. Suspect Boeing as OEM would have a hissy fit if they saw that picture.

And use a pair of scissors to cut it.

Speed tape is used in conjunction with the SRM or AMM procedures to be legally used. Protection of curing aerodynamic sealant, damaged surfaces for environmental protection and other call ups when the manuals require it to solve a line issue. When used with such, it is not a bodge. Does need to be recorded mind as a deferred defect in virtually all cases.

When applying Speed Tape, I used to go over it with the back of a spoon to smooth it out and feather in the edges. With a bit of application you could get quite a good polished finish.