AF1 at Daytona
Thread Starter

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 865
Likes: 15
From: Greater Aldergrove
AF1 at Daytona
Folks, just watching this video of AF1 touching down at Daytona. At about 1:07, on touchdown, the outboard port gear seems to skip forward and then rebound as all four wheels finally touch...the flaps immediately behind also seem to bounce fairly heavily. This despite what looks like a benign touchdown.
I'm guessing this has to be 'normal', but it does look fairly significant (appreciating that gear can take a lot more punishment than this if required).
Any thoughts?
tdracer might be able to share some expertise?
I'm guessing this has to be 'normal', but it does look fairly significant (appreciating that gear can take a lot more punishment than this if required).
Any thoughts?
tdracer might be able to share some expertise?

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 79
From: Denver
As to the flaps - the 747 flaps do wobble quite a lot, in all kinds of conditions. The inner tips are hanging out there about 10 feet from the nearest "visible means of support" (the inboard flap track).
The #1 wheel on the port bogie looks to me as though its brake might have been locked - or at least sticky. That may have produced enough brief asymmetrical force or torque on the main strut to produce that wobble. Or there may also be a shimmy damper, torque link or whatever in need of service.
I'll always bow to tdracer - although I think his speciality is powerplants.
The #1 wheel on the port bogie looks to me as though its brake might have been locked - or at least sticky. That may have produced enough brief asymmetrical force or torque on the main strut to produce that wobble. Or there may also be a shimmy damper, torque link or whatever in need of service.
I'll always bow to tdracer - although I think his speciality is powerplants.



Joined: Jul 2013
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 5,682
Likes: 3,347
From: Everett, WA
As pattern notes, I'm a powerplant guy, and while I'm knowledgeable about the current AF1 aircraft (I worked on both of them), landing gear and flaps are out of my expertise.
Sorry...
Sorry...
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Singapore
It definitely looks like a bit of a brake problem on that left-wing gear, the rear wheels touch down and do not spin up (well left one doesn't).
It is not until the whole truck is on the ground that the wheels spin up hence the judder on the gear. Maybe an auto brake/antiskid issue.
It is not until the whole truck is on the ground that the wheels spin up hence the judder on the gear. Maybe an auto brake/antiskid issue.




