A-330 Winglet on 1 side only
 

Am looking out of my window and unless my eyes are getting really bad I am looking at an A-330 belonging to Afriqiyah with a winglet on the RH wing but not the LH.

As it just landed OK I assume this doesn't affect the performance too much or give any assymentry problems but it is surprising to me.

Is it normal to fly like this ?

Don't know about the bus but on another type which I flew we could despatch with one winglet missing but not with two missing.
Only reason I can think of is just that the manufacturer hadn't bothered to have both missing certificated.

Obviously its not normal to fly with a winglet missing however the A330 can be despatched IAW with cdl/mel if one has to be removed due to damage etc, clearly performance penalties are inccured

Or the penalty for one missing is small enough to allow use of certified data, but two missing is enough of an effect to incur larger or more complex penalties that may breach the spirit of the CDL process.

of course it isnt normal did you think airbus built it like that , your not a spotter by any chance are you?

Cut the attitude kev~, He wasn't asking if they are built like that, only if it is normal for them to fly like that.
What does it matter if he is a spotter or not? He's obviously not a sky god like yourself.

kevlarcarl, You really are a nasty piece of work. I thought you'd been banned due to your pointless drivel. Mods ??

A330 winglets are occasionally damaged whilst taxiing. The MEL / CDL allows for one to be detached and flown as such . There is no reason to detach the other one for reasons of symmetry .
The main penalty is the 'tea and biscuits ' thing with the Chiel Pilot , but by which time blame can be apportioned elsewhere.

Not the norm obviously but allowable none the less..........................

From the CDL…………….winglets, 2 fitted, one may be missing provided hole is covered. The following performance penalties are applicable:

Take off and approach climb performance limiting weights are reduced by 17 150kgs

One engine inoperative net ceiling reduced by 884ft

Fuel consumption increased by 1.20%


http://www.jetphotos.net/img/1/1/6/6...5487661_tb.jpg

The same applies to A340 as well. May be dispatched minus ONE winglet only!

eg. A340-600 (increased growth weight 380 tons)

Taken from CDL 6.01.57 page 2:

Max take-off reduced from 380 000 kg's to 342 900kgs,

take-off limiting weight is reduced by 12010 kgs

Approach climb performance limiting weight reduced by 18860 kg

one engine in operative ceiling is reduced by 260 ft

fuel consumption is increased by 1.04%

I flew LHR - CPT in a 340 with a missing winglet, the captain announced very soon into the flight that 'those of you on the left hand side may notice the unusual appearance of the wing tip ....' and went on to explain that it had been damaged in a taxiing incident, that flying without it was perfectly safe and incurred a slight drag penalty, and that it would be replaced at the earliest opportunity. It was very well handled in humourous and professional manner.

The genius down there wile taxing on the Benghazi apron hit with the wingtip the tail of an A300 belonging to their sister airline Libyan Arab.

Freshly upgraded Chap from 320 and tech pilot on the right seat.

Air Jamaica A340
 

It's the same thing with the 747-400. I fitted one once and it was ok in a nice warm hangar with an overhead crane and the correct sling. Removing a serviceable one outside, from a manlift with a Coles crane, without damaging it would be another matter. I suspect that is another reason they leave the good one on. Also what do you do with it when you've got it off?


Rgds Dr I

Amazing performance changes detailed there, just goes to show how advanced the design of these winglets/wings have become.

GR.

We have removed them on the line, not really a big deal, took about six of us to hand ball it off

MD-11 too..

Thanks those of you who gave the helpful replies.

It seems the aeroplane has been flying with a winglet off for a while.

JetPhotos.Net Photo » 5A-ONF (CN: 999) Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A330-202 by Pascal MAILLOT

JetPhotos.Net Photo » 5A-ONF (CN: 999) Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A330-202 by Darren Varney

I think the main reason for only one being allowed simply
is because the extra certification process for 2 missing costs alot of $$
and the chances for 2 being gone at the same time is remote.

XPM

This is the penalty to loss of 1 winglet on A330-300


VR :cool: