E Jet Walkaround Question
 

Hi All,

Could anybody identify that window-like opening just below the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer?
[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/xp/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/xp/Asztal/1599869.jpg[/IMG]www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/photo/Azul---Brazi...b046a949411b40
Many thanks,
b

Oh, sorry for that mess, it's: Photos: Embraer ERJ-170-100LR 170LR Aircraft Pictures | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!http://www.pprune.org/www.!!!!!!!!!!...818962c10d23b4

haven't touched the ejet for over a year now, but that panel gives you access to the aft equipment area behind the pressure bulkhead. there's a catwalk, around it, you'll find a hyd pump or two....don't remember that well, but also the horizontal stab actuator....a lot of room out there.

That's the "scary hole". Shine a torch in there at night and the interior appears to be a large void. The scary bit is the screw jack for the stabilizer which you'll see to the rear of the void. It doesn't look big enough nor does it look as if it connected to much. To think that the whole tail (and therefore the entire aircraft) is dependent on this feeble component is VERY scary. However, if you shine a torch so you can see towards the front you'll see why it is open. The outflow valve vents into the void which this mesh covers.

PM

Many thanks for your answers. Is it a transparent window or a mesh cover? I can't tell it from this picture. (It's strange that it is not included in the standard walkaround checklist.)
And you mean the main outflow valve is in there? Perhaps on the aft pressure bulkhead?
Cheers,
b

It's mesh and the outflow valve is on the rear pressure bulkhead.

PM

Hydraulic system 3 in there along with that scary HSA. The APU fadec is in there too I think. Unpressurised and allows access to the outside of the rear pressure bulkhead with both the safety valve and the negative pressure relief valve.

The outflow valve isn't on the aft bulkhead. It's in the recirculation bay and opens into the wing/fuselage fairing.