Iconic Aircraft Aviation Forum

by **Dan4th** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:15 am

Yeah, I agree.......

The wings DO look a little "Rutanesque".

But they WORK!

Danf.

by **Xplumberlives** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:40 am

INOVATION!

by **Nickolas** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:01 pm

Wonder how far they will flap in turbulence?? =))

by **Dan4th** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:08 pm

Well, they say the wings are actually stronger
than "normal" ones by a significant margin.

Also, I guess the biggest reason for the two-year
delay was in getting the wing roots just right.
There was some minor delamination that occured
during the most extreme testing procedures which
required some re-engineering in order to meet
their strength goals which were higher than for
a conventional metallic structure.

First deliveries ought to be next August/September
and in service by ?????????

Danf.

by **Xplumberlives** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:36 pm

Dan4th wrote:Well, they say the wings are actually stronger
than "normal" ones by a significant margin.

Also, I guess the biggest reason for the two-year
delay was in getting the wing roots just right.
There was some minor delamination that occured
during the most extreme testing procedures which
required some re-engineering in order to meet
their strength goals which were higher than for
a conventional metallic structure.

First deliveries ought to be next August/September
and in service by ?????????

Danf.

When money is available!

by **Nickolas** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:46 pm

Dan4th wrote:Well, they say the wings are actually stronger
than "normal" ones by a significant margin.

Also, I guess the biggest reason for the two-year
delay was in getting the wing roots just right.
There was some minor delamination that occured
during the most extreme testing procedures which
required some re-engineering in order to meet
their strength goals which were higher than for
a conventional metallic structure.

First deliveries ought to be next August/September
and in service by ?????????

Danf.

Ah, but will the public understand the technology??? All they will see is the wings flapping and they won't like seeing that. The proof as they say will be in the pudding.

by **Sooty655** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:15 pm

Nickolas wrote:The proof as they say will be in the pudding.

I think you will find that the proof OF the pudding WILL BE IN THE EATING, (especially at Christmas).

by **Xplumberlives** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:16 pm

Bravo!

by **Dan4th** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:56 pm

Sooty655 wrote:
Nickolas wrote:The proof as they say will be in the pudding.

I think you will find that the proof OF the pudding WILL BE IN THE EATING, (especially at Christmas).

Proof?

You put a little nip of something in your pudding?

Makes sense to ME!

Danf.

by **Xplumberlives** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:59 pm

In it, on it or all over it, just don't set fire to it and waste the alcoholic content!

by **Dan4th** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:08 pm

Back on topic, is there anyone on here
who would NOT fly on the 787 due to
having seen that wing flex?

Danf.

by **Dougs** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:14 pm

the flex in the wing should make for a smoother ride as they will absorb the turbulance better, i would fly on one no problems and i have real 'issues' with crap planes

(and i hate flying)

by **Xplumberlives** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:15 pm

Nice to see the junior OFF TOPIC POLICE are patrolling the threads! Yes, given the chance i would happily fly in the 787!

by **Sooty655** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:06 pm

Dan4th wrote:Back on topic, is there anyone on here
who would NOT fly on the 787 due to
having seen that wing flex?

Danf.

With a metal structure, the time to worry is when it stops flexing. which indicates it has become work-hardened and is about to fail. I don't know if the same applies to plastic aeroplanes, but I suspect it doesn't.

Perhaps the wings stop flapping when they touch at the top.

by **Saracenman** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:10 pm

which is exactly what i asked on the previous page...

Saracenman wrote:i know carbon fibre and other composites have been flying for some time, but I'm still curious about its fatigue life, and pertinent testing, compared to aluminium - anyone know the score?

i guess there are test procedures, but anyone know what they are?

sm

by **Dan4th** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:14 pm

Perhaps the wings stop flapping when they touch at the top.

Now, THERE'S a Concept!

As far as testing goes, I do know that because of the
revolutionary nature of this application of plastics
technology, everything has been over-engineered
and tested to far higher loads than would have been
done with the regular stuff. If it's new, you need to
be twice as sure -- not only for Boeing's peace of mind
but for the general public's as well......

Danf.

by **Sooty655** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:21 pm

Saracenman wrote:i know carbon fibre and other composites have been flying for some time, but I'm still curious about its fatigue life, and pertinent testing, compared to aluminium - anyone know the score?

Boeing 1 - Plastic Nil

But the game ain't hardly started yet.

by **Saracenman** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:23 pm

i can understand the stress testing aspect Danf, but what about longer-term fatigue issues?

sm

by **Dan4th** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:20 pm

Well, the problem with plastic is that it
dries out. Anyone with a 10 year old car
can tell you that. Expensive plastic dries
out much slower, but even then it's the
loss of the esters that causes brittleness
and cracking -- in other words, the whole
complex molecular structure breaks down.

Perhaps by the use of special coatings, the
loss of moisture can be contained and
slowed-down. Perhaps at regular intervals,
like at "Major" time, the critical suraces
both exterior and interior need to be treated
with some rejuvenating substance and re-sealed.
You can also be certain that all of those
critical areas will be monitored very closely
by manufacturer, operators and regulatory
agencies.

I'm sure the same concerns were encountered
and addressed when the first all-metal kites
were produced in the 1920s. Of course, the
method then was trial and error -- crashes
led to fixes. Doesn't work that way now!

That's one reason I'm damned happy the 787
took an extra two years to get airborne!
Boeing can't afford a Comet or an Electra II
at this stage.........

Oh, and here's a nice vid with NO MUSIC!

Danf.

by **Saracenman** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:38 pm

D4th wrote:...with NO MUSIC!

i suggest you go and wash your lug 'oles out Danf =))

cracking video though :ymapplause:

sm

by **Dan4th** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:25 pm

Well, when I lugged it over here YouTube had
disallowed the soundtrack.......

And I see that piece of rope's still hanging off
the tail........

Anyone figured out what it is and what it's for yet?

Danf.

by **Nickolas** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:29 pm

Dan4th wrote:Well, when I lugged it over here YouTube had
disallowed the soundtrack.......

And I see that piece of rope's still hanging off
the tail........

Anyone figured out what it is and what it's for yet?

Danf.

They use it to tell which way the wind is blowing while flying. =))