Quote:
Originally posted by myv65
Yeah, I'm sure you've also seen destructive testing of the wings, too. That's something that I still have a hard time believing even though I've had all the classes. I forget the precise numbers, but they cycle the wingtip on a 747 something like 21 feet. Makes it look literally like a bird flapping its wings.
Also cracks me up when people on planes get nervous because they see the engines rolling around a little during flight. They don't realize that if things were stiffer, the reaction forces would also be significantly higher. LOL, I'm a geek, but I'm glad for the education I've got and wouldn't trade it for anything.
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I haven't seen destructive testing, but I've seen engines destroyed! British Airways (the Almighty airline!) had a 747 run into a flock of birds on landing: they lost 2 engines. We fixed 1, and they flew in a spare. Interestingly, they have a 5th motor mount under one of the wings of their 747s, strictly for carrying a dead engine, so they flew it back to London for a rebuild. It was quite spectacular...
He he, I know what you mean, about those engines, wavering around in flight...