AgnusBymaster From United States, joined Feb 2001, 649 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 1 month 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 2929 times:
I was flying on a 737-700 recently, and noticed that the flap-track fairing closest to the fuselage (ie. closest to the left engine) was vibrating pretty seriously while we were on final approach (a high frequency, short arc pendular motion). I started noticing this at flaps 5, but it was more pronounced by flaps 30. The other two flap-track fairings further out on the wing were not vibrating like this, so I assume it was because of the engine wake. It was a very smooth final approach and smooth landing, so nothing out of the ordinary there. Just wondering if you think it's any cause for concern.
Also, on rotation for takeoff, this big splotch of water came down from the ceiling and landed in the aisle. I assumed this was just condensation that got channeled back during takeoff.
Starlionblue From Greenland, joined Feb 2004, 13599 posts, RR: 68 Reply 1, posted (3 years 1 month 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 2921 times:
Vibrations are in most cases a good thing. You'd rather it flexes than snaps. This goes for wings and flap tracks.
Quoting AgnusBymaster (Thread starter): Also, on rotation for takeoff, this big splotch of water came down from the ceiling and landed in the aisle. I assumed this was just condensation that got channeled back during takeoff.
Yes. I have seen both rain and snow in the cabin.
Tact Is For People Who Aren't Witty Enough To Be Sarcastic
AgnusBymaster From United States, joined Feb 2001, 649 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 years 1 month 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 2914 times:
Well frankly, the aft tip of this flap-track fairing was moving from side-to-side so much I thought it might be ready to break off. But, I assumed it was just designed to withstand those forces.
It is normal for some vibration on the inboard canoe fairing. Without seeing it firsthand it is impossible to tell if it was an abnormal amount. There really is not much concern needed at least not as far as your safety is concerned. Canoe fairings have (very rarely) fallen off in flight with no adverse affect on the safety of the aircraft. It does increase drag. You are perfectly within in your right on any flight to report anything you see that you think is out of order. Most of the time passenger reports upon investigation reveal nothing. It does happen though that legitimate discrepancies are detected as a result of a passenger reports. So speak up to the crew.
Pilotaydin From Turkey, joined Sep 2004, 2243 posts, RR: 51 Reply 4, posted (3 years 1 month 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 2844 times:
this is quite normal on the 737, the lower the flap deploys, the more thrust you need because of drag, to a point, and the more it slides down into the exhaust it will vibrate a lot...
The only time there is too much fuel onboard, is when you're on fire!
Dl757md From United States, joined May 2004, 1522 posts, RR: 24 Reply 6, posted (3 years 1 month 18 hours ago) and read 2773 times:
Quoting EMBQA (Reply 5): Most all flap track fairings have built in shock dampers that allow movement due to the air loads that are applied them.
Yes I agree. I didn't mean to make it sound like the inboard canoe was the only one that can vibrate rather I was just referring specifically to what the thread starter saw.