What Is This Flap On The DC10 For? — Tech Ops Forum

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What Is This Flap On The DC10 For?

NEMA From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2006, 680 posts, RR: 0
Posted (5 years 10 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 3071 times:

Can someone explain what this flap/door is for on the DC10.

You can see it on the following a.net photo just under the windows directly below the letters N & T of International.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1238700/M/

I have just seen an interesting video where this flap is open as the aircraft powers up for take off and it then, as the aircraft begins to accelerate, it closes. Is this automatic, was it forgotton or do you suggest it was closed manually by the crew at that time?

There isnt really a dark side to the moon, as a matter of fact its all dark!

2 replies: All unread, jump to last

474218 From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 6340 posts, RR: 9
Reply 1, posted (5 years 10 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 3061 times:

It's the forward outflow valve.

Avioniker From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 1109 posts, RR: 11
Reply 2, posted (5 years 10 months 1 day ago) and read 3034 times:

It's automatic.
From the time the aircraft starts its takeoff run, until it passes through 5000 ft, the pressurization controller maintains the aircraft cabin at the field elevation.
That's in case they have to return to the runway.
Keeps ears from popping and limits undue stress on a number of components that are vented to the outside air.
That is, of course, if the engineer is using the automatic mode of the pressurization controller.

Smile