CanadianNorth From Canada, joined Aug 2002, 3371 posts, RR: 10 Reply 1, posted (4 years 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 10859 times:
Don't know for sure, but my guess is it would allow the pilots to climb and crawl back there and have a visual look at the flaps etc. should they suspect damage or the instruments have issues.
Hatbutton From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 1451 posts, RR: 15 Reply 2, posted (4 years 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 10817 times:
Yeah there is usually one window on freighters for maintenance to view the wing. You don't really notice it ever until you know it's there. Now whenever I look at a freighter aircraft, it just pops out at me.
Max550 From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 1113 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (4 years 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 10684 times:
Quoting Hatbutton (Reply 2): Yeah there is usually one window on freighters for maintenance to view the wing. You don't really notice it ever until you know it's there. Now whenever I look at a freighter aircraft, it just pops out at me.
I was looking at other pictures of the 777F and it doesn't appear to have a window on the other side. I could be wrong, maybe I'm just not noticing it, but wouldn't they put them on both sides to view the wings?
Hatbutton From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 1451 posts, RR: 15 Reply 6, posted (4 years 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 10496 times:
Quoting Max550 (Reply 3): I was looking at other pictures of the 777F and it doesn't appear to have a window on the other side. I could be wrong, maybe I'm just not noticing it, but wouldn't they put them on both sides to view the wings?
Hmm good point. I don't see it on the other side either looking at some AF pics. When you look at pics of a 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, A300 and A310 you can see windows on both sides. Don't know why it wouldn't be on the 777.
Quoting Cospn (Reply 5): You want to be able to look out/in before you open the door
AS's 737-400 freighter has it on both sides for maintenance purposes. If you look at pics of other freighters...the window is not on an overwing exit door. So I don't think that's the only reason. This FX MD-11 is a good example of it not being strategically on a door.
OldAeroGuy From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 3206 posts, RR: 66 Reply 8, posted (4 years 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 10293 times:
Quoting Ha763 (Reply 7): It is actually right next to the door. But, I agree, it is to be able to check for clearance before opening the door, especially from the inside.
You're correct. The window is there so a person inside the airplane can observe the location of the cargo loader prior to opening the cargo door.
Airplane design is easy, the difficulty is getting them to fly - Barnes Wallis
WestWing From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2112 posts, RR: 8 Reply 9, posted (4 years 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 10253 times:
A few questions for anyone that may know the answers. Sorry if they are off topic
a. Would it be standard operating procedure for a person to be inside the upper cargo bay with the cargo door closed, or would this happen only in very rare and unusual circumstances?
b. Is it conceivable that the main-deck cargo door could be used as an alternate emergency egress of last resort for the cockpit crew? Is it possible to open the main deck cargo door from inside (at least wide enough for human passage) without hydraulic / electric power?
(Edited to reword the questions)
[Edited 2009-05-09 17:41:34]
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AirTran737 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3639 posts, RR: 12 Reply 10, posted (4 years 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 10126 times:
Quoting WestWing (Reply 9): a. Would it be standard operating procedure for a person to be inside the upper cargo bay with the cargo door closed, or would this happen only in very rare and unusual circumstances?
Happens all of the time. Freight makes an excellent bed. Go back, find a soft, flat pallet, and go to sleep (bring a bottle of Oxygen with you just in case.)
Quoting WestWing (Reply 9): b. Is it conceivable that the main-deck cargo door could be used as an alternate emergency egress of last resort for the cockpit crew? Is it possible to open the main deck cargo door from inside (at least wide enough for human passage) without hydraulic / electric power?
Not really. The door controls on the MD-11 are only available by opening the L1 door partially, and you need to have electric as well as hydraulic power to get her open. You'd be better served jumping out the flight deck window, or going through the hell hole if possible.
Nice Trip Report!!! Great Pics, thanks for posting!!!! B747Forever
TheGov From United States of America, joined Apr 2003, 400 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (4 years 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 9963 times:
I have wondered why the main deck cargo door was designed aft of the wing on the 777F. Most freighters, with the exception of the 747 (which has a nose door on some models), have their main deck cargo doors fore of the wing. Was it done for balance purposes?
Pellegrine From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1845 posts, RR: 8 Reply 12, posted (4 years 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 9927 times:
Quoting TheGov (Reply 11): I have wondered why the main deck cargo door was designed aft of the wing on the 777F. Most freighters, with the exception of the 747 (which has a nose door on some models), have their main deck cargo doors fore of the wing. Was it done for balance purposes?
I presume:
Yes, so they can load it fore to aft quickly. Just so it doesn't tip on it's tail. If the door was in front they'd have to load it by moving each pallet "just enough" so it doesn't tip, weight would have to be kept in front of the CG.
Zeke From Hong Kong, joined Dec 2006, 7725 posts, RR: 73 Reply 13, posted (4 years 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 9885 times:
Quoting TheGov (Reply 11): I have wondered why the main deck cargo door was designed aft of the wing on the 777F. Most freighters, with the exception of the 747 (which has a nose door on some models), have their main deck cargo doors fore of the wing. Was it done for balance purposes?
Maybe just the lack of physical room to get the ground equipment into that position.
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