UAL Bagsmasher From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 2131 posts, RR: 11 Posted (12 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1048 times:
I have a question regarding the canoes, I think that's what they are called, on the trailing edge of the B727 wing. They are the somewhat pointy pieces of metal on the underside of the wing. At work yesterday I noticed a B727 being prepared for an outbound flight that was missing one of these pieces. I noticed it a mile away. I asked a mechanic who was working the trip if they were going to dispatch the aircraft with the piece missing. We said yes they were, and it was quite common to fly these planes with one of these parts missing. I'm assumng this is due to lack of spares. He said the resulting drag and is almost nil.
Can any of you A&P's or pilots out there tell me if this is a common practice? If it is, what are the effects of flying with one of the canoe covers missing. Thanks!
AAR90 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 3410 posts, RR: 50 Reply 1, posted (12 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 894 times:
Their proper name is a "fairing" but more commonly called "canoes" by locals unless dealing with the technical folks (who read manuals rather than turn wrenches).
Most fairings are there for cosmetic as much as aerodynamic reasons and there is usually little weight penalty for flying without one (or more).
My DC9 CDL shows a max takeoff weight penalty of 3,100 lbs and max landing weight penalty of 1,300 lbs if one flap hinge fairing is removed. Closest thing to a canoe that aircraft has.
My old 767 CDL shows multiple weight penalties for different configurations and phase of flight from 1,700 lbs to 3,800 lbs.
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JETPILOT From United States of America, joined May 1999, 3130 posts, RR: 32 Reply 2, posted (12 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 881 times:
Boieng calls these flap track fairings.
The CDL AAR90 is refering to is a Configuration Deviation List. It is a list of things that affect the aerodynamic properties of the airframe, and the effects on fuel burn.
The CDL item might also dictate a penalty limiting the MGTOW for the aircraft.
If the item is not contained in the CDL then it is a "No Go" item.
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29352 posts, RR: 62 Reply 3, posted (12 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 854 times:
I can comfirm that the 727 can be flown with one of the flap track fairings removed. Usually it is the one on the right side nearest to the fuselage that is missing. This is because it is the one that if most likely to be damaged by careless postioning/operation of baggage handling equiptment accessing the rear door.
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NKP S2 From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 1714 posts, RR: 6 Reply 4, posted (12 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 835 times:
I've seen CDL's not just for canoes ( yeah, It's a trade acceptable term ) but for even main landing gear doors on certain aircraft as well. Speed restriction varies if it's a "main" door or a strut door...though I've never seen the former actually dispatched that way, even for a ferry.
UAL Bagsmasher From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 2131 posts, RR: 11 Reply 5, posted (12 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 821 times:
Thanks a lot for all your answers! L-188, you were correct about which fairing was missing
Boomer From United States of America, joined May 1999, 102 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (12 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 804 times:
Although not related to the topic on fairings, I wanted to add to the observation offered by NKP S2. Years ago, I was involved in the repair of a KC-10 that had severe damage to the center landing gear wheelwell. A structural failure allowed the gear to over-rotate back under the fuselage. The aircraft was ferried for repair with the center gear held in place with a cargo strap and the gear doors were removed. As it flew overhead, the air noise was amazingly loud.
Greeneyes53787 From United States of America, joined Aug 2000, 844 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 715 times:
This is good info. These flap track covers (in most cases) are especially on Airbusses. Their underwing area appears to me like an inverted display shelf for flap track covers.
But is could be noted that these canoes have a specific purpose and really should be on the aircraft. If they are missing don't expect to achieve the max designed level flight speed (rarely achieved anymore). Also, the flap tracks can stay cleaner with these farings in place.
Critter From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 267 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (12 years 8 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 697 times:
All of these responses are correct. The reasons for removal are always due to damage. Many times these fairings are sent for repair and then are repositioned to a maintenance facility for installation at the airlines convienance. Since most of these fairings are very big bulky, and repairable it is very rare to see many spares sitting in stores, unless it is a commonly damaged part.
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