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Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Gatorman96 From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 704 posts, RR: 0
Posted (4 months 4 weeks ago) and read 2002 times:

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I noticed green tape on the fairings as well as the wing fence. I checked other AC images in the database and noticed that this occurred exclusively on A32X series aircraft. Can anybody shed some light on what this is and its purpose? Thanks in advance!

Cha brro

11 replies: All unread, jump to last

KC135Hydraulics From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 165 posts, RR: 0
Reply 1, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 1990 times:

My guess is it is some sort of reflective tape for ground handling. The wingtip fences stick out, and occasionally flaps might be lowered full down for misc. maintenance. That might enhance their visibility during night time operations/maintenance.

zeke From Hong Kong, joined Dec 2006, 7770 posts, RR: 73
Reply 2, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 1967 times:

Might be due to the environment thy operate in, the dark color would be visible if snow/ice was on it, and may aid in the prevention of build up.

We are addicted to our thoughts. We cannot change anything if we cannot change our thinking – Santosh Kalwar

longhauler From Canada, joined Mar 2004, 4316 posts, RR: 36
Reply 3, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1950 times:

Quoting KC135Hydraulics (Reply 1):
My guess is it is some sort of reflective tape for ground handling. The wingtip fences stick out, and occasionally flaps might be lowered full down for misc. maintenance. That might enhance their visibility during night time operations/maintenance.

That is it exactly. It is reflective tape to point out a vulnerable extrusion from the wings to ground crew. It used to be red, now it is the same green as the outline of exits, and shadow of the name/logo.

Never gonna grow up, never gonna slow down .... Barefoot Blue Jean Night

KC135Hydraulics From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 165 posts, RR: 0
Reply 4, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1941 times:

Quoting longhauler (Reply 3):
That is it exactly. It is reflective tape to point out a vulnerable extrusion from the wings to ground crew. It used to be red, now it is the same green as the outline of exits, and shadow of the name/logo.

Alright! Thanks for confirming!

AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 5385 posts, RR: 11
Reply 5, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1831 times:

So... why isn't in on flap canoe fairings across the entire AC fleet? The A-320 isn't the only aircraft with protruding canoes...

gatorman96 From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 704 posts, RR: 0
Reply 6, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1812 times:

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I really appreciate it.

Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 5):
So... why isn't in on flap canoe fairings across the entire AC fleet? The A-320 isn't the only aircraft with protruding canoes...

This was going to be my next question...

Cha brro

Polot From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 1592 posts, RR: 0
Reply 7, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1794 times:

Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 5):

My guess is that AC believes the A32X family is at that "sweet spot" where incidents are likely to occur from the ground crew being careless and not paying close attention. The 767/A330/777 wings are much higher making it harder to hit the canoes, while the Embraer and CRJ wings are lower, making it harder for the ground crew to not notice them.

longhauler From Canada, joined Mar 2004, 4316 posts, RR: 36
Reply 8, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1793 times:

Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 5):
So... why isn't in on flap canoe fairings across the entire AC fleet? The A-320 isn't the only aircraft with protruding canoes...

It's all numbers.

What gets hit the most, gets the reflective tape.

Never gonna grow up, never gonna slow down .... Barefoot Blue Jean Night

AC_B777 From Canada, joined Aug 2000, 785 posts, RR: 13
Reply 9, posted (4 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 1689 times:

Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 5):
So... why isn't in on flap canoe fairings across the entire AC fleet? The A-320 isn't the only aircraft with protruding canoes...

If you look at the proximity of the rear cargo doors on the A320/319 in relation to the canoes, they are fairly close. Much closer on the A320/319 than on any other a/c in the fleet. AC uses ULD's on the A320's and there have been many canoes hit while maneuvering container loaders on/off the rear of the a/c. Also a few incidents where belt loaders have come in contact with them on the 319.
It's only been the last few years where AC has applied the tape to the left side canoes...it used to be applied only to the right side.

In life, some days you are the bug..... some days you are the windshield!

gatorman96 From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 704 posts, RR: 0
Reply 10, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1545 times:

Quoting AC_B777 (Reply 9):

Cool. Thanks for the info!

Cha brro

B777LRF From Luxembourg, joined Nov 2008, 1015 posts, RR: 3
Reply 11, posted (4 months 3 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 1285 times:

BA (and others) paint the tip of the canoes in day-glo orange for the exact same reason.

From receips and radials over straight pipes to big fans - been there, done that, got the hearing defects to prove

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