Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

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Gatorman96
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Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:39 am

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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!
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KC135Hydraulics
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:57 am

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.
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zeke
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:27 am

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.
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longhauler
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:53 am

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.
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KC135Hydraulics
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:11 am

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!
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AA737-823
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:11 am

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.

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...
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Gatorman96
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Wed Jan 23, 2013 12:56 pm

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...
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Polot
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:40 pm

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.
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longhauler
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:42 pm

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.
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AC_B777
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:17 am

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.
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Gatorman96
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Thu Jan 24, 2013 1:08 pm

Quoting AC_B777 (Reply 9):

Cool. Thanks for the info!
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B777LRF
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RE: Air Canada Flap Track Fairing Speed Tape?

Sat Jan 26, 2013 12:32 pm

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

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