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Posted on 10/24/2006 9:42:44 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative
EVERETT, Wash, Oct. 23, 2006 -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) opened and closed the swing tail for the 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter for the first time Oct. 10. The 747 LCF is currently at the Boeing Everett factory for tests on the swing tail, a major modification to the airplane that allows large pieces to be loaded and unloaded from the back of the airplane. These tests are the first time the LCF swing tail has opened.
Since its first flight, the 747 LCF has accomplished 55 flight-test hours and 270 hours of ground tests. The 747 LCF will transport major components of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.
Very cool. The ring of locks on that is pretty impressive.
(Groans at Airbust ...)
An absolutely amazing aircraft! My hat's off to those Boeing engineers.
Saw this bad boy take off the other day.
Goodbye Airbus bttt
Should make for some pretty quick left turns at Albuquerque.
The Froggies at Airbust are very sad. Thanks for the ping.
How do you air drop from that thing???
I have a hard time believing that line. This might have been the first time it has opened after a flight, but it can't be the very first time it opened.
Writers these days!
Once?
They make an extremely sharp left turn.
Is there a technical term for the locks?
If not I have dibs on "lockeron". Get it? longeron-lock!
sigh..., I'm just a structures weeny. I don't get to come up with nifty things. My only joy is crushing a designers dreams with huge design loads.
enthusiastic designer approaches me with a bright shiny new design, grinning ear to ear
After a long pause I frown then say "You did design for the case in which an 85th percentile hippopotamus suddenly snaps into being midair in front of the aircraft while it's in a dive right?smile starts slipping
Normally a 1.5 factor of safety would apply...smile now gone, "You sure about 2.4? I've never heard of,"I look tentatively at designer
"But I hear where they've started conservation projects for hippos and their numbers have really increased.. Yep, you'll have to use a factor of safety of,... (I notice it's the 24th of the month) 2.4! Yes, definitely 2.4!
Hey do I need to show you the MILSPEC??? I point to thirty foot tall stack of ordinary aerospace magsnow with a zombi-like dejected look "No, thank you for your help, I'll go crunch some numbers, or,... something.
I'm grinning ear-to-ear "No problem! Keep up the good work"
You are a cruel man!
I understand the physics of flight, but I still love to watch (and listen to) something as big as a 747 take off...
Wow!
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