Talk Morgan Forums Community General Photo Gallery Bendy 787

I love the Qatar 787 fleet very comfortable & quiet.
I know this is not a great photo but as dawn came up today over the Gulf I couldn't stop taking a snap of how far the wing bends.

The understanding of materials in that plane is incredible (I hope)!!

Isn't that the Loch Ness Monster ?

Good catch, Stewart ...

The Qatar 787 is very well configured. I've used it a few time OSL to DOH. Love the electronic windows. Even the toilet has a window!

No the loo was locked so he pee'd out the widow the wind was cold, it froze his todger.

You not worried about people looking in?

Have you seen a B52 wings?

The name Dreamliner was a worldwide choice. Had the US alone had the choice it would have been Global Cruiser. Good job they didn't ask us in the UK. (Planey- McPlaneface?)

Boeing built a tent to house/hide an Ethiopian 787 at Heathrow after a small emergency battery burnt a hole in the fuselage. They are brilliant

I spent the first part of the journey planning which country I would more like to pee over...chose Iran if I recall correctly!

I never flew the 78 but have some time on the 76 & finished career on A330.
What I understand is that any damage caused by lightning is difficult to find on composites. On conventional structure the "burn" holes or scorched rivet is plain to see. So on the 78 a report of a lightning strike, takes a significantly longer inspection than on say the 76. Also it has to be confirmed that no de lamination has occurred.
Of interest despite aviation being quite mature, mother nature is still coming up with surprises. Some of the newer engine varients have highlighted the phenomena of very fine ice crystals near thunderstorms at high level. These have caused ice build up on the N1 (fan blades) causing engine failures. So again stressing avoidance of thunderstorms.
Years at 20 nautical miles was the norm deviation from a red return on the weather radar. Now recomended 50. In some airspace eg China this can be difficult to get atc clearance for. However declaring a mayday as a last resort has the desired effect.
On occasions sometimes their is no way through in which case you turn around but that is very rare. It is not unusual to be up to 200 Nm off track in some parts of the world avoiding weather.
Like all professions, experience counts for a hell of a lot on the decision wether or not to penetrate significant weather. Unfortunately that experience is not always available in some airlines. Not long before I retired coming back over the Atlantic on a pitch black night I commented to the co-pilot that you only clip the top of one of these build ups ( big cumulus clouds) once in your career. He looked at me as if he hadn't a clew what I was talking about. Until you've been thrown about & lost your airspeed indications & had the engine low oil pressure lights twinkling. ( negative g) you haven't lived.
So is it dangerous? Well no not with a well trained experienced crew as the aircraft will be fine & control will be regained ( if ever lost) rapidly.
But it therefore follows that I am carefull which airlines I give my money too.
As for my friends who operate the 78 they say she is absolutely "gorgeous" to fly & the level of redundancy is incredible. (How many systems you can loose)