Ask The Pilot

[jb747]

Just posted. Some memorabilia for @jb747:

A few familiar faces in there. Some of the aircraft are still flying, for Draken in the USA. They live on.

There were only ever about 60 Australian A-4 pilots, and another 15 or so from various exchanges. I tracked down almost everyone about 7 years ago, and made up a contact list. 15 ended up flying for airlines (QF, Cathay, Emirates, Alaskan), 4 flew Sea Harriers (and 3 became RN squadron COs), 5 flew Mirage, and 3 subsequently the F18. 2 flew the F-111 (and one who shall remain nameless, knocked that back). Two became COs of RAAF squadrons, and one became the Chief of the Defence Force. Oh, and 3 became (or already were) doctors.

 

[747sp]

I was looking at an article on the 777x and the photos to me show the engine as very close to the ground.
I hope I am using the right terms but will the roll of the plane and/or the compression of the landing gear be an issue when landing with striking the runway or how is that risk mitigated?


New Boeing will be the world’s longest, widest passenger plane

 

[jb747]

I was looking at an article on the 777x and the photos to me show the engine as very close to the ground.
I hope I am using the right terms but will the roll of the plane and/or the compression of the landing gear be an issue when landing with striking the runway or how is that risk mitigated?

Whilst the engines are very low, I think you'll find he most likely point of contact would be the wingtip (on the 777). I can't find the roll angle required for an engine strike on this aircraft, but I expect that it would be about 12º or so. It's a small angle, but, actually a huge one with regard to landing a big aircraft. Pilots get twitchy with more than about 3º in the flare. The most likely aircraft to strike engines on the ground is the 747. I've never heard of a 380 doing it.

Mitigation...it's largely a pilot technique issue. It's not a small aircraft, so don't fly it like one.