Virgin Australia B737 Max 8

Can anyone tell me what the yellow things on the tails are for? I'm guessing the tails are delivered pre-assembled and painted. If its for protection, why not do it properly?
 
I'm guessing that's -8IB hiding in the background?
 
Can anyone tell me what the yellow things on the tails are for? I'm guessing the tails are delivered pre-assembled and painted. If its for protection, why not do it properly?
Hi RooFlyer, are you talking about the yellow panel in the middle of the tail? That section of the tail is manufactured from aluminum alloy. The yellow finish is primer. The grey panels surrounding it are all composite hence the different finish. The rudder is painted off aircraft in a paint shop as it has to be balanced. (equal amount of paint each side).
 
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China Aircraft Leasing Co (CALC), the owners/lessors of the VA MAX-8s has reportedly sold their operations to a middle-eastern company recently as per social media and other boards elsewhere (yet to be confirmed).
 
China Aircraft Leasing Co (CALC), the owners/lessors of the VA MAX-8s has reportedly sold their operations to a middle-eastern company recently as per social media and other boards elsewhere (yet to be confirmed).
I was reading some Emirati news articles online this morning and they indicated that DAE is acquiring them and that the sale would be completed in Q3
 
Owned by ZF France as per the tag?
Registered address is in Hong Kong, China.

There is also other shell companies such as "ZF France Aircraft 2", "ZF France Aircraft 3" and so on also registered to the HK address.
 
One of the aviation Facebook pages on my feed cited delays ahead for the next two MAX.

8IB has the rivet issue, arrival now late November into Dec.

8IC on track for next month. Potential delays.
 
The next VA 737 MAX (VH-8IC) should be arriving in Australia next week.

It completed its customer acceptance flight earlier today, and at this stage is scheduled to leave Boeing Field for Kona on Mon 25th Sep as VA9947.

8IB also completed a second test flight.
 

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