"It looks like we cut it about two inches too short, boys. Do you think they'll notice?"

Flap asymmetry is no joke. We had to make a flaps-up landing once when one of the port flap drive ballscrews exploded in flight when the flaps were deployed. Scary.

I was just trying make fun of the fact we are being shown using a carpenter's tool on a high-precision, high-cost, high-accuracy component.

dang... what kind of aircraft?

V.

Lockheed P-3B Orion. In 1986 we were deployed to Cubi Point, Phillipines. I shouldn't say 'flaps-up' since they were partially deployed, but definitely not in proper landing configuration. I was IFT on the flight.

so many stories... right?

V.

21 and a half years worth.

*smiles... something small I put together some time back - but I think you'll like it.

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/21781700/

V.

I had to laugh at your story of the noise in your berthing from the oil pump.
While stationed on the USS Stennis as a Petty Officer 1st class, my berthing was in a port side forward sponson. I liked it because it was pretty quite during the day and I was shop 9 supervisor during second shift (8pm to 8am).
What I *didn't* know at first was the sponson also housed the CIWS turret right above my rack, the spent brass disposal tube passing about a foot from my head.
Waking from a sound sleep by BBBBRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAA----SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH was the highlight of my day. They held drills for a couple of hours that first time.
Thankfully, they didn't pull drills for the CIWS very often.

oh that's just too good... thank you for sharing.

V.

http://i45.tinypic.com/pn2xc.jpg

Oh dear.

Well,... at least they know...

it's a Boeing - easy fix...

V.

as long as FAA approves...

*smiles slyly...

I have absolutely no use for the FAA.

For the greater part they are a bunch of lazy governmental types who have forgotten everything about aircraft. All they look at now is the paperwork. About the only one I have respect for, and he's retired now, was one of my former bosses and mentors in the industry.

I have so many stories to tell about that bunch and very few of them are complimentary. If there is a problem among their ranks, they sweep it under the rug.

V.

You got a prayer to go with that wing?

No that is the pilot's job

True

Oh, neat.

Will be there for another 2 weeks

*Nods*

that's all I do anymore is paperwork...

V.

Filling in MDRs could be a daunting task as well.

don't get me started... that is the most worthless report the FAA ever came up with.

V.

now you're getting into my area of expertise... what was wrong with it?

V.

It's not attached to the plane?

oh no... if something like this gets damaged it's removed from the aircraft. The aircraft itself is then inspected for damage. If there is none, the damaged part is usually replaced with a new unit and the damaged unit is sent to the shop if the damage is extensive.

V.

Composite delamination caused by water ingestion and exposure to engine exhaust. You can see the outboard part had already patched up (yellowish part near the camera with red filling border)

OK then - that's takes a very special shop with an autoclave. Composite is the future. Sheet metal is so much easier to work.

V.

It's glass fabric, BMS 9-3 if i'm not mistaken, upper skin is 7075-T6

I so miss working on Boeings...

V.

upper, mid or lower flap? :)

Lower, or aft as it is called

Gee I know a couple of aircraft that that flap section is about the same size as their wing panels.