757 Question

[undatc]

Hey, I think I already know the answer to this, but I figured I'd ask anyways.  I frequently fly home from Grand Forks to Seattle via MSP.  The trek from MSP to SEA is generally made on a 757-300 and I usually have a window seat.  Ive noticed on the 753 that under the wings there are pod that articulate with flaps.  Im sure they have these on other planes too, but I've only noticed them on the 753.

Now from what I remember from my aerodynamics class, I think these are for keeping the laminar flow fast, and non turbulent.  Also to help the high pressure stay under the wing and enhance the lift properties of the wing.  Right?

Here's a pic, I circled the pods.  It's a 752 but im sure they are identical.

[Frank N. O.]

I don't know much about 757's but speaking from a construction point of view then couldn't it "just" be covers for the frames that extend and hold the flaps? There's a lot of force acting on those I'd think so they need to be strong.

Frank

[Herk Fixer]

Good answer, Frank!  Those are indeed the aerodynamic covers for the flap tracks (often called flap guides).  If you can take a closer look, you'll see the fixed tracks and the carriages on which the flaps move.

[Baradium]

What herk fixer said, I believe on that aircraft there are screws that turn to extend the flaps.   The mechanism for these aircraft is fairly large so it needs a cover, on the 1900 we are closer to what a cessna uses for flap movement.

And....

So you're in SEATAC a lot?   I've started using SEATAC as my primary jumping off point getting out of Alaska when I'm going to the lower 48...

[Baradium]

Well I guess a lot is relative.  Im there every other month or so.  We get a 4 day weekend from class so ill find me a cheap ticket and fly home.  Seems like a lot to me, but I know there are many people that fly weekly if not more often.  Ill be flying out KSEA on Jan 7th to go back to the frozen wasteland.

Would love to drop by and say hi sometime, but I'm probobly not going outside again until February or so.     That seems like a lot to me as well btw. 

[Baradium]

Europe eh?

How about Kaktovik, AK?   Can't get away from it all much more than that! 

[Baradium]

Well, if Kaktovik has as sweet party scene, beer, and women as Amsterdam, then we will be right up!

Just got to Bethel and tell them you're a pilot.  :p


Kaktovik might be a dry village, I don't remember.   

But up here we've got the northern lights. 

[Baradium]

We get them in Nodak.  And I wont be 21 by the time Spring Break rolls around so i need a place with sensiable alchy laws.  Thought the ladies didnt go for pilots up there??

Yeah, but we fly through and under them.  Watching the Northern lights passing off each side and all around is something else.  Last thursday off to the sides the lights were actually below our altitude.  There's a difference between seeing a glow on the horizon and seeing the actual bands.  Really recommend it. 

As far as the ladies... that just depends on how picky you are, and willing to go out to the villages.  In the villages, pilots are still held in pretty darn high regard, side effect of aviation being the only way in or out...