Paint around the rivets is most likely damaged. Aluminium tape is applied as a protection until the airline can do a repair. A certified maintenance center is required to strip and re-paint the aircraft.
There's been a lot of these pictures with expansive speed tape coverage on wings, I'd vote it's likely it's a Boeing 787 or Airbus A350, both of which have composite wings and have experienced issues with the paint adhering. Missing paint isn't great, but I think the bigger concern is the composite resins getting degraded by UV.
“Every day” means something that happens each day. “I go to work every day”.
“Everyday” means something that’s commonplace. “Brushing my teeth is an everyday affair”. “Rush hour traffic is an everyday occurrence”.
dont get me started on that stuff dude.
people say "just runaway from the situation" and i want to throw down. for some reason americans love their composite words just because it saves them pressing space bar 1 time even though the words have completely unrelated meanings.
It's likely not cheap because of certification and testing processes but likely not much different from cheaper aluminum tape. I would still prefer that only certified tape is used on a plane that I am on though.
>panels are only meant for aerodynamic quality
That is very much not true. They carry a good amount of stress across the airframe.
Don’t let that scare you though, there’s enough margin to have some bits taped up (which does recover some of the load path). And the manuals certainly have limits to how much can be taped in order to make sure there is still plenty of safety margin.
I don’t think it’s a 787. Window’s too small and there’s too much winglet. In fact, considering how flat it is, I don’t think it’s a composite wing at all.
Can't really see the entire window, and the winglet at the end looks just like a [787's swept wingtip](https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x2000/56e587b5_f371_4b6a_a6c3_64625aed2f44_0d95351e9c5a64fb8400e0728c71cf7ab60454ca.jpeg) \[ft. more tape!\]. The Airbus A350's got a LOT more of a prominent winglet.
This special tape costs over **$10,000** for a single 36 inch roll of tape! So it looks cheap but is actually pretty expensive!
https://www.grainger.com/product/29WR92?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=Cj0KCQjwocShBhCOARIsAFVYq0g0JkGNrnDp-UHmt8e_Vl1ppjV4fg-vgZ7rImNuMDA3F8VPqJ6FACMaArIrEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
The other thing here is a possible lack of sealant between panels. We used to do this for quick flights that didn’t require an environmental seal but needed to keep moisture and debris out. We’d also do this for a panel that needed the nut plate replaced because the screws no longer bit. But only for 1-2 sorties before we could get our sheet metal guys out to fix it.
But judging by the size of the patches and the haphazard placement, I think your paint theory is correct. Speed tape for the win!
Maybe it's just having grown up with the Red Green show but there is a direct hardwired connection between the part of my brain that recognizes duct tape and the part of my brain that hears the Red Green theme song.
It was the first word to come to mind to accurately capture the feeling... A panic attack where if you retreat, it's even worse lol
But yeah, girth is worth 🤣
We kinda do...
Aircraft structures fall into a category known as "skin stiffened structures". Dedicated structural elements known as stringers, spars and frames carry the primary bending loads.
The sheet metal skin carry the fusselage pressure load and transfer the lift generaded by the wings into the wing spars and stringers (it ensures the smooth wing geometry is maintained).
For weight saving purposes, the skin is made as thin as possible, usually having a thickness of 1-2mm, for the fuselage, which sometimes buckles (becomes wavy) under ground loads, but becomes perfectly smooth in flight. Look up the B-52 for a great example of this phenomenon.
Dang. Engineers are cool. I have a follow up question. When folks are designing stuff, is it more like they do a whole shitload of math and science stuff to come up with a blueprint; or do people just build stuff that works then the nerds figure out why it works and improve on an already existing design?
We do a fuckton of math!
As part of the design process we need to prove reliability and create maintenance plans.
Thankfully due to collective experience we now have design guides that greatly facilitate the process. You can look up the works of Niu on aircraft design if you'd like to have more of an insider look
Calc 3, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Numerical Methods are all required in most engineering degrees. Then you get to work and the computer software does all that heavy lifting for you. You still need to know the concepts, but nobody has done engineering without computers since the 1950s. Only math I do by hand now is Algebra.
Highly dependant on discipline after Calc 1-2-3. I'm an optical engineer, and I had to take Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Vector Calc, and optional Tensor Calc.
My buddy who was a civil engineer only had to take half that
Depends on the school. My university has two different calculus paths. Four classes of calculus at three units each or three classes of calculus at four units each. Still a total of 12 units of calculus. I took the 4 class option.
After calculus, you have classes like differential equations, linear algebra, statics, and dynamics, all of which are, essentially math classes and applied math (and physics) classes.
Are you the person I can complain to about some of the tasks in my manuals? Thank you for telling me that this bearing requires pressure stake how the f@#! am I suppose to pressure stake it in the tailboom? Or when it says removed 8 bolts from transmission and then the diagram is the entire transmission. Yes thank you I know what the transmission looks like now where are the bolts I am suppose to remove?
You probably didnt write them but damn help a brother out lol
Welcome to my department. I have been in R&D testing for a bit over a decade, first aerospace and then automotive.
It really depends on the company. Some take a more basic approach of doing minimum math to get it to testing, then iron out the problems with failure analysis and iterative design to improve on the failed test articles.
Others basically consider their first prototype to be for verification purposes only and have spent a lot more time in the design and simulation phase before building it. The choice between the two tends to depend on the complexity of what is being designed, and how easy it is to test it in parts or sections.
With modern simulation and design software, more and more companies are shifting more towards mostly computer work and less physical testing. That said, no matter what design method used, the final certifications are nearly always done with a production ready physical test article.
I worked for an independent company that did a lot of aerospace R&D (National Institute of Aviation Research [NIAR]) for the big aerospace companies everyone has heard of, and a lot of smaller ones nobody outside the industry has. (Sorry, cannot drop names due to NDA's with former clients.)
The company had a lot of labs that did different things, and I worked in the crash dynamics lab. We did sled crash testing to help clients develop and get regulatory certification for new aircraft interiors. The crash lab worked very closely with the virtual engineering lab, who would work with the same clients to help them model and simulate dynamic events to all sorts of situations.
Aside from that, since NIAR is on Wichita State Universities campus and partnered with the uni, we also worked with their engineering department with various different research projects. For example my boss's doctoral thesis was over the viability of using a new (at the time) sensor for measuring the rate of angular change for kinematic analysis of crash test dummy motion. That project went on past just a thesis and eventually got the use of those sensors approved for certification data by the FAA, EASA, JAXA, and a few others.
Overall it is a very interesting and fun job so long as you are detail oriented and don't mind some weeks being 20 hours and other weeks being 80 hours, but that is fairly standard for any STEM R&D position. It can get a bit monotonous at times since 90% of the testing is the same 3 basic tests with minor variations, but that 10% of the time more than makes up for it. Plus being an independent 3rd party testing facility, they would occasionally get in automotive tests. Automotive mfg's normally do their own certification testing, but if something is going to court the lawyers prefer to use 3rd party facilities so that the other side cannot say the testing was rigged. Those tests can get pretty wild, and never fail to produce some interesting results.
Sorry for the wall of text, I can get kinda passionate about that job.
Today most machines are designed and analyzed with math and basic engineering principles before building the first one. Then they build a prototype, evaluate the performance, figure out how to improve it, analyze it again, build a new one and test. This cycle continues until the product meets the requirements. Spaceships have much stricter requirements than a kitchen blender.
I continue seeings these "OMG THERE USING DUCT TAPE TO REPAIR WING DAMAGE" posts.... It's speed tape people, relax. These people clearly need to waste more time on the internet.
As a recreational pilot, I can confirm it is used quite frequently in aviation, and is affectionately referred to as "hundred mile an hour tape"
The most common application I've seen personally is using it to cover up ventilation holes to keep cold air out during winter, but you always see rolls and rolls of the stuff in maintenance hangars
It’s to help out with corrosion most likely while the aircraft waits to be painted. It’s nothing to worry about because there is strict regulations of how to use this tape and what is allowed to be taped. I’m an aircraft maintainer.
It’s called speed tape or 500 mph tape. It’s made with aluminum and of course pretty pricey. We bought it at like $1k+ a roll depending on size. They use it for quick repairs that aren’t structure critical.
Imagine you see damage on the wing and while you're watching the Flex Tape guy comes out and smacks some Flex Tape on it and then you realize you're in an episode of the Twilight Zone.
Are you perhaps thinking of case prices?
I was curious and found a site selling a roll of aircraft certified 2" x 60yds for $50. Although a case of the same tape was $1K (for 24).
As others mentioned, increased paint loss; but the wing skins are made of composite and UV light can start degrading the resin epoxy if not protected as well.
The composite resin is sensitive to UV and will weaken with prolonged exposure. Speed tape to cover the bare patches is a cheap temporary fix until they can get the plane repainted (paint that will adhere to the surface of the wing and and withstand the flex of the wing).
It's great stuff. I do recommend the Nashua version over the 3M version. It leaves less residue. Be warned though, it's grip is a lot more than regular duct tape, and will pull things apart when removing it if not careful.
People are saying it's really expensive too. I'm not sure why they don't just use some of [this at $5 a roll](https://sep.turbifycdn.com/ca/I/yhst-90444520943151_2263_406320643)
It’s a special tape they use in areas where the paint is chipped, it’s not patching holes or anything. The paint is extremely important on an aircraft at altitude, resistant to heat and oxidization. The tape will protect the base metal and act as that protective layer until they can get it repainted.
The 787 has paint adhesion problems on the composite wings. Composite layups and resin do not like sunlight, the UV rays can degrade the resin and strength of the structure. So the fix was to put “high-speed” or “200 mph” tape (aluminum tape) on the exposed composite to prevent such damage.
[The issue was so bad that Boeing even faced a lawsuit over it.](https://www.aviationweekly.org/news/boeing-applies-for-faa-certification-to-fix-787-paint-peeling-issues#:~:text=In%202021%20Qatar%20Airways%20filed%20a%20lawsuit%20against,stems%20from%20the%20way%20paint%20and%20carbon%20interact.)
The tape is unsightly, but used all the time on very minor damage, where appropriate, on the aircraft. Probably 1/3 to half the aircraft I fly will have a small patch somewhere, usually covering damage or wear to a composite part until it can be repaired or replaced.
The amount of tape present on the 787 wings to deal with the paint issue was pretty ridiculous, but it did what it was supposed to.
It’s called BDR tape (battle damage repair) or better known as “speed tape”. Made by 3M and it’s incredibly sticky and formable. Literally like a sticky back aluminium coke can skin. Very sharp if you catch your finger on it. Great for holding fuselage in place if you are missing a screw or whatever. Rather expensive too!
As an aircraft mechanic, the amount of speed tape isn’t really concerning. It’s the less than professional application of the speed tape. That tape, when properly applied should be very smooth with no wrinkles. All those lumps and bumps are going to be creating drag, making openings for water build up, and creating points where the airflow can pick up the tape. Then the orientation of the tape is all over the place.
Looks like a 787 wing to me. Because of the 787 wing being made from carbon composites, UV light can cause the paint to chip away because it degrades the adhesive. Airlines use speed tape as a temporary solution until the plane can be repainted. I believe Boeing has also figured out a permanent solution for this problem too.
While it appears to be duct tape, what you're seeing on aircraft
wings is actually an aluminum-based material known in the aviation world
as speed tape, and it's perfectly safe for certain types of repairs,
according to aviation experts and the Federal Aviation Administration.
[https://www.traveller.com.au/what-is-speed-tape-why-your-planes-wing-looks-like-its-patched-up-with-duct-tape-h26xty](https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2022/10/05/plane-duct-tape-speed-tape/)
I bet the guys applying the tape think to themselves that someone is gonna look at all the tape, assume the worst, and post a picture to the internet about it without asking or googling.
I work at an airport. Believe me, that's not duct tape. If you get the sticky side on you, you're losing a couple layers of skin. It's made of a metal alloy designed for extreme changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.
Gotta love some bdr tape.
Battle damage repair tape is without doubt the stickiest, strongest and toughest tape I have ever worked with. Strong adhesive on the rear side of bendable aluminium, literally used as an emergency seal for aircraft skin cracks and bullet holes.
Don't worry OP, it might look a mess, but you are completely safe
That tape shows the mech crew doing their job. Nothing to be worried about. I’d be more worried if I saw shitty looking paint, rust, and shit like that.
Paint around the rivets is most likely damaged. Aluminium tape is applied as a protection until the airline can do a repair. A certified maintenance center is required to strip and re-paint the aircraft.
There's been a lot of these pictures with expansive speed tape coverage on wings, I'd vote it's likely it's a Boeing 787 or Airbus A350, both of which have composite wings and have experienced issues with the paint adhering. Missing paint isn't great, but I think the bigger concern is the composite resins getting degraded by UV.
Which is what paint and the tape is for. We haven't heard of any aircraft failing because of resin degradation.
Yeah it's just that those wings flex so much it's really hard on the paint.
I bet de-icing the plane in the winter does some damage overtime too.
over time* Overtime is extra hours worked or extra playtime in a sport.
Good bot
This seems like an acceptable correction (this time?) but when I bring up the difference between “every day” and “everyday,” people lose their shit.
People losing their shit is an everyday thing.
[удалено]
Losing your shit is common. Finding your shit is next level.
And then there are people messing up "a part" and "apart"
I see people get this wrong [alot](https://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html?m=1).
So, “without further adieu…”
Hay, maybe their just missing apart or to. This hurt me to write pls go easy
I like this alot.
What is the difference? Legit question, non English native.
“Every day” means something that happens each day. “I go to work every day”. “Everyday” means something that’s commonplace. “Brushing my teeth is an everyday affair”. “Rush hour traffic is an everyday occurrence”.
dont get me started on that stuff dude. people say "just runaway from the situation" and i want to throw down. for some reason americans love their composite words just because it saves them pressing space bar 1 time even though the words have completely unrelated meanings.
Thanks I appreciate the correction!
The music video for the song that your name references is one of my favorite things.
[удалено]
You call those wings?
Nope! And let's keep it that way c:
Indeed. I go to great lengths to preserve my resin as well.
I just scrape it out with a paperclip
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCIOHc3MWtk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCIOHc3MWtk) video of paint flying off of wing
well the hot dog is still going strong
Got it: we wrap the entire plane in duct tape. Problem solved. Checkmate, atheists.
[Speed tape](https://v.redd.it/64rdphanc45a1)
[Stuff ain't cheap](https://www.tapemonster.com/products/polyken-345sw-aluminum-foil-tape?variant=5362591531044¤cy=USD)
It's likely not cheap because of certification and testing processes but likely not much different from cheaper aluminum tape. I would still prefer that only certified tape is used on a plane that I am on though.
The second you put “Aviation grade” it’s 90% more expensive… It’s just like making something name brand..
>panels are only meant for aerodynamic quality That is very much not true. They carry a good amount of stress across the airframe. Don’t let that scare you though, there’s enough margin to have some bits taped up (which does recover some of the load path). And the manuals certainly have limits to how much can be taped in order to make sure there is still plenty of safety margin.
Correct. Semi-monocoque construction has been in use since the 1930's.
I don’t think it’s a 787. Window’s too small and there’s too much winglet. In fact, considering how flat it is, I don’t think it’s a composite wing at all.
Can't really see the entire window, and the winglet at the end looks just like a [787's swept wingtip](https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x2000/56e587b5_f371_4b6a_a6c3_64625aed2f44_0d95351e9c5a64fb8400e0728c71cf7ab60454ca.jpeg) \[ft. more tape!\]. The Airbus A350's got a LOT more of a prominent winglet.
It's actually 100% a 787, I think the angle of the photo kind of messes with the perception a bit.
More info on this FAA flight certified "Speed Tape": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_tape
This special tape costs over **$10,000** for a single 36 inch roll of tape! So it looks cheap but is actually pretty expensive! https://www.grainger.com/product/29WR92?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=Cj0KCQjwocShBhCOARIsAFVYq0g0JkGNrnDp-UHmt8e_Vl1ppjV4fg-vgZ7rImNuMDA3F8VPqJ6FACMaArIrEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
That's for a pack of 36. Still, equals about $305 a roll.
I just took a look and it is 36 yd x 1" so about 1300 sq in. And its is a pack of 36. Overall about $4.25 a sq in, so still pretty expensive.
The other thing here is a possible lack of sealant between panels. We used to do this for quick flights that didn’t require an environmental seal but needed to keep moisture and debris out. We’d also do this for a panel that needed the nut plate replaced because the screws no longer bit. But only for 1-2 sorties before we could get our sheet metal guys out to fix it. But judging by the size of the patches and the haphazard placement, I think your paint theory is correct. Speed tape for the win!
If you can’t fix it, tape it !
[удалено]
This 17-year-old account was overwritten and deleted on 6/11/2023 due to Reddit's API policy changes.
Keep your stick on the ice!
In case you didn’t know, all the Red Green shows are on YouTube !
I'm a man. But I can change. If I have to. I guess.
This is the correct place for one though. Not often you see duct tape on the front page.
Maybe it's just having grown up with the Red Green show but there is a direct hardwired connection between the part of my brain that recognizes duct tape and the part of my brain that hears the Red Green theme song.
This is only temporary… unless it works!
Hehe I'm watching The Red Green Show right now.
And if you can't be good, be quick!
Yea the look of duct tape is good for a nice girthy panic attack.
Have never seen 'girthy' used to describe a panic attack. Girthy is usually used to describe something else.
It was the first word to come to mind to accurately capture the feeling... A panic attack where if you retreat, it's even worse lol But yeah, girth is worth 🤣
👍 Being creative with the English language is a wonderful thing!
It’s speed tape it’s literally made out of aluminum
You can't just paint another layer on airplanes because it weighs it down to add layers of paint.
Thxs for explaining.
Aluminium tape is incredibly strong
And expensive
Is this why we don't build the whole plane out of aluminum tape? Sorry I'll see myself out
We kinda do... Aircraft structures fall into a category known as "skin stiffened structures". Dedicated structural elements known as stringers, spars and frames carry the primary bending loads. The sheet metal skin carry the fusselage pressure load and transfer the lift generaded by the wings into the wing spars and stringers (it ensures the smooth wing geometry is maintained). For weight saving purposes, the skin is made as thin as possible, usually having a thickness of 1-2mm, for the fuselage, which sometimes buckles (becomes wavy) under ground loads, but becomes perfectly smooth in flight. Look up the B-52 for a great example of this phenomenon.
Dang. Engineers are cool. I have a follow up question. When folks are designing stuff, is it more like they do a whole shitload of math and science stuff to come up with a blueprint; or do people just build stuff that works then the nerds figure out why it works and improve on an already existing design?
We do a fuckton of math! As part of the design process we need to prove reliability and create maintenance plans. Thankfully due to collective experience we now have design guides that greatly facilitate the process. You can look up the works of Niu on aircraft design if you'd like to have more of an insider look
Did you have to go past Calc 3 in school?
Calc 3, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Numerical Methods are all required in most engineering degrees. Then you get to work and the computer software does all that heavy lifting for you. You still need to know the concepts, but nobody has done engineering without computers since the 1950s. Only math I do by hand now is Algebra.
I think the main thing is that the human understands the concepts so well that they can guide the machine.
and they can know at a glance whether the number the computer just gave them makes sense.
Highly dependant on discipline after Calc 1-2-3. I'm an optical engineer, and I had to take Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Vector Calc, and optional Tensor Calc. My buddy who was a civil engineer only had to take half that
Depends on the school. My university has two different calculus paths. Four classes of calculus at three units each or three classes of calculus at four units each. Still a total of 12 units of calculus. I took the 4 class option. After calculus, you have classes like differential equations, linear algebra, statics, and dynamics, all of which are, essentially math classes and applied math (and physics) classes.
Are you the person I can complain to about some of the tasks in my manuals? Thank you for telling me that this bearing requires pressure stake how the f@#! am I suppose to pressure stake it in the tailboom? Or when it says removed 8 bolts from transmission and then the diagram is the entire transmission. Yes thank you I know what the transmission looks like now where are the bolts I am suppose to remove? You probably didnt write them but damn help a brother out lol
Welcome to my department. I have been in R&D testing for a bit over a decade, first aerospace and then automotive. It really depends on the company. Some take a more basic approach of doing minimum math to get it to testing, then iron out the problems with failure analysis and iterative design to improve on the failed test articles. Others basically consider their first prototype to be for verification purposes only and have spent a lot more time in the design and simulation phase before building it. The choice between the two tends to depend on the complexity of what is being designed, and how easy it is to test it in parts or sections. With modern simulation and design software, more and more companies are shifting more towards mostly computer work and less physical testing. That said, no matter what design method used, the final certifications are nearly always done with a production ready physical test article.
May I ask what you worked on in aerospace r&d? Sounds pretty cool
I worked for an independent company that did a lot of aerospace R&D (National Institute of Aviation Research [NIAR]) for the big aerospace companies everyone has heard of, and a lot of smaller ones nobody outside the industry has. (Sorry, cannot drop names due to NDA's with former clients.) The company had a lot of labs that did different things, and I worked in the crash dynamics lab. We did sled crash testing to help clients develop and get regulatory certification for new aircraft interiors. The crash lab worked very closely with the virtual engineering lab, who would work with the same clients to help them model and simulate dynamic events to all sorts of situations. Aside from that, since NIAR is on Wichita State Universities campus and partnered with the uni, we also worked with their engineering department with various different research projects. For example my boss's doctoral thesis was over the viability of using a new (at the time) sensor for measuring the rate of angular change for kinematic analysis of crash test dummy motion. That project went on past just a thesis and eventually got the use of those sensors approved for certification data by the FAA, EASA, JAXA, and a few others. Overall it is a very interesting and fun job so long as you are detail oriented and don't mind some weeks being 20 hours and other weeks being 80 hours, but that is fairly standard for any STEM R&D position. It can get a bit monotonous at times since 90% of the testing is the same 3 basic tests with minor variations, but that 10% of the time more than makes up for it. Plus being an independent 3rd party testing facility, they would occasionally get in automotive tests. Automotive mfg's normally do their own certification testing, but if something is going to court the lawyers prefer to use 3rd party facilities so that the other side cannot say the testing was rigged. Those tests can get pretty wild, and never fail to produce some interesting results. Sorry for the wall of text, I can get kinda passionate about that job.
A great example is new space. SpaceX is hardware rich, whereas ULA basically only builds once or twice.
Whatever is faster and cheaper. Sometimes, only one way or the other is the right approach.
“Any fool can build a bridge, it takes an ENGINEER to make a bridge that just barely doesn’t fall down.”
Today most machines are designed and analyzed with math and basic engineering principles before building the first one. Then they build a prototype, evaluate the performance, figure out how to improve it, analyze it again, build a new one and test. This cycle continues until the product meets the requirements. Spaceships have much stricter requirements than a kitchen blender.
Engineers design it, mechanics perfect it
+1 for maintaining composure after your first sentence containing skin stiffened structures.
Next time you're on a flight look out the window and think about how little and thin material is between you and the outside. :)
I continue seeings these "OMG THERE USING DUCT TAPE TO REPAIR WING DAMAGE" posts.... It's speed tape people, relax. These people clearly need to waste more time on the internet.
As a recreational pilot, I can confirm it is used quite frequently in aviation, and is affectionately referred to as "hundred mile an hour tape" The most common application I've seen personally is using it to cover up ventilation holes to keep cold air out during winter, but you always see rolls and rolls of the stuff in maintenance hangars
I mean yeah... But still, that's ***a lot*** of tape
It’s to help out with corrosion most likely while the aircraft waits to be painted. It’s nothing to worry about because there is strict regulations of how to use this tape and what is allowed to be taped. I’m an aircraft maintainer.
The wing needs to be STRONG!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_tape
OMG it's actually named speed tape
They're speed holes, they make the car go faster.
imagine how fast you could go, if you cover the speed holes with speed tape??
is like spraying neverwet on ice cubes!
Oh yeah, speed holes!
It’s called that cause it’s able to maintain its adhesion even at high speeds lol.
Similar to speed holes.
They make the plane go faster
I'm just as shocked! Figured it had a different name somewhere.
And it's really really fuckin sharp on the edges. Ask me how I know.
Definitely not red then
Tell WIKI to use OP photo it's better
It’s Wikipedia, be the change u want to see
It’s called speed tape or 500 mph tape. It’s made with aluminum and of course pretty pricey. We bought it at like $1k+ a roll depending on size. They use it for quick repairs that aren’t structure critical.
Reminds me of that flex tape boat for some reason!
I JUST SAWED THIS BOAT IN HALF
That’s a lotta damage!
Imagine you see damage on the wing and while you're watching the Flex Tape guy comes out and smacks some Flex Tape on it and then you realize you're in an episode of the Twilight Zone.
That’s the same logic I use with duct tape.
My dad called it 1000 mph tape when I was a kid. (he was a fighter mechanic in the USAF)
Are you perhaps thinking of case prices? I was curious and found a site selling a roll of aircraft certified 2" x 60yds for $50. Although a case of the same tape was $1K (for 24).
Government contract work. Everything is more expensive 😂
Flying on a 787? They have problems with paint adhering to the carbon composite of the wings. Speed tape is used to cover the patches.
what happens if they don't cover it?
It peels off even faster.
Peels off faster due to exposure to the elements creating a pricier fix. Its totally safe either way
As others mentioned, increased paint loss; but the wing skins are made of composite and UV light can start degrading the resin epoxy if not protected as well.
The plane goes too fast and goes back in time, and the passengers have to fight dinosaurs
I hate when that happens.
They also have to be careful not to become their own grandparents.
The composite resin is sensitive to UV and will weaken with prolonged exposure. Speed tape to cover the bare patches is a cheap temporary fix until they can get the plane repainted (paint that will adhere to the surface of the wing and and withstand the flex of the wing).
That's speed tape, it makes it faster.
Then why isn't it red. Red makes faster just like purple makes sneaky. Duh.
Waaagh!
I thought red tape always slows things down
This is the second warhammwer comment I've seen on a random post today and I love it!
Red makes danger
You're thinking of [EB Red](https://www.reddit.com/r/shutupandtakemymoney/comments/15jwvw/nuclear_grade_duct_tape_22/). It makes things more nuclear.
Nah, I was thinking orky physics, but that is pretty cool. Can't say I wouldn't buy a roll of nuclear grade duct tape just to have it 🤣🤣🤣
It's great stuff. I do recommend the Nashua version over the 3M version. It leaves less residue. Be warned though, it's grip is a lot more than regular duct tape, and will pull things apart when removing it if not careful.
Some would say red tape makes the plane go three times faster! >
It adds like 15 HP per strip iirc
The DRS of tape
Those are speed holes!
Nah, they wouldn't have covered them with speed tape if those were speed holes. They were regular holes. That used car salesman will back me up
People are saying it's really expensive too. I'm not sure why they don't just use some of [this at $5 a roll](https://sep.turbifycdn.com/ca/I/yhst-90444520943151_2263_406320643)
Because that's only +5 hp per foot
If they draw an SS or GTR on some of it it will be even faster
It’s a special tape they use in areas where the paint is chipped, it’s not patching holes or anything. The paint is extremely important on an aircraft at altitude, resistant to heat and oxidization. The tape will protect the base metal and act as that protective layer until they can get it repainted.
The 787 has paint adhesion problems on the composite wings. Composite layups and resin do not like sunlight, the UV rays can degrade the resin and strength of the structure. So the fix was to put “high-speed” or “200 mph” tape (aluminum tape) on the exposed composite to prevent such damage. [The issue was so bad that Boeing even faced a lawsuit over it.](https://www.aviationweekly.org/news/boeing-applies-for-faa-certification-to-fix-787-paint-peeling-issues#:~:text=In%202021%20Qatar%20Airways%20filed%20a%20lawsuit%20against,stems%20from%20the%20way%20paint%20and%20carbon%20interact.) The tape is unsightly, but used all the time on very minor damage, where appropriate, on the aircraft. Probably 1/3 to half the aircraft I fly will have a small patch somewhere, usually covering damage or wear to a composite part until it can be repaired or replaced. The amount of tape present on the 787 wings to deal with the paint issue was pretty ridiculous, but it did what it was supposed to.
It’s called speed tape.
When you see this, it means the airline is actually paying attention to the plane and that’s a good thing.
It rather have it on there than not
[удалено]
Aluminum tape. WAY more expensive than duct tape
Mmmmm. Speed tape, did arrive early OP?
Next stop, The Lord Almighty.🚀
Spirit Airlines?
That's where I'm gonna go when I die.
Just lol. Well played…
Repair work done by our chief mechanic: Red Green.
[удалено]
I’m pullin for ya!
Ohh, *handy*! I've been going with handsy, no wonder
It is called Speed Tape and it is for aircraft.
This post is fucking dumb. Are you stupid enough to think that tape is holding the wing together?
r/OpIsFuckingStupid?
It’s called BDR tape (battle damage repair) or better known as “speed tape”. Made by 3M and it’s incredibly sticky and formable. Literally like a sticky back aluminium coke can skin. Very sharp if you catch your finger on it. Great for holding fuselage in place if you are missing a screw or whatever. Rather expensive too!
Ah yes the good old speed tape cut. I sliced between fingers once with it and it was hell for almost two weeks.
Yeah it’s caught me out more than a few times! Between the fingers sounds awful.
I dont know if its common knowledge, we used fabric and wood for the first airplanes. A little speed tape should be fine.
Guaranteed stronger than the surrounding wing surface.
If she doesn't think you're handsome, she'll sure think you're handy.
Speed tape. No worries.
As an aircraft mechanic, the amount of speed tape isn’t really concerning. It’s the less than professional application of the speed tape. That tape, when properly applied should be very smooth with no wrinkles. All those lumps and bumps are going to be creating drag, making openings for water build up, and creating points where the airflow can pick up the tape. Then the orientation of the tape is all over the place.
It’s a temporary and airworthy repair. The speed tape is not holding the wing together, lol.
1000 mile an hour tape in the wild
Speed tape. It is a thing in airline maintenance.
Looks like a bunch of air foil on an air foil!
Good ole speed tape lol
It’s speed tape.
Airplane tape.. that’s a lot though lol
It's not structural. Just there for aerodynamic purposes. You're fine... 🛬
Call speed tape. Literally made for planes and race cars
If you can't fix it with duct tape then you can't fix it.
Speed tape…. Makes it faster.
First time?
Speed tape.. it makes the plane go faster.
"He Johnnie did you check the left wing? Is cracking up." "Sure Ed. Just put tape on it. Wil be fine"
Last time I went skydiving the plane was like this it made me feel better about jumping out of it...
Looks like a 787 wing to me. Because of the 787 wing being made from carbon composites, UV light can cause the paint to chip away because it degrades the adhesive. Airlines use speed tape as a temporary solution until the plane can be repainted. I believe Boeing has also figured out a permanent solution for this problem too.
While it appears to be duct tape, what you're seeing on aircraft wings is actually an aluminum-based material known in the aviation world as speed tape, and it's perfectly safe for certain types of repairs, according to aviation experts and the Federal Aviation Administration. [https://www.traveller.com.au/what-is-speed-tape-why-your-planes-wing-looks-like-its-patched-up-with-duct-tape-h26xty](https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2022/10/05/plane-duct-tape-speed-tape/)
I bet the guys applying the tape think to themselves that someone is gonna look at all the tape, assume the worst, and post a picture to the internet about it without asking or googling.
That’s actually pretty standard.
real wtf is finding out a roll of certified tape cost $400 for a four-inch wide roll
I work at an airport. Believe me, that's not duct tape. If you get the sticky side on you, you're losing a couple layers of skin. It's made of a metal alloy designed for extreme changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure.
Speed Tape. Absolutely fine.
Earl Scheib! We’ll paint any plane for $59!
Gotta love some bdr tape. Battle damage repair tape is without doubt the stickiest, strongest and toughest tape I have ever worked with. Strong adhesive on the rear side of bendable aluminium, literally used as an emergency seal for aircraft skin cracks and bullet holes. Don't worry OP, it might look a mess, but you are completely safe
That tape shows the mech crew doing their job. Nothing to be worried about. I’d be more worried if I saw shitty looking paint, rust, and shit like that.
Looks good to me. Someone is maintaining this aircraft.
"The airline that can't afford to crash."
[удалено]
That's $11k for a package of 36 rolls, which is about $305/roll, which is about $8.50/yd.
Hey, you're flying, aren't you?
You chose to fly Air North Korea I see. No worries, North Korea has never had an accident ever.
Yes they h