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Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Top Secret Laminar Flow Technology The Boeing 787-9

Fore.... I took a shot 400 yards out on the golf course. That little white ball went farther than I could throw a rock. Back to the physics class I went with golf ball in hand. All those little dimples on a golf ball eliminated a lot of drag carrying the ball 400 yards out. The 787-8 has tail drag as if it were flying with a boat anchor behind it. So does the A350, or all airplane models. Boeing smiles, pauses, and goes out to the golf course for a staff meeting. You know one engineer thought out loud. "These golf ball dimples are the answer." The supper secret laminar flow project was launched so Boeing wouldn't like you to know. Those dimples on the golf balls are now installed on the 787-9 in the form of perforations on the leading edge of the vertical tail section and the other two horizontal tail surfaces. The drag produced by standard surfaces is reduced significantly in a simple, but secret manner.

Dad gum it, Bugs block the laminar air flow hole scheme during a flight. The fuel savings are so significant each flight can be serviced in a few minutes while on the ground with a special power washer. Problem solved, but laminar air flow secrets remain intact. It is not so secret in design, but it is through Boeing's trial and error research to reach the proper configuration for holes, and design on the leading edges of the tail assemble. Not only that the air flow is channeled specifically around flight surfaces with more air rather than surface drag. Boeing has worked out how to manage passing air against the surfaces, so that air passing by the surface doesn't act like a boat anchor, but only brushes against other air in the flow. This condition makes the 787-9 787-10 and 777X fly without a boat anchor on its tail.

It is an airplane Speedo, while the jet swims in the air, rather than a potato sack wrap around tail section during a rip tide.





The black leading edge represents the Boeing secret without bugs. Airbus has no answer in this proprietary test at this time. Significant fuel saving are expected with this innovation.  The next time you hear laminar air flow, it's unique and a big thing. Tell your friends about this, as its bigger than a 787 window shade. The 787-10 was first rated a 7,200 mile range. I am anxious to see if that range expands without one additional gallon of fuel pumped on-board. It may gain a rating of 7,500 miles after testing. Could Boeing build a flying golf ball with all flight surfaces dimpled or having holes on significant edges spilling the air as it tries to stick on surfaces? If it does then the 787 will have an easier time flying over golf courses as everyone below yells fore...

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