A reader shared a photo with me of a plane in Albuquerque on Friday with more speed tape on its front than I’ve ever seen in my life. The forward fuselage is the part of the aircraft’s body where the cockpit is located. It’s the plane’s “first impression” – and this one doesn’t make a very good one.
These sorts of images scare passengers. Customers see what looks like duct tape on a plane and get understandably concerned! But it is actually aluminum pressure-sensitive tape that can stick to an aircraft’s fuselage or wing at high speeds.
It is used in aviation for minor, temporary repairs on aircraft. It has high resistance to weather conditions and extreme temperatures. And its use is strictly regulated. In general, it is for temporary fixes until a more permanent repair can be made, often within a few days.
The location and nature of the damage on an aircraft determines whether use of speed tape is appropriate, consistent with FAA guidelines and the aircraft manufacturer’s structural repair manual. Speed tape is not indicated where it could potentially affect the structural integrity of the aircraft (or cause an aerodynamic issue).
So you’ll generally see it used for minor, non-structural damage such as covering minor dents or scratches that don’t affect structural integrity and securing loose objects such as a panel until they can be properly fixed.
There’s nothing wrong with this plane, in the sense that it’s perfectly airworthy. But every time passengers see something like this they’re shaken, and they worry about how well managed and maintained the airline they’re flying is.
I agree that looks terrible and anyone with some PR sense would have taken the plane out of service. Incidentally “flight deck” is the modern term, since pilots don’t sit in a little hole anymore. But the idea is the same.
Duct tape really does fix everything….
“The location and nature of the damage on an aircraft determines whether use of speed tape is appropriate, consistent with FAA guidelines and the aircraft manufacturer’s structural repair manual. Speed tape is not indicated where it could potentially affect the structural integrity of the aircraft (or cause an aerodynamic issue).”
Thank you for accurately representing this from an AMT. Slightly expanding on this, it can be used in limited structural applications for secondary structures, all per the CDL and AMM/SRM. I’ve seen a 777 with significant speed tape covering the starboard wing body fairing where per AMM like up to 4 of 7 stations/panels could be compromised and it could be dispatched with tape.
I’ve never worked on A320s but this likely mostly cosmetic FOD/birdstrike damage given it is aft of the pressure bulkhead. Probably had a new radome, maybe windows from line mx with some light structural / paint work deferred.
Airlines are a business and there is no reason to not defer and schedule this work. I’m certain what’s under that speed tape would look worse to most passengers than a little tin foil. It’s like the Qatar A350 thing with the exposed copper foil – cosmetics have nothing to do with safety.
The alternative is simple- cancel the flight! Then everyone will inquire as to how much compensation they are entitled to.
Yes stuff is great
works on unruly passengers along with cuffs and superb on disintegrating old delta aircraft
plane possibly could have encountered a bird strike based on the location.
It’s called speed tape ,high speed extremely adhesive aluminum tape used for covering up areas of surface paint erosion or to protect and allow window edge sealants time to cure properly…all airlines use it and it’s not a concern for safety at all.
Agreed this is a little ridiculous from a PR standpoint, not to mention the effects that added flying anxiety can have on some passengers and the indirect effects that can have on how passengers act or get along with staff/other passengers.
And airline can defend using this all they want, and even if it’s 100% safe (and actually a positive sign that the airline is maintaining aircraft versus doing nothing), but it’s ridiculous to expect passengers to just shrug off seeing this. Like many of us here, I’m an airplane enthusiast and am much more understanding of things like the Airbus barking than most people, but this is just obnoxiously dangerous looking. Again, even if it isn’t at all.
Drrichard: The term “cockpit” is still in use today. Cockpit and flight deck are interchangeable. (Though flight deck really only refers to the cockpits in airliners and cargo plane )
It looks like the speed tape below the window is losing adhesion. No problem. If it covers the window on landing, just use the instruments. What could possibly go wrong?
@Katie Duct tape gets rid of warts.
It was either that or bubble gum.
I know you think it’s cool to use the word “starboard” in reference to the right side of a aircraft but that word does not exist in any Boeing, Airbus or any other civilian aircraft manual anywhere.
Perception becomes reality. Is it worth the memes this will turn into?
Dang. And here I thought it was one of those Breathe Right strips.
What airline did this?
Speed tape is a sign of skimping on preventative maintenance.
Highly effective duct tape or not, those cockpit windows are under high wind pressure. It should have been garaged in a hanger for repairs. The manager and general manager of the airline should be questioned on maintenance procedures!! The have lives of others in their hands while in flight!!!
Highly effective duct tape or not, those cockpit windows are under high wind pressure. It should have been garaged in a hanger for repairs. The manager and general manager of the airline should be questioned on maintenance procedures!! They have lives of others in their hands while in flight!!!
@Paul
Thank you, starboard and port are for boats, ships, etc. Aircraft left and Aircraft right is the correct terminology.
We used a variant of this material to patch bullet holes in aircraft during the Vietnam war.
Gary, shame on you. You should know better than this. That is aluminum reinforced speed tape with a much strong adhesive than off the shelf, “duct tape.” The FAA accepts it as a viable repair for aircraft skin repairs. Be better.
No doubt the plane was ferried to s repair facility with an approved Ferry Permit with only essential crew members on board
A quote from an unknown mechanic:
“Every toolbox should have these two items: Duct tape and WD-40.
If it moves and shouldn’t, use the duct tape.
If it doesn’t move but should, use the WD-40.
I wonder if that mechanic in now working at THIS airline? Ha!
In my 44 years as a licensed aircraft engineer I have never seen this much tape I 1 place
This type of use would need to be IAW SRM/MM and have Airbuses approval
If you look at the lower bottom edge in the middle it looks like it’s lifting so the airflow will start removing it could I sure the view and the wind noise would be unbearable
I certainly would not release an aircraft for service like that
@Karen did you read the article?
Maybe Karen is suggesting that the article headline and photo might scare people. But that would be the people who don’t read the article and just go for the headline and photo and make judgments about a book based on its cover.
I there is an airline calles Speed Tape Airlines and their number one Captain is a puppet. Don’t believe me? Look it up in youtube, LOL
Be a great commercial for Flex Tape and what it can do.
Yeah a little tape covering exposed rivets or what not is ok. That cockpit is clearly damaged and that tape is already coming off. What happens when it flips up and blocks the cockpit windows? Yeah if I see that piece of junk at the jetbridge they are giving me my money back! I’m not getting on that thing!
Ballistic Tape, used all the time on military aircraft, even on helicopter rotors to seal small nicks!!
No mention of what airline? Major fail