Video – Boeing 777 Wing Loading Test

This interesting video shows exactly what an airliner’s wing has to go through before it takes to the air – and, in this case, we are talking about testing to complete destruction.

Boeing’s target for this particular test was that the wing should be able to withstand up to 150% greater force than ever realistically would ever be exerted on it and, to put this into start perspective, this entails an astounding wing deflection of over 24 feet.

Needless to say, when the wing decides enough is enough it certainly goes with a bang.

You can watch the video of the B777 wing stress test, as well as read some interesting facts concerning the triple seven below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uo0C01Fwb8]

Facts Concerning the B777 (from Boeing’s B777 page):

• The first 777 entered service on June 7, 1995. Since then 777s have flown more than than two million flights.
• There are 3 million parts in a 777 provided by more than 900 suppliers from 17 countries around the world.
• In 2004, the 777 reached 500 deliveries — faster than any other twin-aisle commercial airplane in history.
• On Feb. 15, 1996, the 777 was named winner of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association. The award honored the Boeing 777 as the top aeronautical achievement of 1995.
• The 777 is capable of cruising at altitudes up to 43,100 feet.
• Boeing engineers designed and electronically pre-assembled the 777 using computers. New laboratory facilities enabled the various airplane systems to be tested together as a single integrated entity in simulated flight conditions, before the first jetliner took to the air.

• The 777’s landing gear is the largest ever incorporated into a commercial jetliner. With six wheels on each main landing gear, and two wheels on the nose gear, it has an unmistakable footprint.
• The Industrial Designer’s Society of America presented its Industrial Design Excellence award in 1992 for the 777 passenger cabin, and in 1993 for the 777’s flight-deck design.
• On Nov. 9-10, 2005, a Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner set a new world record for distance traveled non-stop by a commercial jetliner. The 777-200LR set a record distance of 11,664 nautical miles (21,601 km) on a route traveling eastbound from Hong Kong to London (Heathrow). The flight lasted 22 hours and 42 minutes. The achievements was recognized by the U.S. National Aeronautics Association, The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale and the Guinness Book of Records.
• The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale recognized the Boeing 777 in April 1997 for achieving a speed and distance record for airplanes in its size and class. The 777 set the “Great Circle Distance Without Landing” record, traveling 10,823 nautical miles (20,044 km), and it set the record for “Speed Around the World, Eastbound,” traveling at an average speed of 553 mph (889 km per hour).

If you found this posting interesting, you may also like this brilliant flash animation from none other than Rolls Royce which shows how a jet engine works.

[Video source via Swissmiss]