AeroSavvy reader, Amanda, sent me this link that includes a photo. Interesting stuff! Engineers at Boeing have taken the position that engine spinner spirals do not reduce bird strikes. A representative from engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce in Derby, UK was nice enough to contact me about this issue. He stated:. The nose cone both in terms of strength and angle is designed to reduced bird impact damage to the engine and reduce ice build-up.
The spirals are there as a warning to ground crew when taxiing… In flight, the spirals could not be seen by birds as the rotation of the engine would be too fast. Not every jet engine has spinner markings. Airplanes are popping up here and there without spirals.
The Embraer E-Jets , , , have naked spinners. A few Boeing , Dreamliners and aircraft have been spotted without the swirls. Manufacturers and operators are questioning the value of the markings.
Line maintenance engineers that I have spoken with are quite vocal about the safety benefits of the markings and are disappointed many engines are now spinning naked. Regardless of their value as a safety enhancement or bird repellent, the spinning swirls are part of aviation history and tradition. Have you seen airliners without the markings?
Feel free to post links to pictures of unusual spinner markings in the comments! Bonus points to whoever can find a photo of an ANA engine with an eye painted on it!
I emailed it to myself after reading your article, but forgot about it. Thanks Amanda. Thanks for the information Ken.
GE engines run anticlockwise. Engines on larger jets, like the have much larger hazard zones. It is absolutely critical that ground crews can identify a running engine and stay away from it.
Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Search Search for:. Staying away from a running jet engine is very important in airfield safety. Even a smaller engine at idle has a hazard zone of up to three meters, or 10 feet. Within this radius, there is the risk of objects being sucked into the engine.
Larger engines or those with greater power increase this hazard zone. Of course, a running engine makes a lot of noise, which helps alert ground crew to its presence. However, with such staff often wearing ear defenders, the spiral helps to provide an additional, visual clue as to its operational status.
Being able to see when an engine is running is important, but not always easy. When spinning at speed, the blades become translucent. Adding a distinct white spiral to the center creates a more visible target, especially in low light or dark conditions. The other reason cited for adding spirals is to help prevent bird strikes.
So very clearly, the spiral is an important feature for helping keep the ground crew safe—pretty much every source out there agrees, here, and it makes a lot of sense. The A. Jalopnik Explains. By David Tracy. Shop Early Black Friday Deals. Car Culture Jalopnik Explains. What a time to be alive.
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