News Analysis: Emirates Airlines Engineering Trainees are getting a One-of-a-Kind Opportunity to better comprehend elements of Aircraft Construction. This build activity, albeit, rudimentary, nevertheless provides the impetus for ‘Seeds of Thought’ to germinate by the students. Required of good Aircraft Engineers is the ability to understand Systemically not only what has been built [Airbus A380, for example] but moreover, HOW IT WAS BUILT.
Learning about some of the Inherent ‘Frailties’ of Composites: The trainees “Drilling Problems” as well as many other Aircraft Industry known: i.e., Delamination due to stress; Adhesive degeneration caused by Solar Radiation Exposure at ‘Cruise’ [thereby leading to possible delamination]; Severe Carbon/Carbon Surface Abrasion due to particulates in the air (sometimes more severe due to Volcanism) and [U.S. B2 Bombers Constant Maintenance Problems from particulates]; Cracking ‘like an Egg Shell’ when merely bumped [let alone “Belly Landing” due to faulty Landing Gear]; Questionable LONG TERM Repair Integrity without using an ‘Autoclave’ as in Initial Construction by the “Air Frame”; Composites do not last as long as metals due to the aforementioned; Non-Metallic Thermal Behavior leading to constant “Rain In The Plane” Conditions.
In the United States, Beech Aircraft, several year ago sold their Stylish-Designed “Starships” to the public. Reportedly in the Press, due to inherent problems with composites, ALL of their “Starships” were re-purchased from their customers and the aircraft were Scrapped [due to allegedly Potential Legal Liability]; Production of the Starship, of course, ceased. “Rain in the Plane” was Newspaper Reported to be severe. Beech Aircraft Company is to be commended for not putting the public at risk. One can read about this “Starship” Project, and its unfortunate end, using the Internet. This Aircraft History is not discussed by those parties selling Composite Aircraft.
The “Gain” of using Composites to the Airlines is “Lighter Weight” vs. the MANY ‘Frailties’ inherent in that material. Some forget that “Metal’s Behavior Is Predictable” [due to its long and reliable usage in Aircraft Construction]. This should be realistically evaluated by Airlines.
Emirates Airline, with its trainees learning about the aforementioned Attributes of Composites, as well as other aircraft related subjects is to be lauded for its “Out-Of-The-Box” Thinking.
Reference: http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/emirates-builds-its-own-aircraft-1.1253041