little black stripes...

[Diamnd15]

hey, i was just had a question. i work on the ramp at sfo for united and on most of the 737's i see, there is a little black stripe only on the leading edge of the wing, about 8 feet from the wingtip, does anyone know what this is?

[BobDDuck]

Probably so you can check for wing ice from the cockpit by shining a flashlight on it or turning on a wing ice check light.

[ERfly]

Originally Posted by Diamnd15

hey, i was just had a question. i work on the ramp at sfo for united and on most of the 737's i see, there is a little black stripe only on the leading edge of the wing, about 8 feet from the wingtip, does anyone know what this is?

I believe that is the safe zone maker. Beyond that, you have a chance to get hurt by a running engine. If memory serves, I think that an idle CFM56 (737 engine) will suck things in from 13 feet away.

[Diamnd15]

thanks for those, both very helpful...

[BCTAv8r]

Originally Posted by ERfly

I believe that is the safe zone maker. Beyond that, you have a chance to get hurt by a running engine. If memory serves, I think that an idle CFM56 (737 engine) will suck things in from 13 feet away.

Well if he works at the ramp and this is a safety zone marker, then shouldn't he have learned it in his training?

[Philip]

Originally Posted by BCTAv8r

Well if he works at the ramp and this is a safety zone marker, then shouldn't he have learned it in his training?

the hard way??

[AP2B]

I seem to remember hearing during my training about forty somthing or so people getting sucked in to those engines. Our company trainer is very on top of safety stuff. I'm glad to know myself.

[FlyChicaga]

The black stripes on the top of the wing are for telling if you have runback ice accretion past the heated leading edges. The black goes back to basically tell you how much, and you can look out from the cockpit to tell how much is building up on the wings on the taxi out.

The "don't walk here or get sucked in" lines are red, and are painted on the engine nacelle itself. Slightly forward of the cascade reversers. I think the "suck" distance is 12 feet. Not entirely sure.