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Jean-Francois Mez
#1 / 16
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 Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings During a recent use of Heathrow Airport, I noticed a {*filter*} Atlantic 747-400. It had some markings in 2 or 3 places, somewhat well above the windows. These
markings *seemed* to indicate where escape would be possible (I *assume*
emergency crews would have to somehow punch through the skin to get to
passengers).
Does anyone have any more information on the matter ? As well, what sort of
interior arrangements have been done ? The positioning of these areas leeds me
to beleive that the rescuers would also have to punch through the overhead
luggage racks after they punched through the skin of plane.
Is {*filter*} the only airline to have such markings. Is this a feature unique to
Virvin's 747-400s or are all 747-400s like that with other airlines not having
markings ?
Finally: WHY are these there ? Under what sort of conditions would rescuers
have to cut through the fuselage in such an emergency that these markings would
save them those valuable seconds ?
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| Fri, 05 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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FMCDa
#2 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings
Quote: >During a recent use of Heathrow Airport, I noticed a {*filter*} Atlantic
>747-400.
>It had some markings in 2 or 3 places, somewhat well above the windows.
>These markings *seemed* to indicate where escape would be possible (I
>*assume* emergency crews would have to somehow punch through the skin
>to get to passengers).
<snip> Quote: >Finally: WHY are these there ? Under what sort of conditions would rescuers
>have to cut through the fuselage in such an emergency that these markings
>would save them those valuable seconds ?
I might be able to find out the answer if I knew the following: o approximate row number
o and what markings led you to believe that they pointed to emergency
entry points
I'm suspecting that they may be pointing to antenna provisions. I think
that side mounted Satcom provisions are basic on the 747-400...but I would
have to check.
Dave
David Allen
Project Manager, CNS/ATM
Opinions are mine and not Boeing's
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| Sat, 06 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Karl Swar
#3 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings Quote: >>a {*filter*} Atlantic 747-400 ... had some markings in 2 or 3 places,
>>somewhat well above the windows. These markings *seemed* to
>>indicate where escape would be possible
>I might be able to find out the answer if I knew the following:
> o approximate row number
> o and what markings led you to believe that they pointed to emergency
>entry points
The markings are not just on their -400s. I know I've seen them on at least one of their 747-200s, and I think I've seen it on several. The markings are above the windows, either above each door or roughly midway between them -- I know I've got pictures around here somewhere but of course can't find them when I want them! They mark the corners of a rectangle and include verbiage along the lines of "cut here in emergency." I've never seen them on anything other than {*filter*}'s 747s. (I haven't been close enough to one of their A340s to know if they have the same markings or not.) --
|WWW http://www.***.com/ ~kls/
Moderator of sci.aeronautics.airliners -- Unix/network work pays the bills
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| Sat, 06 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Paul Whitem
#4 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings
Quote: > I noticed a {*filter*} Atlantic 747-400....It had some markings in 2 or 3
>places, somewhat well above the windows. Thesemarkings *seemed* to indicate
>where escape would be possible
""External Break-In Markings are a legal requirement by (probably) all regulatory authorities although the lack of them, if you can see the outside of commercial aircraft, is quite common. They mark positions, given by the manufacturers, where there are no internal systems to delay entry, or dangerous for emergency crews, into the aircraft if it proves necessary to cut into the fuselage for access purposes, you cannot always use the doors/emergency exits in an accident. I think it only applies to aircraft above 3,600kgs and/or those used for the purposes of public transport. Emergency Exits are also (legal requirement) marked on the outside of the aircraft. Hope this is of help/interest.
Regards,
Paul (Whiteman) whose views are mine and mine alone""
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| Sun, 07 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Larry Sto
#5 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings Quote:
> The markings are not just on their -400s. I know I've seen them on at
> least one of their 747-200s, and I think I've seen it on several. The
> markings are above the windows, either above each door or roughly
> midway between them -- I know I've got pictures around here somewhere
> but of course can't find them when I want them! They mark the corners
> of a rectangle and include verbiage along the lines of "cut here in
> emergency." I've never seen them on anything other than {*filter*}'s 747s.
> (I haven't been close enough to one of their A340s to know if they
> have the same markings or not.)
I've seen them on BA planes too so I assume it is some UK requirement. --
Larry Stone | United Airlines
VAX and HP-UX Systems Administrator | Maintenance Operations Center
All opinions are mine, not United's.
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| Sun, 07 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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John Ko
#6 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings
JF> Is {*filter*} the only airline to have such markings?
No. I saw them on CX's 747s at HKG in 1990. They seemed a bit strange
to me too.
--
Hacking on NetBSD/i386 when I can. See <URL: http://www.***.com/ ;.
Member of the League for Programming Freedom--see http://www.***.com/
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| Sun, 07 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Tayl
#7 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings Re: The "Cut Here In Emergency" markings: They are also visible on British Airways 74s, with red lettering against
the blue exterior.
Not to be outdone, I understand that Microsoft has taken out a lease for
one of those flying billboard airlines.
In this case, above the window line will be: "Copy & Paste Here in
Emergency"
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| Sun, 07 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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TriStar5
#8 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings Quote: >I've never seen them on anything other than {*filter*}'s 747s.<
I've seen it on BCAL and BA DC-10s. And in a book I have a photo of an Air Europe 757 with the same markings
in front of the L2 door and behind the L3 door. This airplane has 4 cabin
doors with no overwing exits. It appears the bottom of this 'do it
yourself' hatch is a foot or so above the top of the cabin doors, so you'd
go through ceiling panels and not the bag bins.
Another one of those quaint British traditions?
Dave
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| Sun, 07 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Steven G. Thoms
#9 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings Quote: >Does anyone have any more information on the matter ? As well, what sort of
>interior arrangements have been done ? The positioning of these areas leeds me
>to beleive that the rescuers would also have to punch through the overhead
>luggage racks after they punched through the skin of plane.
>Is {*filter*} the only airline to have such markings. Is this a feature unique to
>Virvin's 747-400s or are all 747-400s like that with other airlines not having
>markings ?
If I recall correctly, all British-registered airliners have those exterior markings. --
Steven Thomson
St. Louis, Missouri - Gateway To The West
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| Sun, 07 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Keith Ba
#10 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings
Quote:
>but of course can't find them when I want them! They mark the corners
>of a rectangle and include verbiage along the lines of "cut here in
>emergency." I've never seen them on anything other than {*filter*}'s 747s.
Our C-130 has these markings. They mark areas of the fuselage where there is just skin and insulation between the passenger (yes, we are gibbering cargo in our Herc) compartment and outside. Specifically, there are no electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic lines through these areas. I have been informed that the crash axe in the{*filter*}pit will slice through these areas quite easily. I hope I never have to find out if that is correct or not. -- Keith Barr COMM AS&MEL/IA/A&IGI AERO/EIT
ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/ba/barr/index.html #include <std.disclaimer>
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| Sun, 07 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Chris Blai
#11 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings I have also seen the markings "CUT HERE IN EMERGENCY" on C-FOOE
(Canada 3000 Boeing 757). They are both approx. six feet above
the windows, with one being located about two rows forward of R-2
and the other aft of R-3 (first row back from aft lavs). I think
they are on other 757s in CMM's fleet; however I only have C-FOOE
on film.
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| Mon, 08 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Steven G. Thoms
#12 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings Quote:
>I have also seen the markings "CUT HERE IN EMERGENCY" on C-FOOE
>(Canada 3000 Boeing 757). They are both approx. six feet above
>the windows, with one being located about two rows forward of R-2
>and the other aft of R-3 (first row back from aft lavs). I think
>they are on other 757s in CMM's fleet; however I only have C-FOOE
>on film.
Canadian registered aircraft are not required to have these markings. I suspect this might have been a British registered aircraft that was transferred. --
Steven Thomson
St. Louis, Missouri - Gateway To The West
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| Sun, 14 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Jennings Heili
#13 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings I think this is one of those things like why some countries carry the
registration letters under and/or above the wings. The U.S. doesn't
require it, not do we require the "CUT HERE" markings. Many (most) USAF
transport types carry them however. I've got photos of Gulf Air L-1011s
going back to the mid-1970s and they've always carried them, as have the
BOAC 747s I have photos of from 1971.
Cheers,
Jennings
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| Sun, 14 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Simon Cra
#14 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings Quote: > The markings are not just on their -400s. I know I've seen them on at
> least one of their 747-200s, and I think I've seen it on several. The
> markings are above the windows, either above each door or roughly
> midway between them -- I know I've got pictures around here somewhere
> but of course can't find them when I want them! They mark the corners
> of a rectangle and include verbiage along the lines of "cut here in
> emergency." I've never seen them on anything other than {*filter*}'s 747s.
> (I haven't been close enough to one of their A340s to know if they
> have the same markings or not.)
These markings, I think, are peculiar to UK aircraft, because they are amblazoned on British aircraft as well. I work for Qantas, and we don't have them, and I've never observed them on American reg. planes either. Their purpose is as someone already said. They mark safe areas which emergency personnel can cut into the fuselage without fear of cutting through wiring, airconditioning ducts, fuel, etc, etc, to gain access to the cabin - and yes, it would necessitate removing the cabin roofing, but that is an extremely minor consideration, as it is only held on be a few plastic clips, after all. It is a good idea, but though some other person said they were mandatory on ALL aircraft, I have never seen them on any aircraft other than UK reg. aircraft. Regards,
Simon Craig
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| Sun, 14 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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Vincen
#15 / 16
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Virgin's 747s: emergency escape markings The markings are also present on SIA's Boeing 747s of all series from the 212B to the 312 to the 412. Vern
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| Tue, 16 Jun 1998 03:00:00 GMT |
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