MarinerOne

As a former aircraft design engineer, I used to work on "static structures", which primarily meant the fuselage - or other portions that "didn't move". Not that I was "pidgeonholed" in a particular area, but I wasn't working there too long and didn't have a chance to work in other areas such as the "wing group" or the "landing gear group". I did work some on nacelle and thrust reverser designs when I was at Rohr Industries (now Goodrich Aerostructures) in Chulajuana (Chula Vista, CA), but it's not quite like designing the moving sections of the wing.

This photo reminds me of how intricate and detailed the engineering must be in order to design a functional and reliable wing for any modern airliner. It's literally "10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag", and it has to be structurally capable to withstand the tremendous aerodynamic stress loads that are imposed on an airliner in flight.

Although this photo is from an A320 (see my avatar), it really exemplifies how well-engineered everything is packaged, and how THIN the wing really is. I honest do NOT know how it can flex and bend repeatedly without ill effects over the lifespan of its life.

Sorry to get so long-winded, but I just thought I would share a little commentary for a change - as opposed to reporting the news of A380 or B787 Dreamliner delays.