AboutDottie Norkus Expertise I can address questions concerning: airline pilot employment & entry level airline careers in the Unites States, women pilots, flight training, pilot certification, flight scholarships (mostly for women), aviation & airline safety topics, aviation accident investigation, air carrier accidents and airline operations.
***Please note, I cannot address flight training or career queries from outside the United States. If you are not in the USA, please direct your question to the message boards at www.PPRUNE.org as you can surely find an answer there. For those in India try http://www.indianpilots.com
Also, I cannot address questions about aero engineering degree programs/careers or aviation management careers.
Experience U.S. Regional Airline Pilot. I have also had 15 years previous experience in airline ground operations, as well as a part 91 commercial skydive pilot and ferry pilot.
Organizations I belong to I am a charter member of Women In Aviation International as well as the International Organization of Women Pilots: the Ninety Nines. I keep a database of flight scholarships for women (mostly SW USA) and mentor student pilots.
Education/Credentials Embry Riddle Aeronautical University certificate in Aviation Safety/Accident investigation.
Question Can a Boeing 777 be over-rotated, thus hitting the tailplane on the runway?
Answer "Can a Boeing 777 be over-rotated, thus hitting the tailplane on the runway? "
Yes. During test trials the Boeing Company does this on purpose (with some protective covering in the tailcone) to determine Vmu or minimum unstick speed. At extreme angles of attack (like an over rotation), it will be the slowest speed at which the airplane will lift off the runway. I believe the video about the production of the 777 includes footage of this and other flight tests. I have seen this demo done on the 747, but can't remember if I saw it on the video of the 777 trials for certain. You can buy the video at www.amazon.com if you want to see it for your self.
American Airlines has had a tailstrike incident and I believe Saudia has as well. You can check the internet for more facts by searching for "777 + tailstrike" (inside the quotations!) for specific websites on the topic.
