Unknown element

[emmegi]

Hi everyone,
In some videoclips I saw that, in some kind of aircraft (e.g. some types of Boeing 737) there is a strange object attached behind the rudder. It seems like a little sphere attached by a thin stick. Is it an antenna or what?

Thanks.

[Highkeas]

Please provide a link or a photo.
Thanks

[SYDCBRWOD]

Trial for a Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD)? Althought from memory the P8's won't have one fitted.

Definately need a piccie.

[Gabriel]

What was the name of the set of air data sensors that is ussually towed behind the tail and is used for refernece during test flights to calibrate the standard airplane's sensors?

[474218]

Hi everyone,
In some videoclips I saw that, in some kind of aircraft (e.g. some types of Boeing 737) there is a strange object attached behind the rudder. It seems like a little sphere attached by a thin stick. Is it an antenna or what?

Thanks.

It's called a trailing cone and is used to calibrate the pitot static system.

More information can be found here:

http://www.spaceagecontrol.com/trailing-cone.htm

[474218]

Here is a photo of a 737-800 with a trailing cone attached:

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=20508

[emmegi]

Oh, I understand. Thanks a lot.