China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft

EdgeOfEcho

Junior Member
Registered Member
I don't know but I guesss:

If it is not a hook to hold something from going out, it could be a pusher. I imagine that the cargo would normally slid out by gravity, that needs the aircraft flying slightly head up. But if the wind/altitude/turbulance situation force the aircraft not to provide enough angle for a moment, one may have to give a little push.

Another possibility is that it is blade to cut entangled rope. Heavy cargo are usually pulled out of the hold by deploying a small parachute. The rope of it can get entangled with protrusions of the plane. A blade on a long pole can get rid of the cargo and clear the way.
People from Weibo says it is used to cue entangled rope. After seeing a video of a cargo plane crashing into the ground due to entangled ropes when dropping military equipment, I must say this role is very important, there is no chance of survival if anything that was supped to drop out of the cargo bay gets stuck due to entangled rope, you plane will most likely go nose dive into the ground.

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The length and the shape of this thing is perfect for reaching out and cut rope, a simple pull will easily cut off any entangled ropes and free the plane from a inevitable death when heavy cargo gets entangled.
 

by78

General
Two ATVs inside Y-20.

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Totoro

Major
VIP Professional
xian new hall.JPG
This is news to me. Image is dated march of 2020. Right next to the previous hall at Xian, the hall from where finished Y20s exited (AFAIK), a new hall is being built. It seems to be fully adjacent to the old hall (but perhaps not connected).

While old hall was 26 000 m2, the new hall is 40 000 m2 in size.
 
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