Fairing removal tool

1. A fairing removal tool comprising:

a handle;

a head, wherein the head has a width between 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) and 2 inches (5.1 cm), the head comprising:

a first end distal to the handle;

a second end proximate to the handle;

a hook located near the first end of the head;

a notch located near the hook and the first end and configured for engagement with a downstream end of a fairing; and

a prying radius extending substantially from the notch to the second end; and

an elongated shaft extending between the handle and the head.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the prying radius comprises an effective prying edge and a prying relief.

3. The tool of claim 2 , wherein the effective prying edge has a length between 2 inches (5.1 cm) and four inches (10.2 cm).

4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the hook and the notch are arranged so that the shaft and the handle of the tool do not contact an upstream end of a second fairing during engagement of the tool with a downstream end of a first fairing.

5. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the hook and the notch are arranged to allow fairing removal by an operator positioned at an upstream end of the fairing.

6. A fairing removal tool comprising:

a handle;

an elongated shaft extending from the handle; and

a head comprising:

a first end distal to the shaft;

a second end connected to the shaft;

a hook located near the first end of the head; and

a notch located near the hook and the first end and configured for engagement with a downstream end of a fairing, wherein an axis of the notch forms an angle of approximately 30° relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft; and

a prying radius extending from the notch towards the second end, wherein the prying radius substantially extends from the first end to the second end.

7. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the hook, the notch, and the prying radius are arranged so that engagement of the tool to a downstream end of a fairing to be removed coupled with application of a force applied on the handle or shaft will release a bond between the fairing and an inner strut.

8. A method for removing a fairing from an inner strut of an engine inlet using a fairing removal tool with a handle, an elongated shaft and a head having a hook located distally from the handle, a notch located near the hook and a prying radius extending substantially from the notch to an end of the head proximate the shaft, the method comprising:

inserting the fairing removal tool into the engine inlet from a front side of the engine inlet;

engaging the hook and notch of the fairing removal tool at a first location on a first overhanging downstream end of the fairing;

applying a force on the shaft or handle of the fairing removal tool in a direction towards the fairing so that force is applied to the fairing by the hook and the prying radius of the head of the fairing removal tool;

reengaging the hook and notch of the fairing removal tool at additional locations on the first overhanging downstream end of the fairing and applying a force on the shaft or handle of the fairing removal tool in a direction towards the fairing at each additional location until a first bond between the fairing and the inner strut is released;

engaging the hook and notch of the fairing removal tool at a first location on a second overhanging downstream end of the fairing;

applying a force on the shaft or handle of the fairing removal tool in a direction towards the fairing so that force is applied to the fairing by the hook and the prying radius of the head of the fairing removal tool;

reengaging the hook and notch of the fairing removal tool at additional locations on the second overhanging downstream end of the fairing and applying a force on the shaft or handle of the fairing removal tool in a direction towards the fairing at each additional location until a second bond between the fairing and the inner strut is released; and

removing the fairing from engagement with the inner strut.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the prying radius of the fairing removal tool comprises an effective prying edge and a prying relief.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the effective prying edge has a length approximately equal to a length of a bond between a fairing to be removed and an inner strut attached to the fairing.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the hook and the notch of the fairing removal tool are arranged so that the shaft and the handle of the tool do not contact an upstream end of a second fairing during engagement of the tool with a downstream end of a first fairing or during application of force on the shaft or handle.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein engaging the hooked end of a fairing removal tool at a first location on a first overhanging downstream end of the fairing and applying a force on a shaft or handle of the fairing removal tool in a direction towards the fairing is performed by an operator positioned at an upstream end of the fairing.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the head of the fairing removal tool has a width between 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) and 2 inches (5.1 cm).

14. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the prying radius is convex.

15. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the notch has a depth of 0.1 inches (0.25 cm) and a width of 0.07 inches (0.18 cm).

16. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the head has a length of 4 inches (10.2 cm).

17. The tool of claim 6 , wherein the prying radius is convex.

18. The tool of claim 6 , wherein the notch has a depth of 0.1 inches (0.25 cm) and a width of 0.07 inches (0.18 cm).

19. The tool of claim 6 , wherein the head has a length of 4 inches (10.2 cm).