WIX Archives
Re: Rogue aircraft
Posted by Joe Scheil on Thu Mar 20, 2003 03:04:47 PM
In reply top Rogue aircraft posted by Cees Broere on Thu Mar 20, 2003 10:42:46 AM
Cees,
First, aircraft just as cars do, can be built as "lemons" and can have a large number of problems from day one. The aircraft may also aqquire a reputation for problems, which helps pilots in finding fault where there may not really be one. In my airline there are a couple of birds that have checkered pasts, one in particular. It suffered an engine fire in flight, emergency landing and long repair, then was taxied into a terminal building by a mechanic who felt that turning ON the brake system was not really nessecary. I like this one as she is known to always come back! Another aircraft is known for many gremlins, but she is a standard model and not fitted with the higher power engines limiting her MTOW and therefore pilots may try to swap the bird by finding swuawks and taking a spare aircraft, but who knows...In WW II aircraft that shouldn't, would be looped and rolled for fun, Lancasters in particular. This while great sport for crews, will ruin the aircraft, tweaking the wing and twisting the tail as loads are exceeded. Training aircraft I have flown were very different from each other due to this "game" and while most were ok, some stalled with more viciousness due to this I believe. Overstressing, lack of care and manufacturing errors could create a rogue, but maintenence can cure it of most faults.
Of course every "bad" landing I had this last month was caused by isolated instances of Demonic Possession of the aircraft, without of which my record would have been flawless...
JOE