Have you read the Sunderland Echo’s report? 😮 It’s made NEAM and its volunteers a laughing stock! Major PR ****up. Hopefully the Chronicle will do a better job…

[QUOTE=SpockXL319;1515833]Problem is that there are now virtually no symbols on the underside of the aircraft as it was painted over to prepare for a repaint.

QUOTE]

There are almost no symbols on the underside because they’ve corroded off except for that 5 square foot area which has been sealed and primed. Read the AP’s. There are a full list (with pictures) of every single panel and access point for the aircraft. The manual was located in the upstairs office with the hundreds of other manuals. Failing that, there is a CD in the same location with the manual in PDF format. If you don’t constantly refer to the manual, the aeroplane WILL bite. As witnessed last week.

I only know a little on this subject, but here’s my input.

Morpeth’s Anson’s were delivered to 4AGS BRAND NEW in 1942. The Lysanders were also low houred. Botha’s were deemed unsuitable for front line duties very quickly and had only a few hours when they joined 4 AGS. They were all retired very short of their expected lives. Most losses from Morpeth seem to have been a majority of crew error – landing accidents, collisions, etc. A result of limited time on type and bad weather.

There is little doubt that SOME accidents were maintenance related, but I would echo the sentiments of most posters on here and say prove it.

Giving the groundcrew a bad name on the grounds of pure supposition is in incredibly bad tase and somewhat unfounded.

Keel (beam) on larger aircraft…

Lindy’s Lad made reference with Keel & Beam, but the keel is the theoretical bottom spine of the water going vessel whereas beam refers to ‘something’ else on a level to either the port or starboard quarters and generally distant (near or far), from either an aircraft or ship… not near the bottom of an aircraft.

Bomberboy

Best remove that fictional repair on the Keel beam of that 737 you’re about to go on holiday in…. you know, the big longitudinal spar that runs along the bottom of the fuselage…..

College/university courses – KLM offer a Year 0 course which will get you enough UCAS points (if you don’t have any lying about) to get into one of the Academys or semi-apprenticeships such as Newcastle, Bristol, British Airways, Kingston, etc. These are courses designed to get you the modules for the B1.1 licence (certifying engineer for fixed wing aircraft over 5700kg, ie. civil passenger carrying aircraft)

Most College/academy set-ups have old aeroplanes – Newcastle Has the following: Piper Aztec, JP T3 (x2), Jetstream 200, BAC 1-11, Boeing 737-200, Thorp T2-11. Off the top of my head, Kingston have a Learjet, Hartlepool have a JP T5, and a couple of others have Jetstream 31’s.

You could try the Licence by post route, BUT you will need 5 years experience on relevant aircraft before the CAA will accept your licence money.

Licence categories are:

Mechanic – unlicenced, technically not requiring any formal quals, BUT these days you really need vast experience to get a job

A licence – Modules passed, 1 years experience with a part 147 training course (ie. above)

B1 Licence – Airframe / engine licence
B2 Licence – Electrical / avionic licence.

then sub-divided….

eg. B1.1 – Fixed wing aircraft, gas turbine
B1.2 – Fixed wing aircraft, piston engine
B1.3 – Helecopter, turbine
B1.4 – Helecopter, piston

As for historic aviation, forget it. I managed to get lucky, after a contract as a mechanic with British Airways I was offered a contract on the Lancaster Major… it was either that or the Vulcan. Choices, choices.

Get a licence and many years experience (B1.2), certify PA28’s for ever, then if you’re lucky or very good, someone may take you on fixing historics… There are not many companies doing this sort of work.. perhaps drop a line to ARCO….or since you’re at Coventry, try the classic flight!

As far as I know, the cartridge is just a compressed air source – the small explosion causes the engine to rotate and a fair speed allowing for engine start…