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Sun 4 Jul, 2004 06:39 pm
This was sent to me by a friend of mine that is a mechanic with an airline here in the US
Here are some actual maintenance complaints/problems, generally known as squawks, recently
submitted by QANTAS Pilots to maintenance engineers. After attending to the squawks,
maintenance crews are required to log the details of the action taken to solve the pilots'
squawks.
Problem - Left inside main tyre almost needs replacement.
Solution - Almost replaced left inside main tyre.
Problem - Test flight OK, except autoland very rough.
Solution - Autoland not installed on this aircraft.
Problem - No. 2 propeller seeping prop fluid.
Solution - No. 2 propeller seepage normal. Nos. 1, 3 and 4 propellers lack normal seepage.
Problem - Something loose in cockpit.
Solution - Something tightened in cockpit.
Problem - Dead bugs on windshield.
Solution - Live bugs on backorder.
Problem - Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200-fpm descent.
Solution - Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
Problem - Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
Solution - Evidence removed.
Problem - DME volume unbelievably loud.
Solution - Volume set to more believable level.
Problem - Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
Solution - That's what they are there for!
Problem - IFF inoperative.
Solution - IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
Problem - Suspected crack in windscreen.
Solution - Suspect you're right.
Problem - Number 3 engine missing.
Solution - Engine found on right wing after brief search.
Problem - Aircraft handles funny.
Solution - Aircraft warned to "Straighten up, Fly Right, and Be Serious."
Problem - Target radar hums.
Solution - Reprogrammed target radar with words.
Problem - Mouse in cockpit. Defect: The autopilot doesn't work.
Solution - Cat installed. Action: IT DOES NOW.
Defect: Seat cushion in 13F smells rotten.
Action: Fresh seat cushion on order.
Defect: Turn & slip indicator ball stuck in center during turns.
Action: Congratulations. You just made your first coordinated turn!
Defect: Whining sound heard on engine shutdown.
Action: Pilot removed from aircraft.
Defect: Pilot's clock inoperative.
Action: Wound clock.
Defect: Autopilot tends to drop a wing when fuel imbalance reaches 500 pounds.
Action: Flight manual limits maximum fuel imbalance to 300 pounds.
Defect: #2 ADF needle runs wild.
Action: Caught and tamed #2 ADF needle.
Defect: Unfamiliar noise coming from #2 engine.
Action: Engine run for four hours. Noise now familiar.
Defect: Noise coming from #2 engine. Sounds like man with little hammer.
Action: Took little hammer away from man in #2 engine.
Defect: Whining noise coming from #2 engine compartment.
Action: Returned little hammer to man in #2 engine.
Defect: Flight attendant cold at altitude.
Action: Ground checks OK.
Defect: 3 roaches in cabin.
Action: 1 roach killed, 1 wounded, 1 got away.
Defect: Weather radar went ape!
Action: Opened radar, let out ape, cleaned up mess!
mysteryman : i still fly, but ... on my first flight ever, in 1961 by MOHAWK AIRLINES(that should have been a warning !) from watertown, ny (should have been another warning !) to newark, nj(third and final warning !), i was sitting in a little diner that sat on the edge of the airfield waiting for the plane to be readied. the crew was trading jokes. "when does the pilot know that he is coming to the end of the runway and should lift off ?", answer : "oh, that's
simple. the co-pilot sticks his head out of the window and starts shouting to the pilot 'cement, cement, cement ... graaaass ! '. i did make it to newark and by shuttle bus to nyc ; but i think that's when i started to develop a slight twitch in my eyelids. ... on a charter flight to spain(in the 80's) the pilot invited the passengers into the cockpit; i noticed that the co-pilot scribbled some notes into a rather tattered notebook. when i asked what he was writing down, he replied : "just jotting down a note for the groundcrew , to let them know that one of the engines is loosing oil". how wonderful, we were in mid-atlantic ! ... this was the best one : we were to fly from paris to toronto on air canada(a fairly new 747). TAXIED OUT ONTO THE RUNWAY. ENGINES BEING REVVED UP ... AND DYING DOWN. BEING TOWED BACK TO THE TERMINAL. PILOT ANNOUNCES : "NOTHING TO WORRY, PROBABLY JUST A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION". half-an-hour later some burly mechanics in greasy overalls, carrying large toolboxes and hammers arrive ! bang, bang, bang ! suddenly about twenty or so airline crew (they were deadheading to toronto) get up and leave the plane. pilot : "not to worry, these people have to get back now, they are catching another flight". ... finally, all is ready and it's LIFT-OFF ! smooth flight, pilot gives orders for free champagne and drinks for all passengers. we are really beginning to feel good. as we are coming in over newfoundland, the plane suddenly starts to drop rather unexpectedly and rapidly, levels off and rises again. pilot : "sorry, didn't want to frighten you; we were just testing the flaps, they seem to be working fine." ... am i still flying ? sure, i guess i'm either a bit of a daredevil or i'm getting tired of living an ordinary life. enough for tonight . hbg