Extra Fuel
True story at a well know training establishment that had a 'Browns' restaurant in the local town.
Short course for mainly ex service aircrew to gain CAA licence.
Nav instructor is giving the pilots a hard time (normal for him) and bemoaning the loss of his kin on the flt deck; whilst trying his hardest to make the subject more complicated than needed for the exam.
Sensing that we are not seeming to be in awe of all this he turns to one of our band (ex lightning and Phantom jockey and CFS instructor) and says:- Charles here will confirm the worth of a good nav !!!.Without batting an eyelid or raising his voice this wonderful chap quietly said 'I'd rather have 200lb of extra fuel' Exit our furious 'ex nav' in white coat; the slamming of the door drowned out by the thunderous cheers of the smiling drivers.
In fact we did not really think that way, but he did slow up on the anti pilot slag offs after that.
It would be impolite to mention an important meeting when an Airline was exploring the possibility of removing Nav's from the flt deck. After presenting a very cogent case for the retention of such crew to the management; this senior nav gentleman rather spoilt his case by attempting to leave the room via the door to the broom cupboard.
Last edited by POBJOY; 14th Mar 2018 at 23:00.