Flyin'Dutch' Said...
Why?
Simple, we've got a rulebook that says what will be approved and what won't. It's simple and clear on the point that 40-100 flashes per minute will be approved, and tells me nothing about other flash rates. So if it flashes at 39 or below, or 101 and above, I need a good reason to justify the approval. This is when we start to really earn our living as Gingerbeers - having to think and analyse rather than just follow somebody else's rulebook.
Lou Scannon Asked...
If your firm wanted you to fit blue lenses to the port nav light, would you worry yourself whether blue was better or worse than red for being seen?
Firstly I'm not a maintenance technician (except on my own aeroplanes and as a favour to a few friends) I'm a certification Engineer. It's my job to decide if something can be approved or not - I'm responsible (like any other design signatory) for this to the authority.
Secondly, the Engineering Council "Code and Rules of Conduct" (my office, top left hand shelf) is a similar document to the old Hypocratic oath (or whatever the medical chappies sign up to these days). It defines a clear code of engineering ethics that
require me to consider every possibility, and ensure the highest possible levels of safety and legality. So yes, it would worry me.
Also I fly these things as well, so have a vested interest in the whole subject
And finally, it's far more fun to be really thorough in a job than just apply minimum standards and sign it off.
G