Who needs spoilers?
A diligent QF747 captain noticed during his preflight checks in Syd that his R/H spoilers failed to operate. Subsequent investigation by engineers in Syd found 3 shear rivets broken in the aileron input to the R/H spoiler differential mechanism.
The net result was that the O/B spoilers on both wings were not working but since the position transmitter is only on #12 spoiler it indicated that the R/H wing spoilers as not working.
The aircraft had done one sector since a C check in AVV where all future 747heavy maint checks will be carried out.
Our inspired management leaders have publically stated that they aim to cut costs by reducing the the ratio of LAMES to AMES and making redundant 280 SYD heavy maint LAMES.
As our esteemed Federal Government extolls - BE ALERT, NOT ALARMED.