dear pprune:
thank you for pointing that out. the flavor of the thread was starting to get a little USA vs. UK. I just wanted to make sure that those of the UK were not thinking the battle was US vs UK...just a difference of opinions.
My respect for all of these brave pilots who held the line in the sky over GB.
To Globaliser. All of the people I mention have been or are currently captains for major airlines in the US. While our 4 engine planes are now gone, their views as pilots are still valid. Each one of these pilots has at least 12thousand flying hours. (except the one I mentioned who felt that going on was just fine...she has 1200 hours, but a degree from stanford).
One pilot was the lead flight engineer instructor on the 747 (not 400 of course).
Making safety judgements does not depend on the number of engines.
Also, the article is quite clear that the FAA believes BA was operating an unairworthy aircraft over US airspace. It is interesting to note that the plane 's crew later declared a fuel emergency.
If the plane was airworthy, it could have taken off again from MAN, right?
Who will be the final judge on this thread? May 16 shall start the judging.
jon