Notwithstanding late emergent work (that found during the engine run and test flight phase) I don't understand why today's emergent work should cause such delays. Its called planning. After about half a dozen aircraft through the system you should know what the average is as a percentage of the known planned package. Then you add it to the planned package and you have your program. Then add the right level of manpower to fit in the available days. Usually worked for me and my exceptionally good team.
yes the tornado fleet is aging and each airframe is individual in character.
Emergent work / snags used to run along these line. 1. identify snag (eg crack in panel) 2. chat to cpl then stop drill crack if required , do paper work. job done.
Now because of a pulse line where one team of riggers hands over to another at each pulse new system employed via lean. 1. identify snag. 2 raise papwerwork for someone in the review cell to sort out. 3. review cell then tell you to change panel ( sometimes without leaving thier warm office to look at said snag physicaly. 4 demand new item if available 5 on reciept of item find out if it fits is dressed properly, 6 if not work item to said size and dress with correct fittings 7 send item to paint. 8 on reciept of item from paint fit.
Now can anyone see why snag take longer?
Snags have risen for the simple fact that a servicing team no longer has ownership of A/C during servicing and connot make engineering decissions anymore. The civvis do that.
All in all more snags ( no witchunts) more time taken to do a simple task, increas TRT. cost effective or what? factor in manpower shortages and spares and it all makes for a fun day in the office.
I just wish someone would get off their arse and get along to a servicing team without the station hangar on'rs and ask questions when not in earshot of managment with career captions flashing.
when are we goig to wake up and lift our heads above the account ledger....
If it was down to saving money, scrape the tornado, eurofighter, and hire US A/C from lockhead No maintenance teams no special tooling, No planning for servicing required (that should get rid of 'orrible engineers and desk jockys)just throw them away and hire new ones when required.
rant off
spelling mistakes due to dyslexia