Bingo
Thank you.
“The idea that numerous individuals ignored it through a general acceptance is just too shocking to believe”.
While I know nothing (there I go again) of the “well known” Nimrod fuel problem, I have offered an example (involving 2 fatalities) where numerous individuals DID ignore prior warnings. Not generalised warnings, but very specific advice down to which LRUs and functionality to check. I found their refusal to act shocking. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it unbelievable, as it is all too common. As we have discussed, the processes and procedures are robust, but the human input is variable to say the least. The actions of the higher grades/ranks (or rather lack of action) set the tone. Junior staff, in what is a high turnover area given MoD personnel rules, learn what is “acceptable” and follow their “leader”. That is, they don’t rock the boat, can screw up big time, and advance. It is left to fewer and fewer experienced boat rockers to fight the good fight.
What has this got to do with Nimrod? (And Chinook and…….). Same people at the top. Same working practices, edicts and precedents. An example? You can trade out Performance (which includes safety/airworthiness, spares, training………) to meet Time and Cost. The procurement equivalent of a political soundbite. The common denominators I speak of.
In part, as Chug says, it is pressure caused by lack of funding, coupled with reluctance to challenge MoD policy. However, one can look at it the other way, given the same individuals have also ruled that challenging waste is a disciplinary offence, despite it being a legal obligation to PUS. (Again, conflicting and confusing rules and precedents). PM Brown has, apparently, called MoD a “metropolis of waste”. Absolutely right. Now he has the power to do something about it. If I were him, I wouldn’t give them a red cent more until what (and who) I speak of has been eradicated for good. Want £100M to make an aircraft safer (ESF, fuel leaks….)? It would take me 5 minutes to write as robust a case as you would ever see, identify the funding source, yet still maintain time, cost and performance on that source programme. In fact, I’ve done it and been ignored. (Same people again). £200M? 10 minutes I’m afraid as I’d have to check with someone. I’m only one person – MoD has around 10,000 doing this stuff day in, day out but are scared to act. Yes, shocking.