What ever happened to 'backing up your mates'?
Originally Posted by
nigegilb
The Captain would not have known at that stage if the fuel leak would continue, or, indeed, what was causing it. The decision to land at the nearest suitable airfield has been praised by the MoD and many people here on pprune. It would appear AC Ovee stands in a cast of one, by stating that he would have RTB'd without the need for bothering with a MAYDAY. AC Ovee was highly critical of non-specialist contributors on this thread and the effect that comment here is having on his younger crews.
Well Sir, I would suggest that the only person being gung ho here is yourself. I would suggest that criticising the MAYDAY call and offering a blanket guarantee on the safety of the Nimrod bomb bay containing gallons of aviation fuel is foolish in the extreme. I would hope your subordinates are not listening to you. The Captain ordered a ground evacuation after landing, I would hope in the presence of Fire Crews and Med Teams, is this to be considered routine as well? All in a day's work?
The decision to call a MAYDAY was in my opinion, based on sound airmanship. The first thing I was ever told as a pilot, was, where there is doubt there is no doubt. To err on the side of caution, is surely the only way to approach aviation? Not that this Captain was being cautious, he was merely being sensible.
Well said Nige, thank you
AC Ovee
Table for one?
