Quote (re. fuel pumps) (from Swiss Swiss) :-
they work all the time when the engine is running ( i of course assume u are talking about the engine mounted mechanical driven pumps) and not at maximum rate - maximum rate 100% of the time is not possible because the speed of the pump is determined by the speed of the gearbox and therefore the engine- at any given speed the fuel pumps supply more fuel than is need - this excess fuel is then bled back toward the engine pumps via actuated valves and not by preset pressure relief valves
unquote
Thanks again - very helpful,
So, if the spill valves are actuated to actually relieve the pressure between the fuel pump and the control valves (which were confirmed as being open) are the actuation messages recorded ? If so would their operation have been covered by any of the "satisfactories" in the AAIB report ? The Special Bulletin does say that the EEC worked correctly, but the listing of items tested does not include the spill valves.