DV, H'n'H and Tecumseh
Yet again you manage to turn the thread into a bicker over definitions of ALARP. Didn't you get it last time you did this on the XV230 thread, nobody else took part because it was
BORING. Nobody is interested in a petty fight over definitions, unless you are a lawyer of course and stand to make some pretty large sums of money by convincing families it is worth fighting the MOD. Maybe you could start a thread about ALARP and its definition. You might just see how many people are interested in it! Better still I have started one for you!!
As current Nimrod aircrew we are
ALL convinced that we are now operating an ageing aircraft as safe as we can possibly be otherwise we wouldn't venture onto the old lady, we do still have some choice in the matter. These arguments about whether she is SAFE or UNSAFE only cause anguish and pain for the families of those who still operate the aircraft. For
sake take your argument elsewhere, preferably by PM.
The biggest question that should be asked by everyone is -
Why did the MOD decided to release this information before the event?
Crews are still flying unmodified aircraft at home and more to the point in theatre. The timing of this press release just shows a total lack of sensitivity towards the families and people flying them, yet again. The plan has always been in place to recall the jet from theatre before the end of March because the work was supposed to have been done by then, and numbers of modified ac are too low to support higher priority commitments back home. So why not wait until the last aircraft is back home and the non modified aircraft are grounded before announcing the fact. It would have saved a lot of very awkward questions being asked by anxious families such as " why are you still flying in an unsafe aircraft?".
We could still be continuing our support to theatre if it had not have been for a very misguided statement from a Minister (shock horror surely not!
) last year when he stated that the work on the fuel seals and hot air ducts would be complete by 31 Mar 09. Better still the Minister could have actually apologised for a poor decision and allowed a extension so the in-theatre aircraft could continue to support our troops on the ground, I wouldn't have held my breath for that though.
The aircraft doesn't turn into a pumpkin at midnight on 31 Mar 09 and could still be operated in a safe manner as it is now TFN whilst modifications continue. Maybe they thought that the Shadow R1 would be around by now, or that all the Pred that we bought would still be flying. The old lady is still a very capable platform, albeit old and ageing, and still provides vital information for the ground commanders who are still crying out for more ISTAR.
I hope that the Taleban are as accommodating and will agree to a lull in their operations at the same time or a Minister may just have blood on his hands. Maybe the lawyers would relish persuing that claim as well.