Many of the ongoing problems with the RAF TriStars are airworthiness management issues. The RAF TriStars are military aircraft and are fitted with equipment that would preclude them from obtaining a Certificate of Airworthiness
Nevertheless, they were originally designed as a civilian airliner, and suffer some of the same problems, and have many of the advantages of their civvy counterparts.
In addition, no TriStar operator that I have ever heard about (after flying the type for over thirty years) has had a problem of worn out or corroded aileron hinges.
Moreover, the Design Authority for the RAF TriStar rests with Marshall of Cambridge and not with Lockheed.
That I expect is one of the biggest problems.
Having delivered/accepted several TriStars at Marshalls', I can say with certainty that the aircraft is always delayed, and most times, over budget.
However, the tea in their office cafeteria ain't bad.
"They have to be managed and maintained under the military airworthiness system." A rather discredited and inefficient system so far as one can see, don't you think?
Opps...
