Gentleones, is it possible that the MAA has some very competent engineers and operators that have been following the extant rules diligently? Those rules that are possibly designed for the ideal situation of new aircraft procurement? And that, encountering a situation not of their making, are finding a pragmatic solution that, as they are so experianced and competent, they understand the risks all to well and can come to a sound judgement?? Or, as Tuc has already said he would use his engineering judgment to use outdated CA instructions over current regs, are the only competent people long out of service of the MOD and those left are so inferior? Not capable of reasoned, risk based, decisions based on the full available evidence which those inhabiting the hallowed grounds of pprune are not privy to! If this is the case, then it matters not one iota if the "devils pack" of the MAA & MilAAIB are totally independent of MOD, as cloning is not yet feasible for humans, the only competent ones can not be reproduced at a working age but with all that hard earned experiance in place, so there would be no SQEP available to man the desks.