Time to squash the rumours and share some facts.
Fact 1.
The reasons that it took 10 months to get the aircraft airborne:
A. When the ATR work team leader arrived at the hangar to start work, it was not in a state to complete the job - both cleanliness, and OH&S issues needed addressing. He went back to France until the hangar was up to standard and he had time available.
B. On second visit, the entire ATR work team came over - they completed the job including checking of the main wing and all bolts. A new tail was fitted and it was checked over by 3 separate engineers and specialist with fancy laser tools. The only reason it did not fly then was that there was a hold up with the CASA approval of the licences of the ATR pilots that were coming out to check the aircraft.
Fact 2.
ATR did send over two test pilots to put the aircraft through it's maintenance verification flight. VARA does not have any pilots trained or approved to conduct the procedures that were required. The aircraft did 2 flights as it required a small adjustment to the pitch trim. Apart from that it passed all of the other requirements.
Fact 3.
The aircraft was flown to Seletar by two VARA line pilots as it was due for its 'C Check' as although it did not have 5,000 hrs on the clocks it was past the 2 year limit. Had it not required this check it would have gone straight back onto the line - following a repaint of the tail.
Fact 4.
From all accounts, the crew that flew the aircraft to WSSL were impressed at how well it flew and did not report any problems with it.
Fact 5.
It is now back on the line and apart from a few small and very MINOR issues which is what you would expect from an aircraft sitting on the ground for over 10 months, there has been no issues with this air frame.
Those are the facts. Lets stop making assumptions about things we don't know or understand.
That is all.
Last edited by ProProp; 29th Dec 2014 at 10:53.