[quote[ On the other hand, the problem persists because it is tolerated for a whole raft of reasons.
[quote/]
Scene at Essendon for example. Young pilot desperate for hours has a casual job flying a 172 on morning and evening rush hour traffic surveillance. The aircraft cockpit stinks of petrol and petrol stains running down under the wings from leaking fuel drains. Been like that for ages.
Warned that a spark from (for example) the flap motor, or electrical equipment in the cockpit, could ignite petrol fumes, let alone a flash of flame from the engine exhaust on engine start, said pilot agreed there was a severe fuel leak problem but was prepared to close his eyes and take the 172 as he said there was no shortage of other pilots waiting for his job should he write up the snag and lose his job.