The thread is already drifting a bit, so I feel happy to add a
bon mot from a student. Some decades ago, when I was that "dangerous bloody thing" a QHI (thanks
BEags), I was doing an out-of-phase check or refresher on the mighty Wessex for the Staish, fine chap (now deceased) D*** S******.
The sortie was "circuits and emergencies" at the Secret Shropshire Helicopter Base; since the Staish had last flown the Queen Mother of the Skies, a check of IFF selection had been added at the end of the after take-off checks. The Staish kept missing this out; cue smart@ss crewman - sorry: diligent downstairs professional - declaring on each occasion:
"With the IFF at Standby, your checks are complete Sir!"
Grumbling noise from Staish, followed by:
"Crewman: the IFF
IS at standby and will remain so for the rest of the sortie. I shall not mention it again and would be grateful if you did not either!!"
Nice one Sir!
