Double Engine Removal for Kulula at Lanseria

[CJ750]

Does anyone have any information why SAA Technical staff were removing both engines offa Kulula 737 at Lanseria today.............:ooh:

[nugpot]

Swopping them around for trouble shooting ............. :E

[Capetonian]

They probably weren't SAA engineers, more likely Nigerians in false uniforms. In a couple of days those engines will be up for sale in Lagos, or the Cape Flats, and the aircraft up on bricks!

[Shrike200]

Nugpot has this one nailed :)

Catastrophic, barely contained HP turbine failure at TOD, engineers swapped them to see if the fault transfers :E

[Solid Rust Twotter]

I heard both thronomisters went U/S on the climb.

The old wobble flange models are prone to that happening.

[CJ750]

This 737 was not an old 200. Engines were a bit mor modern than that.

[Contract Dog]

I heard that the captain had complained that the copilot could not be trusted to monitor the right engine on start, so the engineers took it upon themselves to help the old captain out and swap the engines over so he could check it himself. :E

[I.R.PIRATE]

If the technical staff you refer to, were the special breed found only in South Africa, going by the name of 'engineers' - then yes, part swapping is the most likely diagnosis as that is about as far as their skills go.

If however, they were mechanics, it might have been a double engine change. With good chance of success I might add.

^ re-reading that, I know it makes little sense, but to me and anyone else who thinks this term 'engineer' is a little far fetched...you will know what I mean.:rolleyes:

[dash431]

"De-engineerer" or "Anti-engineer" seem to me to be waaaaaay more appropriate titles... "How to make un-servicable, that which is servicable" seems to be the standard issue manual for said bunch!

[good spark]

cj750
was you hoping for a serious reply?



gs

[dakotanorb]

Where you hoping for a series answer to this, or these ting failing for ground?

[CJ750]

yes i was hoping for an answer.

a double engine removal by saa clad engineers on the apron at lanseria is not something you see very often unlike some other destinations i have been to in africa.

[flareout BC]

Capetonian, you're a lowdown cheap racist iddiiioooottttt !

[nugpot]

flareout BC,

Your sense of humour is severely under developed.

And unfortunately Capetonian's post accurately reflects the morals of the majority of Nigerians in South Africa. I didn't see any race mentioned in his post. Is the racism card the only one you have? It doesn't have any value in SA anymore - sort of like producing a joker while playing bridge.

[EladElap]

Wonder if the Aeronexus 767 that's been doing some flights for Comair is being leased in to cover this U/S 73, or if we'll be seeing the 767 flying for Comair a bit more long term.

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Sensitive spanner swingers?

Whatever next...?:}

[oompilot]

sort of like producing a joker while playing bridge.:cool: -Brilliant.

Talking about sensitive spanner swingers. I see there are a few woman creeping in to the hangers with toolboxes. Perhaps they are softening them up a bit. Getting them in touch with their feelings a bit more.

[cavortingcheetah]

That'll be the flight of the talk wenches then?

[Juliet Sierra Papa]

Wonder if the Aeronexus 767 that's been doing some flights for Comair is being leased in to cover this U/S 73,

On my way to Paarl on Sun pm around 15h00 I was sure I saw Kulula MD on finals to CPT but admit I was a few km's away. Is the 73X still out of service and if so was this MD the replacement?
:ok:

[Romeo E.T.]

Juliet Sierra Papa

I was sure I saw Kulula MD on finals to CPT but admit I was a few km's away. Is the 73X still out of service and if so was this MD the replacement?


Comair haven't touched an MD since its withdrawl from service

[Q4NVS]

Is this the same aircraft (ZS-OAM) EUROPCAR which suffered a #1 Engine Failure out of FAPE on Friday 11th March 2011? :ooh:

[lodewyk]

as you all can see,im not hiding behind a nickname,like most of you who has a mouth full to say about enineers/mechanics.

you should all count your blessings that there is people like us around to fix whatever you guys brake during a 3 hour sortie. yes thats right,sometimes it takes a pilot 10 minutes to brake an aircraft.then its us who has to run around and get it fixed so that you can carry on to do your so important job,or to get you a replacement aircraft.

do not!!!!!!! look down at us as if we are the scum of the earth,we are here to help you and so should you help us.

you should see how incompetent some pilots are,saa,sax,link,british,delta,quantas,everybody has pilots and everybody has engineers/mechanics.
after all,we are all just human and you make mistakes and i make mistakes and you know whats the best of all,is that these things that we fly around in,this things that we fix that we call aeroplane,were build by humans. yes,they were build by your own kind.
it took us 100 odd years to get were we are today and we are still learing,aviation is still learning from its mistakes,nobody is perfect,not you as a pilot and also not me.

get over it buddy,dont think that one companies maintanece is better than the others,they are all the same,in south africa,nigeria,usa,brittan,france and let me tell you another thing,engineers/mechanics in south africa are underpaid and over worked,i dont think that there are engineers/mechanics anywhere in the world who has got more depth and guts than here on homesoil.
im proud of my fellow engineers/mechanics.

[Shrike200]

Don't worry man, we love you guys. Really. :)

We all (pilots and engineers) face similar pressures, so we joke about the 'swapped for troubleshooting' type of thing, but the real enemy is the time (money!) pressure. If an airline company ponces on about 'Safety First', they're actually talking out of their sphincters - what they really mean is 'Money First, and try to do it safely' :) And yeah, you get some dof pilots too....

[I.R.PIRATE]

That should be " you should all count your blessings that there ARE people like us around to fix whatever you guys BREAK." Gottit?:E

Let me guess : Blue Bulls supporter too.

[oompilot]

lodewyk, through your Grade 1 grammar and spelling you have highlighted why you are more correctly referred to as Mechanics rather then Engineers.

[Cable Tie]

Q4NVS :Is this the same aircraft (ZS-OAM) EUROPCAR which suffered a #1 Engine Failure out of FAPE on Friday 11th March 2011?


No this is another incident, The first one is at Lanseria. There was internal damage, and if you guys are wondering, SAA don't do the major overhauls on the CFM 56-3 anymore. They are outsourced.

[Malagant]

Engineers..they design stuff, technicians fix stuff or try to fix stuff that we intentionally "brake" during our 3 hour sorties..!:hmm:

[I.R.PIRATE]

Engineers mostly finished school too, and have a degree.

[Van Der]

To the smart arse commentators (i.e. IR Pirate, Oom), did you consider that the person you are sarcastically commenting about (lodewyk) first language might not be English?

WRT to the Engineer vs Mechanic / Technician theme, unfortunately my and most AME’s license book refers to an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. As of yet I have never come across an AME who claims to be an Engineer from University and experience has shown me that those engineers that never got their matric / “finished school” can be better Aircraft Maintenance Engineers than those with all the “correct” paper qualifications.

I have come across more than a few pilots who think they know everything, including how to fix an aeroplane.
Problem is most of them are scared of bleeding and getting their hands dirty.

[Capetonian]

To the smart arse commentators (i.e. IR Pirate, Oom), did you consider that the person you are sarcastically commenting about (lodewyk) first language might not be English?

Lodewyk's first language is probably Afrikaans. That language, like English, and like most other languages, uses capitals at the beginning of sentences, for proper nouns, and so on.

The way he writes English is indicative of a sloppy, careless attitude and if that is reflected in his work, I hope I never fly on an aircraft he has worked on.

[Van Der]

Let me guess, you’re a pilot and a Psychologist?

Judging someone’s ability to fix aeroplanes by their grammar skills is just silly. Personally I’d rather fly with a pilot who knows how to fly the plane, than one who knows his grammar.

:ugh:

[mattman]

I have to step into bat for our beloved, Engineers, Mechanics and or Techies.

As there are the good and the bad pilots, I am safe to assume the same applies to the beloved spanner monkey (just a joke).

There is nothing more cherished than the Engineer that can devise you out of a tight spot, and when you’re sitting in some God forsaken stink hole, this is a prized possession to have.

To pull an engine on an uncovered ramp and return it back into the craft you fly, without the comfort of a roof over your head is feat already in the making. To make the aircraft an airworthy chunk of Aluminium is really a master task. I for one am gobsmacked by the plumbing a designer puts into these things. I challenge those that have not tried it, to go to your local repair shop and put your hand in some grease and slop a bearing or two.

To the rest I implore, just smile and wave.

By these men a Bell’s


P.S

I did not think ICAO wanted a Level 4 for the AME?

[Van Der]

@ Mattman

Not yet, but who knows what could happen if those lawyers who write the regulations get their way.
BTW thanks for the comments, and yes us humans are not perfect.

[lambert]

Actually, Lodewyk is probably a level 4 or 5 (or even 6) since the ICAO LPR English test is oral and not written, so we couldn't see if he is using capitals or not!

[nugpot]

@ Van Der

I have come across more than a few pilots who think they know everything, including how to fix an aeroplane.
Problem is most of them are scared of bleeding and getting their hands dirty.

I would guess that you have probably come across more than a few pilots who think they know what is wrong with an aeroplane. Most of us want bugger all to do with fixing it, but after many thousands of hours on the same type, I can tell when it is broken (ground tested and found serviceable - my ass) and often what is broken as well (xxx swopped with yyy for trouble-shooting - just delaying the inevitable and probably looking for a turn-back).

Let me guess, you’re a pilot and a Psychologist?


Nah, pilot and engineer - the type with the degree that is.

:E ;)

[KRONOS]

Lodewickus....

Have a coke and a smile buddy, you going to give yourself a hot start, possibly throw a few blades, or a bearing :}


Ever heard of friendly banter, taking the piss, just like the maintenance crews have a lot to say about the incompetent flightdeck crew, who know nothing, and always break the aeroplane.

You are paid for your "expertise" are you not, so fix it...so I can break it later.

K

[Evanelpus]

Bet they didn't need a MM either, just followed the descriptions on the side of the fuselage to differentiate between parts!

[nugpot]

Bet they didn't need a MM either, just followed the descriptions on the side of the fuselage to differentiate between parts!

I think it was the camo one, so they had to find them first - the engines that is....

[natureair]

Are you as good with grammer and spelling in your tech logs as well......normally aircrew are not........

[Evanelpus]

Me and grammer are fine, it's grandpa that's a pain in the ass!

[Van Der]

"Are you as good with grammer and spelling in your tech logs as well......normally aircrew are not........ "

@Natureair - Thats if they bother to stay long enough to write anything.

[I.R.PIRATE]

If you want no snags - write nothing.

[Contract Dog]

Now as much as I do enjoy partaking in a little friendly banter with my spanner wielding comrades, I do think that a line needs to be firmly drawn in the sand here.... and as this is a rumor network, I can only go by what I was told on the apron today, moments before I had to drag my sorry arse into the air for another epic battle with the elements on a godless trip into the unknown, that has ended with me in one piece and a not so healthy aircraft in the middle of a rather unforgiving desert for an unspecified period of time. The life of a contract dog is at best unforgiving, but I digress. From what I was told today, is that said aircraft (rumor network!) was inbound and lost an engine and as any good company would do, a replacement was sent, said replacement also lost an engine on the way in. This created a rather large problem but easily solved buy our trusty beasts of burden, both f@#%d donkeys were taken away and the 2 good ones put onto the good a/c. question is, where are the engines now? and if this was in fact the scenario, why were there no reports in a local paper about the obligatory death plummet and stalling of the engine resulting of the suddenly falling out of the sky of the metallic bird???? If I am honest, I think the engineers must have f@#$ed up again and management is covering for the bastards to make the flight crew look bad so that they can drop our salaries. It makes seance!

Dog (wiff a tung in va cheek!) :E

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Grammer(sic) and spelling?


How do you cope with maintenance manuals?:}

[unstable load]

Twotter,
That's why the maintenance manuals have so many pictures in them. :DEngineers need only know how to read OR write, or, for Apprentices, to know someone who can.
Those of us that can read and write become the Chief Engineer and translate the picture/words interface for the rest of them......:E

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Spot on Mr Load. That talent engineers have for peeling bananas with their feet comes in useful when multi tasking too. Always good to have another set of digits with which to get to those awkwardly placed items.:}




(Although the poo flinging and chest beating thing can be a bit infra dig.)

[KRONOS]

You can like to be cruisin for a bruisin china.....:} your toof can like to look like ve picher here if they get you.....

Valid point as news 24 / E TV news never reported on the " my life flashed before my eyes" and the sure death plummet after the engine exploded...the noise, the blinding flash, or ComAir might have said news agency's in their pocket, and you are only allowed to slander the jurassic iron bird from that other lowcost carrier.

K

[unstable load]

Kronos,

The Rusty Twotter is a sharp customer, man. :eek:
Gotta wake up real early to get one over on him, besides, he's not too bad:ok:....................................for a pilot...:E

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Yerssss..... One can even peel bananas with one's feet, like any good engineer. Besides, Twotters are built for those of us of a more simian persuasion, hence the monkey handle power levers on the roof.:E

[Cable Tie]

To unstable and all the other Irritable bus drivers. We don't have to read because we can remember sometimes up to four different aircrafts systems, depending how many different variants we have to maintain.

anyway its very rich coming from you so called higher than thou, that can't even do a simple COPCO start with first having to look at his procedure manual.

Is it also a must to touch the instruments when explaining to F/O. Try doing it without smudging the instruments, so we have to clean your grime.

P.S. They are waiting for one pilot to go on unpaid leave, so they can afford to overhaul the broken engine.

[Shrike200]

Most airlines SOP's REQUIRE the crew to do anything out of the supplementary procedures from the manual, and frown (during checkrides) on it being done purely from memory. So pilots doing COPCO starts, battery starts, bleeds off take off's etc from the book, are doing it right. Touch drill is another thing on the 'supposed to do' list (no excuses for any pilots smearing their greasy fingers all over the DU's though). Try not to let compliance with procedures piss you off. This would be the wrong industry for that. :ok:

[nugpot]

They are waiting for one pilot to go on unpaid leave, so they can afford to overhaul the broken engine.

Cheapskates. At my airline you could probably buy a new engine on a pilot's pay per month .......

that can't even do a simple COPCO start with first having to look at his procedure manual.

That's just to give the engineer some time to figure out what the cockpit hand signals meant. It is rude to look impatient when they are trying their best.

;)

[Van Der]

If I am honest, I think the engineers must have f@#$ed up again and management is covering for the bastards to make the flight crew look bad so that they can drop our salaries. It makes seance!



As the engines were lost while the aircraft was under the control of da pilots who else should pay for it?

I hope you find them soon!

;)

[unstable load]

To unstable and all the other Irritable bus drivers.:=

I think your Cable Tie is too tight, old bean. It's interfering with your reading. Read my post again and you'll see I'm no pilot:hmm: and was actually taking the wee a little. Sadly, I seem to have failed with you:ok:.

Then again, We don't have to read.... I hope that was in jest, along with this pearl...because we can remember sometimes up to four different aircrafts systems, depending how many different variants we have to maintain.

Personally, I have grown fond of my maintenance manuals....:D

[oompilot]

Why don't they make a movie called Top Spanner. A rip off of Top Gun showing the exciting lives of aircraft mechanics. Scenes of golf carts racing between hangers with the setting sun in the background would be epic, or passing each other really closely while appy's get pictures of mechanics flipping 'the bird' to the russian helicopter mechanic as he passes by, him snapping his teeth wildly while chewing gum.
Perhaps the final scene could be an over-tightened bolt tasked to an appy. He requires the top Spanner to intervene and reminisce about a similar crisis in the field, let say, the Congo. He would describe the scene, dirty grease on the floor, bent and broken spanners everywhere, like fire flies, the mechanic eventually defeated by the stubborn bolt is described as last being seen fleeing into long grass with a Night Fighter and a big smile.
As the scene fades the appy is seen, now inspired, but still walking at half pace while eating a sandwich with to much tomato sauce, picking up a hammer......

[Van Der]

Why don't they make a movie called Top Spanner. A rip off of Top Gun showing the exciting lives of aircraft mechanics. Scenes of golf carts racing between hangers with the setting sun in the background would be epic, or passing each other really closely while appy's get pictures of mechanics flipping 'the bird' to the russian helicopter mechanic as he passes by, him snapping his teeth wildly while chewing gum.
Perhaps the final scene could be an over-tightened bolt tasked to an appy. He requires the top Spanner to intervene and reminisce about a similar crisis in the field, let say, the Congo. He would describe the scene, dirty grease on the floor, bent and broken spanners everywhere, like fire flies, the mechanic eventually defeated by the stubborn bolt is described as last being seen fleeing into long grass with a Night Fighter and a big smile.
As the scene fades the appy is seen, now inspired, but still walking at half pace while eating a sandwich with to much tomato sauce, picking up a hammer......

He he... You shoulda posted this in the "You know youre in Africa" thread

[oompilot]

I'm glad you see the post for what it was. :ok:

[Van Der]

But of course!
I am after all a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer...

Cheers chaps thanks for the laugh's and dont forget that pre flight, you never know what your friendly AME forgot to put back on.

:E

[Solid Rust Twotter]

I don't really mind AMEs. It's just having to water them twice a week that gets me down....:}

[unstable load]

the appy is seen, now inspired, but still walking at half pace

Ha! You must have got one of the good ones, there.

I don't really mind AMEs. It's just having to water them twice a week that gets me down....
Must be a fixed wing thing, there. Rotary ones are self-watering, probably as a result of being able to walk AND chew gum without tripping.

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Well the rotary ones have to be brighter. It's a survival trait learned in order to avoid being hit by the shrapnel when the bleedin' ugly floppychopters commit sewerage pipe and lay there thrashing themselves to bits and trying to eat their own engines.:}

[unstable load]

There you go, then. Thank you Mr Twotter.:ok:

[Solid Rust Twotter]

Doesn't say much for the pilots of the unfortunate looking mechanical contrivances, though....:}

[unstable load]

The less said about them, the better.