Nimrod Information

[toddbabe]

tappers dad Keep digging I too wouold be interested to know, one thing is for sure all the civi's won't touch it with a barge pole.

[Exrigger]

Found this item for those interested in aircraft and wiring, toddbabe as you can see a few civi's have/do use kapton:

http://www.vision.net.au/~apaterson/...wire_types.htm

http://www.publications.parliament.u...t/91209w01.htm

[Distant Voice]

Exrigger: Many thanks for that information. I have read the Hansard statement many times, and it is clear that the spokesman states that Nimrod carries PVC/Nylon wiring not Kapton. My feeling is that although that was the case when Nimrod entered service, Kapton wiring has been used for additional equipment fits such as Yellowgate. My basic question simply begs a yes/no answer from avionics at 1st line.

By the way, I note from your 2nd reference that whilst Kapton wiring is considered to be very dangerous, PVC/Nylon is regarded as dangerous and is subject to aging and has a low operating temperature. It is not used by the USAF

DV

[Da4orce]

Mad Mark said

The crew reported a bomb-bay fire in their mayday.

I have personally been told by senior figures at Kinloss that no mayday call was made by the crew of XV230. A call was made that was described as something else (name escapes me now) but it was some sort of priority call to report a problem but not a mayday call.

I have no intention of adding further to the speculation around the incident just wanted to clarify that one point.

[Distant Voice]

A "Pan" call

DV

[Da4orce]

That's it a 'pan call'.

[Tappers Dad]

Oh look another politician interested in Nimrods.

NIMRODS FUEL-LEAK FIGURES SHOCK
The Ministry of Defence confirmed yesterday that 25 fuel leaks had been reported in the six months to March 31 this year.
These latest figures will heighten concerns about the safety of the aircraft which has been in service with the RAF for more than 35 years.
Last night, Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: "Clearly this is alarming and reinforces the anxiety of service personnel and their families who are awaiting the final conclusions of the on-going investigations into the Nimrod tragedy.

Although the RAF board of inquiry into last September's crash has still to publish its findings, a fuel leak is thought to have led to the catastrophic fire and explosion which brought down the aircraft.
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/dis...=sidebarsearch

[Len Ganley]

Nimrods exceeded planned flying hours for 2 years before fatal crash

http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=792192007

[JFZ90]

RE: scotsman article

No. of hours / year is not necessarily related to safety - so it is extremely misleading of this article to imply that it is.

Its a bit like saying I planned to drive 10,000 miles this year in my car, but actually did 12,000.

Is the person who wrote this a complete muppet, or am I missing something?

[nigegilb]

James Kirkup, is switched on, he works out of Westminster and has written several articles about lack of equipment, overstretch etc, but I don't think he has specialist knowledge of aviation matters.

He is a good guy though, I have had several chats with him, why not give him a call and set him straight. I have his number somewhere.

[Distant Voice]

Nimrod Flying Hours

Sorry JFZ, I think James Kirkup is making a valid point. If you examine all the available data (from 1997) you will find that prior to 2004 "achieved" and "planned" are roughly the same. It is only during the last 3 years that the overflying has taken place. I understand your point about running a car, but if I had a 39 year old car I would not be flogging it to death at the end of it's life.

[Not Long Here]

"It is only during the last 3 years that the overflying has taken place."

And with less assets, both air and groundcrew

[Distant Voice]

NLH. By overflying I mean "achieved" is greater than "planned". This does not mean that more flying was carried out in last 3 years than in the previous years. In fact number of hours flown last year was about 30% down on what it was 4 years ago.

[Len Ganley]

......if I had a 39 year old car I would not be flogging it to death at the end of it's life.

I'm guessing that you would not have cut the number of people looking after it either.

[Distant Voice]

Len G: You are correct. As machines get older you have to spend more on spares and support crews, and we haven't done that.

[Safety_Helmut]

Am I also right in thinking that the intervals between scheduled servicings was increased again recently. The major cycle was changed from 2000 to 2400 flying hours in the late 80's or early 90's. What's the interval now ?

S_H

[Tappers Dad]

I did hear that since the crash the intervals between scheduled servicings was increased . However whether they are major servicing or routine ones that have increased I don't know.

[Distant Voice]

Kapton Wiring

I see there are no takers yet for my original posting. It should be an simple question for any current avionics guys out there. "Does the Yellowgate system use Kapton wiring?"

If there are problems posting a reply, then please email me.

DV

[Tappers Dad]

Come on Pontius Navigator I am sure you either know the answer to DV's question RE Kapton WIring or know someone else that does?

[Pontius Navigator]

TD, sorry, I am a navigator and an historian and had never heard of Kapton wiring until it was raised here.

As you no doubt know, the wiring was manufactured by DuPont. You will also have seen it was used in the Harrier GR5. How did it get into the GR5?