RAF Air Engineer Branch
Aye but what we talking
90,100,110,120 kg.
looks like Alex Salmond?
90,100,110,120 kg.
looks like Alex Salmond?
grizz - you could start a whole new topic on the subject!
Join Date: Mar 2004
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After leaving the C130 fleet I joined BA as an F/E on the B747.
One day, pre-9/11, I was happily sitting in the 'best seat in the house' when a very attractive stewardess entered the flight deck with an, equally attractive, female pax.
The female pax, after making some of the usual remarks (isn't it small in here? Do you know what ALL of these buttons do?) then turned to the cabin crew lady and asked 'Do the cabin crew sleep with the pilots?'
To which she replied 'Yes, but they stay awake with the flight engineers.'
And I remember thinking 'I'm not surprised, it takes a long time to fully explain the B747 hydraulic system'.......................
One day, pre-9/11, I was happily sitting in the 'best seat in the house' when a very attractive stewardess entered the flight deck with an, equally attractive, female pax.
The female pax, after making some of the usual remarks (isn't it small in here? Do you know what ALL of these buttons do?) then turned to the cabin crew lady and asked 'Do the cabin crew sleep with the pilots?'
To which she replied 'Yes, but they stay awake with the flight engineers.'
And I remember thinking 'I'm not surprised, it takes a long time to fully explain the B747 hydraulic system'.......................
TBT,
GEs were always worse off than the Air Eng, we never had the flying pay you guys did
Fergie,
Yes thanks Im as well as can be expected for someone who was once a compatriot of Mike Libby. Are you located near Auckland ? I have a good, ex Herk pal who lives there.
So, I get to the aircraft as the rest of the routes real workers arrive. The Eng and Loady, who proceed to pre flight Albert. I for my part carry out all the necessary preparations for the route, a nice trip with the first night stop St Johns, Newfie. Tool kit strapped in, hammock prepped for action, last smoke (don't even smoke these days) had, twice. On turning up on the flight deck the Air Eng was just setting up and asked me to go back out and clear him for a GTC start. No probs, GTC starts and shuts down. Back to the Flight deck and ask the Air Eng " Why do you start the GTC? ". Our man says, "well, you just want to know that it's going to work when you need it." Well, we all know what's coming, GTC fails to start with the full compliment of Her Majesties finest up front, a 3 hour delay followed and our first nightstop became Leuchars ISTR, with a fuel stop at Gander for Griffis AFB the next day. I've always respected the wisdom of the man in the middle seat, but then, I always was a sucker for rumour.
Smudge
GEs were always worse off than the Air Eng, we never had the flying pay you guys did
Fergie,
Yes thanks Im as well as can be expected for someone who was once a compatriot of Mike Libby. Are you located near Auckland ? I have a good, ex Herk pal who lives there.
So, I get to the aircraft as the rest of the routes real workers arrive. The Eng and Loady, who proceed to pre flight Albert. I for my part carry out all the necessary preparations for the route, a nice trip with the first night stop St Johns, Newfie. Tool kit strapped in, hammock prepped for action, last smoke (don't even smoke these days) had, twice. On turning up on the flight deck the Air Eng was just setting up and asked me to go back out and clear him for a GTC start. No probs, GTC starts and shuts down. Back to the Flight deck and ask the Air Eng " Why do you start the GTC? ". Our man says, "well, you just want to know that it's going to work when you need it." Well, we all know what's coming, GTC fails to start with the full compliment of Her Majesties finest up front, a 3 hour delay followed and our first nightstop became Leuchars ISTR, with a fuel stop at Gander for Griffis AFB the next day. I've always respected the wisdom of the man in the middle seat, but then, I always was a sucker for rumour.
Smudge
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Yes, Libby was present at the K Bash at BZN last month, good to see him again after all this time, and yes he still has a medallion even if a little smaller these days 
Join Date: May 2001
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All of the above would have been a good tick! A female version of Jabba the Hut springs more readily to mind
Is it something that is a natural instinct within them all?
Is it something which was actively looked for in recruitment?.
Is it trained for during training?
Is there any differences between fleets i.e is it just a herk thing or was the kipper fleet the same?.
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Not wishing to incriminate myself, but in an earlier life I have had the
dubious pleasure of winning certain competitions whilst on det
Dengue_Dude (aka Brian), good on yer for making the electronic copy. I'd appreciate a copy of it because I've lost mine in the many moves I've made around the planet.
Derek Stringman was an all around top bloke and instructor. During my own K Groundschool, he, and Derek Jeans, were both very enthusiastic C130K Ground Instructors who took great pride in their work.
As a very junior Air Eng I recall sitting in a Girlie Bar, in Berlin, where I was sat at the end of the line of five guys (Herc crew) drooling at what was going-on on-stage. After several beers some German bird, of large proportions, propositioned the skipper (in German) who, in turn, declined her offer and waived her onto the next bloke, the co-pilot. He made the same gesture and passed her onto the Nav. The Nav passed her onto the Loadie who, in turn, passed her onto me... at the end of the queue! I got led off down a corridor and up a couple of steps into a small room with a bathtub surrounded by heavy drapes. I'd got my kit off and slid into the bath; which was when the curtains opened... onto the stage! Bugger!!
TCF
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Girlie Bar, in Berlin,
1988, 40th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, weekend in Berlin.... Sqn clerk in the bath... kitty lifted from the skipper's shirt pocket... Ah yes, it all comes flooding back!!
Join Date: Dec 2007
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' evening D D, I'd be very interested in a copy of the "History of the Air Engineer" if you could let me have one.
It's of interest that when I started my Flight Engineer's course at RAF St. Athan in 1950 it was an 18 month course but that this was "abridged" to 6 months because it was thought that the new aircraft with which the RAF was to be equipped wouldn't need an Engineer and recruitment ceased. I went on to complete a 42 year flying career, 2/3 RAF and 1/3 civilian. It seems that the Air Ministry was no more efficient at forecasting future requirements then than the Ministry of Defence is now, more than 60 years later.
It's of interest that when I started my Flight Engineer's course at RAF St. Athan in 1950 it was an 18 month course but that this was "abridged" to 6 months because it was thought that the new aircraft with which the RAF was to be equipped wouldn't need an Engineer and recruitment ceased. I went on to complete a 42 year flying career, 2/3 RAF and 1/3 civilian. It seems that the Air Ministry was no more efficient at forecasting future requirements then than the Ministry of Defence is now, more than 60 years later.
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Send me a PM with your email John.
Without being too personal, I would prefer the distribution of this book be done via the Flight Engineer's Association.
I make no apologies for saying that does not apply to friends I've known since becoming an FE over 40 years ago.
PM your email and I'll either email the 8+ Mb file or create a shared folder in Dropbox.
Without being too personal, I would prefer the distribution of this book be done via the Flight Engineer's Association.
I make no apologies for saying that does not apply to friends I've known since becoming an FE over 40 years ago.
PM your email and I'll either email the 8+ Mb file or create a shared folder in Dropbox.
Last edited by Dengue_Dude; 6th Dec 2013 at 19:39. Reason: Afterthought
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Dave, Fergi and spouse are currently walkabout in Nepal.
He's due back home on 25th January. I don't want you think he's being ignorant and rudely ignoring you (he is, of course ignorant, but would probably reply because he's a bit of a softy - especially towards 'old folks'
).
Best wishes for a Happy New Year to you and Jackie.
Brian
He's due back home on 25th January. I don't want you think he's being ignorant and rudely ignoring you (he is, of course ignorant, but would probably reply because he's a bit of a softy - especially towards 'old folks'
).Best wishes for a Happy New Year to you and Jackie.
Brian
Knew Mick at Lyneham & St Mawgan,where, someone, who bore a striking resemblance had a 'miniscule' part featured in a production called "One for the ladies" ?
Also taught me the correct procedure for wearing a shirt 'must' include dropping trousers to ankle height,to acheive a positive 'tuck' !
Also taught me the correct procedure for wearing a shirt 'must' include dropping trousers to ankle height,to acheive a positive 'tuck' !
Join Date: Nov 2001
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RAF Air Engineer Branch
Thanks Brian,
I've been away and missed the first posts on this matter and had missed the start of this thread. I will live in hope that he sees my post and does send me the required info. Unless of course he gets it from you.
You can also send me an email or PM.
Regards
To you both
DD
I've been away and missed the first posts on this matter and had missed the start of this thread. I will live in hope that he sees my post and does send me the required info. Unless of course he gets it from you.
You can also send me an email or PM.
Regards
To you both
DD
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Dave, not clear what you want 'info' wise. If it's Derek's book (in which you are thanked by Derek), let me know which email address you're using.
Fergi has confirmed he'll be back on 26th Jan.
All the best.
Fergi has confirmed he'll be back on 26th Jan.
All the best.
