There are a few similarities to Frank Whittle's attitude to not taking financial advantage, and indeed, the medical problems.

The Lightning plays a part in my novel, and I stood staring at the Duxford aircraft for a very long while. Green with envy for anyone that's flown them - though with the lid on.

On the subject of engineers doing full bore ground runs. Back in the day at LGW in the 70's, two of us would fire up a Britannia and taxi it to the west end of the airport via the taxi way for part or full bore ground runs. When finished, we would call the tower for permission to return via the main runway. Permission was eventually granted and told to make our journey quickly. So, Locks dropped, brakes off, inboard advanced to achieve about 60 knots then back to brake dwell or reverse in order to make a sedate return to the stand. Shut down and off to Eddie's for tea!!

happy days

We also had this..

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....299e1bdbde.jpg
https://aviation-safety.net/database...?id=20010823-0

While having respect for both maintainers and pilots, each may approach their operation of the aircraft differently. Generally, if a pilot starts the engines of an aircraft, the pilot's mind has at least the possibility of flying the aircraft in their mind. Thus, by instinct, the pilot may go through a more complete mental process, in checking that the aircraft is actually ready to fly, or at least run. The maintainer is very unlikely to be intending to fly the aircraft when they start it. So their mind, on the maintenance task requiring running the engines, is not thinking to prepare it for flight, so selection of systems for flight may be overlooked, as flight is not intended, even though that system is needed for ground operation (like hydraulics, for brakes and steering). That does not make pilots superior though, they sometimes operate aircraft without thinking enough about maintenance. The pilot might start up, and power away on a loose surface, where a maintainer would be thinking more about FOD - 'cause they'll have to change out the damaged parts!

When I, as a pilot, have taken on a ground run maintenance role, I have arranged to have the aircraft tied off to a ground anchor for ground runs - I don't want to have to worry about brakes holding - unless the maintenance is to check them!

You gotta get your head into the proper mindset before you start.

Maybe we should start posting links and pictures of incidents where the pilots were at fault just to level things up a bit. Oh wait that would be very childish and irrelevant.......