Remember it takes a college degree to fly a plane but only
a high school diploma to fix one. Reassurance for those
of us who fly routinely in their jobs.
After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called
a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with
the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems,
document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review
the gripe sheets before the next flight.
Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor.
Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by
Qantas' pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded
(marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.
By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never
had an accident.
P: Left inside main
tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left
inside main tire.
P: Test flight OK except
auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed
on this aircraft.
P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in
cockpit.
P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.
P: Autopilot in altitude-hold
mode produces a 200 feet-per-minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
P: Evidence of leak on right
main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.
P: DME volume unbelievably
loud.
S: DME volume set to more
believable level.
P: Friction locks cause
throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what they're for.
P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative
in OFF mode.
P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.
P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right
wing after brief search.
P: Aircraft handles funny. (I
love this one!)
S: Aircraft warned to straighten
up, fly right, and be serious.
P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar
with lyrics.
P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.
And the best one for last..................
P: Noise coming from under instrument
panel.
Sounds
like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.