Mike is absolutely correct. This is another example of creeping complacency that will ultimately lead to injury or worse.
A glider which was certified with a functional wheel brake, is not airworthy without. A glider should never get through a Form 2 without a fully serviceable wheel brake if it was manufactured and certified with one. It should not get through a DI likewise. As mentioned by others, injuries which result from unserviceable wheel brakes (or those that may have been avoided by a serviceable wheel brake) create any number of liability issues, which if I was the insurer I would seek to dodge, and rightly so. The insurer has every right to expect the aircraft is maintained to its certified standard. That's what the GFA MOSP says after all. Form 2 Inspectors have an obligation to ensure the aircraft is operated in its 'as certified' condition. David -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike Cleaver Sent: Wednesday, 28 March 2007 7:47 PM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Tost wheel brakes At 13:33 28/03/2007, you wrote: >If an aircraft has a mechanism (separate handle or end of airbrake travel) >to actuate a wheel brake, but the brake has been disabled or is not >functioning as it should, should it not be filled out as a minor defect in >the MR? > >Nick Gilbert > > >Mike Borgelt wrote: > > > Anyone else see what's wrong with this? > >I take it you're referring to the deliberate impairment of a potentially >life-saving device in an aircraft to work around a personal discipline >lapse amongst its pilots? > > - mark > [ who spent about 2 hours repairing a wheel brake cable > last night :-) ] No, not a MINOR defect. IF IT DOES NOT WORK ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER'S TYPE DATA CERTIFICATION SHEET THEN THE AIRCRAFT IS NOT AIRWORTHY. The purpose of maintenance is to keep the aircraft in its certified condition. Not to say we should rely on using the wheel brake - but if a motor mechanic 'fixed' your car brakes so the ABS didn't work, and as a result you had an accident and killed a passenger... (I should not need to complete the argument). Wombat _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring