Comments on: The Gimli Glider retires http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/26/the-gimli-glider-retires/ Can you think of a better name? Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:36:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bob McNary http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/26/the-gimli-glider-retires/comment-page-1/#comment-92639 Bob McNary Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:48:26 +0000 http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/26/the-gimli-glider-retires/#comment-92639 Sorry, BUT the aircraft had NO fuel gauges working, not "one." Also the MEL (Minimum Equipment List) stated that both "M" for maintenance and "O" for operations (in this case, the pilots) were responsible. Therefore the pilots thought the mechanics took care of it and the mechanics thought the pilots took care of the problem. At no time was this aircraft authorized to fly. Standard procedures allow an aircraft to fly with one gauge inop but not all. Lastly, the fueler on the prior flight was a good friend of mine, Paul Woods. He testified at the Transport Canada trial and his testimony was instrumental in exonerating the fuelers. Lastly, the fuel was boarded in pounds but the crew thought it was boarded in litres. Hence there was approximately half the correct fuel on board. The crew used the "known quantity" to calculate remaining fuel as it was fed to the engines. Hope this helps, Bob McNary Senior Coordinator, Retired Delta Air Lines, Inc. Sorry, BUT the aircraft had NO fuel gauges working, not "one." Also the MEL (Minimum Equipment List) stated that both "M" for maintenance and "O" for operations (in this case, the pilots) were responsible. Therefore the pilots thought the mechanics took care of it and the mechanics thought the pilots took care of the problem. At no time was this aircraft authorized to fly. Standard procedures allow an aircraft to fly with one gauge inop but not all.

Lastly, the fueler on the prior flight was a good friend of mine, Paul Woods. He testified at the Transport Canada trial and his testimony was instrumental in exonerating the fuelers.

Lastly, the fuel was boarded in pounds but the crew thought it was boarded in litres. Hence there was approximately half the correct fuel on board. The crew used the "known quantity" to calculate remaining fuel as it was fed to the engines.

Hope this helps,

Bob McNary
Senior Coordinator, Retired
Delta Air Lines, Inc.

]]> By: Fagstein » Gimli Glider, 25 years ago http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/26/the-gimli-glider-retires/comment-page-1/#comment-36517 Fagstein » Gimli Glider, 25 years ago Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:48:34 +0000 http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/26/the-gimli-glider-retires/#comment-36517 [...] back for further maintenance, and continued in service for Air Canada for another 25 years. It retired this January, just six months before the 25th anniversary of its historic [...] [...] back for further maintenance, and continued in service for Air Canada for another 25 years. It retired this January, just six months before the 25th anniversary of its historic [...]

]]>