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2009 Slush Pile

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How strong is that wind?

2009 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

As a school leaver I started as a technician apprentice at British Aerospace, military aircraft division in Lancashire, England in 1978. After a couple of years, the apprentices were sent out to various departments for a few weeks to get a better understanding of the various functions performed, in the winter of 1980 myself and another apprentice named Mark were set to the company airfield at Samlesbury near Preston, we were to observe/assist in aircraft ground handling and static engine runs. The aircraft to be tested was a Canberra twin jet bomber of the 1950's era (it was also built in the USA by Martin and named B-57), it had two Rolly Royce Avon engines giving 11,000 Lbs of thrust each. The engine runs took place on a sloping concrete ramp with a small blast wall at the end, during the course of the engine run one of the engineers noticed that Mark wasn't answering his calls on the aircraft intercom that all ground staff were plugged into, I saw the engineer running to rear of the ramp and then rugby tackle Mark to the ground. Once everything was shut down and calm, Mark admitted that his plan was to bend down behind the blast wall and work his way to behind the running engine then wait for it to be run up to full power before standing up to see how hard the wind was blowing from the engine! Nothing of this was reported as it would have ment trouble for everyone, but needless to say he wasn't allowed anywhere near an aircraft after that, the best thing was that as technician apprentices we were supposed to be the bright ones destined for better things! I ended up as a design draughtsman, Mark disappeared before completing his training, he probably ended up as an ejector seat test pilot. Not a Darwin, but he did try hard.

Submitted on 01/14/2009

Submitted by: Phil Walmslet
Reference: none, not reported to company health and safety either!

Copyright © 2009 DarwinAwards.com

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>> Moderator Scores <<

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Mark certainly sounds like he has all the intelligence and curiosity required for a full fledged DA. It wouldn't surprise me if we hear from in the future, if we haven't already! Thanks, Phil.

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Apparently he missed the definition of BLAST wall! Thanks, Phil!

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