Posts by user "Magplug" [Posts: 21 Total up-votes: 17 Page: 2 of 2]¶

I am not aware of a spate of pilots purposely (or even accidentally) moving both fuel switches to cut-off at rotate that would require the investment of an interlock to prevent it. In fact, the very presence of such an interlock might introduce it's owns risks.

The chances of a centre fuel tank exploding in flight killing everybody on board may now be less that one in ten million. (It happened once so designs were modified). The chances of a pilot wishing to commit suicide may also be one in ten million. If he is denied the fuel cut-off switches then there are plenty of other options. If a pilot decides to execute a half-roll and pull-through on final approach, or some other non-recoverable manouvre then there is not a lot to prevent him.... not even the bloke sat next to him. (Please don't lecture me on Airbus AOB protections - You get my point)

For all you heating engineers with pet theories on how to design bad stuff out of aeroplanes, and all you wannabe airline pilots and CRM instructors let me tell you..... When I turn up for a trip, very often the other guy/gal is a complete stranger to me. I might have heard good things about them or they might have a bit of a reputation. As a Captain I have a limited amount of time to gauge this guy/gal before I get locked in the inner sanctum and I have to vest my TOTAL trust in them. TBH I have only ever flown with one guy who I would not trust alone in the flight deck, he was hyper-religious and just plain odd. I took my concerns to the adults and learnt I was not the first Captain making the same observation. I don't know what happened to him but our paths never crossed again.

The message here is simple.... Occasionally there are those amongst us who have their demons. It is the responsibility of us all to make sure they get the help they need before they hit rock-bottom and do something stupid.... oblivious to the 350 innocent souls sat behind the door.