Deflating an aircraft tyre.

[Hot Shoes]

This is not really an answer to the O/Ps question but nevertheless; its a long time since I was a liney and not being a rigga, but I seem to recall and "googled" it, there was a thing called a "Turner adapter" for inflating/deflating a tyre.

I will commend the OP for their stance, sometimes it doesn't matter the way we carry out something, sometimes it will and it may affect others in a bad way by your actions, so why not follow the correct procedure that's been tried and tested.

 

[Rigga]

Aha! The old Time vs Hassle on the Line conundrum.

Surely someone in the RAF KNOWS how many ways there are for doing a job without the correct tools or a quicker way to get the job done....?

As others have said - the safest way to deflate a tyre is with an approved deflation tool (is there one available in that area?) - however everyone knows that you can stick anything small and strong enough in the Schrader top to get some action. I just hope it was a fairly low pressure tyre.
However, Loosening the Valve is a complete clusterfeck in my very experienced Tyre Bay opinion - every Tyre Bay should have the proper Deflation Tools available for the amount needed.

I digress...In my opinion you would do better by going through WHY he did it that way, rather than bollocking the techy, and looking at availability of tools, regularity of the job and the reasons for the job...possibly putting some pressure on the guy to not do "the correct thing".

 

[Stevienics]

I would have thought the safest method would be do connect a tyre inflation kit and gradually select a lower pressure than you know the tyre is inflated to, thereby lowering the pressure in stages

You can even buy a switch https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ex-RAF-N...flate-Deflate-Switch-Valve-1R3B-/142968687581

 

[Allflapnofly]

Just deploy a stinger and then taxi or tow the aircraft over it......

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

A simple question for the Mechs on here.

Rigga has said his piece as a QAM. Plus Rigger tyre bay bod/boss.

Because I bollocked a subcontractor and stopped him doing what he was doing, I'm now going to get a bollocking and have to explain my actions for getting involved with a task that had nothing to do with me.

As far as I'm concerned, a safety issue was apparent which threatened the person in question, those in the vicinity and the aircraft around them.

I'm exploring opinions and thoughts on this before I get sent to the gallows. For defence purposes if you like

I assume you are working for a MAOS servicing MAA aircraft? Sounds like it. Ex RAF sub connie whom was shite in the RAF and is as shite now in common sense and attitude? Sounds like you said something and he gave lip back. If you are a supervisor you have the right to interfere if you see something that is a health and safety issue. In fact is a requirement of you as employee in the HSWA 1974, If you have good reason on seeing a dangerous work practice. One cannot get as black and white as that.

 

[Rigga]

FYI - the only times I‘ve heard the phrases SQP and SQEP were in military and legal circles. In civvy industries the term Competent Persons are used.

 

[Spearmint]

FYI - the only times I‘ve heard the phrases SQP and SQEP were in military and legal circles. In civvy industries the term Competent Persons are used.

SQEP was a term first used in the Nuclear sector.

(I wrote approximately 1500 Words on it towards my dissertation a while ago...)

 

[Lux_deluxe]

FYI - the only times I‘ve heard the phrases SQP and SQEP were in military and legal circles. In civvy industries the term Competent Persons are used.

SQEP was a commonly used term when I worked for a ciivy company (outside the military).

 

[Rigga]

SQEP was a commonly used term when I worked for a ciivy company (outside the military).

If it was BAES or similar, that is not really "outside the military" as most of the incumbents there are ex-RAF or have learned their language from the RAF...I was an employee in those circles too.

Following Spearmints response I would amend my statement to read civvy aviation.

 

[ERT]

Lazy working methods will spread across the workshop, one day someone will question it, and it will be "we have always done it that way". Best to stamp it out on the first viewing, as walking past makes it acceptable.

I would suspect a "Puffer box" or so would be used to reduce the pressure in a controlled method. His choice was just lazy...

If it is a military workplace, and working under AESO's etc. The top of the AESO will state who the "Order Covers" etc, and usually covers "contractors", in all shapes & formats.

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

Lazy working methods will spread across the workshop, one day someone will question it, and it will be "we have always done it that way". Best to stamp it out on the first viewing, as walking past makes it acceptable.

I would suspect a "Puffer box" or so would be used to reduce the pressure in a controlled method. His choice was just lazy...

If it is a military workplace, and working under AESO's etc. The top of the AESO will state who the "Order Covers" etc, and usually covers "contractors", in all shapes & formats.

There are deflation caps designed for such. They should be procured. MAOS runs under their own regualtions and not under AESO I would assume? Then agan it is 13 years since I escaped a MAOS set up.

 

[Downsizer]

AFAIK he works for a civvy company and has nothing to do with Mil aviation.

 

[Talk Wrench]

I'm well outside of the Mil world these days with my last incursion being on one of the old COMR contracts.

I'm now involved with delivering bespoke services to corporate aircraft owners within the limitations of part 145, part 21J and 21G but that is irrelevant in this instance.

The fact of the matter is that there is a correct way of performing tasks. Any deviation from recognised and approved processes needs to be thoroughly examined to prevent chain creep to any resultant point of failure.

In my original post, I was quite clear that the person employed by the subcontractor was cutting corners. As the subcontractor company "met" the requirements of being awarded a contract, I should have no reason to stick my beak in.

Having looked through the WI's and WP's (Work Instructions and Work Packages)the subcontractor provides to their personell, they have access to specialist tools. In this case, the subcontractor did not draw specialist tools from the tool store.

 

[Talk Wrench]

In tyre bays over the years, you just backed off the schrader valve until it started to come out, till it was deflated.
On my car, I use my finger nail, not sure what the big deal is here?

Your car tyres/wheels don't stand over one metre tall and don't have 220 psi behind those rubber walls.

 

[foxOneFive]

Your car tyres/wheels don't stand over one metre tall and don't have 220 psi behind those rubber walls.

I appreciate that and don't want to get into an argument. Because of all the above H&S comments I totally agree. I was just commenting on that's how it was done where I worked up until the early 2000's. Right or wrong, probably the latter, never saw a shraider fly across the bay or take anyone's eye out. And they were with psi's around 200 in some cases

 

[Talk Wrench]

I appreciate that and don't want to get into an argument. Because of all the above H&S comments I totally agree. I was just commenting on that's how it was done where I worked up until the early 2000's. Right or wrong, probably the latter, never saw a shraider fly across the bay or take anyone's eye out. And they were with psi's around 200 in some cases

It wasn't my intention to cause an argument so I'm sorry if my post came across that wayand yes, there's been some great comments which hopefully are useful for others as well as being a response to my original post.

I am a bit of a stickler when it comes to safety though and I have been known to throw teddies out of the cot when I see people deviating from safe practices.

 

[foxOneFive]

I feel the love in the air. Happy new year to you and all at the goat. Be safe and take care all coz I don't think this bloody nightmare is going as quick as we are all lead to believe? I'd love to be wrong

 

[pws]

Google?

Tyre Deflation Noise Reduction Leading Practice - Mining Industry Occupational Safety & Health (mosh.co.za)

Aircraft Tyre Maintenance - SKYbrary Aviation Safety

 

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

It wasn't my intention to cause an argument so I'm sorry if my post came across that wayand yes, there's been some great comments which hopefully are useful for others as well as being a response to my original post.

I am a bit of a stickler when it comes to safety though and I have been known to throw teddies out of the cot when I see people deviating from safe practices.

HSWA 1974 is your get out. If he was an LAE, he should know better and HSWA overides his idea of safe working practice.

 

[spanners]

For what it's worth, I think you did the right thing, well done.

I work in Oil & Gas, and everyone is encouraged to stop any task that they consider to be dangerous and then you must raise a Stop Card, explaining why you considered it to be dangerous.

When I say everyone, I mean everyone, not just people involved in the task (tech or otherwise)

At least that's the theory, can't comment on what happens for real.