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Headlines:
Flight safety award for agent; July 10 remembrance; ?Waxy' fuel no longer; Forbes case appeals.

Flight safety award for agent

A TRAVEL agent who spotted an open panel on an aircraft which was about to take off from Mount Pleasant Airport (MPA) and raised the alarm has been praised for his "moral courage". Bruce Wilks of International Tours and Travel Ltd yesterday received a commendation from Royal Air Force Strike Command for his actions which Squadron Leader Graham Clark of Flight Safety at MPA believes, "...would have prevented a potentially serious incident". Mr Wilks was on duty as Lan ground staff on October 23, 2004 to meet the scheduled commercial fight from Chile. The arrival and turn round of the flight appeared to be uneventful, however, as the aircraft taxied out for its return flight to Chile, Mr Wilks spotted an open panel towards the rear of the aircraft on the right side of the fuselage. He informed one of the two Royal Air Force airmen who were assisting with the aircraft handling and the airman immediately reported the open panel to the Air Traffic Control Tower. Air Traffic Control stopped the aircraft before take off on the end of the runway and a crewmember disembarked to inspect the open panel. After inspection the panel was deemed secure by the crew of the aircraft and the flight was re-cleared for take off by Air Traffic Control. The subsequent take off went smoothly. According to the citation from the Chief of Staff, subsequent investigation revealed that the panel was probably the intake for the Ram Auxiliary Turbine, "...however, this might not have been so and I believe the prompt and professional actions taken by Mr Wilks and the airman would have prevented a potentially serious flight safety incident." Before presenting Mr Wilks with his award at the International Tours and Travel Ltd office yesterday, Commander of British Forces, Commodore Ian Moncrieff, said, "Flight safety is a big thing to us," and commended the "moral courage" of Mr Wilks, "...to say something didn't look right." He added, "I like this kind of paperwork. What I don't like is paperwork for boards of enquiry into crashes." He said he hoped Mr Wilks' example will, "encourage other people to come forward if they see something that might not be right." Photo: Commander Moncrieff presents Mr Wilks with his commendation.

July 10 remembrance

THE Falkland Islands are to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War. It was announced by the Royal British Legion in the Islands this week that the Falklands will join the UK on Sunday, July 10 for a day of remembrance. The aim of the July 10 commemoration which falls between VE Day on May 8, and VJ Day on August 15, is to remember all theatres of war in the 1939-45 conflict and everyone who took part. A service of commemoration will be held at Christ Church Cathedral at 10am at which His Excellency the Governor, the Commander of British Forces and veterans of the war will be present. This will be followed by a public reception hosted by the Governor at the FIDF Hall from 11am to 12.30pm, to which all members of the Falkland Islands Community are invited. The Governor will then host a lunch for veterans at Government House, at which attendance is by invitation only. It will be appropriate for medals and decorations to be worn to these events. Chairman of the Falkland Islands Branch of the Royal British Legion, Michael Stevens stressed this is an event to honour the veterans and he appealed to all veterans who served in the Second World War, "...whether in the ambulance service, as nurses, merchant seamen, or in the forces," to make themselves known to him, "...so we can have them hosted by the governor." He said it is important that everybody who participated in World War II, whether in the Falklands or other theatres of war, receives an invitation to take part in the July 10 events. Mr Stevens can be contacted on telephone 21936.

?Waxy' fuel no longer

THE Falklands' fuel supplier says engine problems experienced by a number of motorists over the past fortnight is due to the mixture of cold weather additive in its diesel, not dirty fuel. According to Stanley Services Ltd, a shipment of diesel fuel was received in April with a pour point of -15C. Cold weather additive was mixed with it and a quantity of kerosene added and, "...tests indicated the pour point had increased to -27C." However, it was discovered during the recent cold spell that, "...due to the high wax content in the fuel," the cold weather additive has not worked to its full effect and problems with choking filters were encountered. A number of motorists suffered breakdowns as a result. Robert Rowlands of Stanley Services Ltd said this is the first time since 1993 that cold weather has caused major difficulties with diesel fuel. At times air temperatures have been as low as -6C at Mount Pleasant and with chill factor this could equate to as low as -20C, while other locations have recorded even lower temperatures. Mr Rowlands said a further stock of diesel fuel has been received from Russia with a superior cold weather performance and is now being issued. He said, "...this grade is expected to cope with typical Falkland winter temperatures encountered."

Forbes case appeals

THE Supreme Court will be sitting tomorrow to hear legal argument on the appeal by the Attorney General on behalf of the government against the arbitrator's award in the Gordon Forbes litigation. A cross appeal by Gordon Forbes Construction (Falklands) Ltd is to be argued at the same time. It is anticipated that the hearing will take up to six days and the Court will also sit on June 27 through July 1. The case will be heard by Christopher Purchas, QC who has been appointed as Acting Supreme Court Judge. Counsel for the Attorney General is Paul Stafford and Counsel for Gordon Forbes Construction (Falklands) Ltd is Alan Steynor.

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