Planes are taped says MoD
Swindon Advertiser
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
6th December 2007
We read in the Swindon Advertisier Online www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk our Wiltshire based C130 Hercules workhorse are coming under scrutiny because MOD officials have admitted the ageing aircraft are being taped together using sticky tape. The article reports that officials noticed that debris scattered on runways was damaging the plane's undercarriage, wings and fuselage they realised they had to find a way of protecting the aircraft. Subsequently they turned to a form of sticky tape to protect the sensitive areas.

An MoD spokesman said: "We use tape specifically manufactured to reduce debris damage, cutting down repair times. It's an approved modification to enhance safety and is used by other air forces."

A former experienced aircraft structural engineer has been concerned that the media is misinformed and trying to capture the headlines by reporting without knowing the full story. He outlines that the reasons behind the use of the specialised 'speed tape' far out way the minor observations reported. Speed Tape, is an expensive peel-and-stick cousin of duct tape, used to effect temporary repairs on airplanes. "I suppose it's called speed tape because, applied properly, it doesn't come off at the speed we fly, or perhaps because it streamlines the minor damage, so we can maintain our speed. Secondly the trade name is probably derived because of the speed in which effective short term repairs can be undertaken."

We only have to remember the media outcry in August this year when it was reported the Middle East is taking its toll on RAF Lyneham as four west country Hercules planes have been lost in three years. The latest, an older style C130K, which made a heavy landing on an airstrip outside Kabul. In a statement, the RAF said "The heavy landing damaged the aircraft to such an extent it was not possible to repair it at the secured site.. all recoverable items were removed and the aircraft destroyed". There was no mention of enemy fire and an investigation is underway into what happened. Flying in Afghanistan is hazardous, this crash happened at night."

With scenarios like these, day-in day-out, the Hercules is being used in hostile environments and landing more on extremely hazardous terrain. The paramount concern is to get the mission achieved in the shortest possible time without bringing the crew and passengers to more risk. The aircraft are designed to enter these robust conditions and the notion of undertaking full repairs every time a chip or slight damage to the paint work occurs is absolutely obscure, lengthy rectification times will jeopardise the safety of the crew. The crew and engineers are highly trained and experienced operating in these combat conditions. The temporary repair techniques have been approved, tried and tested decades ago and do enhance the capability of the damaged aircraft. The same methodology is utilised all across the world, both with military and commercial aircraft. Commercial airline passengers occasionally can catch a glimpse of a bit of speed tape on a fairing or a wingtip, this is the same 'wonder tape' being used to ensure the aircraft is fit to fly.

There are many times, I am confident, when all of us who have traveled on commercial aircraft, have complained of delays while repairs are carried out to the airliners. I can say categorically, the jets will not depart unless effective and approved repairs are in place and the aircraft is fit for flight. Downtimes are damaging to their operations, and the repairs will be carried out without the safety to passengers and crew members compromised.