Happy Birthday from Uncle Ron and Aunt Mary Hounsell

(Uncle Ron and Kev, Summer 2006)

Mary and I are aunt and uncle to Christy on the Hounsell side. We don't see Vinay or Christy very often due to distance, etc., but have always enjoyed our visits. Thus there aren't many funny moments to recount. If we didn't know Christy's great sense of humor, we might suspect that Vinay was all earnestness! But we know that can't be so and have seen the joy, sense of wonder and excitement in both kids, too. We're glad to be family.

Vinay - we hope you have a great day and many more to follow!

Here's some of my favorite engineering jokes. I know they're aeronautical, but it's as close as I could get.

Enjoy!
Ron & Mary

After every flight, pilots fill out a form called a gripe sheet, whichconveys to the mechanics problems encountered with the aircraft during theflight that need repair or correction. The mechanics read and correct theproblem, and then respond in writing on the lower half of the form whatremedial action was taken, and the pilot reviews the gripe sheets before thenext flight. Never let it be said that ground crews and engineers lack asense of humor. Here are some actual logged maintenance complaints andproblems as submitted by Qantas pilots and the solution recorded bymaintenance engineers. By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident.

P = The problem logged by the pilot, S = The solutionand action taken by the engineers.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feetper minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what they're there for.

P: IFF inoperative.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds likea midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.