In light of this latest alarming recalcitrant FADEC/EEC/FCU/Carburettor problem, I now feel duty bound to offer my solution to Rolls-Royce and Boeing, and of course gratis, as my contribution to the peace of mind of both aircrew and potential passengers who must be wondering why, at times, the pilots have no control over their engines. I mean, it is not a happy thought as one looks down upon the storm-wracked seas of the North Atlantic in mid-winter.
I have been reluctant to proffer my idea for fear of being scoffed at as a simple-minded Colonial, but as it appears the AAIB are unable to determine the cause/fix in a timely manner, I must now risk the derision of those current aviators who have not operated the "mechanical" air transport machines of my era.
My safety system is called "PEEDOF". (Pilot's Emergency Engine Direct Operating Facilatator). PEEDOF is simple, easy and natural to operate and cheap to install. It consists of two DC-3, Viscount, or similar, throttle levers, a selection of pulleys and their brackets, a few turnbuckles and an appropriate length of 3/16" braided stainless-steel cable. The levers are mounted behind the centre console where either pilot can grab them in a hurry. The strong cables run down through the floor, along the ceiling of the baggage bays (appropriately sleeved and shrouded) and then out to each engine's Fuel Control Unit. (Engineers, please be careful not to get your wires crossed and pilots must introduce a new check-list item such as "No.1 PEEDOF manually checked..blipping response OK". Well there it is; the Kiwi-style fix which I shall be recommending to our CAA today. I anticipate that they will get their people to see your people, and probably do lunch......
So, Marvel-Jet aviators, what think ye?
Actually, I think it's a good idea to have a mechanical link to the fuel control, but in this case, the AAIB has determined that the fuel metering valves did move correctly in response to Autothrottle and the pilot(s) pushing the power levers forward. Your idea wouldn't have helped here.