The Navy’s Blue Angels

The following list claims to be actual maintenance complaints submitted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crew.  I shared this list with someone who worked in Air Force maintenance at Eglin AFB.  His comment was that he had seen and made similar replies in his years in maintenance.

• Problem: “Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.” Solution: “Almost replaced left inside main tire.”
• Problem: “Test flight OK, except autoland very rough.” Solution: “Autoland not installed on this aircraft.”
• Problem #1: “#2 Propeller seeping prop fluid.” Solution #1: “#2 Propeller seepage normal.” Problem #2: “#1, #3, and #4 propellers lack normal seepage.”
• Problem: “Something loose in cockpit.” Solution: “Something tightened in cockpit.”
• Problem: “DME volume unbelievably loud.” Solution: “Volume set to more believable level.”
• Problem: “Dead bugs on windshield.” Solution: “Live bugs on order.”
• Problem: “IFF inoperative.” Solution: “IFF inoperative in OFF mode.”
• Problem: “Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.” Solution: “That’s what they’re there for.”
• Problem: “Number three engine missing.” Solution: “Engine found on right wing after brief search.”
• Problem: “Evidence of hydraulic leak on right main landing gear.” Solution: “Evidence removed.”

That last one describes how many of us try to deal with our spiritual shortcomings.  There is evidence of sin in our lives, but instead of trying to correct the problem, we try to remove (hide) the evidence.  But we only find forgiveness when we are humbly honest and contrite before God.  Consider the words of the Psalmist:

 Psalm 51:1-3, “To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

No more hiding of evidence, as there once had been in David’s life. Merely an honest remorse about his actions, and a desire to once again be right in God’s eyes.

Let’s live with a heart like David’s.

– Scott