AS A frequent flyer between Edinburgh and London, I was concerned to read about research into the loss of Swissair flight 111 off Nova Scotia in 1998. The plane was downed by an electrial fire, related, it seems, to the in-flight entertainment wiring system (快猫短视频, 19 April, p 7). John Spellar, the UK aviation minister, was once an official with the Electrical Trades Union, so I asked him what action was being taken to ensure such a disaster does not occur on British passenger planes.
Spellar replied that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the foremost body responsible for passenger safety in aircraft registered in the UK. All wiring installations are subject to detailed inspection and testing when an aircraft is manufactured. The CAA sets comprehensive maintenance requirements for any subsequent wiring to ensure the continued airworthiness of UK-registered commercial aircraft. This includes checks of the external physical appearance of wiring at scheduled intervals, and checks on circuits that might be affected after any modifications. Any serious faults in electrical wiring during aircraft operation would normally be detected, as they are accompanied by system faults and warnings, the minister said. Individual electrical circuits are protected by automatic devices designed to isolate associated circuits in the event of a current overload.
Spellar added that the CAA has been active in an international working group to revise and harmonise codes for the design, installation and maintenance of wiring and interconnect systems of large passenger aircraft. The group is currently revising the basic American and European codes for large aircraft
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I was glad to learn that the CAA has recently participated in and led working groups in conjunction with the Joint Aviation Authorities, which represents European regulatory authorities, to develop appropriate requirements for aircraft cabin retrofits, such as the installation of seatback video. They will be published later this year.
DWINDLING oil reserves and concerns over exhaust emissions have heightened the search for more sustainable sources. Sunflower oil, soybean oil and even opium poppy oil have all been tested as possible candidates. Now it鈥檚 the turn of jojoba nuts (快猫短视频, 8 March, p 18). Jojoba thrives in arid areas and its nuts are rich in a non-toxic oil widely used in soaps, shampoos and cosmetics. Engineers say the oil can also be used as a motor fuel as it releases a large amount of energy when burnt and is stable at the high temperatures and pressures in a working engine.
I asked Sally Keeble, the junior international development minister, for her view. She thought the initial experiments by the research teams at Helwan University in Cairo and the United Arab Emirates University in Al-Ain were impressive, but that more research is needed to determine whether jojoba oil could become a real alternative to fossil fuel.
She emphasised the logistical and investment problems of growing the large quantities of seeds required. The plant thrives best in hot desert regions, most of which are far from the potential markets. Local applications seem the best prospect for making use of this vegetable oil, assuming technical factors are favourable.
A decade ago, various other MPs and I received jojoba plants as a reward for championing green causes. For 18 months my jojoba was the pride and joy of my greenhouse. Sadly, quite suddenly and inexplicably it withered 鈥� but not for want of love, or water.
