Learning to use a sewing machine - not doing very well

[Steve Ashton]

For over twenty years I made my living as a Maintenance Test Pilot of Military Helicopters.
I was the guy, that after any major maintenance such as replacing an engine or transmission, I took it up and certified that it still operated as advertised.

We worked on the Apache. At $68 million per airframe we had to have some pretty good mechanics.

I have pulled aircraft out of the field with not much more than a spool of safety wire and a Swiss Army Knife.

But even on the Apache we had Immediate Actions. This usually consisted of walking around the aircraft with a BFH. For those who have been there this stands for Big F****ing Hammer.

Out Mantra was "If you can't fix it with a judicious whack of a hammer, it must be electrical".

If you make your living with a sewing machine the same mantra holds true.