Military Aircrew Thread

[EESDL]

Now that I've retired from the military, does that mean that I'm not to 'post' on this thread or is the title just a catch-all for anybody who has even read the word 'military'?

The number of 'Blunties' (not a derogative term) and other 'Trades' that now regulary post on this Military PILOT's thread has grown considerably. They have even been known to pass coment on aviation-related topics, not just how aircrew abuse their latest brand of duvet!

So, is this dilution a good thing or a bad thing, discuss?

[Wholigan]

Might perhaps have been covered before in some detail? This should save you the trouble of "discussing". ;) :E

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38883&highlight=aircrew+only+forum

[WorkingHard]

EESDL - not suggesting more elitism are you? Explain and discuss!

[L Peacock]

No axe to grind here but, from the forum description, "A forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here."
Includes blunts as far as I can tell.

[Tourist]

But is the description in need of a change?

[ZH875]

this Military PILOT's thread or if you could be bothered to actually read the title: Military Aircrew you would notice that it is not a PILOTS thread, and there are actually other people/trades involved in the aircrew world.

edited because my Grandma was bad

[mongrelboy]

Surely this is the Military forum of the PROFESSIONAL PILOTS rumour network - there's no section for blunt BA workers is there?

Every other Officer is a failed Pilot from OASC !

[EESDL]

Humble apologies ZH875, just resurrecting the periodic review of the topic - just couldn't find an adequate link (which was simply accomplished by wholigan).

After all, had little chance of flying today what with the foul weather up't North - oh, and the fact that the aircraft's in maintenance...........

No individual axe to grind - as I said, I'm a civilian now, not even one of those backroom boys.

How about Ops personnel using the 'Ops' Forum.
ATC using the 'ATC' forum
Task Plans using the ATC Routes forum
Tac Blunty Wg using Ebay etc etc etc
or, are they all too boring to bother with?
Just asking!

ZH875 - watch ya gramma!!

[ImageGear]

This thread is informed and enriched by the contributions of a majority of ex-military pilots, civilian pilots and engineers, and a swathe of techies and fairies, the likes of BAE can only dream of.

If this thread were to partition into serving military aircrew only, given current overstretch down route, on ex, on ops, on sabbatical, on OO, and master race apathy, I fear it would see less than two posts a day.

I suggest a thread name change not an "options for change" style dilution.

Imagegear

[engineer(retard)]

I'm not a blunty, Swinging Monkey told me so :ok:

In my admittedly limited experience of this forum, there seems to be a reasonable split between flying issues (that I read but generally do not contribute to), procurement and support issues (which I contribute to, if I feel I have a valid viewpoint) and admin (pensions, living conditions etc, etc that I skim these days).

I learn a lot from the flying issues, some of which I take into my day job. As my career has progressed, I have moved away from front line and am now in the procurement/ manufacturing/ testing world. Consequently, my access to aircrew is generally limited and to operational aircrew virtually non-existent.

Without an appreciation of how the kit I am involved in is used, abused and operated I believe that I would only be doing half a job. Conversely, when I have worked with aircrew that have shown an interest in my side of the house, there is generally a better appreciation of why kit is released in the state it is. Often, we have reached a compromise that satisfies both your aspirations and our constraints because the doors are open.

If this 2 way flow of information is blocked, I suspect that part of this forum will turn into a bitching shop about why our aircraft are dirty, unavailable and cannot do everything the glossy brochure says. Also your admin advice may also come from something a mate heard in the bar but cannot remember the detail because he was too p1$$ed.

Admittedly, we do go off on tangents but the forum is sufficiently self moderating that the flow of banter usually winds us back in fairly quickly. The banter gland was not handed in with the 1250.

There is an engineers forum, and aircrew post to that as well when the boys are talking crap. However, that only applies to the other half of the job - discussing spanner sizes, training, pay and why all aircrew are g1ts :O .

I would certainly view it as a loss if the forum was constrained as suggested, and would have to get my operational input for the next set of requirements, design contract etc from Janes all the worlds fighter pilots or Biggles does Dallas.

Regards

Retard

[Postman Plod]

My question would be how do you vet the potential users to make sure they really are who and what they say they are? Who gets access to this information?

As well as that, unless I've missed something, the RAF does not have the equivalent of Arrse, except PPRuNe. So I guess this single forum covers anything and everything you'd expect Arrse to cover over multiple forums.

Anyway, where is the problem? We've all got something to learn about other trades / jobs, and this seems to be the perfect place!

[Echo 5]

EESDL,

" How about Ops personnel using the 'Ops' Forum.
ATC using the 'ATC' forum
Task Plans using the ATC Routes forum
Tac Blunty Wg using Ebay etc etc etc
or, are they all too boring to bother with? "

Where does that leave you then ?

Just asking.

[Twonston Pickle]

A bit unfair mongrelboy; some of us had no intention of applying for aircrew and we get satisfaction from supporting those people who risk their lives etc etc... Seriously, we may all have something valid to contribute and shoudl not be stifled.





Sorry about the typos; "Quote" and "should"

[PPRuNeUser0172]

I fear a can of worms with this one, the danger with this forum and this website in general is the anonimity of it which allows people (who often have huge axes to grind) to emerge from the sidelines, say their piece then poke off. Its good to have reasoned debate but sometimes it gets a little silly. With regards to an individuals eligibility to post then who controls that? The title of the thread/forum is an indicator of the content, not the entry criteria for you to be able to look/post as you see fit. It is good that we have moderators but providing no one is being totally profane or unforgivably stupid then we should really be allowed to say what we want, shouldn't we?

It doesnt bother me that non-pilots read this, and as has already been pointed out, the title of the forum is "military AIRCREW" so why the need to be so elitist? Banter aside, we all work together and everyone with the exception of a notable few are here to share the wealth and catch up with the latest rumours.

It is however when you get people who are clearly talking out of their behinds and being generally provocative or inflammatory that it starts to chafe. For example there have been a few derogatory threads about the "Reds" recently, and it would seem that they are all from people asking stupid questions. But of course there is no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people.

Live and let live I guess, I often read/post elsewhere and am not an airline pilot/hostie/freight dog/wokka chap but no one seems to complain.

Regards

DS

Edited for biff-ness wiv spelin

[teeteringhead]

Tis true that the operators need everyone in uniform to operate.

I recall standing in the Aldergrove bar once with a certain legendary Scotsman, when a night-stopping Herc crew (unusual that) came into the bar. The only other person in the bar was OC SSS, who was wearing combats as he spent most of his time on the building site that was EGAA at the time.

Herc mate: Who's that then (indicating SSS)
Teeters: OC SSS
Herc Mate: Oh, a bluntie.

Whereupon, said legendary Scotsman picks up Herc mate, holds him against the wall and says "See you Jimmie (or words to that effect) there are NO blunties at Aldergrove!"

Mind you, I've also just seen (in the RAF Air Tragickers comic ... blimey, I really must get out more) a picture of 7 aged instructors at the Air Tragic School who boast "Combined ages of 381, total years of service 247 ..... and no campaign medals!!!" ...... blunt or what!

[airborne_artist]

Sounds like a "no stick, no vote" approach.

This forum is at its best when it has plenty of variety, both career and cultural - yes, even Aussies and Yanks can have good ideas, usefull experience and an ability to write. See the posts by Milt, for example, a guy with fascinating stories.

The view from another sharp end - I wore these (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SAS_Wings.jpg) for six years, may have increasing relevance in today's come as you are, bring a bottle and your bergen, expeditionary warfare.

[EESDL]

Echo 5, to answer your question:

"Rotorheads"

Haven't got a problem with it, just wonder why we bother with the other forums?

Teeringhead

Last bumbed into OC SSS (OOOOOOShayyyyyyy) at Crandlitz as Wing Cdr Chief Blunty. As wevwere in Bluntsville we recounted the tale over a few blunt drinks and raised many a glass to absent friends

[Echo 5]

EESDL,

Fair enough, Rotorheads is an excellent forum and one which I visit frequently.

What then is your motive for starting this thread ?

In the past you have posted this:

" Typical, Movers on a Mil Aircrew forum...... line them up against a wall (next to the coppers) and shoot them."

and this:

" Pray, tell me why we have a thread that mentions Muppets....Thought this was an aircrew site?
Muppets have their site over on the Flt Ops/ Airport/Handling section."

Do you have some sort of hidden agenda or do you just look down your nose at those who have not achieved the dizzy heights of aircrew status ?

Perhaps it would be best if you stuck to Rotorheads which ( I have found ) is less confrontational.

Regards to all

E5:)

[Widger]

A forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.

Note all after the first 11 words. Just because you are aircrew doesn't mean you cannot spout [email protected] has shown that on many occasions!

[Two's in]

Dear Sir,

I was frankly disgusted to read the military aircrew thread and find several references to Politics, Dialect, Freedom of Speech, and most disgusting of all, the French.

As I pilot, I expect to be able to engage in sensible discourse regarding the size of my wallet, willy, and women (in that order)and will not tolerate any of this disgusting filth masquerading as aviation related topics.

How can professional pilots ever hope to engender the firmly held belief that the world revolves around us, when frequent references are made to current events beyond our immediate horizon.

Thank heavens my own sense of self worth allows me to rise above all this nonsense.

Yours etc...

[NFI]

Nice one Mr Two's In,

As one not worthy to read this site as I only maintain your flying machines in an airworthy condition, it is nice to read an "honest" view from a pilot. Self centred, vain big ego and centre of the universe (the only way to be). Please do not change and remain a role model for all pilots.

[Echo 5]

NFI,

I think perhaps that Two's in may just be taking the pi$$.

[Oggin Aviator]

E5 I think you are spot on.

You know, the average pilot, despite the sometimes swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring. These feelings just don't involve anyone else. :E

[Two's in]

E5, not so much taking the pi$$, as demonstrating the gentle art of self-depracation (the one that doesn't make your palms hairy).
You always know you're in trouble when you start to believe your own publicity or what the CO has written on your annual assessment.

If we saw ourselves as others see us, we would be less likely to be quite as egotistical as some of us can be, but that's life as a stable extrovert. Remember, there is no "I" team but there are two in "idiot".

Onwards, ever upwards...

[tdk90]

You could call it Fellow Aircrew Group or FAG for short

[EESDL]

Echo 5
My point exactly!
It would certainly cut down on the 'Loadie/Mover' arguments.
Pray, leave us to continue the C130J/K, Teenie Weenie Airways/Crabs/Fish heads, civvy/mil pilot 'debates'- we can talk bollac5s without the help of yow!

Ex-mil posting on a mil forum, get the picture yet?

As regards 'motive'?

Pretty obvious I thought - just wondered if any of the other forums were used by 'Stackers', Ops Fright and other Blunties.

Wouldn't have bothered but couldn't find the original thread that discussed it but it was poor weather on the day of original posting (nice now though so can't be long).

After 17 yrs mil I'm well aware that as a 'civvy' pilot I will never again reach the dizzy heights that such a position affords one. You will see me copying other 'Bluntie' rituals like doffing my hat whilst in the presence of such fine aviators.

[tonkatechie]

*Tonkatechie marches smartly in, comes to a halt and salutes*
A forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
It would seem that despite being a 'backroom boy' / bluntie / ginger / techie etc etc, some people do welcome the enlisted filth here. Firstly, may I point out that whenever I read your comments, I pay utmost attention, and indeed as I am typing this, I am sat in the braced position as a mark of respect. I always ensure that I have removed my dirty coveralls before entering the forum, despite you fine chaps wearing your growbags that feature the dirt off my boots from the ejection seat!
I enjoy coming here as a way of finding out a little about life on the other side of the debrief desk - it's a joy to discover that most of you spell better online than you do in the 700...what is a 'loose rivot '? Personally, I don't make many contributions to the discussions, prefering to sit back and enjoy the banter, update rumour control about job losses, base closures and so on. I could tell stories about my experiences, but I haven't perfected the art as well as others here. I can use your tales to remind me of detachments where I've enjoyed socialising with aircrew who are actualy human beings, and pleasent to be around.
I hope that Pprune keeps on going, and that nothing about the military aircrew forum stays as it is - don't ruin it by getting all elitist; a diverse membership (albeit with valid observations to make) makes for a better debate.:) :ok:

[Echo 5]

EESDL.

" Ex-mil posting on a mil forum, get the picture yet? "

If you exclude the Ex-mil, that would exclude yourself, myself, the illustrious guru BEagle and all the other civvies who probably make up about 50% of the contributors to this Forum. What a sad place it would become. Right or wrong ?

Edited to correct grammatical error. Even I get it wrong now and again.

[Two's in]

My deduction, dear Watson, would be that on a Mil forum you either are, or you are destined to be, Ex-Mil. We should be pampered.

[Echo 5]

Two's in


" on a Mil forum you either are, or you are destined to be, Ex-Mil. "

Agreed !!

" We should be pampered."

Mmmmm,

Not so sure about that !!

[Pontius Navigator]

How close do the two halves of a squadron get together? not in the social sense but the post-flight follow through to see what box was broke and how it is fixed?

We used to follow the snag from jet to bay. Not every time but often enough to know the insides of some of the boxes and have a good stab at identifying the u/s box from exeprience.

Down route (not a word we used) we could do a box change too albeit we did not have servicing schedules to follow but simply ran through the PFC.

We routinely carried bits and bobs in addition to the bits in the packs.

I know the modern jet has neither the space to carry many spares and it is probably too difficult for aircrew to get at the LRUs but do they watch the groundcrew, and even help them, do the work?

[The Rocket]

I know that I personally would never want to get in the way of the groundcrew fixing the jet, and I don't think they'd take too kindly to me standing around watching over their shoulders and interfering!

If there was ever a need for me to help out, I would be more than happy to do so, I just feel that such an occasion would rarely arise, and me standing around would cause more hinderance than help.

[Pontius Navigator]

I am sure Beagle will chip in, but some of the servicing I have done I would rather have not! Removing an end cap, pulling out a jet pipe and helping reinstal a fire-tec box in 30+ degree heat or sliding inside the radome swapping out an AUC(S) on the scanner assembly for two.

I managed to avoid packing a tail brake chute but still lost the odd finger nail manhandling the valise.

Jacking up and wheel changing at the end of the Luqa runway was more fun.