PO Dust Devil - No, I'm not joking. Whilst you are quite correct in that this forum was, originally, a
rumour network, I think you'll agree that's it has matured into something a lot more advanced than just rumour? Even now, what starts as rumour, or comment, is often based on fact and invariably attracts, or invites, further comment. Sometimes those comments are sensible - others are sadly unwise, or even foolish.
In order to assist the unwary from falling into the trap of fools, it often falls to the more professional contributors to add sensible comments or advice, to balance those with less experience &/or understanding - or even, in some cases, to shoot down the idiots!
PPRuNe benefits
all when these discussions mature, as the Cumbria discussion has shown, IMHO. Yes, will be detractors and people trying to dig deeper into an issue, including press, such is the nature of an anonymous, www, forum. Sensible posters remain aware & wary, some as a result of experience, others from remembering the, red, large font warning -
As these are anonymous forums the origins of the contributions may be opposite to what may be apparent. In fact the press may use it, or the unscrupulous, or sciolists*, to elicit certain reactions.
Despite this, PPRuNe has become a place where many, from the young & inexperienced to those with a lifetime in aviation, can ask & receive advice, or share experience, with more industry contributors (& sadly a few other, un-filtered, individuals) than they could expect anywhere else - & it's also worldwide and as sustainable & safe as any of your
plenty of professional groups to achieve safety and constructive stuff
Smell the roses - as an online Flight Safety forum (so long as you can read though some of the "fluff" that's posted) many regard pprune as second to none.
