LateArmLive

I think the previous three posts illustrate precisely where ralphmalph is coming from

BEagle

LateArmLive - agreed....

It has indeed declined over the last few years. Those who might have become 'old duffers' have largely pulled the B&Y and buggered off to the airlines, so nowadays there's an increasing gulf between the "I tell you, young lad, the Vimy was a damn fine old kite" oldies and the "Another $hitty day in the sand pit" youngsters.

Plus with so few aircraft, so few aerodromes and so few people, there's perhaps less breadth of interest these days in any case?

But I do see ralphmalph's point; I started a thread asking what people thought about the new style of the RAF Club website, but it was immediately hijacked by the usual suspects. So I deleted it as it was probably just boring everyone...

CoffmanStarter

Ralph ...

I think you have a valid point in what you have said @#37 ...

However, like many have said here already, we need as a PPRuNe Community to have contributions/threads/participation coming from the Gentlemen and Ladies at todays sharp end on topics that are relevant and of importance to them today. There will always be some "detractors" (very much in the minority on here IMHO) ... as in all walks of life ... who will say "we didn't do it that way when I were a lad" etc.

Try and encourage some of your guys to take the plunge (gang up if necessary) on a topic relevant to them today and I'm sure they will be surprised how helpful people can be.

But clearly they shouldn't expect a banter/leg pulling free zone

Courtney Mil

Agreed, Coff. And anyway, even if you were to change the strap line to include something about "serving personnel only" I would guess that the usual suspects are still going to come here and continue just the same.

Ralph, I would still be interested to hear your response to my earlier point:

smujsmith

As a relative newcomer to this forum, I've read this thread with interest. The point Ralphmalph makes about "serving" personnel is very relevant. I proffer the forums own introduction;

Military Aircrew 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 the term "who fly". On that basis alone I, and probably many others should cease posting on this forum. I might have spent 30 years "mendin em!", but I haven't done so for a good few years now. So perhaps I should have put more thought into that intro than I did.

Secondly, I note references to "the usual offenders" etc etc in previous posts. Can someone tell me;

1. Who compiles the list of "the usual offenders"?

2. What constitutes the offence ?

3. Am I on the list ? ( just a passing interest )

Finally, after reading all the posts on this thread several times I'm not too sure what Ralphmalph is suggesting. Does he want a currently serving forum only ?. Aircrew only ? Officers only ? SNCO's only ? I'm not too sure.

I do know that I look and learn from PPRUNE Military Aircrew thread most days. I enjoy having somewhere that banter and "wind up" can be taken without offence. It's a shame that it seems that current serving RAF personnel have no interest, and, if my presence is a reason for that, my leg is already half way out of the door. Problem is, the serving mates I go down the pub with dont seem to find me so troubling. No offence, just wanting to throw some thoughts into the mix. As Ringo said (several times) "peace and love, peace and love)!

Smudge

TomJoad

I think someone said it best when they compared the forum to "happy hour" - the opportunity to sort out the worlds ills by chewing them over with some like minded fellas. Ok, so sometime we can all go to far and wind each other up bit and I'm sure for most parts it really is unintentional. At the end of the day most of us have a common outlook on life informed largely from the service spirit imbued by either our current or past service. You could easily have another banner heading but how would you police it? I think the forum works fine as is.



Edited just to say: What smudge said


Must admit I didn't really realise that the forum membership "back room boys and girls thing" placed such a clear emphasis on the present tense. Just never noticed it before smudge pointed it out like that. Well, if I appear on "the list" I too will happily exit stage left.

ralphmalph

Courtney,

I am pretty close to being one if those individuals. I wouldn't hang
Up my keyboard, as anyone is able to view the posts and follow as they see fit.

I would think about any relevance my comments would bring to a discussion.

Some elements of supposition would remain for the years following my retirement.......

I could imagine posing a few questions and being corrected as to "the new way things are done now"

But TBH.....I'm not sure I'd loose much sleep over it then....

Courtney Mil

So pretty much like the rest of us. Well, there is a way to find out. All but those who are not currently "professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground," could leave the forum for a while. Ralph, you can rustle up all your serving mates to come and have the place to yourselves and see how it goes. Perhaps we could have an "Ex Mil - Aviation" forum, the rules for posting being exactly what it says on the tin.

Easy enough to move the appropriate threads over there. I suspect most of the "Old Duffers" that "Bang On" would happily welcome posts from serving personnel too, should they so wish.

Just a thought.

smujsmith

Courtney,

Maybe that's the answer to this conundrum. Without trying to feign hurt or psychological damage (), from this thread its topic and the simple fact that I suddenly feel like someone who has gifted a pork pie at a Jewish bar mitzvah, I do see that such as the "gaining a pilots Brevet ......" Thread and "Memories of the VC10", might be more relevant to us ex personnel. Surely, there are still some current servicemen flying and working the VC10 who must be able to give us oldies a flavour of the current state of play?

Whatever, I believe that all military organisations are better for their amalgamation of history and current knowledge.

Just packing my bags now, ready for the move to the new thread.

Smudge

MPN11

So, unless my reading glasses have fogged over through fumes from the brandy and/or cigar smoke … you don't actually have to be a pilot to post here? (Within reason, of course).

Hmmm … so why is the Forum called Aircrew? Is that the 'back room' in the aircraft, or the 'back room' on the Unit? (Sorry, long-time Staff Officer moment there, please excuse me )

PPRuNe is, IMO, whatever it is at any moment in time. Like the Army Rumour Service, which goes through the same regular navel inspections (I left RumRation).

We, whoever we are/were, should surely be an inclusive Community? Or is it it a case of "You haven't got 5,000 hours/30 years on <insert type/role> so poke off"?

Is it that hard to keep On Topic, and not talk utter Cr@p? We have Mods who can sort out hiccups as necessary.

Always a Sapper

Ah well, being an ex squaddy who's only involvment with things that leave the ground was the pretty lights out on the field and things 'infrastructure' that's me well n' trully stuffed and headed for the door then...

Taxi for one please...


ps... next time your on finals and the lights start doing 'disco' its not me, honest clicky... clicky... clicky

TomJoad

Hey just a final questions before I go. At what age do Duffers become Old?
I don't see myself as being Old, so am I just a "Duffer" or perhaps a "practice Duffer" Please don't answer that I'm feeling sensitive and all alone at the moment

Courtney Mil

...and that's why a good forum title might be "Ex Mil - Aviation". Ex mil folks talking about aviation (or very loosely related topics like barbecues or the Royals or whatever). Smudge et al should not feel any less at home than aviators in zimmer frames. Mind you, who would keep the good news coming about how brilliantly the F-35 is doing?

Tom, sorry Mate, but it looks like you became both the moment you stepped out the door. What, did you somehow manage to have an entire life after serving? Incredible.

smujsmith

MPN11,

It's the "Fly" bit and "keep the aircraft flying" that seems to be an "itch in the craw" of the OP. I can't vouch for your good self, but I have none of the current qualifications required. And in that respect, his observation should be acknowledged for what it is, a simple statement of fact and a plea to bring the forum back to eligible members only. Sorry if it sounds a bit OTT, but he has a point, several others have cast nasturtiums and I think it's worthy of discussion, decisions and action. That's how grown ups do it.

Smudge

A small addendum.

I joined this forum after spending months reading a thread called "Did you fly Vulcans". I never flew them, but did work on them a bit, and have (or had) a Q- AVUL-A on my docs. I was spellbound by the stuff those bloody fly boys used to do with the end product of my grafting, and I never knew the half of what my labour on that fleet was done for. I, probably like many ex Groundcrew can read stuff like that all day, but to interact with the people who did it, ask pertinent questions etc is a real bonus. Since joining this forum I've always appreciated people's tolerance of what sometimes may appear to be a stupid question, none have ever said that though. Finally, in the past few months, and through my activity on the forum I have reconnected with several people who I had the honour, and pleasure to serve with years ago, that's priceless.

SOSL

It didn't bore me Beags!

Rgds SOS

Courtney Mil

Smudge,

Wrong, Mate. The banner about who the forum is for is very clear. Ralph's gripe is that those of us that no longer fit into that category should not be posting here - that exclusion applies to ex-aircrew as much as it does ex-groundcrew, ex-controllers, ex-suppliers, ex-scribblies.

downsizer

White mans problems....

TomJoad

Courtney I have no idea what you are on about but I like the sound of it so you are getting some of these:

Hey, If leave the forum will there be a march-out ? Best I get cleaning up all my previous posts Oh crap.

smujsmith

Courtney,

Point taken and well made as always.

Smudge

NutLoose

Damn it has gone i was probably one of your suspects..

I was looking fwd to the report from the contributor that was going to stay at the Victory Club, I hadn't realised I could still use it to be honest, last time I visited it was while serving and it failed to meet my expectations, it looked a 1000% improvement... I did mention the RAF Club, though I do think the name is wrong as it does NOT cater to the RAF, simply a small portion of it.
To be honest the new website seems to be aimed at bringing in everyone but the RAF, it is mainly aimed squarely at Corporate and Wedding parties.... I do not know how that effects those serving or retired using the facilities, but it must have a detrimental effect on as to what's available to those staying.

As for the nostalgia thread, well there is already one on the site and with the diminishing returns in manning levels as said by the Moderator, a couple of years from now there will be no one left in here.

..