The purpose of this forum
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: London
The purpose of this forum
I'm not trying to stir the pot again but it has occurred to me that some of heat in previous postings back and forth might be due to my not having an understanding of the purpose of this forum.
Is it intended to be a serious source of information for pilots? I had assumed (perhaps wrongly) that it just a forum for discussion between peers. I don't think I would have written what I had written if it was meant to be taken as reference material (well I know I wouldn't have). G-EMMA said something about the fact that she doesn't give information - that's what got me thinking along these lines.
Can someone fill me in on this please?
Is it intended to be a serious source of information for pilots? I had assumed (perhaps wrongly) that it just a forum for discussion between peers. I don't think I would have written what I had written if it was meant to be taken as reference material (well I know I wouldn't have). G-EMMA said something about the fact that she doesn't give information - that's what got me thinking along these lines.
Can someone fill me in on this please?
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: UK
I treat it like I do having a chat in a bar at an airfield....There's some great ideas, opinions, etc. It's a good place to bounce suggestions around, listen to "knowledgible" people, hear different points of view but you don't always know how reliable the information source is!
Fly Conventional Gear
Joined: May 2007
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From: Winchester
Is it intended to be a serious source of information for pilots? I had assumed (perhaps wrongly) that it just a forum for discussion between peers.
Some people come to this forum to learn, some to share knowledge, some to just 'have a banter' and a small minority to wind people up.
Whenever I have a question that can't be answered by looking through books or asking instructors (or am not physically in a position to ask my instructor) or if I have an answer but suspect it may not be the only answer/warrant further discussion then I post on here. Generally I hope for and expect serious answers. For me PPRuNe is primarily a resource.
But the forum title 'the best in aviation and some other people' could not be more appropriate.
Joined: May 2001
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From: UK
Is it intended to be a serious source of information for pilots? I had assumed (perhaps wrongly) that it just a forum for discussion between peers.
Almost always the simple answer is forthcoming,
this is usually followed by the complicated answer,
and this is followed by a dissection of both the simple and complicated answer.
The end product is you:
Got the information you wanted,
and got a lot more than you bargained for,
and wondered why you asked in the first place,
and ended up more confused that before you asked, but a little wiser and ever so slightly more grey.
.. .. .. and then some usually starts a pi**ing contest, and then the fun starts.
Discuss?
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Here and there. Here at the moment but soon I'll be there.
The point is, one would be stark raving bonkers to take something you read on here as fact without checking it with an instructor or someone that you actually knew was an experienced pilot.
Guest
Posts: n/a
The real purpose of this forum is so that the experienced people can spank the living daylights out of newbies.
Its like an initiation ceremony for your college frat.
Would you like another one newbie?
Of course, the fact that you, as a low houred PPL, decided to pick a prolonged argument with some highly experienced instructors (some with over 20k hours of flying time), at the same time displaying a knowledge of aviating that was fundamentally flawed, had nothing to do with it.
But, course, I am forgetting that you live in Britain, where competitive sports are not allowed and it is beastly to tell the truth, even though they were trying to stop you injuring yourself, since even the dunce must feel good about themselves, even if it means they learn nothing.
If you have any sense, you will go back to the thread and read the posts by Chuck Ellsworth, Pilot DAR, Say Again Slowly, Ed Harding and others and have a serious think about it.
Its like an initiation ceremony for your college frat.
Would you like another one newbie?
Of course, the fact that you, as a low houred PPL, decided to pick a prolonged argument with some highly experienced instructors (some with over 20k hours of flying time), at the same time displaying a knowledge of aviating that was fundamentally flawed, had nothing to do with it.
But, course, I am forgetting that you live in Britain, where competitive sports are not allowed and it is beastly to tell the truth, even though they were trying to stop you injuring yourself, since even the dunce must feel good about themselves, even if it means they learn nothing.
If you have any sense, you will go back to the thread and read the posts by Chuck Ellsworth, Pilot DAR, Say Again Slowly, Ed Harding and others and have a serious think about it.
Pompey till I die
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Guildford
The real purpose of this forum is that the experienced people can spank the living daylights out of newbies.
Its like an initiatio ceremony for your college frat.
Would you like another one newbie?
Its like an initiatio ceremony for your college frat.
Would you like another one newbie?
The point is, one would be stark raving bonkers to take something you read on here as fact without checking it with an instructor or someone that you actually knew was an experienced pilot.
It dawned on me then , that even though advice is often given quite "forcibly" it does not mean it's right, and the "advice provider" will not be at the CAA if it goes wrong. Sometimes I worry that this forum is doing some damage to newbies who are taking non instructor opinions as gospel truth....
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: London
you will go back to the thread and read the posts by Chuck Ellsworth, Pilot DAR, Say Again Slowly, Ed Harding and others and have a serious think about it.
I liked Irv Lee's article "From the right-hand seat" in October's Flyer. He doesn't support my view at all but I liked "The pilots who regard the few seconds above the runway as a game to be enjoyed tend to be the relaxed ones carrying out the textbook landings"
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 407
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From: UK
The real purpose of this forum is so that the experienced people can spank the living daylights out of newbies.
My favourite topics: how many hours to first solo, overhead join and - best of all - "I've just gone solo so how many stripes should I have on my epaulettes?"
Thread Starter
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From: London
That being the case, you are an idiot.
from the arrogant and patronising posts to sarcasm or downright rudeness.
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David
Calling you an idiot is not rude, it is fair comment.
A PPL grants the holder certain "privileges" (not rights), it also carries responsibilities to others.
The reason you are an idiot is that you seem incapable of taking on board the responses of very experienced instructors, to certain dogmatic statements that you made and who were trying to save you from an accident.
If you choose to kill yourself, then who knows, you may even win a Darwin award / that is your choice.
The sad part is that you may take innocent victims with you, who had no choice in your decision making.
Your first post said
This gives an insight into your thinking and for you to believe that you a peer of some of the other posters on here is ludicrous.
I have many more years experience of flying than you and regard myself as an ongoing learner, certainly not a peer of people like Chuck Ellsworth, from whom I have learned a lot through his unselfish sharing of a lifetimes learning of aviation.
And therein lies your problem, you seem to believe that a new PPL "fully qualifies" you as a pilot, whereas it is only the very first tentative step in learning about aviating.
Calling you an idiot is not rude, it is fair comment.
A PPL grants the holder certain "privileges" (not rights), it also carries responsibilities to others.
The reason you are an idiot is that you seem incapable of taking on board the responses of very experienced instructors, to certain dogmatic statements that you made and who were trying to save you from an accident.
If you choose to kill yourself, then who knows, you may even win a Darwin award / that is your choice.
The sad part is that you may take innocent victims with you, who had no choice in your decision making.
Your first post said
just a forum for discussion between peers
I have many more years experience of flying than you and regard myself as an ongoing learner, certainly not a peer of people like Chuck Ellsworth, from whom I have learned a lot through his unselfish sharing of a lifetimes learning of aviation.
And therein lies your problem, you seem to believe that a new PPL "fully qualifies" you as a pilot, whereas it is only the very first tentative step in learning about aviating.
Pompey till I die
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 779
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From: Guildford
Fantastic!
David
Calling you an idiot is not rude, it is fair comment.
The reason you are an idiot is that you seem incapable of
...
And therein lies your problem, you seem to believe that a new PPL "fully qualifies" you as a pilot, whereas it is only the very first tentative step in learning about aviating.
Calling you an idiot is not rude, it is fair comment.
The reason you are an idiot is that you seem incapable of
...
And therein lies your problem, you seem to believe that a new PPL "fully qualifies" you as a pilot, whereas it is only the very first tentative step in learning about aviating.
Jose - "Special One", top pprune poster
That said though, in between the flaming, arrogance, rudeness, bickering and outright hostility there is the odd gem of a post.
Last edited by PompeyPaul; 21st September 2008 at 09:48.
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 420
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From: Right here
Main purposes of the forum, as indicated by practice:
1. Insulting and ridiculing the flying abilities of other pilots
2. Inflating one's ego by shamelessly claiming to be a better pilot than everyone else
3. Overtly idolising a rare few well known posters, in order to boost one's own status on the forum
4. Jumping any band wagon
5. Finding any single victim to gang up on, and being proud of it
6. Helpfully informing other pilots they will kill themselves and their loved ones
7. Generally making an ass of oneself
8. Safely behave in a way that would get your nose punched if done face to face
9. Life replacement; if you don't have one, you can pretend you do on PPRuNe
10. Claiming it is all done to "help others"
*nods!*
A very tiny minority indeed, but it almost makes it worthwhile...
1. Insulting and ridiculing the flying abilities of other pilots
2. Inflating one's ego by shamelessly claiming to be a better pilot than everyone else
3. Overtly idolising a rare few well known posters, in order to boost one's own status on the forum
4. Jumping any band wagon
5. Finding any single victim to gang up on, and being proud of it
6. Helpfully informing other pilots they will kill themselves and their loved ones
7. Generally making an ass of oneself
8. Safely behave in a way that would get your nose punched if done face to face
9. Life replacement; if you don't have one, you can pretend you do on PPRuNe
10. Claiming it is all done to "help others"
That said though, in between the flaming, arrogance, rudeness, bickering and outright hostility there is the odd gem of a post
*nods!*
A very tiny minority indeed, but it almost makes it worthwhile...
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 420
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From: Right here
I don’t think they ever “told” me what to do. There was the occasional - why don’t you try this, see how that works for you, or I see you usually do it that way, but I wonder what you would do if this happened,
Sharing their knowledge with you, without intimidating, patronising or insulting you. Letting you do your thing, while illustrating another way that might be better. Inflating your ego and your flying skills simultaneously, rather than puncturing yours to inflate theirs. Making you a better pilot, rather than telling you you're a bad one.What a beautiful contrast to some of those "helpful" individuals in the thread you mentioned for whom, despite all their skill and experience, the only useful place at PPRuNe is on the ignore list.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 17
From: U.K.
Many forums have a high signal to noise ratio. Private flying isn't too bad in that respect, but you do often have to pick through the nonsense to get to some really good info.
I've been posting here on Pprune for over 8 years and reading it from the very beginning, when it first came out. I was a student trying my hardest to get a PPL and found much of what was on Pprune to be more aimed at the airline world which I eventually wanted to join.
The standard has been variable over the years and I've certainly noticed that I take a lot less interest in the place now than I did a few years ago.
A lot of the really knowledgeable people have left never to return. Of course there is still an awful lot of flying talent and experience on here, but not in the same quantity as say 5 years ago.
F3G makes a very good point about being part of a peer group. You are part of the PPL world now, but in terms of experience and knowledge, you are right at the bottom of the pyramid, hopefully you'll survive long enough to expand on your knowledge.
What is the Private flying forum all about. Everything that has been mentioned. Fuji has probably put it in the wittiest way. You get all sorts of stuff here, arguments, discussion, fights and the occasional all out war, but most of the time it is relatively good natured and there is an awful lot of good stuff here if you care to read and digest it properly.
The key is, to not get all huffy about how someone posts. Bulletin Boards are notorious for fights starting even amongst people saying the same thing. Because you don't have the benefit of seeing or hearing the person you are conversing with, it is very easy to make assumptions and get the wrong end of the stick.
People may come across as being rude, when they really don't mean it. So it is up to you to realise this and not get your knickers in a twist and makes sure you really read what someone has written BEFORE you hit the reply button.
Most of the time it is blatantly obvious that someone has just read 2 or 3 lines before firing back a retort, this is when threads start to degenerate. From the looks of the last few threads you've been involved in, does any of this sound familiar?
Most people on here are normal, well adjusted human beings and when I've met up with Ppruners, we've nearly always got along well despite the ding dongs we may have had in the past. The artificial nature of typing replies instead of conversing in a more natural manner, tends to cause the problem, rather than the individuals themselves.
Oh and never forget, that whilst many people won't admit to reading Pprune. Virtually everyone in the industry does. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble if you come across as a dangerous idiot. It will be noted, especially if you p*ss off certain people.
Enjoy flying, enjoy posting, but don't spout bo11ocks, you will get picked up on it and you will get a pasting. That would be the same in a clubhouse or on here.
I've been posting here on Pprune for over 8 years and reading it from the very beginning, when it first came out. I was a student trying my hardest to get a PPL and found much of what was on Pprune to be more aimed at the airline world which I eventually wanted to join.
The standard has been variable over the years and I've certainly noticed that I take a lot less interest in the place now than I did a few years ago.
A lot of the really knowledgeable people have left never to return. Of course there is still an awful lot of flying talent and experience on here, but not in the same quantity as say 5 years ago.
F3G makes a very good point about being part of a peer group. You are part of the PPL world now, but in terms of experience and knowledge, you are right at the bottom of the pyramid, hopefully you'll survive long enough to expand on your knowledge.
What is the Private flying forum all about. Everything that has been mentioned. Fuji has probably put it in the wittiest way. You get all sorts of stuff here, arguments, discussion, fights and the occasional all out war, but most of the time it is relatively good natured and there is an awful lot of good stuff here if you care to read and digest it properly.
The key is, to not get all huffy about how someone posts. Bulletin Boards are notorious for fights starting even amongst people saying the same thing. Because you don't have the benefit of seeing or hearing the person you are conversing with, it is very easy to make assumptions and get the wrong end of the stick.
People may come across as being rude, when they really don't mean it. So it is up to you to realise this and not get your knickers in a twist and makes sure you really read what someone has written BEFORE you hit the reply button.
Most of the time it is blatantly obvious that someone has just read 2 or 3 lines before firing back a retort, this is when threads start to degenerate. From the looks of the last few threads you've been involved in, does any of this sound familiar?
Most people on here are normal, well adjusted human beings and when I've met up with Ppruners, we've nearly always got along well despite the ding dongs we may have had in the past. The artificial nature of typing replies instead of conversing in a more natural manner, tends to cause the problem, rather than the individuals themselves.
Oh and never forget, that whilst many people won't admit to reading Pprune. Virtually everyone in the industry does. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble if you come across as a dangerous idiot. It will be noted, especially if you p*ss off certain people.
Enjoy flying, enjoy posting, but don't spout bo11ocks, you will get picked up on it and you will get a pasting. That would be the same in a clubhouse or on here.