A fraternity...
 

I was reminded recently that we are a fraternity - those of us in aviation as a whole, and those of us in the subset of general aviation.

In our fraternity, we should take care of each other, we should go the extra mile for the other person. I was the recipient of such kind treatment from another PPRuNe member, whom I have "known" for a long time, but had never before met. This PPRuNer went the extra mile in several ways, getting me out of a sticky [travel] wicket, in addition to simply being a remarkable host for my visit.

This served as a very important reminder that we have all chosen to come together with a common interest, and as long as we choose to participate, should pull together. That doesn't mean we can't disagree appropriately, but we owe it to each other to pull together for the common good in the big picture. We are people of an industry, we need to encourage each other, and the industry, when ever we can.

This PPRuNer has certainly been very prolific over the years, providing a vast wisdom for all who would read here. My most heart felt thanks to my host. I have waited years to meet him, and it was well worth the stop in the UK this time around. He has reaffirmed the importance of taking care of one and other, which I will surely follow. I challenge the rest of you to rise to this fine standard for fraterinty in your own way too....

Hmmm....wonder who that was then...?

Pilot DAR

What a super post.

I was very sorry not to have been able to meet you but I am so pleased you clearly had a wonderful stay.

Perhaps when you next see these shores again.

All the best

That was a great post Pilot DAR :D

I must say that as a pretty new pilot, I continue to find my fellow aviators generally helpful and supportive. Not all hobbies are like this sadly.

Great post DAR, we are indeed a band of brothers.

Thanks to the various internet forums I have met some wonderful people in the UK, Denmark and South Africa. I have been offered transport, meals, night stays and have shared some memorable flights.

In other countries pilots have gone gone out of their way to help me and make me feel welcome.

I try to exchange when somebody arrives in my area, last Sunday a nice day (I hope for my friend) spent flying together with an American Ppruner.

I found PPRuNe when I was pre-PPL and desperate to get the coveted licence to commit aviation. My friends here have supported and encouraged me every inch of the way - much as fellow students and pilots whom I meet face-to-face have done.

Well said, Pilot DAR; it needed saying, and I'm sure most PPRuNers would have absolutely no difficulty in meeting your challenge. :)

Fine words Pilot DAR :D:D

"Fraternity"?

"we are indeed a band of brothers"

And the female pilots? What of them? Invisible? Chopped liver? Nonentities? :ugh: :=

Pardon me, I was not aware that "fraternity" is gender limited, as I have only ever been a member of the aviation fraterinty. which is certainly not gender limited. As there are many PPRuNe members whose gender is unknown to me, I have no intention to allow them to feel excluded. Hmmm, maybe I should sign up for the 99's so I can promote a feeling of comradery.... (Ooo, I hope that term does not have any hidden implications!)

Sorry to have missed you Fuji, I'll be back, Icelandic ash permitting. In the mean time, I wish both of you a pleasant evening at the pub some time, and I'll catch up later...

DAR,

As someone who has helped me in the past, if I had known you were in the UK I would have taken the opportunity to meet up if possible and buy you a drink!

(Your advise about Lake Country Airways last year was excellent and I look forward to the opportunity to return :))

Alan.

Fraternity ... from the latin for brother, frater.

Fernytickles has a point. It may not be directed at you as an individual PilotDAR but to that not insigificant group of middle-aged, fixed-wing male pilots who treat aviatrices in a patronising and condescending manner. Until some attitudes change, you will remain indeed a band of brothers.

Cheers

Whirls

I've never seen that anywhere.

Women have always been most welcome in GA - not least because there are so few of them.

I used the term "band of brothers".

It is the title of a book written by Ernest Gann, the story of how pilots from around the world teamed up to help a fellow pilot in need of help. I love that book.

I used the words in that sense, that pilots around the world will help pilots, no reference intended to being male or female.

I suppose I have errantly demonstrated how little I know about latin, or male dominated institutions. While attemping to cast a warm senitment of inclusion, I accidently was exclusive.

My original senitment should be received with no gender bias whatever intended. I will give a second thought the next time I hear one in a group of women ask the others in the group: "What do you guys want to do?"

The band of brothers/sisters only works in some parts of the world and certain individuals take the piss out of it unfortunately.

Fernytickles

Quite pathetic that you twist a warm and genuine comment from PilotDAR to give you the opportunity to slip the PC knife in.

If you want to be taken seriously, act your age not your shoe size.

It's okay, I do know that there was a side of humour in Fenytickles post, and it's not fair to take her on too hard while she's still sleeping!

I have in the past felt honestly badly when I have accidentally offended a female with an unintended gender biased remark. I think it an unfortunate historic (well, historic in much of the world anyway) legacy of male self importance, which has left us with a lanuage which still holds these pitfalls.

Perhaps those of us who would like to admit to being male here, would like to offer that any gender bias which appears in a post is accidental, and not intended to offend - I hereby so offer...

I have every belief that the pilots of the world should and do pull together as much as possible, and certainly gender need not be divisive!

For goodness sake, let's not PC become between us. The term pilot is genderless, but fraternity as applied to a genderless group is perfectly appropriate as there is no genderless equivalent. We are truly brothers and sisters in our love of flying and long may it stay that way. PC has no place in our mutual love of flying and to even suggest that gender is important is divisive and beneath contempt.

my 2c ... with both barrels.

Flaps

Please confirm my guess that "PC" refers to political correctness? I just want to make sure I don't perpetuate more insult, resulting from unfamiliarity with my first and only language!

Based on Pilot DAR's posts, it is hard to imagine a less bigoted person.

Words change their meaning over time, at different rates in different places.

One of my favourites is "The Oxford History Of England", written between 1936 and 1965.
Towards the end of that period, people started to wonder why a history of Britain should be called that.