What does Roger Bacon know?
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Keeping Danny in Sandwiches

Joined: May 1999
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From: UK
What does Roger Bacon know?
In this week's (21-27 January) Flight International Straight & Level "Roger Bacon" under the heading "From Boeing 737 MMEL list" asks the following:
"Gear Retraction Braking System. May be inoperative provided:
a) After take off, landing gear remains extended for two minutes before retraction.
b) Take-off performance is based on Landing Gear Extended.
Err… has there ever been a Take-off performance with the gear retracted? asks Nephew Charles Aufranc. It might shorten the landing run, but on take off?"
Are we really in a situation where those who write about aviation know little about it?
Should we have to explain to Roger Bacon about Take Off Performance and second segment climbs - or should he know about it?
Or should we leave him to display his ignorance to the world?
And this for a column that has an annual quiz of esoteric aviation questions.
Am I being hard on a "Jorno"?
"Gear Retraction Braking System. May be inoperative provided:
a) After take off, landing gear remains extended for two minutes before retraction.
b) Take-off performance is based on Landing Gear Extended.
Err… has there ever been a Take-off performance with the gear retracted? asks Nephew Charles Aufranc. It might shorten the landing run, but on take off?"
Are we really in a situation where those who write about aviation know little about it?
Should we have to explain to Roger Bacon about Take Off Performance and second segment climbs - or should he know about it?
Or should we leave him to display his ignorance to the world?
And this for a column that has an annual quiz of esoteric aviation questions.
Am I being hard on a "Jorno"?
ex-Tanker
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Luton Beds UK
Tell him that while he is at it, he should read the performance pages. Better still, stick him in the sim at max TOW. Give him an engine failure and jam the gear. He will be surprised how far he doesn't climb... By the way I met Roger Bacon(s) once - it's actually a few people who have a go on that page.

Joined: Jan 2002
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From: North of London
I have been reading that magazine for many years, and that column is the least funny thing I read anywhere. Most of the time it is downright pitiful, FI should remove it altogether! Perhaps finding articles of interest instead of irrelevant humourless cr@p!!
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: New Forrest
More to the point, why is David Learmont always but foreward on TV as the representative of the industry.
Surely someone who knows what they are talking about could pick up the Sky/BBC/ITV taxi and the few hundred quid fee?
Surely someone who knows what they are talking about could pick up the Sky/BBC/ITV taxi and the few hundred quid fee?
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: here to eternity
David Learmount does a very good job (IMHO) of trying to present a highly technical subject in a manner that the general public can understand. Admittedly, with our perspective and knowledge, he may appear to oversimplify, but it's rare he makes a slip. Far better that than some journo try to paraphrase the words of someone else and come out with the total gibberish they usually manage.
I saw the item in "S&L" and Uncle Roger's comment made me smile, at least. Yes, of course gear jammed down is a problem - and you know what irony he was trying to use. Why give S&L such a hard time? It's not what it once was, but it does at least stop the mag taking itself too seriously.
I saw the item in "S&L" and Uncle Roger's comment made me smile, at least. Yes, of course gear jammed down is a problem - and you know what irony he was trying to use. Why give S&L such a hard time? It's not what it once was, but it does at least stop the mag taking itself too seriously.
Cunning Artificer

Joined: Jun 2001
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From: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
Me an George Brownfag were talking abart it, an we fink a dab on the brake pedals might just abart do it. Before that young First Orsifer Here yanks on his gear handle, if you know wharra mean? Like? eh? An if he fergets, old George'd soon set me to work changing the gear bay seals - nice bit of overtime mebbe, if you get my meaning, nudge, nudge? 
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema

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Through difficulties to the cinema
Thread Starter
Keeping Danny in Sandwiches

Joined: May 1999
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From: UK
I don’t think it was tongue in cheek; although he might try and portray it that way.
Be surprised however if it got in next weeks Flight; letters normally take at least 2-3 weeks
Be surprised however if it got in next weeks Flight; letters normally take at least 2-3 weeks
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: UK
For God's sake guys.
The Roger Bacon column has been taking the p1ss for years - sometimes hilarious sometimes not so funny - that's showbusiness!
Why are some of you getting so worked up about it? It's supposed to be a little light relief in a serious magazine, that's all.
The Roger Bacon column has been taking the p1ss for years - sometimes hilarious sometimes not so funny - that's showbusiness!
Why are some of you getting so worked up about it? It's supposed to be a little light relief in a serious magazine, that's all.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 263
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From: farrrr east
For many years I was a regular subscriber/reader of FI, but had enough of David Learmount's writings and TV appearances. Occasionally see FI loafing on the magazine racks at the local terminal looks very thin, must have been on a fat reduced diet.

Joined: Nov 1999
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From: East Midlands
You want a funny.................................
Put the cover price up, as a one off.
Charge £10.00 and include (Bill?) Bunny Gunston 'What goes up might come down' CD.
Guess what, (and back me up here) it is fab, and others, beg to differ.
Let PPrune pick a World wide charity.
Who would not buy it again?
David L to post selection of charities.
SECONDER?
now get the credit cards and cheque books out!
Sorry Danny, with your blessing, obviously
Put the cover price up, as a one off.
Charge £10.00 and include (Bill?) Bunny Gunston 'What goes up might come down' CD.
Guess what, (and back me up here) it is fab, and others, beg to differ.
Let PPrune pick a World wide charity.
Who would not buy it again?
David L to post selection of charities.
SECONDER?
now get the credit cards and cheque books out!
Sorry Danny, with your blessing, obviously
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 492
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From: Twyford, UK
Skitzoid, et al....
I used to be a David Learmount knocker...even called him David Learmouth, but have since modified my opinion, because he actually does know what he is talking about. i found out about his background and he is an ex RAF Transport Pilot turned Journo.
He therefore has a handle on the basics of how aircraft operate, and has been with FI since Captain Icarus was around, which fills in the blanks about airline operation. Yuo....he does OK for an Englishman. My opinion has been altered.
What would you prefer.?? A bog standard daily Bugle reporter giving the "Mayday, Mayday, i'm going to pancake on your number one runway" type of report.? I think the boy done good in retrospect. No doubt there are others who will howl abuse, but there you go.
I used to be a David Learmount knocker...even called him David Learmouth, but have since modified my opinion, because he actually does know what he is talking about. i found out about his background and he is an ex RAF Transport Pilot turned Journo.
He therefore has a handle on the basics of how aircraft operate, and has been with FI since Captain Icarus was around, which fills in the blanks about airline operation. Yuo....he does OK for an Englishman. My opinion has been altered.
What would you prefer.?? A bog standard daily Bugle reporter giving the "Mayday, Mayday, i'm going to pancake on your number one runway" type of report.? I think the boy done good in retrospect. No doubt there are others who will howl abuse, but there you go.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...

Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
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From: Peripatetic
One of the things that really winds up people with no sense of humour, is someone else's supposed lack of sense of humour.
Another is being told they have no sense of humour.
One wonders how many of them sent letters quoting the aircraft manual.
Another is being told they have no sense of humour.

One wonders how many of them sent letters quoting the aircraft manual.



