We need a forum for pilots
 

There are many members whose names indicate they are either aircraft owners (names beginning with N as in N377NG, a tail number), an aircraft type (PA28) or other clue, such as type ratings or something. I am one of the pilots and I'd enjoy that. Most of us have a different perspective that do non-pilots, even though we're also FTers, otherwise we wouldn't be here. How about it?

As always, thanks for the question. I'll offer up my personal thoughts on this. In the past we've enjoyed a practical policy of getting the member-elected TalkBoard involved in decisions of forum structure -- new ones to be considered, older ones needing reviewed, so would also suggest you contact you local member of the TalkBoard and ask about their consideration of this as well.

I likely would not be in much favor for a forum like this. I think FlyerTalk has done best when defining the narrow niche it has for first of all being the hub of conversations and information dedicated to the topics of miles and points and as a sub-set of that, the greater topic of travel. I view pilots as far more technical of a forum topic and certainly one can easily suggest is is travel-related, I think there are far greater resources and forums for pilots than what FlyerTalk could ever be. We can be many things, but I think it might be better to either form a relationship with an external forum that is as good about the topic for pilots as we are for miles and points and let them also form a relationship with us.

We are lucky to have several members who are truly best-of-class as members and as pilots, but I just don't see that FlyerTalk would ever become known as a hangout for pilots -- at least one worthy or being best-in-class as I think FlyerTalk can be for the topics of miles and points. In the past I always faced questions from some of the readers of InsideFlyer to expand the magazine to more than just about miles and points and while tempted, always drew the line to what i thought we could be better than others. When you look at the failure of print magazines like OAG Frequent Flyer in years gone by, I think I made a good decision to stay singularly focused and I think that same is true for FlyerTalk.

So, while ideas and suggestions like this are always good for us to consider and define what FlyerTalk is and can be, I vote for us getting better at what we already are. And to our pilots, my hat is off to you, you're great members of FlyerTalk but I just know that there are better existing Web sites out there you already visit that are likely better resources for conversations on that topic.

Again, this is my personal thought but do encourage you to contact your local TalkBoard for their consideration.

And thanks again for the question.

Randy

If you follow Randy's suggestion and tcook052's link above, I'd support such an environment. I'd actually broaden it to more than just pilots: I'd make it more of an "aviation nerd's hangout," since we have PLENTY of those on FT. Right now, discussion of aerophile things happens sporadically in individual forums, but many times, it doesn't have anything to do with a particular airline, and better answers and discussion would likely happen if such questions were exposed to the broader community of pilots and aviation geeks, rather than just a few that frequent a given airline's forum.

While Randy's suggestion to partner with another forum that specializes in such talk sounds good in theory, in reality, there's just one: Airliners.net, and I've been turned off (even just reading) both by the culture apparent there and the fact that you need to pay to participate. I'd be very happy and supportive of creating a place for such discussion but with a bit more of the friendly FT spirit. :)

So, do a bit of research on the topic and get a few more peoples' opinions (perhaps post a question about this in some of the various Pilot Q&A threads) and formulate a comprehensive proposal with arguments in favor of such a proposal (TB members generally want to see that the demand is there, that traffic would come, and that it wouldn't take traffic away from existing forums) and get some people to comment in support of your proposal. I certainly will! :)

MY idea was for pilots who are FT's , not airline pilots. The pilot sources, and Randy is correct, there are many, and just about piloting. People who fly enough to have elite status and hang out here are ones who are always interested in the nerd-like questions that crop up from time ton time with others, and would like to discuss such issues as delivery schedules for EK's 380's, configurations and performance issues. Those questions crop up constantly. Wouldn't non-pilots like to hear the pilot point of view on those issues?

I see. I don't know that you'll be able to sell TB on a place where basically only pilots can post, though. That's why I proposed expanding it into a wholesale aviation nerdfest where ALL people who are interested in things like delivery schedules for 380s, configurations, and performance issues can talk about such things, even those who are not licensed pilots. Licensed pilots (and even ones with just an outdated student certificate, like myself) would certainly be welcome and encouraged to talk, but I don't think TB would go for limiting it to them.

Although this is Randy's forum & not the TB forum, I just thought I'd pop my 2 cents in as a TB member...

I don't think I'd support the concept of a pilot forum because one of the things that I try to take into consideration is whether or not there's 1) an unmet need for the forum on the internet as a whole and 2) whether or not there is a need for the the forum on FT as a whole.

Both of these metrics, fo rme, are currently at a no. There a quite a few pilot and technical aviation fora out there - so FT wouldn't be filling a void and wouldn't likely be the best place on the internet to find that info & have that discussion. As far as an FT need, I don't see the demand here right now.