This FAQ is the result of input by various posters in aus.aviation.
It is by no means a definitive or stand-alone reference and should be read in conjunction with rules of Netiquette on this and other web sites.
This FAQ is extremely outdated and is likely to be updated sometime soon to reflect more modern times and technology.
This document will be replaced from time-to-time as changes occur.
AUS.AVIATION - FAQ V3.0
First posted 30/11/99
FAQ is an acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. The FAQ contains the guidelines for a group and other helpful
information.
1. Who owns or runs aus.aviation?
Nobody owns, operates or moderators aus.aviation, it is a Usenet discussion group (newsgroup) freely available to all. To
those who get the impression that there are self-appointed moderators on this newsgroup, there is not. There is however a
number of core people (as in any newsgroup) who wish to see a minimum standard of decorum and behaviour amongst posters and
also try to steer the content to aviation related subjects. Hence this FAQ.
2. Who administers this FAQ?
No one person. This FAQ is a living document and should change over time to reflect the wishes of the newsgroup participants.
These changes will be unscheduled and driven by the newsgroup users. This revision should be accomplished in the same manner
as it was conceived, by group participation and consensus. Only one version of the FAQ should be in existence and
responsibility for posting or retaining the FAQ should be assigned at the group's discretion.
3. Is the FAQ a real official or legal document?
No. It may be thought as a simple guide for those wishing to follow a voluntary code of conduct and is intended to help
people new to the group. It is not a book of rules and no one can ever be found in breach of the FAQ. Likewise no one has to
abide by the FAQ guidelines, or even read them, although it is considered good manners to do so.
4. I love aircraft and flight, is aus.aviation for me?
Only you can decide. By all means post a message introducing yourself but it is recommended you watch for a while before
jumping in with opinion or criticism, especially in an existing thread or subject. Aus.aviation is for anybody who has an
interest in all things aviation, especially in or about Aviation in Australia, be it the guy who sits at the airport fence,
to the pilot in command of the Space Shuttle and anything in between. If you like flying and flying machines you are welcome
here.
4. What is the demographic of the group?
On average aus.aviation posters are strongly linked to aviation through their employment, hobbies or a general fascination
with flight. Most posters present themselves as mature and responsible. Children are welcome but not common. Fools and
troublemakers usually get ignored and so quickly get bored and leave.
6. Are there pictures of aeroplanes here?
No. This is not a binary newsgroup. If you want pictures of aircraft in general then search the web for an appropriate site.
As part of our larger FAQ we will be having various URLs that will point to sites with pictures - there are hundreds of
excellent aviation sites with lots of pictures. If you are looking for specific material then it is acceptable to post a
request containing details of what you need (please do not post examples). As there a few good amateur and professional
photographers reading aus.aviation, they may have something of interest in their private collections. You should declare if
you want the to use the pictures for a commercial purpose. It is important to emphasis here - do not post binaries
(pictures). You will incur the wrath of all within the newsgroup. There are a lot of reasons for this not the least being
bandwidth, ISP capabilities, modem speeds. Place the picture on a Website if you do not have one, there are a number of
people within the group that would be only too happy to lend you space and the POST THE URL on aus.aviation. If you need help
with this there are a number of resource people on aus.aviation who will help.
7. Can I advertise my business or commercial web site in aus.aviation?
It is quite enjoyable following links to sites that people have taken the time to set up to support or expand on a topic in
the ng, or for general interest (such as the guy building his own full motion flight sim) where people are putting up web
pages as enthusiasts rather than for commercial gain. This type of "announcement" is acceptable.
8. Can I advertise or announce updates to my web site on aus.aviation?
If it is not aviation related, in general, no. This is also considered spam and usually as unwelcome as any other unsolicited
advertising in the newsgroup. Posting of one line URLs to aviation related sites are acceptable. Posts by those representing
commercial interests, which might be considered advertising is not considered suitable for this newsgroup. Advertising of a
private nature should be kept to a minimum. Wherever possible all such matters should refer the reader to another URL.
Signature lines if including details of the posters business should be kept to a minimum. Discretion should be used at all
times. If in doubt don't post and seek guidance.
9. What about advertising not-for-profit club social or charity events, like a fly-in?
Many participants in aus.aviation like to attend these events so a simple announcement is usually acceptable. Announcements
about air shows and fly-ins should be a text only, simple messages providing necessary contact details, dates, etc. Please do
not post binary images, scanned advertisements or other attachments. Reposting should be limited to once only: Newsgroups do
have an article time limit therefore community announcements (e.g. Airshows, Connie movement's etc) be posted NO MORE than
once per week.
10. I need help with my flying/training/exams etc. Can I ask these sorts of questions?
Yes, but how much trust you put in the answers is up to you. Never rely on newsgroups as a source of reliable information or
plan to use the information obtained for other than discussion purposes. One or two general questions can generate healthy
discussion. If specific answers are needed consult an instructor, examiner or other approved reference source.
11. Where can I find a good flying school?
Well, can you recommend a good car for me? This is just as subjective an issue. Flying schools vary enormously in courses
offered, aircraft, price and professionalism. A better question might be "I want to be a private/commercial/airline pilot,
what should I look for in a good flying school?" and then use the information to find a school that fits your needs, budget
and personality. As this is a common question/topic, check the newsgroup history on a web archive to see if it has been
discussed recently, otherwise you may be at risk of "oh no, not again" and receive fewer answers. In the main FAQ run by
aus.aviation, we will be having links to flying schools, without prejudice or specific comment. As to a particular school,
the FAQ will not endorse or recommend any particular brand. Individuals may post comments either way at any time.
12. Accidents - what happened, what can I find out here? This is an important subject, so please read carefully. Due to the
very nature of flying, there will be accidents, injuries and deaths. First of all, and importantly, if the accident happened
in this region (Australasia/Oceania) then it is quite possible that someone on aus.aviation will know the person(s) involved
personally. So be diplomatic and have some sensitivity. Do not assign blame to anyone. Do not besmirch the pilot's character
or ability or take cheap shots or make stupid remarks. You will probably be flamed and then ignored if you do and in some
cases newsgroup members may take more positive action. Within the bounds of good taste as already outlined in the FAQ the
sort of discussions which daily occur among pilots in the aero club or crew room should be perfectly acceptable. There is
usually a fair amount of discussion about incidents, accidents or other events and most are usually related to the
preliminary findings of the Australian Bureau of Air Safety (BASI - now ATSB), the NTSB, etc. Idle speculation is
discouraged (the media do that!) but discussion of dealing with emergency situations (from pilot, crew and passenger
perspective) and real experiences are encouraged. There will be occasions where those with inside knowledge cannot post on
some matters. There will also be subjects, which for similar reasons may be subject to peculiar
commercial sensitivities. This should not preclude comment or discussion, but posters should take due consideration of those
views.
13. Do any airline pilots visit here?
Participants come from all aspects of aviation. All pilots, and particularly airline pilots, generally behave in a
responsible and professional manner, even on newsgroups. You may be able to figure out who they are if you watch the group
long enough. Do not be offended if you ask questions that cannot be answered. Most airlines and commercial operators' do
not like having their operational procedures or practices divulged. Likewise you will probably never get a professional pilot
to comment on any operational problems or in flight emergencies they have recently experienced, or even been made aware of,
as their job could be at risk for releasing unauthorised company information.
14. Are there any air traffic controllers or aeroplane engineers here? Point 13 pretty well covers all aviation
professionals.
15. I cross-post messages to other groups so I can get more replies.
Why am I being abused? As a rule, please do not cross-post. Please only cross-post where the subject demands and then only
selectively to a limited number of directly relevant groups. This newsgroup is dedicated to aviation in the Australasian
region. When you cross-post, this newsgroup gets flooded with cross-posted replies as most respondents do not remove the
cross-posted group names from your message header when replying. Please check your selected newsgroups before posting so
inappropriate and off-topic posts are kept off aus.aviation.
16. I do not agree with what someone said, I know more than that person, what do I do?
Are you sure you know more? Do you really know what the discussion is about or are you jumping in on only part of it? If you
have a different point of view then say so in the same way you would in a face to face situation. Being abusive, even if you
are right is not going to win any friends. This newsgroup thrives on detail, so if you are going to disagree with someone be
prepared to back it up with facts and figures - you will most likely be asked to provide them.
15. Mr. X is a jerk. How do I tell him and make him leave the group?
Flamers and spamers are the bane of any self-respecting newsgroup. The way to deal with these posters is NOT TO REACT! -
IGNORE THEM. This is the first rule you had to learn in the schoolyard remember? Use the K for Kill key (Netscape) or use
your filters. If you have difficulty with the latter ask. Please confine abusive and personal vendettas to email or somewhere
other than aus.aviation. You cannot make anyone leave and consistently flaming them will only lead others to wish you were
gone too. Ignore "jerks" and they will go and annoy someone who satisfies their need for attention.
16. Slander and Libel.
One would wonder why this subject would crop up on this newsgroup. However recent events necessitate a mention. Be careful
who you post about and what you say about them - if you have to mention something about someone, or an incident that happened
- sanitize your post. Do not mention names, places or times. Do not slander anyone or say anything that may be deemed
libelous. Do not use this forum (aus.aviation) to post your grievances, real or imagined about people or organisations. Apart
from defaming the person or organisation you may also unwittingly drag other people into your situation. Anonymity too, may
not provide you with protection.
16. The pilot of Qanset flight 000 let me sit up front. I just want to publicly say thanks.
That was nice of them and you should feel privileged, but your public applause of their PR skills, piloting ability and being
nice people could land the flight crew in hot water. Some carriers do not like observers up front at all, or during certain
flight phases. Please do not identify the pilot, aircraft registration, flight number or even the carrier. By all means say
how great it was but please be discrete.
17. "There ain't no such thing as a dumb question". (In fact, the dumb question is the one you don't ask!)
Please, can the older members of the newsgroup please be a little more tolerant of those people - especially newbies - who
ask "dumb questions". Above all this newsgroup is about learning, and the fastest way to drive a well-meaning newbie away is
to flame him/her after a question that to you is "dumb". All too often posts are seen where the writer starts by saying
"please don't flame me but…" If you want to reply, do so politely. If you do not know the answer, point them in the right
direction. Remember your roots everyone has been there before, yourself not excepted. We all have to start somewhere.
21. Reposts. Or old threads re-occurring.
There are some people who are intolerant of old threads (6 months past and more, or even less) popping up again. Remember:
there are people constantly moving in and out of aus.aviation and they too would like to have a piece of the discussion.
Again, if you think that this thread has been done over enough move on. Don't make others move on, it is not your right. Use
your K (for Kill) key (Netscape) if you want to ignore the thread. Or, if you want to be a little more helpful, point the
poster to the appropriate place on the FAQ.
22. And finally: a special place in Hell has been reserved for Pedants, Semanticists and Hair Splitters.
If you do feel the need to comment on spelling mistakes, writing style, how many angels can sit on the head of a pin or go
into a subject to the nth detail, be prepared for a mailbox meltdown. You asked for it and you will get it!
---------------------------------
Basic Netiquette for aus.aviation:
-Post on topic.
-Do not cross post UNLESS to a similar topic newsgroup
-Do NOT post HTML
-Do NOT post binaries or picture files.
-Keep subject lines short so that they are readable for all.
-Do not 'shout' (ALL CAPS).
-Do not post abusive or threatening messages.
-Specific news groups are set up for test posts. Use them.
If you must reply to an off topic cross post, delete aus.aviation from the header before sending.
** Comments or discussion on these FAQ may be posted to the newsgroup.**
Other related Newsgroups which may be of interest:
aus.aviation.airspace - Discussion on airspace matters in Australia.
alt.binaries.pictures.aviation - Pictures of Aircraft.
rec.aviation.misc
rec.aviation.ifr
rec.aviation.military
If you are a newby, check out: news.announce.newusers and Usenet.com.au
----------------
AUS.AVIATION FAQ
Version 1.0 8 - SEPT 99 First Posted 8th September
Reposted 19th September 1999
Reposted 27th September 1999
Updated to V1.2 and URL posted 12 October 1999
URL posted 19th October 1999
Version 1.2b Reposted 23 November 1999.
Version 3.0 Posted 30 November 1999
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