Indeed it is, but one that isn't is the arrival of one of the RN's Type 42s (can't remember which one, but lovely ships with the Olympus, aka Vulcan and Concorde, engines!) into Hong Kong harbour in the early 80s when, as it sailed past one of the huge US Navy Nimitz class carriers that was berthed there, was signalled by the carrier, "How's the second biggest Navy in the world?" which was met by the rapid response from the RN captain of "Fine thanks, how's the second best"
Or there was the experienced JP pilot, who was taking the first flight of the day up out of RAF Cranwell in the 70s, which was the meteorological/visibility check flight, before letting students loose in the air with expensive toys. The venerable JP was not known as the "variable noise, constant thrust machine" for nothing, and careful control of weight and fuel loads was critical to ensure that it actually got into the air. That particular morning the met flight staggered off the runway, but didn't keep going up at the intended rate. With a line of tall poplar trees (later chopped down for obvious reasons) lining the minor road to the east of the runway, the final radio call from said pilot to ATC as the aircraft headed for them was not the expected "Mayday" or "Pan Pan Pan", but "TIMBEEERRRR!!!". The JP then went through the trees and crashed into the field on the other side - pilot was fine with a few cuts and bruises and one trashed JP in bits on the ground - raised plenty of chat in the crewrooms at the time of what one might say if faced with a similar situation!
MG Mark
