Posted for "Tom Gourley" <tom.gourley@verizon.net>:

 I don't think we should be too hard on Fred.  He's obviously figured out that
flying with the nose gear strut deflated was not a good idea; beating him up
about it on the LML serves no useful purpose.  I appreciate his sharing the
experience with the rest of us.  There's a good chance his post may prevent
someone else from trying the same thing, possibly with tragic results.  If we
chastise pilots in this forum for sharing their mistakes then many others may
choose not to share a learning experience that could benefit many of the LML
readers.
 
 Tom Gourley