Foo - Pilot Check In

Along with photogs, it seems we have a goodly number of pilots.
So, who has at one time or another has had their private ticket?

I learned in a Super Cub off of a grass strip.

I work on them, so I think it's pretty obvious I don't fly them...:p

Lmao

Around 230 hours total.
Have my PPL, Night rating (it's extra in South Africa), and got just past halfway to twin rating (on Piper Aztec).
I learned on a PA38-112 (Tomahawk), and then got conversions on PA28 (Warrior), C172 and C172RG (Cutlass, VP/Retractable).
Have flown in South Africa, Germany, Denmark and the UK.

But that's all many many years ago - I let my license lapse since I couldn't justify the high costs anymore (marriage, family, mortgage etc...)

I might get my license for it

I have been flying since about ten, and the strange thing is no one in my family flies or even likes flying. i have my Commercial License with Instrument rating and High performance and Complex signoffs. Lots of Tail wheel time but strangely never got around to getting my signoff. I was about a week away from taking my CFI checkride and ended up not going for it because of the bad state of the industry. Ended up being a good decision, right after i decided to focus on my photography the avaition industry really went down, most of my pilot friends now are jobless or are working for extremely unfair wages. I have Flown everything from ultralights up to Navajos. Most of my time has been in 152s,172s, 182s, cherokees, Archers, and the good old Swift. Also few times a year go play in a pitts and citabria. I am a photographer and have my own photography business so I do some aerial stuff for companys so its kinda nice combining two loves. I also work sundays at an airport I have worked at since I was in high school.

swift? did I hear swift? that wouldn't be a Globe Swift would it?

:D Globe Swift :D

I think Pop is flying his new ultralite home tomorrow. A two place MX.

I got my private certificate back in 1995, my instrument rating in 1997, and bought a fixed-gear 1978 Cessna 182 in 1999.

I want to get a PPL eventually. Possibly other certs, but I'm just interested in getting started. Of course, being in college, I won't have the time for a while, nor the money.

Is mid 30s too old to start getting lessons for a goal of a PPL?

Is mid 30s too old to start getting lessons for a goal of a PPL?

Oh hell no. Plenty of doctors have killed themselves after learning in their 30's.

Kidding.

You will have no problem learning. It's really not that hard to fly a plane. Learning the rules, regulations, radio protocol, check lists, etc., is the complicated part. The act of flying itself is very straightforward and after you master the basics the rest of your flying life is a matter of honing the man/machine symbiosis, same as riding your bike or driving your car.

Is mid 30s too old to start getting lessons for a goal of a PPL?

Geez, I hope not. I'm 36, and I start commercial helicopter pilot training in a month and a half.

Can't wait!!

bought a fixed-gear 1978 Cessna 182 in 1999.Do you wear skin-tight jeans and a cycling cap while you fly it? :P

Do you wear skin-tight jeans and a cycling cap while you fly it? :P

Track standing one is the real trick.

Barspins are a no-no, so I hear.

Barspins are a no-no, so I hear.

Threading traffic up to the stoplight is also frowned upon.

Yep gold old globe swift. A friend of mine has a spotless swift that he has put a lot of work into. The engine right now is pushing 235HP!!! Ground roll is roughly 200ft on takeoff and then climbs like a homesick angel. One of my top airplanes to fly for sure. Pitts S-2B is also another character builder.

Is mid 30s too old to start getting lessons for a goal of a PPL?

NO way, thats almost funny. I work at an airport and I would say right now our average PPL trainer age is 50. Just be aware that older you get the learning ability fades a bit so expect a bit more flight time and studying then the typical 18 year old student.

Scooper is a pilot...

East Hill

I have had a ppl since 1988. However, I have not been current for the last 10 years. I have a 10 yr old and an 8yr old, amazing how that works. As much as I love flying it has been a good trade. I may be able to get back into it next year.

Anyone have any close call stories? I would call it a near miss, but to me that is a hit.

Do you wear skin-tight jeans and a cycling cap while you fly it? :P

It's a tricycle, so no coolness points there. Maybe some cards on the wheels would help :lol:


Anyone have any close call stories? I would call it a near miss, but to me that is a hit.

I had an in-flight engine failure once. Does that count?

Anyone have any close call stories? I would call it a near miss, but to me that is a hit.

I have too many stories about people not walking away. :( I won't tell them in this thread.

If I ever got serious about flight, I'd spend the cash for a decent simulator, so I can be able to do IFR landings and takeoffs. I had a friend of mine who got so used to IFR, he used that, only glancing outside just to verify the avionic readings.

Opinion: I live near the Canadian border, only a couple hours (inc border lineup) from what I gather to be a reputable Canadian flight club. I also live a short distance from an airport here in the US, short enough to ride my bike to. I hear the Canadian license is preferable. Yay/nay to getting a Canadian license?

Track standing one is the real trick.

bet I could do a rear wheelie with it. :innocent:

I grew up in the general aviation business. My father runs an FBO at a midwestern, reliever airport, and I literally spent my childhood running, biking, and skateboarding up and down the ramp. He is still going after 55 years in the business, but in truth, there isn't much left of the industry. Flying has always been expensive, but generally doable, if you were willing to make some sacrifices. At $90-130 /hr, for a 152/172 class airplane, it just isn't a realistic option for most. The FAA's closing of the general airspace post-9/11 really pointed the ship downward.

Yeah, I earned my private at 17, but never took it any further. I only enjoyed going up on fine days, viewing the countryside unfolding beneath my wings. Been in some cool toys, a decidedly non-stock, Waco taperwing and a Pitts S2a being my favorites. Haven't been up in years though.

Small airplanes are generally, quite safe, except when mixed with a strong type A ego. Applying the Peter Principle to small aircraft pilotage--jockeying an aircraft just beyond your ability and/or trying toe 'beat the weather'-- will only get you killed. Be humble and safe out there.

Where does the username come from?

^^^^^^^Walter Beech's finest

Never owned one, but obviously admire them. Seventy five years after introduction, they remain one of the most beautiful, commercially produced, objects of powered locomotion ever created.

Amazing airplanes, aren't they? There are few planes I would consider truley beautiful, and that's one of them. Of course, when your aiplane design starts around a radial....

Pops just flew in with his new ultralight.
In a little over two hours and at 38 mph as the crow flies, he beat his chase car home by over a half an hour.

He doesn't fly IFR?

He doesn't fly IFR?

I would not be at all surprised if there weren't more than a few part 103s out there with full IFR dashes.

We sold our J3 several years ago (it was a proper barnstormer, sans radio even). The guy who owns it now has fully redundant crap mounted all over the place now. Can't say I see the wisdom of wanting to look over your passenger's shoulder to keep an eye on the turn-and-bank while flying 65hp through a thunderstorm.

Oh no, I was talking about the other IFR. you know...I Follow Roads.

Oh no, I was talking about the other IFR. you know...I Follow Roads.

Lol, yeah, usually and about four pine trees high.

He was concerned about fuel and wanted a straight line course (this was his third flight in this ultralight, and the first time he's been up in this one for more than 20 mins). I've never seen him use a GPS before now.

I'll have to get a picture of him, it was funny. GPS velcroed to one leg, car dash compass velcroed to the other, eight square inches of cutout sectional taped to his sleeve, and his cel-phone in his shirt pocket just in case he got lost.

Lol, yeah, usually and about four pine trees high.

He was concerned about fuel and wanted a straight line course (this was his third flight in this ultralight, and the first time he's been up in this one for more than 20 mins). I've never seen him use a GPS before now.

I'll have to get a picture of him, it was funny. GPS velcroed to one leg, car dash compass velcroed to the other, eight square inches of cutout sectional taped to his sleeve, and his cel-phone in his shirt pocket just in case he got lost.

Ultralights scare the hell out of me. So do most experimentals. It's frightening enough going up in something a factory, with all the proper FAA checks and equipment, made, but some dude making a plane in his backyard? Yikes. Scarey. That said, I'd probably go up in anything with the basic shape of an airplane and 2 seats. :D

bet I could do a rear wheelie with it. :innocent:

My Cessna 182 has the Peterson 260SE (http://www.katmai-260se.com/) modifications (including the canard); it can do a wheelie with zero forward motion. :thumb:

A-10 pilot, right now I'm instructing in T-37's (purgatory) until I get back into the hawg.

I'm working on the VFR right now. Fun stuff. Tougher than I expected though.

In a very crowded party how can you tell who the fighter pilot is??

















..... dont worry, He will tell you.

Whats the difference between a cactus and a F-14?

On a cactus the pricks are on the outside.

Private ASEL/Instrument here.

Also fly as an NFO in the Navy and have stick time in the F-18, F-16, F-15, TA-7, TA-4, F-5, T-34 and C-12/King Air B200.

I thought this thread was about Palm Pilots as I have a TX.;)

Back in the 70's and 80's had a PPL, but then I got a mortgage. While I loved flying, something had to go. Couldn't afford to fly enought to keep current and didn't feel would be safe in the air so let the medical lapse. Now when flying commercial, usually get a window seat and am looking out at landmarks, identifying small airfields. etc.

PP/ASEL here. Pretty active. Going to start IA sometime soon. C-172L.

No close calls. Well, except the 4 deer that wandered out of the trees and onto the runway on short final once. :D :rolleyes:

Wife: "Are those_"
Me: "Going around!"

Private, glider & SEL.
Definitely prefer sailplanes.
Put it all away when kids came, but the trade is worthwhile. Takes a lot of emotional and mental energy, IMO, to pursue it safely.
Have logged time in planes from the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's. Have flown (wee bit o' stick time) in a Monocoupe that possibly was mfg'd in the 20's. Also have some PIC in a Lycoming O-145 powered Cub. Imagine a 50hp J-3 and you get the idea. The A-65 is worlds better.

Ultralights scare the hell out of me. So do most experimentals. It's frightening enough going up in something a factory, with all the proper FAA checks and equipment, made, but some dude making a plane in his backyard? Yikes. Scarey. That said, I'd probably go up in anything with the basic shape of an airplane and 2 seats. :D

My instructor use to refer to them as Kamikaze machines.


Lol, yeah, usually and about four pine trees high.

He was concerned about fuel and wanted a straight line course (this was his third flight in this ultralight, and the first time he's been up in this one for more than 20 mins). I've never seen him use a GPS before now.

I'll have to get a picture of him, it was funny. GPS velcroed to one leg, car dash compass velcroed to the other, eight square inches of cutout sectional taped to his sleeve, and his cel-phone in his shirt pocket just in case he got lost.

Some of the funniest stories I have read have been from a J3. A guy was at the end of the runway doing engine checks and had a crosswind. As he ran up the engine the tail came up. He decided to take a headwind so he took off on the perpendicular between the runway and taxiway.

I also saw a guy in one fly backwards and do a horizontal landing at an airshow. There were about 10 guys that came on the runway to grab the plane once it was on the ground so he wouldn't ground roll. Strong headwind.

I'm flying a standard Libelle. She's old, but just a true joy, the Lotus Eleven of sailplanes.
The local club has some LS4s that are fun, as well as a Discus, but in weak lift I really like how that light little Libelle climbs.

http://awcg.com/Allen/Images/Aviation/Sailplane-2.jpg

http://awcg.com/Allen/Images/Aviation/Sailplane-4.jpg


Private, glider & SEL.
Definitely prefer sailplanes.
Put it all away when kids came, but the trade is worthwhile. Takes a lot of emotional and mental energy, IMO, to pursue it safely.
Have logged time in planes from the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's. Have flown (wee bit o' stick time) in a Monocoupe that possibly was mfg'd in the 20's. Also have some PIC in a Lycoming O-145 powered Cub. Imagine a 50hp J-3 and you get the idea. The A-65 is worlds better.

Threading needles.

{edit--Too long for YouTube, here it is on my server** (http://awcg.com/Allen/Movies/MX.mov)
I have the camera mounted a little crooked.
It's long but there is music

What low and slow is all about.
Flying out of a field today. My first stick time with my pop's new toy.

MX ultralight (actually N-numbered, not part 103)
Air speed according to the rain guage and poker chip indicator was about 35 mph.

Couldn't get the link to work...