Any Aviators or Aviation Buffs Out There?

[Sandcassle]

I've been in aviation all my life. Loved planes since I was a little tot. I've got lots of stories to share and would like hear from others.

[DGShaffer]

I'm a recreational helicopter pilot. Like you, my first time leaving the ground was as a kid at a county fair in a Bell 47, I was hooked on rotary flight ever since. Life sort of got in the way but I finally went for my rating 12 years back. Now I seem to fly only every now and then. I always admired professional pilots.

http://dgshaffer.com/videos/Bell47G-2_02.wmv

[kdmuller]

I got my Private Pilots License when I turned 65. Bought a 1965 Cessna 172 Skyhawk, then had to build a hangar for it. Had a bout with prostate cancer so bought a Flight Design LSA airplane to go the Light Sport route. My wife (Judy) enjoys flying so I'm lucky. Our son got his Private Pilot License and flies the Cessna now. We really enjoy recreational flying over central and northern Minnesota.

[CorsairIIAT]

Got hooked on it at 10 when my Uncle took me up in his 1946 Cub. Worked 20 yrs in Naval Aviation. Now work in Naval Flight Test. So Yeah I like Airplanes. Also Have 2500 Hrs flight time as A Naval Aircrewman on P3C Orions. About 50 of those hrs are actual stick time on long over water transits. On those flights it was common for pilots to allow the other crewman to fly. Also my Uncles Son my cousin is Retired F-15 & 767 Driver. My other cousin and his wife from other side of family are retired SH-2 Pilots. My deceased Brother got his license at 16 back in the mid 60's. He flew for about 15 yrs until the C-172 he co owned went down killing his co owner.

[dsbike]

I am a A&P mechanic, 31 years working on heavy commercial aircraft. 1 year working on amphibiuos aircraft for a small airline out of south FL in the early 80's while laid off from Eastern Airlines. I never learned to fly, never really had a great desire, I am a airplane driver, I never leave the ground when in the left seat.

[a k]

I had to give up my medical. Gave my son my 36 Bonanza. He ain't gettin my RV. Had c-150- c-310 and a Turbo Aero. Miss flying. I have a flight sim hooked up downstairs that I play with..

[Sandcassle]

Lucky son, A K! A Bonanza sure does make for a nice gift!

[Midniteoyl]

Looking to build one of these if these darn 'life problems' ever get outta the way



Composite Aircraft Technology


Also, for those really interested in building or flying, there is a really good forum here: HomeBuiltAirplanes.com

[Route 66]

I always liked aircraft and was an instrument tech on C-97s & C-130s in the Air Guard.

Loved to fly military, hate to fly commercial.........now.

I have friend who is a retired corporate pilot and his license tag is G4AV8R.

[frankdamp]

Forty + years in the aircraft industry, (English Electric, British Aircraft Coproration, Boeing). 12 years at Boeing as a simulator engineer - have lots of sim time on 747, 757, 767, but no "real" flying, except about 120 hours in sailplanes in the UK and Eastern Washington.

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

but no "real" flying, except about 120 hours in sailplanes in the UK and Eastern Washington.

but, that IS flying

[Sandcassle]

Frankdamp, currently working on Hawker 125 series bizjets...ie, Hawker 800XP etc. It's an old rugged Brit designed airframe. Very tough, very maintenance intensive, excellant safety record. BTW, I'm employeed by Hawker Beechcraft Corp., wearing the pants of Quaility Control Inspector.

[John H...]

I have been interested in airplanes since I was a young boy. Built rubber powered models when I was young. Joined the Navy and worked as an aircraft mechanic. Was on USS Saratoge before I got out and worked on A-7 Corsairs. Flew RC airplanes for 25 + years and got my Private ticket in 1977. Have built 2 homebuilt airplanes and bought my first MH when I sold my last homebuilt.

[777 Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandcassle I've been in aviation all my life. Loved planes since I was a little tot. I've got lots of stories to share and would like hear from others.

I grew up in a small, one-stoplight town in Montana. As a kid, I'd see the contrails in the sky and wonder what it would be like to be "up there". In college, I slowed down to look at the airplane pictures on display, presented by a Navy recruiter.

A couple of years ago, as I was returning from Tokyo to JFK on my initial qualification flight in a Boeing 777, I had, coincidentally, a chance to look down on that small town from 38,000'. I couldn't see the stoplight, but, I could trace the drainage from just below Headquarter's Pass that forms the Teton River that flows just past Choteau, Montana. I did enjoy a 'moment of clarity' as I marveled at my path to the present.

Along the way, about 200 hours as a Student Naval Aviator - T-34B, T-28B/C, TS-2A; about 5,000 hours in P-3C's; about 1,100 hours instructing in the T-34-C; about 9,200 hours in the MD-80; about 6,700 hours in the B-757/B-767; and currently 1,050 in the B-777.

Although I still, very much enjoy flying, so much of the preparation for flying has become so tedious that it seems more and more like work. So, I'm looking forward to driving my 2009 Monaco Diplomat around North America. Leaving on my schedule, staying on my schedule, going where I want to go, when I want to go...as long as DW says it's OK!

I've accumulated a few stories over the years. Of course, the best ones start out with, "This is no sh!+!"

Take care,
Stu

P.S. I'll start collecting my Naval Reserve retirement pay next summer...I figure it'll just about cover the expense of my coach; maybe even a little left over to buy diesel fuel.