Community Forums

Steve N Sal · 11-17-2012, 12:07 PM

Took my training at Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City, MI. Accumlated about 300 hours and then hung it up. Expensive hobby for sure and miss it at times. The wife can't fly so we enjoy all our travels on land now and love it.

ga traveler · 11-17-2012, 12:11 PM

I soloed in 1959 in a Cessna 150. Several hours in a Apache and later Aztec. (air charter) Delivered a Cessna 120 to Vega, Texas. Flew Swift,Luscombe,Cessna 310,Tri Pacer,Cub,172,182 and a 250 Commanche. Always loved the Aero Commander, but never got to fly one. Gave it all up when the second kid came.

Midniteoyl · 11-17-2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftsven

I started flying in Arctic Sweden in the early 60's. I've been bushflying in Northern Manitoba since '71.
My wife and I have a remote Fly in Only Loghome at a private lake North of 56, where we spend the summers, the winters in Deming NM.
We are getting up in age, so our lifestyle will have to change in a few years.
Presently we own a Experimental 8 place Turbo Prop on Wipline 4500's.
Since 1971 I have designed and built 12 large seaplanes, and owned over a dozen Factory builts from Super Cubs to Piper Aztec's

Speaking of Homebuilt..

HomeBuiltAirplanes.com

C'mon by!

Pusherman · 11-17-2012, 05:58 PM

I have a private pilot license, instrument rated, complex endorsement. Owned 4 airplanes along the way. Now I own a motorhome, and am much happier.

whiteva · 11-21-2012, 07:15 AM

Blessed with aviation since 1968. Just last year scaled back from regular performances at eastern US air shows in bi-wing aircraft. Wife is happy, no more phone calls "I'm OK but the plane is a mess"

Flying on the very edge while the gawkers wait for a OOPS is the ultimate adrenaline junkie.

Three rules of aerobatic flight:
1. At max speed, aim at the dirt
2. Narrowly miss the dirt as you think "OH SH^T"
3. Never Ever mess up rule #2.

Cheers,
The FOX

MRUSA14 · 11-23-2012, 08:33 PM

Private Pilot ASMEL, ASES, IFR current, 5000 hrs over past 45 yrs and I have owned 11 different airplanes including Tri-Pacer, Mooney, Comanches (single and twin), Aztec, Aerostar. I currently own a Lake Amphibian which I have flown all over the USA ( from FL to Alaska, Utah to Maine), Canada (from Whitehorse to Newfoundland), Baja California to the Carribean. Do you think I'm hooked? My Lake and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary next year. In the midst of all this I try to find time for my motorhome!

Magumba · 11-23-2012, 09:02 PM

Wow you've owned quite a fleet of airplanes. I always wanted to get an amphibious airplane and thought the Lake 180 would be a fairly inexpensive way to go. I looked seriously at a Volmer Sportsman too. Fly safely.

Eddie Foy · 11-23-2012, 09:04 PM

Retired Air Force and AA Captain.
A-7D, A-10, B-727, DC10, S80, MD11, B757, B767, A300

lonestarace · 11-23-2012, 10:00 PM

Flown civilian fixed wing ac since 1977.

Air Transport Pilots license & type ratings in: B737, BE400, HS125, N265, MU300, CE525

Owned only 1 ac. I purchased our current ac, a Glasair1 Tail Dragger, in 1995.

DW perfers to fly low these days

and I developed an allergy to hotels

, so RVing it is

YC1 · 11-24-2012, 01:12 AM

Built Pulsar 30TX, every nut bolt screw, paint, electrical, engine,and test flights. Sold it after 400 hours of great fun. Stents in the heart so I grounded myself. Sure miss that little sky rocket. 4 gph auto gas at 150mph. Little time warp machine.

dsbike · 11-24-2012, 06:16 AM

I'm not a pilot, but I am an A&P. Have worked for 3 major airlines, 1 engine manufacturer, & Chalks airline with amphibious aircraft over the past 33 years. I have about 6 more years to go till retirement and by way of a merger that will probably take place, it will be 4 major airlines.

Sky_Boss · 11-24-2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie Foy

Retired Air Force and AA Captain.
A-7D, A-10, B-727, DC10, S80, MD11, B757, B767, A300

Where did you fly the A-7 & A-10s out of? While I was at Selfridge ANGB, MI (MTC) the 107 TFS transitioned from F-100s (Got 1.7 hours of back seat time in that one!) to A-7s back in the late 70s. Story went they didn't like the idea of flying the "Titanium Coffin". I also got 1.2 hours in the F-106 (ADC call signs JL for the 171 FIS) that was replaced by the F-4C near that time.

Here is one of my favorite videos about the A-10. It may have been ugly but if ugly was deadly, it was so ugly even it's mommy hated it.

A-10 "Warthogs from hell" - YouTube

I think in hind site, assuming the story was true, the 107 TFS pilots (Then going by the DEMON call sign) probably wish they had done different. Still, they later transitioned to F-16s and then even later to the A-10. I think they even had C-130s some where in there.

I miss the "lead sled" days of my youth.

Magumba · 11-25-2012, 08:45 AM

I'm glad to see a mechanic check in, without you guys pilots would have nothing to break. You do amazing work and have incredible responsibility on your shoulders.

Sky_Boss · 11-25-2012, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magumba

I'm glad to see a mechanic check in, without you guys pilots would have nothing to break. You do amazing work and have incredible responsibility on your shoulders.

Even as talented as mechanics are, it never made it possible to jump 173 times out of a "perfectly good aircraft".

Favorite jump was out of the bomb bay of a B17.
2nd favorite out back of B727 alla DB Cooper.

Least favorite, back of C-130 in 1974, 80# radio pack and had a fast malfunction (streamer). Wound up with a damaged ACL.