Where are the pilots?

[captsquirrel]

Since I'm still new here I am wondering how many pilots are in the bunch? What types you have flown or are currently flying.

I myself have flown a variety of Cessnas, Aeronca champ, Piper Cub, Citabria, Super Decathlon, Pitts S2B, SNJ-5, and few experimentals.
BTW I am a comm,multi,inst. rated pilot with tailwheel endorsement.

O.K. Guys let me hear from ya!

[texnmidwest]

Third generation pilot. Grandfather was a fighter pilot (spads) in WW1 Dad flew liason aircraft and crewed B25s and B24s in WW2. Unfortunately with funds low am not current but still have a love for aviation. I am a simple VFR pilot with high performace endorsement. Flown your typical Cessnas up to the 182, I have flown dual in a 170 tail dragger (what an airplane!), piper cub, piper warriors, and my favorite of all Mooney 201. Would love to get back into flying. But I think if I do I am going back in the ultra lights. I just love the low and slow type of flying!!! The EAA convention is right around the corner and I am excited as all heck to get to go this year!!!!

[TXplt]

Cessnas, Broncos, F-111s, F-15's, T-34/37/38, and B-747.

Welcome ! Never flown a Pitts but would like to someday. Flew a J-3 with a friend and a Stearman which was awesome.

Flew into OSH and Reno a few years ago--great experience !

[iflylow74]

Im a simple Private Pilot SEL, VFR only. Not current. In fact, the last time I flew was just before 911. Just cant afford it any more but I still have the passion, not a plane flies over that I dont stop and stare just like I did when I was a kid. Im with texnmidwest on the ultralights. Ive always loved low and slow stick and rudder type flying and maybe someday I can afford one of my own. Ive only flown C-152's and C-172's.

[Otter]

Commercial, single & multi engine airplane, instrument, helicopter, instrument.

[Seabeescotty]

My pilot offered to let me fly his EA3B, one day. I had to decline, he couldn't speak Vietnamese, so he couldn't run my position. It sure was tempting, though.

[FS00008]

Private Pilot, VFR only for now. When funds allow I am looking to try to get more certifications. I've flown Cessna's and Piper Cubs.

[DANA]

My last flight was in a T33 in 1978

DANA

[Shaun]

Cessna Pilot -- own a 172rg but have flown 182's, 172's, 152's an S2B pitts and a citabria

I am currently working on my IFR and should be taking the checkride the 2nd weekend of October

[Big Tool]

How much certification do you have to have to fly a private prop plane. My dad works real-estate all over the south-east, and has often talked of buying a company plane, but none of us know anything about flying.

[GlockMeister]

Dam I miss flying. Never did get my license as I planned. My neck and back problems would have caused me to fail the physical anyways. But I love it. What sucks most, it's yet another one of those things I know how to do, and could if they'd let me or it wouldn't hurt. In an emergency, I am very confident I could land. If other then running out of fuel that is. I'm talking say a person took me up in a cessna and they keeled over.

I've given the fever of flying to my son, shown him pictures of me with my dad, my dads planes and taking him to an airshow or 2 at a nearby airport. I think I just might make this years B-Day present to him a flight in a plane for the first time? Depends on what it will cost?

Good to see so many have the passion for flying still. I can only imagine what a gallon of fuel for planes cost now let alone the insurance and tie down fees and all that? Fuel was always up there but now I bet it's way up there? Like what, $5-$7 bucks or so a gallon? Or not quite that bad, YET???

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Big Tool

How much certification do you have to have to fly a private prop plane. My dad works real-estate all over the south-east, and has often talked of buying a company plane, but none of us know anything about flying.

To answer your question go to beapilot.com and register -- its 40 hours of flying and some ground school for the private and then comes the instrument if he wants to fly in the clouds. another great resource is the aopa.org or the eaa.org.

[Shaun]

Fuel is $5.05 a gallon here in TN and you know you would still qualify for the Light Sport License as no medical is required and you can check with the APOA medical as they just helped a heart transplant patient get his medical.

Insurance is not bad 1200 a year for a retract cessna and the tiedown fee's are reasonable.

Send him on an Intro flight $99.00 beapilot.com

Originally Posted by GlockMeister

Dam I miss flying. Never did get my license as I planned. My neck and back problems would have caused me to fail the physical anyways. But I love it. What sucks most, it's yet another one of those things I know how to do, and could if they'd let me or it wouldn't hurt. In an emergency, I am very confident I could land. If other then running out of fuel that is. I'm talking say a person took me up in a cessna and they keeled over.

I've given the fever of flying to my son, shown him pictures of me with my dad, my dads planes and taking him to an airshow or 2 at a nearby airport. I think I just might make this years B-Day present to him a flight in a plane for the first time? Depends on what it will cost?

Good to see so many have the passion for flying still. I can only imagine what a gallon of fuel for planes cost now let alone the insurance and tie down fees and all that? Fuel was always up there but now I bet it's way up there? Like what, $5-$7 bucks or so a gallon? Or not quite that bad, YET???

[GlockMeister]

Thanks for the info and reply Shaun. I'll check into it as the airshow is coming up in December as well as his B-Day. I'll also have to check into this Light Sport License you speak of. Hm, didn't know there was such a thing.

And $5.05 a gallon, not as bad as I thought it would be. I remember when my dad had his last plane, it was around $3 bucks or thereabouts? As for the insurance, you're right, very reasonable for a year @ $1200.

[captsquirrel]

Thanks Shaun. I was going to give the same exact info to GlockMeister.
The light sport license is fairly new. It's a great way to get in the air.

Hey TXplt, My Pitts instructor was an F-111 driver. Unfortunately for him a head injury sustained in a car accident ended his Air Force career.

Thanks all for the great replies everyone I wish we could all get together for a beer and talk flying.

Shaun best of luck on the checkride. When I did my Inst. check the ILS I was flying was going really well and check pilot started getting seriously distracting. I told him to shut the F... up. He did. I think that actually helped me pass.

Once again thanks all for the replies you guys. Those of you who said you are ONLY a private pilot or anything to that effect. You are still pilots and even though you don't have as many ratings as the next guy you have still done something that most people haven't. So be proud of that ticket.

[Shaun]

I know we had more pilots on here than this.

Thanks Capt I already have a plan for the disruptions, during my preflight brief I am going to explain that while I am in the process of doing an approach I want a sterile cockpit. As a passenger they are there for the ride and to enjoy, If that doesn't work I will hit the pilot isolation button on the audio panel.

To the VFR's I would not put yourself down you might choose to get additional rating later and you might not. but there are approximately 1% or the US Population as licensed pilots and as a famous pilot I know of once said, "seeing this fine country of ours from low altitude is something that most people will never get to expereince." Count yourself as the lucky ones that have sought out to achieve the fun of flying and then share it with someone else.

[captsquirrel]

^ I was kind of surprised there weren't more responses.
Good planning Shaun. I wish I had of thought of that then I wouldn't have had to use vulgarities in the cockpit. In hindsight it is rather unprofessional.

[TXplt]

Originally Posted by captsquirrel

Thanks Shaun. I was going to give the same exact info to GlockMeister.
The light sport license is fairly new. It's a great way to get in the air.

Hey TXplt, My Pitts instructor was an F-111 driver. Unfortunately for him a head injury sustained in a car accident ended his Air Force career.

Thanks all for the great replies everyone I wish we could all get together for a beer and talk flying.

Shaun best of luck on the checkride. When I did my Inst. check the ILS I was flying was going really well and check pilot started getting seriously distracting. I told him to shut the F... up. He did. I think that actually helped me pass.

Once again thanks all for the replies you guys. Those of you who said you are ONLY a private pilot or anything to that effect. You are still pilots and even though you don't have as many ratings as the next guy you have still done something that most people haven't. So be proud of that ticket.

Might have met or known him at some point ! Still very much enjoy flying, but it's mostly systems management for me these days (autopilots are humbling becaues they're so good, but the 74, for as big as it is, is surprisingly nimble when hand flying) I think the check pilots (for new certificates) throw in distractions on purpose--to see how you handle it and make sure you manage your tasks. Both on my SE add on and the ATP, the guy opened his window shortly after takeoff (I asked him to close it ) and threw in a couple of other things. I just pretended he was my wife (kinda.....) and hit the "ignore" button.......

I like VFR ! (but can only fly VFR when renting my own plane....)

Best of luck Shaun and hope all goes well. You'll do fine--it's mostly a check of your instructor.

Best of luck and enjoy ! It's getting a bit pricey, but it's still great.

[captsquirrel]

TXplt, He was based at Mountain home. Where you ever there? And for privacy concerns I'll just say his initials are P.M. Sound familiar?

[stalebiscuit]

i fell off a jungle gym, closest thing to flying i ever did