Any Pilots Among Members?

[HillStreet]

Pilot,

Great story. I think we all desire to use an airplane like you did. I do not fly as many hours as I'd like even though I'm retired now. I got in the bad habit of just flying around local and not taking trips like I used to.

Last week I flew from Maine to Connecticut to visit my daughter. Great flights down and back--- I need to do that more.

I have a pretty simple working man's Cessna 172 with nothing fancy but in good shape. Last 5 annuals have ranged from $1100 to $3600 so not too bad in terms of airplane maintenance costs. Guess I'll just have to commit to flying once a week. Sooner or later the day will come when I can't fly any longer, and that won't be a happy day.

 

[HillStreet]

Wow Bailout, quite a flying career. I should think your prospects with an airline are very good.

 

[Bailout]

Wow Bailout, quite a flying career. I should think your prospects with an airline are very good.

You'd think... But I'm one of thousands of highly qualified guys/gals.

 

[irvingj]

Not a pilot, just a pilot wannabe. Bucket list sort of thing.

Bought myself a little PA-22/150, have spent the last two years fixing stuff. Pretty soon, back in the air and maybe I can finally get that ticket I've dreamed about ever since the third grade!

 

[ray66v]

Not a pilot, just a pilot wannabe. Bucket list sort of thing.

Bought myself a little PA-22/150, have spent the last two years fixing stuff. Pretty soon, back in the air and maybe I can finally get that ticket I've dreamed about ever since the third grade!

I guess a piper pilot, is still a pilot.

 

[irvingj]

Well, Ray, I recall landing a 172 and having the darn thing float down the runway; it really didn't want to come down! Not a problem with my short-wing. I wouldn't go so far as to say it glides like a brick (it does glide, actually), but she does come right down when you pull the power. I actually like that. And Pacers and their kin tend to go for anywhere from $3000 to $5000 less than comparable Cessnas. I really liked that part!

Here's one of our local mountains with Newfound Lake in the background:

 

[HillStreet]

Tri-pacer is a great airplane, almost bought one in western MA before I bought the Cessna. I passed on it because of mechanical condition of that specific airplane.

Enjoy getting your ticket and flying your own plane.

 

[ray66v]

Well, Ray, I recall landing a 172 and having the darn thing float down the runway; it really didn't want to come down! Not a problem with my short-wing. I wouldn't go so far as to say it glides like a brick (it does glide, actually), but she does come right down when you pull the power. I actually like that. And Pacers and their kin tend to go for anywhere from $3000 to $5000 less than comparable Cessnas. I really liked that part!

Here's one of our local mountains with Newfound Lake in the background:

View attachment 384366View attachment 384367

I got my ticket in a 172, with a Horton STOL kit on it. There was no getting it in that airport, if you were too fast. You want to see an airplane that could float, you should have seen that one. You have to be disciplined, and stay right on the numbers. Which definitely makes you a better pilot.

The field was surrounded by trees, and we used to challenge each other, to see who could do the shortest, power off, no flap landing in that 172.

With the turbulence that was usually around that field, because of the trees and highway, the runway moved around in the windshield, like a carrier landing, in rough seas.

You were ready for anything, when you mastered that place.

 

[jetdriver]

Morning all.. Thread caught my eye. I fly a CRJ900 for a living. Air Canada Jazz. Most of the time, I wish I was a backhoe operator

 

[ray66v]

I fly a CRJ900 for a living.

I love traveling on those.
Sitting on the left side of the cabin, it's like having your own jet. :drink: