Pilots and Aircraft

[LarryH]

Just to turn the off-topic forum to less controversial subjects, I have noticed a few members have mentioned airplanes and flying.

How many pilots do we have?

Just start the ball rolling, I have been flying since 1968 and have well over 7,000 hours, with approximately 5,000 hours of instruction given. Hold an airline transport pilot certificate in multi-engine-land airplanes with commercial privileges in single-engine-land airplanes plus a flight instructor certificate for single- and multi-engine airplanes, and instruments in airplanes.

My bride holds a commercial certificate with instrument rating for single- and multi-engine-land airplanes and a flight instructor certificate for single-engine airplanes and instruments in airplanes, plus a ground instructor certificate.

Edited to change thread title: Pilots and Airplanes excluded our rotary-winged and lighter-than-air and soaring brethren and sistren.

[Xander]

Not anymore. I had my student pilot's license in high school, and did my first solo in a Cessna 150/150.

[Keith B]

Nice ratings there Larry and Mrs. I have an LTA (Lighter Than Air) certificate!!

Picture of my aircraft below!

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

I don't fly yet. But the father in law has a Cessna 172A and has been trying for years to get me to take lessons. Flying has always intrigued me, but I haven't made the time to do anything about it. Sounds like you have alot of fun! Take care.

[propellerhead]

I have many hours in the B-1B flight simulator. I was working for Boeing then Lockheed on the program. We did software updates to the simulator to keep it current with the real airplane. Whenever we did a software change, we flew it. Many times we flew it just for fun... I mean familiarization. :)

[apostate]

.

[Lodge2004]

It's been 15 years since I've been in a cockpit, but in my former life I was an Army Aviator. At different times, I flew TH-55, UH-1H, CH-47B,C,D models. Also have a Commercial Pilot - Rotary Wing license with Instrument Rating.

Made a career change in 93 and have not had many regrets. Flying was fun, extended family separation was not fun.

[bauerdj]

I hold a commercial SEL, IA certificate but have not flown in approx 5 years. About 2500 hrs logged, mostly in a Piper Commanche (PA24-260). Wish I had the funds to return to the air.

Dave B.

[gmckinl]

I'm a private pilot - airplane, single engine, land.

I haven't flown in several years and my medical isn't current but if I ever strike it rich...

When I turned 16, doing my solo was more important to me than getting my drivers license and yes it did happen that I solo'd first. I used to ride my bike to the airport for my lessons because I wasn't old enough to drive.

Back in the 70's when things were cheaper, I got a Luscombe 8A from my Dad while I was a either a freshman or a sophmore in college. I had previously flown a rag-wing 8A he had a couple of years before. I had that plane for ten years and enjoyed it immensely. Rumor (and an old AI) has it that mine was the first post-war Luscombe off the line; I've never been able to confirm or deny that, but given its somewhat unique s/n I would believe it.

I also spent a couple of years during the high school, college time frame working at an avionics shop doing repairs and installations of avionics. I got to install a Wolfsburg (SP?) FlitePhone into Roy Clarks MU-2. That was the test installation for us becoming a factory authorized warranty station for MU-2s. Yes, we passed. I even had to build a shelf and install it into the airframe to have a place to mount the unit.

I miss that stuff.

[Zero_G]

I'm a very high-hour student, but I don't see getting my license anytime soon. I do fly regularly though as back-seater in NASA's T-38s. Can't see too much reason to pay for a bug smasher when I get to fly supersonic jets! The NASA pilots are all fantastic to fly with. They're all high-hour test-pilot trained. They have no problem handing off the controls for all but take-off and landing.

[nitrogen]

Wannabe checking in. I'll get my paper someday, but every time I've tried to save up for it, I've lost my job and ended up living off that money. It's happened twice now.

For now, it's all simulators like X-plane until I get the money saved up again. And hopefully some better luck.

I've got a coworker who has his own piper arrow, who I keep begging me to take me up in.

That also makes me think; anyone recommend a good instructor in the D/FW area?

Due to my horrible luck, I've learned a lot on my own, so I probably have lots of bad habits to unlearn.

[LarryH]

nitrogen --

Try here, in your search for a flight instructor:

http://www.nafinet.org/directory/flight_lookup.html

You might also look for "flying clubs", "aero clubs" and the like. A google search on "flying club" "dallas-fort worth" yielded over 2,000 links (probably a lot of duplication).

[KBCraig]

Another wannabe. I'm more practical: I could probably afford to get the ticket, but then I couldn't afford to use it with any regularity, which would really just chap me.

Perhaps a Sport Pilot/LSA ticket would be better for me and those like me. Are there FBOs that rent LSA craft? If reasonable rentals aren't available, I would consider buying and flying an Ultralight, although the risk factor there is nudging up against my comfort zone.

Oh, I should add that I have about a dozen hours of bootleg stick time (no takeoffs or landings). When I was stationed in Germany, a pilot friend and I would go flying from Darmstadt Flying Club on the weekends.

[LarryH]

Are there FBOs that rent LSA craft?

I'm sure there are, but I don't know of any off-hand.

I would start at http://www.aopa.org and http://www.eaa.org since those two organizations (mostly EAA, I believe) were the impetus behind the whole light-sport initiative.

[shaggydog]

SEL but can't pass the physical anymore.