How many aircraft modelers here are/were pilots?

1943Mike

Again, just curious. Nothing to do with modeling. My curiousity stems from my starting (at age 76) to learn how to fly.

 

Holy smokes! Better late, than never!

I started at 23 (in 98). Got my PPL, flew a little here and there. Went several years without flying at all (life). Got back to it in the summer of 07. By Spring of 08, I had my instrument ticket, as well as multi and commercial/multi. Basically, the minimum to get a job. The market tanked, big time. It was a very bad time, no jobs...anywhere...couldn't even get a job at McD's. Being good at hunting got me through the winter! I started building models again, to keep me from turning to bad things. Several years passed, without any flying.

Got back to it about 2 years ago. Very comprehensive flight review and IPC. They were both like doing a complete checkride again. I needed that! I also got current for multi-engine again, and have been flying missions for Wings of Mercy (in a 310). Haven't had a single mission yet, that didn't involve at least some IMC. I love every minute of it!

 I've actually got a plane on the schedule for tomorrow, just to go drill a hole through the sky!

Never a pilot (although I did get some controls time a couple of times) but was a crew chief on the UH-1H Huey for over 8 years. Hands down the best job I ever had.

This is a photo/ article that got printed in the Stars and Stripes paper back in 1990.

Retired USCG pilot; Commerical Single and Multi-engine Land, Instrument

Fermis,

Congrats on getting back into it!

If I actually continue my lessons (in the flying kite .. Cessna 150) I'll be happy to just putz around as a VFR guy strictly for occasional enjoyment of getting up in the air.

If I win lotto in the next year or two (before my age affects my reflexes, mental acuity, etc.) I'd probably get a Cirrus sr22T ... LOL! Or, time permitting, if I were to get a multi-engine rating (and my IFR along with it) I'd go for a Beech Baron or, maybe, a low hour Cessna 310 - love both those aircraft.

Mustang1989,

Interesting that you worked on the 1H's. My CFI's husband (the owner of the business and also a CFI) was a 1D pilot during the Vietnam War. He's also flown many different kinds of fixed wing aircraft.

In the hangar office area there's a picture of the kinds of Huey's he flew. I photographed part of the picture since I want to build my Kitty Hawk 1/48 UH-1D for him. There was a lot of reflection on the glass over the picture but you can still see what they looked like.

1943Mike

My curiousity stems from my starting (at age 76) to learn how to fly.

I'm with Fermis! Good for you, sir!

I started in '72. (that's 1972, not at age 72 )

Commercial Pilot MSEL, Instrument and CFI. (these credentials are nothing compared to many folk here. A lot of experienced pilotz hang out on FSM). And current beats ragged old licenses any day, IMO. And I isn't.

I'm all done. I lost my edge and after a domestic reorganization 10 yrs back, I can't afford it anyway. But that's ok, had a ball in the day.

I try to say I don't miss it, but for example when Fermis mentioned flying a Banana to the Nats a few weeks back, I gotta admit my blood got to circulating a little bit.

1943Mike

Fermis,

Congrats on getting back into it!

If I actually continue my lessons (in the flying kite .. Cessna 150) I'll be happy to just putz around as a VFR guy strictly for occasional enjoyment of getting up in the air.

If I win lotto in the next year or two (before my age affects my reflexes, mental acuity, etc.) I'd probably get a Cirrus sr22T ... LOL! Or, time permitting, if I were to get a multi-engine rating (and my IFR along with it) I'd go for a Beech Baron or, maybe, a low hour Cessna 310 - love both those aircraft.

I hold a Private Pilot and an A&P. I owned a Cessna 150 years ago, before I got married and bought a house.

I've been flying since 1970, professionally since '75. I hold an ATP, worked 27 years for a regional airline, flew the Canadair RJs, Metroliner and the SAAB 340. Now I teach in simulators and fly contract in the Phenom 300. For about 10 years, I was a tour captain for the EAA on the Ford Trimotor, and still fly for them at the museum in Oshkosh in the Travelair 4000 and New Swallow biplanes. I also own a Christen Eagle and a Decathlon, so I get to pull a few Gs every now and again.

Greg, Steve, and Ashley,

Thanks for chiming in!

My curiousity is now sated. I was nearly sure there would be at least a few of you who are pilots and enjoy modeling aircraft. I'm pleasantly surprised at how quickly you all have replied.

I admit I'm not as quick as I used to be so the 150 is most likely the best aircraft for me to learn on. I'm not sure if I'll actually keep going (I can't really afford the $150/hour) to get my PPL but, when I can afford to fly, ... it's fun!

I started flying in 1975 in the front seat of a Ryan PT-22 owned by a friend. Had my first formal flying lesson in December 1976 in a Cessna 150. I earned my Private Pilot Certificate in July 1987, 44 years from the time my dad earned his wings and commission in the USAAC. I flew for a few years until the money ran out, mostly 150/152's. Over the years I've flown in lots of vintage airplanes from Mustangs to Fords to a variety of Spam Cans. I have a little tail-wheel time, maybe five hours in a Champ and a J-3. For my 69th birthday I flew in the front seat of a T-6 at Warbird Adventures. A few years ago I flew in the navigator's seat on CAF's B-29 FiFi. At Oshkosh two years ago I flew in a Bell 47 helicopter. I'll fly in pretty much anything that doesn't have a pressurized cabin. Maybe 12 years ago I piloted a Vultee BT-13 like what my dad used to instruct in at Enid AAF. The picture is from my flight with Warbird Adventures, 6500 feet over Lake Wales, FL

I've been up twice (yes only two!) In a 172. First time as a passenger and the second in the pilots seat.

I miss it! There's nothing like dropping a couple hundred feet in just as many seconds lol. Never felt anything like it since.

I regret not pursuing more of such adventures.

1943Mike

Greg, Steve, and Ashley,

Thanks for chiming in!

My curiousity is now sated. I was nearly sure there would be at least a few of you who are pilots and enjoy modeling aircraft. I'm pleasantly surprised at how quickly you all have replied.

I admit I'm not as quick as I used to be so the 150 is most likely the best aircraft for me to learn on. I'm not sure if I'll actually keep going (I can't really afford the $150/hour) to get my PPL but, when I can afford to fly, ... it's fun!

 

Mike, when you get a bunch of flyers together, that's what they're gonna talk about: Flying. The first time you sit in the left seat and take the yoke in your hand, you're infected, and there is absolutely no cure for that. My dad only flew in a T-6 once after 1945 and that was in 1984, but he always carried his pilot certificate in his wallet and he loved talking about flying. Today, I don't get to fly much but every time I hear the drone of anything with a propeller on it, I'll turn my head to see what's flying overhead.

No, but my Dad was an aeronautical engineer, 48 year seniority at UAL when he retired.

We lived that life all over and I have spent 10,000's of hours as cargo.

I've been right seat in a lot of twins, never took the stick though.

I have thought about it occasionally, but I can't afford it and have a different day job.

I do love aircraft and I pretty much go see them whenever I can.

Commercial/ instrument Ag Pilot, also A&P, IA, now Cattle rancher... not sure what pays less...

Caught the airplane bug when I was 6 or 7 at an airshow at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport LA.  I remember an F-100 and a tower with red and white checkerboard. Wannabe til 2002 then took ground school and lessons. Soloed in a 150 then a 152 then a 172 when me and the instructor wouldn't fit in the 152.  Ended the fantasy in '06 when my oldest started college and have not gotten back. Yet.

Don't know if this counts, but I had my Tactical Backseat for jets (TA-4J's) and was part of the Strike Rescue training cadre while stationed with one of the SEAL Teams (2Yr diver billet). Even pulled some 'G's" in an HH-60. Have always been a wanna-be helo driver, and even understand translational lift!!

 My father was a C-47 pilot for a time, before he got grounded.  I was named after his flight instructor who was a direct decendent of Gen. Lee.  I spent some time in a H-43 Pedro doing recon missions around our base and the surrounding areas.  I never really liked to fly but would anyhow when told to.  Part of that could be due to the 4 near miss mid airs we had during my tours in S.E.A.  It got to the point that I would turn down rides in fighters.

I'd like to hear from pilots as well - what a different perspective for us aircraft modelers.  I've taken the controls of a Cesna 150, took intro helo flight lesson out of Palomar - highly reccomend!  But would like to hear from pilots and crew - the guys who have actually seen the panel lines...lol.  Great idea for a thread.

Had about 5 hours in a 150 back in 1970 as part of a high school aviation class, along with the A&P side.  Couple of hours in left seat of a Skymaster...my favorite of civilian airframes.

Never went any further with it, but ended up in the USAF a year or so later.  The Phantom and Blackbird turned into my love affairs with mil spec noisemakers .

I was a load master in the airforce in '90/91 on C54. C-130 C160.

I got PPL in mid 2000's , fixed wing, single engin, land, tail wheel.

Built my own L-18c. but sold it 3 years ago to pay medical bills, now I have a full scale Neiuport 24 kit I need to build someday

zu-emx 1 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

I rebuild /restore classics like this PT13 and also work on T-6 display team.

IMG_20190730_085924 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

IMG_20190730_085947 by Theunis van Vuuren, on Flickr

Now I am venturing into making kits like my F-86 and 1/5 scale P-51 /Rayn STA 1/5 full composite RC models for the export market.

Theuns

Nathan T

Commercial/ instrument Ag Pilot, also A&P, IA, now Cattle rancher... not sure what pays less...

 

Holy cow, it's Nathan. I was just thinking about you the other day. Sure is great to hear from you, I miss your input around these parts.

I was a washout from AF pilot training, but then got my private license okay.  Have not flown for about thirty years now, as private aircraft ownership has gotten too expensive- mainly the tie-down or hanger fees.

I was on the airport commission in a small town for awhile, and realize why.  Taxes on airport land used to be low, because an airport was viewed as important infrastructure.  So the towns and cities raised tax rates to the point they drove privately owned airports out of business.  So the cities bought the airports, or else closed them.   The ones that bought and operated the airports viewed them as revenue sources rather than infrastructure, and started raising the prices on all airport services.  Our county airport has recently raised rates so that independent operators, including a neat museum, have been closing operations lately.

As for aircraft and peripherals costs, it doesn't surprise me, the three most expensive things around are boats, planes, and horses. You can go to Home Depot and pick up a stainless steel bolt for about .73 cents; but that exact same bolt at an aircraft parts counter is $12.29, at a marine supply it's $7.49, and an equestrian shop will hand it over for a mere $3.69. It just amazes me. Hanger, slip and stall space prices are absolutely ridiculous. And yes, I own horses; can't afford the other two. Though I would love to build and fly a WW1 Spad, Nieuport 17, or Fokker D7. That would be awesome.

Ah!

   Flew my last in 909 when she was here in Texas. That's what was the Collings Foundation's B-17. Had an Unlimited certification-Jet or Piston under the old rules. Surrendered my certificates after my Heart Surgery. Hardest thing I've ever done.

     Didn't want to take a chance of hurting anyone on the ground or in the air. Gosh. But I miss it. The thrill of flying at max altitude for my plane was exhilerating. She's flying out of Farnsborough now.

    I flew as a transfer pilot bringing planes from Europe to the States for modification. To me, the thrill of flying a P.T 19 was indescribable. The wind in your face and the upside down view of the ground was awesome! Nevermore!. I do not like the All electronic Offices . A Man or Woman who likes or wants to fly should learn to fly first then work with the instruments.

 During one period ,The F.A.A. found when emergencies arose, Whether real or false the pilots didn't actually know how to fly the bird on manual!

    Ah! for the good old days. Instruments that didn't have a mind of their own ! 

Panel Lines?

   Where? All over the bird. But, Couldn't see them from 60 feet ! I think my first real aircraft love was a Cessna 180 with floats. She was nothing but fun. Not fast but a blast to fly . Had her for five years. My first plane I got in a dump trailer. Yup! One basket case Piper J-3. Took five more years to get her airborne.

     The Cessna came about because I had the funds and here's a plane for sale. Darned near the same color as the old Monogram Kit! Had to have it! Learning to land and take off from water was an eye opener !

Hi;

     That's the reason I backed away from Aircraft ownership. First the cost of maintaining the bird kept going up, then Hangaring and Tie-Down. Fuel like to broke the bank on my last flight. I still Miss it though!

      I'll bet no one knows how much an engine replacement costs for a restored Multi - Engined warbird!l Last time was $17.000.oo !

Hi Fermis !

     Congrats! But, Be careful it's addicting, Big Time!!! Go drill a couple of holes for me ,willya , Doc !

" I also got current for multi-engine again, and have been flying missions for Wings of Mercy (in a 310). Haven't had a single mission yet, that didn't involve at least some IMC. I love every minute of it!"

fermis,

I think what you're doing is great! Just a wonderful way to make this world a little better. I looked at the web site for Wings of Mercy and it seems they do valuable work for many who might otherwise suffer financial hardship or a logistical nightmare getting to where they need to go.

Good on you!