How many aircraft modelers here are/were pilots?

rangerj

iS THAT wILLIE hOWELL'S AIRPORT ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF cHICAGO? sorry I hit the cap lock key. Willie had a Sterman and a P-51 out at his farm hangers. 

 

I'm a glider pilot--soloed in 1966. My club was the Vultures located in Michigan that consisted of former WWII Luftwaffe pilots. We had a few Americans and Swiss in the club. My instructor was Eb Geyer who flew 109s and 190s--almost captured by the Russians but survived to come to America. He taught over 100 of us to fly in the 1950s and 60s.

Flight training was a slow process with many 4 minute flights off a winch launch. We were required to wear parachutes and flew out of a cow pasture. Days long ago!!! Wow!

Andy

iS THAT wILLIE hOWELL'S AIRPORT ON THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF cHICAGO? sorry I hit the cap lock key. Willie had a Sterman and a P-51 out at his farm hangers. 

rangerj

 Recently I went up in the B-17 Yankee Lady (in Ypsilanti MI) and if anyone is interested I'll post some pictures. Does anyone make decals for this old gal (1/48)?

I did my instrument rating at Willow. Our hangar was right next to the hangar they used. I got many taxi clearences..."Follow the B-17" (or B-25...or C-47). I learned quite quick, to keep some distance!!!

 I used to part time "ramp rat" at Howell airport. Got free rides on Yankee Lady as well as Yankee Warrior!!! I just happened to be working on the days that they came in...and they had an empty seat!

I built this plane almost 20 years ago...I had to cobble together some decals, for the #'s. Hand painted the nose art. There weren't any decals for it back then (as far as I knew).

Private pilot, instrument rated. Grounded due to stents in my heart. I'm looking into the "sport pilot" license. I fly occasionally with a CFI in the right seat when I want to beat up some air. I have time in Piper cubs (J-4), and Super Cubs, as well as Cherokees. I also have time in Cessnas, 150, 152, and 172. I have about 10 hours of instruction in doing aerobatics. I love doing a 3 point landing in a taildragger. I was up in a Waco biplane a week ago and man was it cold (and cool). Recently I went up in the B-17 Yankee Lady (in Ypsilanti MI) and if anyone is interested I'll post some pictures. Does anyone make decals for this old gal (1/48)?

I took my son-in-law up with me and it was only a short time after the B-17 crashed out east and he was really nervous, but he loved it.

I was a pilot for about 20 years. I worked as a CFI, night freight/charter, commuter, corporate, and airline pilot. My favorites were the Be-58 Baron, King Air 200, Dash-8, and 737. I left the industry when the company I flew for went out of business in 2003. I haven't flown anything bigger than a hang glider since 2004. I still miss the flying, but not the being away from home for 3/4 of the month.

Ben

ATP, CE-500 and HS-125 type ratings.  CFI single and multiengine.  Commercial single engine and glider.  A&P.  FO in Lear 25, Falcon 10, Sabreliner 65.  At one time I or other I was current in all the multiengine Cessnas except the 441, all the Beech King Airs up to the B200, all the Beech piston singles and twins between the Musketeer and Duke, many of the Piper singles.  I did fly a Cheyenne I for awhile.  Lots of taildragger time.  My favorite airplanes are the King Air 200 and the Stearman.

I flew a lot of charter and corporate flights, a lot of flying involving sales, lots of maintenance test flights.  It was an interesting career, and for the longest time I felt like I would get ill if I didn't get to fly that day.  When I reached my mid 50's, somehow that went feeling went away and the memories seemed to be enough to satisfy me. 

Just personal business flying after that until I retired.  Memories and models are enough now.  I have to say I think I flew in the golden age of general aviation flying, it was a very vibrant industry at the time, busy airports and new developmemts in airplanes, good production numbers.  I find it depressing to see the lack of activity nowadays, and the cost is way beyond what I can get my head around.  I used to sell a new Bonanza for about $130,000, and A top of the line pressurized 58P Baron for $500,000, a C-90 King air was just past $1,000,000.

fermis

 

 

patrick206

Now I command a Ford pickup with a black lab in the right seat. She's a great First Officer. 

 

 

 

 This hurts me. Not only for the lack of flying, but the black lab.

I had my FO go everywhere with me, for better than 15 years. He was just a pup when I started flying. He'd lay down behind the seats in that little 152. He'd get excited at the word "ride"...he'd go bananas if I said "wanna go fly". It's been 6 years and 1 week.

 

As to the end of flying, I knew it was coming and couldn't be changed, yet it was hard having to see it draw to a close. Now, nearly 19 years later, I can see I'm better suited for the pickup and happy for the memories.

Patrick

I once dated a gal who swore I must have been a reincarnated fighter pilot from WWII.  Does that count?  

patrick206

Now I command a Ford pickup with a black lab in the right seat. She's a great First Officer. 

 This hurts me. Not only for the lack of flying, but the black lab.

I had my FO go everywhere with me, for better than 15 years. He was just a pup when I started flying. He'd lay down behind the seats in that little 152. He'd get excited at the word "ride"...he'd go bananas if I said "wanna go fly". It's been 6 years and 1 week.

What an interesting variety of pilot experience.

I have an ATP, multi engine. Commercial rating in single engine land and sea, rotor craft helicopter.

CFI helicopter, single and multi engine airplane, CFII instrument.

33 years airline, 5 years active Army, 18 Nat'l Guard.

727, 707, 757, DC-10, 747, 747-400.

Age 60 ended it for me in 2001. Last flight brought up a mixed bag of emotions, happy for the career, but really sad to know it was THE last time. Savored every minute, right up to setting the nose gear on the runway.

Now I command a Ford pickup with a black lab in the right seat. She's a great First Officer. When ever an airplane flies over head, I still have to look.

Patrick

Third generation airline pilot here.  

My grandfather and father both flew at TWA for 38 and 39 years repectively.  My uncle (Dad's brother) flew at Continental/United for 37 years.  I'll put in 37 years at American Airlines (via US Airways) Lord willing!

Had a couple other grand uncles in the Air Force, Too!

Oh, and my mom was a flight attendant at TWA.

" 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!

Hi Fermis !

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

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 !

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 !

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 ! 

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.

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.

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 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

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'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.

 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.

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!!

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.

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

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.

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.