How many aircraft modelers here are/were pilots?

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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).

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

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.