speaking of pilots...

[Howard]

That was certainly sad news about Scott Crossfield. As a private pilot, I can certainly appreciate the courage and skill it takes to fly the types of aircraft he piloted. Speaking of pilots, how many of you are pilots, current or otherwise? I would like to someday own a Cirrus but the current budget doesn't allow it. In the meantime, I rent 172's, 182's and have a small amount of time in a Saratoga. Flew yesterday in a new 172 with the Garmin G-1000 glass panel. Unbelievable amount of information available at the push of a button... that is... if you can figure out which button to push in which sequence... whew!

[wreckwriter]

Not a pilot, I started training but never completed, but spent a good few years turning wrenches on aircraft. Started on Marine CH-53s and later worked general aviation in the civilian world. I've been out of the industry for quite a while but the interest in things that fly never goes away.

[Ken Weaver]

Back seat time in F-4/F-16, and tons of T-39 passenger time - intel most of the time. Spoiled me tho - hate to fly commerically now - always liked it better with the AF - "Colonel, your plane's ready."

[LarryG]

Similar story to Tom's (wreckwriter). I took lessons (in Citabrias, mostly) when I lived in Anchorage, got as far as starting cross-country, had to move for job reasons, never got back to it. To this day it remains one of my great regrets. If I'm outside and a light plane goes over, I never fail to look up. My dad has a PA-11 and is restoring a PA-12; I guess one or both will be mine someday, so perhaps I'll yet earn my wings.

[bpb]

I'm a renter for the time being too. My dream is to own a Navion some day.

Well, my realistic dream. My real dream would be a stable of warbirds.

[Howard]

Hey, Larry, it's never too late! One of my best friends is getting current again...after a 40 year lay off! He went with me yesterday and with Dallas being Class Bravo airspace, it was very busy. We had an instructor with us so while I was on the ground part of my business trip to Beaumont, he could work on his biennial review. I flew to Beaumont, made a greased landing (very lucky) and he flew home left seat with the instructor up front and I sat in the back. Suffice it to say he was a fish outta water trying to keep up with all the ATC instructions before landing at Addison, a very busy GA airport in the north part of Dallas. Moral of the story is that as long as you can pass the physical, it's never too late!

[Howard]

ultimate airplane to own.... hmmmm.... one of those new Eclipse 500's very light jets would be nice. Now let's see if I have about 1.25 million laying around... uh... nope!

[wreckwriter]

ultimate airplane to own.... hmmmm.... one of those new Eclipse 500's very light jets would be nice. Now let's see if I have about 1.25 million laying around... uh... nope!

Beechcraft Bonanza, the V-tailed doctor killer

[LarryG]

My dream is to own a Navion some day.

Fabulous airplanes. Our CAP squadron in Dayton had one. I think I got two or three rides in the back seat, but never logged any stick time.

Howard: Yeah, yeah, I know. Unfortunately flying falls into the "just what I need, another expensive hobby" category for me. But who knows. A year or so ago, my dad asked me if I ever intended to do any more flying; I think he was broadly hinting about whether he ought to bring his PA-11 down here (he still lives in Alaska).

On the matter of dream airplanes, mine is real simple, and actually semi-affordable: I want a Cessna 170B.

[Thom2]

Got as far as being ready to be checked out to have my tails clipped .....

(sigh)

some day

[Whit]

Flying is fun

Sure do miss it. Learned to fly in the TI flying club in McKinney,Tx north of Dallas. Four of us bought a Cessna Cardinal and flew for several years out of Addison. Sold my share when I retired. Sure wish LOML enjoyed it so we could go flying for enjoyment.
Whit

[just4funsies]

Loved to fly... until my best bud and his wife cracked up in theirs. Haven't flown or ridden private since. Couldn't get my medical ticket now, even if I wanted to.

Another good friend was the first sales demo pilot for the Beech StarShip, and I couldn't even bring myself to ride in it with him. I'm still toast.

Sorry for the buzzkill...

[wreckwriter]

Sorry for the buzzkill...

Its ok. Anyone who's been around flying machines for any length of time knows that its part of the game. Heck, this thread would never have been started but for Scott's crash.

I'm sorry about your friends. I truly do know how you feel.

[just4funsies]

I'm sorry about your friends. I truly do know how you feel.

I wish you didn't. That's the problem... too many people do. But thanks for understanding.

[wreckwriter]

I wish you didn't. That's the problem... too many people do. But thanks for understanding.

I was a Marine helicopter crewchief for 4 years. I know and understand, several times over.