I'm a private pilot, but it's been almost two years since I've flown. I decided I could no longer justify $100/hour to poke holes in the sky for no good reason other than entertainment.
I'll fly again if and when I can buy a C182 and pay all the expenses with fun money. Instrument rating will happen at that time, too.
Here's a Me Too post! Private pilot, instrument rated (not current ).
Interesting fact : I obtained my instrument rating at Wright Field, my final landing a few hundred feet from where the Wright Bros played. That was a hell of a day- nothing like losing vacuum FOR REAL on your check flight.
Used to use it a lot in business, not so much now. I'd love to tame my hobby ADD long enough to build an RV. Things get a little rosier around 1 November here, as my alimony is completed ( Yes, preparing to brew for that party! ).
Here's a Me Too post! Private pilot, instrument rated (not current ).
Interesting fact : I obtained my instrument rating at Wright Field, my final landing a few hundred feet from where the Wright Bros played. That was a hell of a day- nothing like losing vacuum FOR REAL on your check flight.
Used to use it a lot in business, not so much now. I'd love to tame my hobby ADD long enough to build an RV. Things get a little rosier around 1 November here, as my alimony is completed ( Yes, preparing to brew for that party! ).
Flying the 767 to Europe three days a week is a great way to try all kinds of new beers and collect some great bottles. Started out flying F-18s and F-5s for twenty years in the Navy. Haven’t regretted any part of the career for a single minute. Even though airline benefits aren’t as good as they used to be, there aren’t too many jobs out there that give you as much time off with great pay. It’s kind of hard calling it work, but don’t let management know that.
This forum has been great help for getting me started with home brewing. Every question I’ve had has already been answered. Thanks for getting me started on the right track.
This is an invitation to another thread. "What's the perfect beer for a divorce/final alimony party?"
US to Europe 3x a week? Since you can only fly one leg per day, at 7 hours or so per leg across the pond, that is 6 days of consecutive work?? Who the heck are you flying for?\
Err, maybe you meant three days a week, flying to Europe, meaning ONE day over, one day rest and ONE day back??
It's the one day over, one day of "rest" , and a day back.
I flew a friend's Commander over the Golden Gate Bridge once. Does that count?
Actually getting my license is on my list of things to do. Someday when there's free time and funds...
B
I flew a friend's Commander over the Golden Gate Bridge once. Does that count?
Actually getting my license is on my list of things to do. Someday when there's free time and funds...
B
I just retired after 21 years in the Air Force. Flew the A-10 for 3 years way back in '89-92. Flew 11 years in the Viper from '92-'03. Flew 5 years in T-38 A and C model from '03 to 08. Now a civilian contractor instructing NATO fighter pilots in the T/AT-38C and collecting retirement and disability (3 herniated discs in the neck from the Viper). Lots of my neighbors are still active and mooch all of my beer. Thougt about the airline deal and had interviews with Southwest Delta united and Airtran. Decided not to bother. I found out they work too hard nowadays and are gone way too much. that would eat into my brew schedule. No Thanks!
Just found the thread...been brewing for a year and a half, and this is my 10th year as a airline/professional pilot. 2 stellar airlines (Air Midwest and Comair) and now I'm loving life (no, seriously) with a fractional, flying a Hawker 800 & 900. I've been on this for just under 2 years and the company far exceeds anything that I could have imagined. This definitely is a fickle business and I tell people that it's more of a lifestyle than a career.
Did the ATP written (98%); first time passes on all writtens and flights tests, coming up on 1,500 hours and applying to regionals about 4 years ago. Had an epiphany (reality check: poor pay and conditions for what is now essentially a bankrupt industry) and decided to return to my former career in IT. Sold my Mooney and C172; let my CFI-I lapse and never looked back. I still don't miss flying (which means it was the wrong career choice for me anyway), but I'm proud that at least two of my former instrument students are now regional airline captains (and one is driving airbuses for a major as an FO). Then I took up home brewing. Wife is happy that, as hobbies go, this one is considerably cheaper than aviation.
I realize this thread is geared more for airplane drivers and I am just a hot air balloon pilot but I just got a nice new job. I have been contracted to fly one of the advertising balloons for Wells Fargo Bank. They operate 3 regular shape balloons and a special shape stagecoach. They are one of the more active corporate balloon programs in the USA. It is not a full time gig and I still have to keep my real job. Mostly weekend appearances and some tour work. But it is nice to go fly someone else's aircraft and get paid for it. Saves on wear and tear on my own balloon.
AirRageous,
Congrats on the flying gig. Balloon flying can be very exciting, especially when it's someone elses equipment:. I got to fly the Navy's hot air balloons for a few years out there in Alb. I've flown all kinds of airplanes, but doing the mass assentions at the Alb Balloon Fiesta are some of my fondest memories. Seeing 100,000 people drunk before 9:00am is a sight to remember too. Think I'll have to make it out to the Fiesta this year. Have fun and be safe.
Yeah, the industry isnt what it was when I first began... then again, I was a computer programmer for 7 years prior to this and wanted to shoot myself nearly every day. Flying, was for me... it was the only thing for me.
8 years later sitting in the left seat isnt bad... it is a job where you have to be capable of letting nearly everything just roll off your back.
8 years later sitting in the left seat isnt bad... it is a job where you have to be capable of letting nearly everything just roll off your back. You cant really worry too much about anything, except your own personal performance, because the entire system is so convoluted that it works against you no matter what you do.
AirRageous,
Congrats on the flying gig. Balloon flying can be very exciting, especially when it's someone elses equipment:. I got to fly the Navy's hot air balloons for a few years out there in Alb. I've flown all kinds of airplanes, but doing the mass assentions at the Alb Balloon Fiesta are some of my fondest memories. Seeing 100,000 people drunk before 9:00am is a sight to remember too. Think I'll have to make it out to the Fiesta this year. Have fun and be safe.
Don't forget you were also a OSHA compliance manager for an automotive company years back as well.
Hey I fly a 777 for DAL. I've flown for DL for 18 years, USAir for 2 and a commuter before that. My wife flew in the AF (C-141) and is a beer drinker. I've also flown the 757, 767,727, L1011, md-88, md-11, F-28, BAe-146, Beech 1900s and numerous light twins/singles.
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