airplane enthusiasts?

[curtisbyrne]

any plane spotters, pilots or just love planes in general on here?

[dirtdobber]

Hey curtis. I love aviation but I'm not in the industry. Udvar-hazen is one of my favorite museums.

[john swenson]

i have been flying powered parachutes for 30 years . still fly off my property 2 to 3 times a week if weather permits . it's safe , easy to do and fly low and slow over the shenandoah valley looking at deer , cows etc. it's not for going fast ( 30 mph ) , just the freedom of being in the air . i usually fly around an hour or so . early morn or evenings are best . johnboy va.

[coffinman]

I was a pilot for 32 years before I became disabled. Dual-rated ATP, (Airline Transport Pilot,) Airplane and helicopter. Flight instructor airplane/helicopter/multi-engine/instrument and aerobatics. I flew helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico for off-shore oil platform support, and was the aviation base chief for air-ambulance in Missouri.

DIG ME!! LOL!

[trevorakm1]

Commercial pilot, flew charters up and down the east coast for years. Loved flight instructing! I've been looking at these powered parachutes and would love to get into it but I think that would push the wife over the edge. I love the simplicity of the powered parachute flying!

[john swenson]

trevor...tell her it's the safest way to be in the air . they can't stall and if the engine quits you just float down and land. just can't fly in high winds . it is the simplest way to fly . take off in 150 feet . no need for runways , etc. you can learn to fly in a hour . very easy . johnboy va.

[coffinman]

I agree with both of you on the powered parachute! I'd love to get one for our Horsefeathers Ranch. Plenty of room for it on 50 acres. No need for a medical, as well!

This is what I'd like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlbQ0xbbpOQ

[dirtdobber]

Now that's cool!

[dirtdobber]

I'm jealous of all you pilots. When I was a kid I was offered opportunity to spend the summer with my aunt and uncle. My uncle was the FBO at the Fredrick, MD municipal airport and it was a sizeable operation. He offerd me a job washing planes and the sort, and I could have LEARNED HOW TO FLY. But, like an idiot, I stayed home and worked on the farm. I kick myself often.

[coffinman]

It's never too late, my friend. (Unless you have health issues that prevent getting a medical. Even then, you can still fly under FAR Part 103 - ultralights.)

[john swenson]

one of the guys that fly's with us sometimes joins us with his powered paraglider like the one in the video . he flys about the same speed as us . his main job is a pilot for united airlines...says the backpacks way more fun . too much work for me carrying the motor on my back and running till the chutes up . the advantage is it will fit in your trunk . i've had 2---2 seat powered parachutes , but when the ffa went to the sport pilot lisence it really killed the whole ultralite industry . even for a 2 place powered parachute you need a sport pilot lisence and a ''n'' number . but living out in the country , lots of people still fly 2 seaters off their property without the liscence . i still can fly my friends 2 seater if i want to take someone up or teach a new person that bought one . i've taught lots of people to fly them . the main thing learning is how to kite the chute up. once your in the air it's only steering with your feet and higher or lower altitude by the throttle . their a constant speed machine . and you can land in a backyard. yea , and no liscence needed for a one seater . lots of good ones for sale !! j.b.

[coffinman]

Thanks for that info, John! I agree that rollin' would be better than runnin'!

[curtisbyrne]

at the young age of 16 i was introduced to flying with both my uncles having float planes i got really good i could land take off all on my own of course not actually by myself but i learned to fly before i could drive a car pretty cool! i went to a junior flight school and flew cessna 152. finally finding out i cannot be a pilot due to eye trouble i decided now at 19 i am becoming an aircraft maintenance engineer!!
me receiving my "wings"

[dirtdobber]

Good for you curtis!

[Dw89xj]

That's pretty awesome.