Anyone fly aircraft? I started flying about 3 years ago and have about 1,400 hours. I started with a Rans S12XL ultralight and progressed to a TL Sting. (see my pictures) It has a 100 HP Rotax engine, and cruises about 140 MPH.

I fly for pleasure and I ferry planes around the country for a buddy. It keeps me flying new stuff.

They do have a diesel aircraft engine in Europe that I hear has been out for years, but none in the US that I know of.

Any other pilots out there?

 

1400 hours in 3 years? ****, do you do anything else?? That's 466+ hours a year! That's a lot of flying!

Yes, I fly. I can't afford to fly NEARLY that much. I also fly for the military. Well, I guess I have to admit my flying days are pretty much over; only a couple of possible tours left where I could get more time. I got about 1250 hours in my first tour of 3 1/2 years, so I know that is a LOT of flying.

Haven't found a plane to fly here in Newport, though my brother is talking about putting his Mooney down here for me to take care of (and, of course fly) while he's away.

Diesel in that they are heat engines. They burn Jet fuel, rather than plain diesel. I'm sure they COULD burn #2, but I think aviation Jet is cleaner and I don't think I'd want to take a chance of the engine finding some bad fuel at 10,000 feet!

I thought I read that they had been approved for use in the US, too. In fact, I think Maule is offering a plane with a kerosene burning engine.

OK, I guess not quite approved, but almost: http://www.mauleairinc.com/____Maule...aule_news.html bottom of page.

 

Got my Private Pilot in 1992. Flew a bit for the first couple of years, then started a business in 1995 that took all my time. It struggled, that took all my money. Now drive long distance, so there's my time issue again. But I am going to get current again, because I really, really miss flying. I've only got about 100hrs TT.

P.S. they still require spin and stall training in Canada. THAT'S worth the price of admission all by itself. Was probably my favorite part. I wanna know what a Lumcevok (sp?) feels like, cause it sure looks cool.

 

It is on my to do list. a friend of mine is a president of an aircraft engineering firm he lives on lemay field in spanaway wa and has taken me up in his cessna I fly rc models that I have every now and then. My friend he is a instructor as well and would teach me but just cant find the time

 

1200 hr. instrument rating pilot here , sure is sorry I ever sold my Cardinal RG. I am a big supporter of EAA and the VAA . I also have my FAA A&P license and enjoy doing working on them also , just wont do it for a living. make more working with diesel. looking for a kit to build now , just waiting to see if KitFox survive thru the year.

 

Since you're in Nebraska Geico, do you do as much flying this time of the year? or is the weather there a factor?
Nat

 

Was working on my PPL, but moves and the wifes illnesses stopped it for now. Just need to do my long XC and the 3 hours prep and that will fix me up as for the book requirements. But, I will be rusty, so add in some more. Started in 152's in Biloxi/Keesler AFB and then moved to 150 here in Ky. We have a little private strip here in town (KY70) that is really nice. Was sure an experience the first time I had to actually use short/soft techniques. Keesler AFB was only simulated. Big difference in 1700 vs 10000feet.

Stop by sometime.

Ed

 

Weather is always a factor when flying. I can fly really any temp, and I get up as much as I can. Below 15F and it gets chilly, but still doable down to 0F. My first two planes had great heaters, cause the Rotax engines are partially water cooled. Being self employed is a plus for the time scheduling thing.

Yea, I know the 1,400 hrs sounds nuts, but I really kinda went wild for the first couple of years. Like a kid with a new toy. I timed out 2 Rotax 582 engines (500 hours) in 18 months! There still is nothing like low & slow flying. I love flying around for an afternoon and they have to gain altitude to get to pattern!

 

Did you build the Sting? Someday may end up building something myself. Been looking at the Kitfox, but no real plans as of yet.

Can't wait to get back up in the air. Cost for rental will be much higher now than when I was flying, but still not too bad. I rented a 150 from KY70 before, but that one is now destroyed. Couple guys hit the powerlines and dropped into Nolin lake. Now, no more rentals from that FBO.

Ed

 

Its funny you should say that. I always loved flying. I grew up in Rockford, IL ( the old Oshkosh) and would attend the flyin every year. Then came school, Navy, kids, jobs, you know the drill. I just could not afford to fly. After working for 38 years came 911. I had a real "personal awakening" you might say. Not that I was scared of being killed, just that there were things I wanted to accomplish in my life before I die and learning how to land and take off in a plane was one of them.

So I looked for the cheapest way to learn how to fly. Ultralights fit the bill, and you don't need a license to fly them. So I got some training and off I went. Well, one thing lead to another and I wanted to go faster, and farther so I kept buying bigger planes that were no longer ultralights, but I kept flying. By this time I was an UFI (untralight flying instructor) and knew most of the "rules of the road." So off I went until the FAA ramped checked me and they "strongly suggested" I get a private pilot license so the next 28 days I was flying the 40 hours I needed in a Cessna 172 to get my private license.

So now I fly to help my buddy ferry planes around the country. (Why can't he sell a plane to someone in south Florida! BURR!) And I get up as much (a couple times a week at least) as I can even if its for 15 mins in the pattern.

Check my pics for the plane I have now. Don't give up your dreams man, just do it!

 

Look at the Rans kits also. Great support and a VERY strong company! http://www.rans.com/

Intrument rating in on the horizon for me. I'm studying for the written now. Man its tough!

 

Sorry Geico, but I have to say you're completely wrong on this one.

I'll agree on the low part, but low and FAST. Low as in 200' AGL and fast as in 420-480 Knots. Through the mountains.

There's nothing like that! And I've been over Mach 1, so I do have a frame of reference.

 

Yes, I did fly. No longer current with SEL, Instrument. Owned 2 aircraft a 1958 Cessna 175 (N9450B) and then a 1963 Cessna 205. (N8204Z) Flew all over the country and in Canada.
Did some writting for avation papers and magazines. Flew as a search pilot for WA state.
Kyle, is LeMay field in Spanaway the old Shady Acres? LeMay lived at or around there. Been in there many times. And Thun fld, now Pierce co apt.
Gieco, been up in the AT 6 yet?
Not sure I could get medical back. I miss flying. Rented for a while. After owing a plane it is like dancing with your old HS flame at the 10 year reunion.



Davey

 

The fighter training comes in July! Yahoo!

 

With the new sport pilot rating you can fly sport planes (like mine) on your driver's license. Check out my pics.