I started flying in 78 got married and quit till 95 when I purchased a 172 in Naples Florida and flew it home to Mansfield Oh. I worked on it most of first year, but have flowin to First Flight on outer banks,Fun in the Sun fly in Florida 4 times,all the way up the St. Lawerance to Gaspie,a great trip,to old Rinebeck air show,well worth the trip if you have not seen it.Our Ohio weather does not let me get up as much as I would like in the winter I have been stuck on ground for 3 weeks now but I have the heater pluged in waiting for a good day.I have been to Oshkosh a few times but I like Fun in the Sun a lot better.I flew a Challenger ultralite and agree nothing like low and slow and easyer on the pocket book,but at 230,six ft. one it was a real pain to get in.At my size I needed a 4 place to make a nice two place with tents and camping gear.My dream is to build a RV 10 someday , can't think of anything that would be better then flying a plane I built my self.It is great to see we have some other flyers in this group, and airplane and a Cummins it don't get better than that.

 

I think the sporty pilot license is a great thing that finally came out last year. if one already has a pilot license and has never been turn down for a medical card, can legally fly in a sporty class airplace again without a medical card and have a valid driver license . you would be amaze at the number of pilots that fall into that category.

 

I have not flown for the past twenty years. I use to really love it though.
I worked part time as a flight instructor for several years just to help pay for all my flying time.

 

Geico, if it has not been mentioned, I believe the VW/Audi 1.9 TDI engine (diesel) was recently approved for aircraft use (within the last 2 years). Kevin

 

That is a fact. I work a booth at Sun n Fun & Oshkosh. I am amazed by the number of pilots grounded due to medicals that could fly in the sport pilot catigory.

The problem is that once you loose your medical it is VERY tought to fly even under the sport pilot rule. I have heard from the FAA that they are trying to "grandfather" a bunch of these pilots under the new rule so they can fly. If you think you are about to loose your medical switch to sport pilot before the exam and you have no worries.

They have a bunch of wrinkles to work out on this new rating, but it is a really good thing.

 

Time to get back into it. You ain't getting any younger!

 

These new sport planes are really something. Mine burns 3 gph economy cruise, and 5 gph 70% cruise and I do 140 mph. AND! are you sitting down? I burn mogas or 100LL. These Rotax engines are really something.

 

Another fly boy here. Mostly fly a Piper Arrow and mostly for work. Nothing in this world will make you happier about flying in small airplanes than flying commercial.

When people fly with me they can arrive at the airport 10 minutes before flight time, I could care less who packed their bags, I have no interest in their shoes and they are more than welcome to bring all the nail clippers they can carry.

 

I went up yesterday afternoon, 10F, winds calm, Alt 30.71, no thermals, air so think I over shot the numbers by 1,000 feet! I need some more T&G's!

Very pretty flight! 8 inches of snow, coyotes, deer, turkeys, you could see them 5 miles away against the snow. What a great cruise!

I'm not sure what gives me a bigger smile. CTD or Flying?

 

Guess what I fly Moved from San Diego to SW Michigan and now need to find a good rental. Did my check ride in 1994 but really can't afford to fly much. My BFR ran out last Nov. so I need to find a good instructor too.

 

I fly a powered parachute. http://www.powrachute.com Nice thing is, you can learn to fly one in a day. I'm an instructor. I highly recomend a powered parachute to anyone who wants to fly for fun without a bunch of red tape.