Posts: 76
Joined: 2/11/2004 From: Scranton, PA, USA Status: offline
I just set up my account today... I've been a modeler for over 20 years, full-scale pilot for 10. My workshop has been quiet since last fall, I bought my first full-scale plane - a 1954 Tri-Pacer. (I know you modeler types won't giggle at the color scheme! It's out-of-era, of course.)
I'm a mission pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, and one of the best jobs there is teaching the cadets (age 12-18) about flying. I've flown over 200 orientation flights - only needed one sick-sack! And I got an R/C trainer for my squadron, too of course. I hope to finish the CFI rating this summer.
I kicked a lot of Skyhawk tires, was set to buy one. But the Tripe is just too fun to fly, and it's got great short-and-soft field performance. (Glides like a piano!)
Anyway, I'll have to make sure my R/C planes (and skills) don't get rusty...
Posts: 53
Joined: 6/10/2003 From: Anchorage,
AK, USA Status: offline
This is a great forum! All great reading! After 35 years in aviation, the last 7 years at the top(?) in the left seat of a 747-200 (Classic) flying around the world, usually on the dark side, hauling cargo which consists of just about anything that will fit thru the door! Started in "Bush" Alaska with wheels, skis, floats, singles, multi engine. Lots of radial time (how sweet the sound) in Beavers, Otters, DC3, C(W)46, DC6 and more. Now for relaxing, it is R/C! I have a 1/4 Husky on wheel skis and floats in the summers, CAP 232 and 1/4 J3 for starters and many more that get dusted off for flight from time to time. If I had it to do all over again, I would choose the same route! I love my job and my hobby!
Posts: 736
Joined: 1/28/2004 From: N Ft Myers,
FL, USA Status: offline
N-number : N4964G Aircraft Serial Number : 17273511 Aircraft Manufacturer : CESSNA Model : 172N Engine Manufacturer : LYCOMING Model : 0-320 SERIES Aircraft Year : 1979 Owner Name : CROTTS AIRCRAFT SERVICE INC Owner Address : 102 AIRPORT RD DODGE CITY, KS, 67801-9350 Type of Owner : Corporation Registration Date : 24-Jan-2001 Airworthiness Certificate Type : Standard Approved Operations : Normal
Posts: 430
Joined: 6/15/2003 From: Salt Lake City,
UT, USA Status: offline
I would start if I had the money and to be a year older. Once I can find a decent paying job for a kid my age in computer programing I while start. I have read about it and started saving up. I have quite a bit of the medical requirements. Every year or so I go with my uncle who has his private and I fly a little. That is the closest I have got to full scale flying. There is this new college I a would like to go with a brand new 767 flight sim.
Posts: 359
Joined: 12/26/2001 From: Santa Rosa,
CA, USA Status: offline
I started flying at age 13 on a Commodore 64, I spent so much time on simulators (ALL OF THE ONES AVAILABLE AT THE TIME) that when I went to learn to fly RC at age 20, It was a no brainer. The learning curve was extremely shallow. I really LEARNED TO FLY airplanes, flying R/C. Anything and everything I could get ahold of. Experiences I have learned from R/C have saved my lif in the real airplane. I Wanted to join the Navy and fly fighters from a VERY young age. After High School I got sidetracked racing Dirt Speedway Motocycles(NO BRAKES, NO BRAINS) for a living. My day talked me into getting an R/C airplane while I was racing. Soon, all I wanted to do was fly models. 3 years later I finally got hurt bad enough to where walking meant alot to me so I traded my Race bikes in on a Private Pilots license in Late 1994. Got a job at the local airport (KSTS) SANTA ROSA, CA as a fueler and tried to finagle every ride or flight I could in Everything from experimentals to warbirds. Flight Instructor CFII/MEI in 1996 and a job training airline pilots for a foreign airline. In 1997 a friend called me up at midnight one night and said they needed a learJet Co-Pilot out of Van nuys, CA.So the next morning I had the tiger by the tail as Clay Lacy was giving me his version of an ATP checkride and then some. I didn't even know which Lears were 23's, 24's, 25's 35's or 55's. After Clay asked me If I had a girlfriend(I didn't at the time) I was hired and was upgraded to Learjet captain in 1998, I was 26. I ended up staying with the company flying CFR Part 135 charter for the next 3 years in all his Lears and Gulfstreams. In 2000 I left to take a job as a GIV Captain and 1 year later I was hired by NetJets(Warren Buffet) International as a GIV pilot. I worked there a year and was then hired by ATA Airlines(American Trans Air) and have flown the 737-800W and the 757-200, -300 for them since. I have been given lots of opportunities to fly lots of different aircraft and owe that to lots of great guys who helped me succeed in such short order. I have flown RV's, Glassairs, Katanas, Grobs, Decathalons, Citabrias, Iskra TS-11, Mig 15, Albatross, AT-6 Most GA aircraft, some ultralights and I own an nice little RV4. I have been for rides in various fighters, P-51, Sea Fury, Etc. I don't list any of these accomplishments to boast, (the guy reading this is probably an astronaut and saying "Boast? Ya-right!) I only list these things to say to you other younger or older guys out there that if flying full scale is interesting to you, "DO IT!" There is no excuse. Yes, it can be expensive at times but the personal reward is incredible. My dad started at age 53. I can honestly tell you that the experience you have in this hobby is a positive transfer right into the cockpit. You would be amazed at what you already know about soloing! There are so many people out there that are willing to help you would be amazed. After 7,000 hours in airplanes I can't say as a career it's for everyone. It can be great and it can be tough. I can tell you that the first time you achieve flying speed and you look over and see your flight instructor sitting on the ramp watching your first solo you will never regret your descision to better yourself by learning to fly.
< Message edited by whiteside -- 2/21/2004 3:42:03 PM >
Posts: 251
Joined: 1/5/2003 From: Davis,
CA, USA Status: offline
PPASEL in 1998, since then added high performance, complex, tailwheel, and most recently Instrument, with COM/CFI hopefully to follow soon.
I always loved aviation, and like many of you, my first non computer based stick time was with R/C. I had all my R/C equipment stolen which led to a few years long dryspell. I found a nice sale price on an Ultimate Bipe and suddenly I was back into R/C! Currently I am flying an old Hobbico P-40E, a .46 sized Ultimate, and now finishing up a H9 Funtana. I fly with the Woodland-Davis Aeromodelers.
My full scale stick time recently is spread more or less evenly between the 172/172RG for my Instrument/COM/CFI training and XC, the "Raven" and Extra 300L owned by Wayne Handley, the Citabrias and Super Decathlon based at Attitude Aviation, and a PT-17 Stearman based at O22. I am a member of the International Aerobatics Club with chapter 38 (NorCal), AOPA, and EAA.
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Full Scale planes, cars, helis, boats >> Airplanes - Full Scale >> RE: RE: Full scale flyers....roll call. 
RE: RE: Full scale flyers....roll call. - 
And I got an R/C 
. About 20+ years of wondering around in the air as a recreational pilot
