Guess we just list our 1 -- 1 scale experiences:
About 9 yrs. old or so, first ride was in a BT-13. After that was several commercial rides, and at 19, first taste of working flying was as Aviation Cadet -- Navigator, Convair T-29. Turned around and instructed same, then to Bombardier School in T-29, then to 3 years as a Nav-Bom. in Boeing B-47. Got rides in DC-3s and C-45s. The B-47 was and is the most beautiful airplane ever to take to the skies. [sm=shades_smile.gif] Got some stick time in J-3, Aronica Champ, and Cessna 172.
Then came Pilot Training in T-37 and T-33. Instructed in T-33 and T-38. Flew C-123 for a couple years. That big ugly was the most flying fun ever. During that time I had my only tin-bender, in a darn Cherokee 140! [:@] No more of that stuff!
Got to sit in the cockpit of a U-2 during an interview for an assignment there. Already had airline job secured and that physical for the U-2 was a tough one. A fair number of guys were grounded for a year or more even though they had no problems with normal physical. Really wanted to do it but just too much of a chance to take. So on to 28 years flying B-737, B-727, Douglas DC-8 and DC 10. Been retired for 12 years come this next Jan. 31.
Got a ride in a P-51,
Moonbeam McSwine with owner Vlado Lenoch at the Wings over Dekalb Airshow in 1993. Fun!
Also got an ATP type rating in a Lear 23.
I don't miss anything but the paychecks.
