How many pilots out there?

Started in hang gliders in 1983 (got a nasty broken arm from that), gliders in the mid 1990s, power in early 2000's when I worked 5 mins from Montgomery Field. Not much since then, family gets the time and $$ now. Sailplanes were the most fun, less expensive than power, but also most time-consuming with the 90 min drive to Warner Springs from SD.

But last month I started a new gig working literally across the street from Palomar-McClellan. My eyes ain't what they used to be but I might still pass. Just might have to sneak out at lunch and go up with a CFI once in a while.:grin:

Have a private pilots certificate, but not current med.
Started training in a Piper Warrior, and finished my training in a Piper Tomahawk. Flown Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Piper Archer II, and Cherokee 180
I fly an ultralight now TEAM miniMAX, and am in the process of rebuilding a Pietenpol Aircamper.
Larry

Pat_B said:

No longer current but had a lot of experience in my younger days. I started learning from a teacher friend on mine in 7th grade and then went to numerous Civil Air Patrol flight encampments.

Ended up getting my private pilot's license, glider rating, balloon solo, and early ultralight flying before too many people knew what they were.

Worked on my commercial rating in the 80's when the bottom dropped out of the job market for pilots. The company I was learning at had financial problems and attempted to steal my mone on account. Between the fight to get that money and the bad job market I dropped out 'for awhile' which become too long.

Click to expand...

Sounds like you trained about the same time I did. Multi/IFR class 1 rating and only job I was able to land was a 6-week stint with a budworm spray program. Working with the last "squadron" of active Avenger "bombers" made it a treat though! I'd be flying one of a pair of 172's leading the bombers over the "target", and they'd line us up like peep sights on a rifle to fly their spray lines.

Managed to log time in Piper Tomahawks (all my private & commercial training), Archer II's, Arrow IV, Seminole twin for multi/IFR, Cessna 172, and about 5 hours in a Champion Citabria. Gotta say, tail-draggers are a real different ball game on the ground!

Yup, am one and current medical.

Work for "the" large aerospace company here in the U.S., that develops commercial aircraft.

Have helped develop the training materials for both commercial (787) and defense products (-15, -18, KC-46, and P-8).

Oh, am hoping to start my build on a Velocity Aircraft after moving house.