Pilots and Guns

[avalys]

I rent a Diamond DA-40 from the local FBO, and dream of the day I will be able to buy one of my own and fly it without caring about the $3 / minute cost.

 

[Shimitup]

I've been a private pilot since 1978, most of my hours are in C152 and C172's. Some hours in Piper Warriors and Archers. By far the most fun for me to fly was the Grumman AA5 in which I put in a fair number of hours. I haven't been current for a few years, just too many other demands on my time and money. I miss it an awful lot, some day I may go at again.

 

[herkyguy]

I fly full time military. international quite a bit. you think states' gun laws are difficult to navigate, try other countries. for that and many other reasons, i am never armed. i've been to some pretty disgusting places with nothing more than a pocket knife.

 

[47CubPilot]

I've got a Piper J-3 Cub for my own personal toy. And, I've got a Piper Tomahawk that I use for flight instruction.
I run an FBO in Henry Co. Illinois. Started flying in 1969. Started making a living at it in 1973.

 

[2@low8]

Firearms Fly-in?

Wow! Some neat stories out there. Combining flying with shooting would probably be the most fun you can have with your clothes on!

Let’s see how this thread develops and maybe we could put together a fly-in shoot somewhere. I’ve flown over 1500 miles round trip in an open cockpit biplane for a biplane fly-in and while I wouldn’t be in a hurry to do that again I might do a 1000 mile round trip in the Piper for a really good shoot.

Any takers?

 

[qcarm]

I've got a Piper J-3 Cub for my own personal toy. And, I've got a Piper Tomahawk that I use for flight instruction.
I run an FBO in Henry Co. Illinois. Started flying in 1969. Started making a living at it in 1973.

You should have included a picture of your Cub on website beside the Stearman.

Sent from my SCH-I535

 

[2@low8]

Experimental Aircraft Anyone?

avalys - “I rent a Diamond DA-40 from the local FBO, and dream of the day I will be able to buy one of my own and fly it without caring about the $3 / minute cost.”

$180 per hour would put a severe crimp in my ammo fund… and I reload everything except .22lr!

I got my commercial, instrument, multiengine and seaplane ratings in about a year. After that to build up time I bought a Taylorcraft BC-65 (pictured below) in 1967 for $1,200. It burned ~3.5 gph @ ~$2 a gallon. I flew it just about all over this country - FL, NY, CA, TX and all States in between. 200 hours worth. I sold it for $1,000 (out of annual) about a year later.

I instructed, flew charters in Aztecs and DC-3s and Part 135 scheduled airlines in Beechcraft B-99 twin turboprops. A stint in the Marine Corps in C-130s and U-10As for interdictions in Cambodia and Laos.

Now I mostly fly experimentals that I either built, rebuilt or helped to build. It has been a very satisfying hobby and a whole lot cheaper to fly and maintain as opposed to my Cherokee.

Any EAA guys in the audience?

 

[Diamondback6]

Hacker, so you're a Mudhen driver? Nice... as a kid I always wanted to fly Sixes or A-model Eagles with the 318th, but between my nearsightedness and heavy build, and the squadron being disestablished...

I'm still working on my civvy license, though--no hours yet, just lots of book and sim time; I don't want to risk the investment of SERIOUS $ unless/until I KNOW it's within my grasp.

 

[Hacker15E]

Hacker, so you're a Mudhen driver? Nice... as a kid I always wanted to fly Sixes or A-model Eagles with the 318th,

Used to be...at the end of my career flying a desk currently, unfortunately.

Funny you mention the 318th; I grew up in the neighborhood of McChord watching the 106s and Eagles and they inspired me to pursue a career flying for the AF. Small world.

 

[CZguy]

at the end of my career flying a desk currently, unfortunately

Ah.....a fellow LGD6 pilot. (Large gray desk with six drawers)