Do you still enjoy aviation?

[jetav8r]

Do you still enjoy aviation?

Likes and dislikes

[toelessjoe]

I still enjoy flying. Aviation needs to be taken out behind the woodshed and beat without mercy.


- Toeless.

[trey kule]

What is this world coming to. Do I still enjoy aviation..Do you mean except for the warm and fuzzy, touchie feel good questions? Years ago a question like that to pilots would result in some hurtful suggestions about your sexual orientation. I guess in twitter world it is expected to share your emotions with the world.

I try to quit aviaition every so often.. It lasts a few days. Then I find myself glancing up when a plane goes overhead.. A few days later I find myself hanging around the airport Tim's for absolutely no reason, and taking a drive by the hangars...Spending to much time on AvCanada. Then its home and on the phone convincing old buddies that despite being blind and deaf, I can still outfly those sharp young whippersnappers, and off to a new contract. It becomes a job. Get my dose of flying in, and begin to daydream in the cockpit of a little garden and long evening walks....yes...that is what old guys daydream about in the cockpit...pervert....

And the cycle continues..It is closer to a lifelong addiction. And as I get older and older I get less and less enamoured with the plane taking over more and more of my flying, (and what really pisses me off, is it does it better), and enjoy the simple little types...but no one will pay me to fly them, so I am forced to hang around the hangar and pretend nonchalance for the chance to tag along in one now and then. I tried renting one a few years back..Bad experience.. Some little twerp had to do a checkout with me...Mama's milk dripping off his chin. Ink on his license still wet, and he was lecturing me on the stall characteristics of a trainer...Like I did not know them...We recovered at least 50 feet above the ground and continued on with the departure just fine. Say what you want , but it is just not manly to scream in the cockpit and darn right disrespectful to grab the controls. How could I possibly hear him with some horn blaring away. Damn kids today dont respect experience.
Now all I need is a "nice" watch, a set of brand name something or other sunglasses, and a $50 dehydration system that looks like a water bottle and I can continue on enjoying the world of aviation.

A jaded old man, yes, but flying a plane is still one of the greatest pleasures in life.

[gustind]

What is this world coming to. Do I still enjoy aviation..Do you mean except for the warm and fuzzy, touchie feel good questions? Years ago a question like that to pilots would result is some hurtful suggestions about your sexual orientation. I guess in twitter world it is expected to share your emotions with the world.

I try to quit aviaition every so often.. It lasts a few days. Then I find myself glancing up when a plane goes overhead.. A few days later I find myself hanging around the airport Tim's for absolutely no reason, and taking a drive by the hangars...Spending to much time on AvCanada. Then its home and on the phone convincing old buddies that despite being blind and deaf, I can still outfly those sharp young whippersnappers, and off to a new contract. It becomes a job. Get my dose of flying in, and begin to daydream in the cockpit of a little garden and long evening walks....yes...that is what old guys daydream about in the cockpit...pervert....

And the cycle continues..It is closer to a lifelong addiction. And as I get older and older I get less and less enamoured with the plane taking over more and more of my flying, (and what really pisses me off, is it does it better), and enjoy the simple little types...but no one will pay me to fly them, so I am forced to hang around the hangar and pretend nonchalance for the chance to tag along in one now and then. I tried renting one a few years back..Bad experience.. Some little twerp had to do a checkout with me...Mama's milk dripping off his chin. Ink on his license still wet, and he was lecturing me on the stall characteristics of a trainer...Like I did not know them...We recovered at least 50 feet above the ground and continued on with the departure just fine. Say what you want , but it is just not manly to scream in the cockpit and darn right disrespectful to grab the controls. How could I possible hear him with some horn blaring away. Damn kids today dont respect experience.
Now all I need is a "nice" watch, a set of brand name something or other sunglasses, and a $50 dehydration system that looks like a water bottle and I can continue on enjoying the world of aviation.

A bitter old man, yes, but flying a plane is still the greatest joy in life.

That was quite simply, amazing.

[Meatservo]

I love it. I just don't like having to have a job. Not my job specifically, actually I rather like my job as jobs go. I'm pretty senior and I'm fairly good at it, and I get along with my boss and get paid fairly well. It's just that I have always resented having to have a job, and wake up in the morning and be told what to do all the time. As a matter of fact, I hate being told what to do.

I do love aeroplanes though. The one I fly is especially awesome and I really like flying it.

[flyalmaguin]

What is this world coming to. Do I still enjoy aviation..Do you mean except for the warm and fuzzy, touchie feel good questions? Years ago a question like that to pilots would result in some hurtful suggestions about your sexual orientation. I guess in twitter world it is expected to share your emotions with the world.

I try to quit aviaition every so often.. It lasts a few days. Then I find myself glancing up when a plane goes overhead.. A few days later I find myself hanging around the airport Tim's for absolutely no reason, and taking a drive by the hangars...Spending to much time on AvCanada. Then its home and on the phone convincing old buddies that despite being blind and deaf, I can still outfly those sharp young whippersnappers, and off to a new contract. It becomes a job. Get my dose of flying in, and begin to daydream in the cockpit of a little garden and long evening walks....yes...that is what old guys daydream about in the cockpit...pervert....

And the cycle continues..It is closer to a lifelong addiction. And as I get older and older I get less and less enamoured with the plane taking over more and more of my flying, (and what really pisses me off, is it does it better), and enjoy the simple little types...but no one will pay me to fly them, so I am forced to hang around the hangar and pretend nonchalance for the chance to tag along in one now and then. I tried renting one a few years back..Bad experience.. Some little twerp had to do a checkout with me...Mama's milk dripping off his chin. Ink on his license still wet, and he was lecturing me on the stall characteristics of a trainer...Like I did not know them...We recovered at least 50 feet above the ground and continued on with the departure just fine. Say what you want , but it is just not manly to scream in the cockpit and darn right disrespectful to grab the controls. How could I possibly hear him with some horn blaring away. Damn kids today dont respect experience.
Now all I need is a "nice" watch, a set of brand name something or other sunglasses, and a $50 dehydration system that looks like a water bottle and I can continue on enjoying the world of aviation.

A jaded old man, yes, but flying a plane is still one of the greatest pleasures in life.

That is one of the best posts I've read..... ever!

[Gogona]

I love aviation soooo much!!!
But don't really enjoy the flying
So dunno how to solve this conflict... that's my sore point, actually

[loopy]

I still enjoy flying. Aviation needs to be taken out behind the woodshed and beat without mercy.


- Toeless.

That is priceless. I can't add anything more than that, other than to say, this industry is twisted in general, and individual outfits and owners should be shot, pi$$ed on and dragged through the bush behind a team of horses for a while.

[Dizzy D]

The only thing that pilots like more than flying, is not flying.

[Cap'n Tripps]

I still enjoy flying. Aviation needs to be taken out behind the woodshed and beat without mercy.


- Toeless.

BIG +1!

[Lost Lake]

What is this world coming to. Do I still enjoy aviation..Do you mean except for the warm and fuzzy, touchie feel good questions? Years ago a question like that to pilots would result in some hurtful suggestions about your sexual orientation. I guess in twitter world it is expected to share your emotions with the world.

I try to quit aviaition every so often.. It lasts a few days. Then I find myself glancing up when a plane goes overhead.. A few days later I find myself hanging around the airport Tim's for absolutely no reason, and taking a drive by the hangars...Spending to much time on AvCanada. Then its home and on the phone convincing old buddies that despite being blind and deaf, I can still outfly those sharp young whippersnappers, and off to a new contract. It becomes a job. Get my dose of flying in, and begin to daydream in the cockpit of a little garden and long evening walks....yes...that is what old guys daydream about in the cockpit...pervert....

And the cycle continues..It is closer to a lifelong addiction. And as I get older and older I get less and less enamoured with the plane taking over more and more of my flying, (and what really pisses me off, is it does it better), and enjoy the simple little types...but no one will pay me to fly them, so I am forced to hang around the hangar and pretend nonchalance for the chance to tag along in one now and then. I tried renting one a few years back..Bad experience.. Some little twerp had to do a checkout with me...Mama's milk dripping off his chin. Ink on his license still wet, and he was lecturing me on the stall characteristics of a trainer...Like I did not know them...We recovered at least 50 feet above the ground and continued on with the departure just fine. Say what you want , but it is just not manly to scream in the cockpit and darn right disrespectful to grab the controls. How could I possibly hear him with some horn blaring away. Damn kids today dont respect experience.
Now all I need is a "nice" watch, a set of brand name something or other sunglasses, and a $50 dehydration system that looks like a water bottle and I can continue on enjoying the world of aviation.

A jaded old man, yes, but flying a plane is still one of the greatest pleasures in life.

Hey Trey, thanks for saving me the time to type this!!

[DanWEC]

What is this world coming to. Do I still enjoy aviation..Do you mean except for the warm and fuzzy, touchie feel good questions? Years ago a question like that to pilots would result in some hurtful suggestions about your sexual orientation. I guess in twitter world it is expected to share your emotions with the world.

I try to quit aviaition every so often.. It lasts a few days. Then I find myself glancing up when a plane goes overhead.. A few days later I find myself hanging around the airport Tim's for absolutely no reason, and taking a drive by the hangars...Spending to much time on AvCanada. Then its home and on the phone convincing old buddies that despite being blind and deaf, I can still outfly those sharp young whippersnappers, and off to a new contract. It becomes a job. Get my dose of flying in, and begin to daydream in the cockpit of a little garden and long evening walks....yes...that is what old guys daydream about in the cockpit...pervert....

And the cycle continues..It is closer to a lifelong addiction. And as I get older and older I get less and less enamoured with the plane taking over more and more of my flying, (and what really pisses me off, is it does it better), and enjoy the simple little types...but no one will pay me to fly them, so I am forced to hang around the hangar and pretend nonchalance for the chance to tag along in one now and then. I tried renting one a few years back..Bad experience.. Some little twerp had to do a checkout with me...Mama's milk dripping off his chin. Ink on his license still wet, and he was lecturing me on the stall characteristics of a trainer...Like I did not know them...We recovered at least 50 feet above the ground and continued on with the departure just fine. Say what you want , but it is just not manly to scream in the cockpit and darn right disrespectful to grab the controls. How could I possibly hear him with some horn blaring away. Damn kids today dont respect experience.
Now all I need is a "nice" watch, a set of brand name something or other sunglasses, and a $50 dehydration system that looks like a water bottle and I can continue on enjoying the world of aviation.

A jaded old man, yes, but flying a plane is still one of the greatest pleasures in life.

Hey Trey, thanks for saving me the time to type this!!

Hilarious!

[Instructor_Mike]

I'm an instructor so really it depends on the student. Most of the time I love flying and having good students help that. Ocassionally I fly with someone and I feel like I'm propelling the aircraft forward by banging my head on the instrument panel

When I'm doing flights that are non-instructional it's still fun. I do scenic from time to time and most recently was transporting the AME to a down (flat tire) bird while a student was on a x-country.

[Scuba_Steve]

These days I love flying.....but hate being a pilot.

[iflyforpie]

Yep, still enjoy it.

It's been a tough road over the years. Layoffs, moving, politics, poverty, heartache, and heart attacks. But now it's starting to pay off so I can have my cake and eat it too.

The flying is of course incredible.







But the big thing for me is the lifestyle that aviation has allowed me to have. Summer is a write off unfortunately, but I can still go to work from a family camp site, still have a fire in my backyard with mountain views, still meet the family after work for a picnic and a swim at the beach, and haven't in five years spent a single night away from home. We're taking off to California next month, and family seasons passes are bought for the ski hill since I take most of December off.

The other big thing is the people. I've got an awesome boss, awesome co-workers, and most of the people I fly with are on vacation and there for the experience of flying.... not using flying simply as a means to do something else. The smiles of the kids on their first plane rides, the timid fliers who are impressed with the smooth ride and landing, the locals who are amazed when I show them things they've never seen before, the appreciative off fielders who appreciate free advice, plane repairs, and a ride into town, and the many other visiting and local pilots and aviation nuts who gather round the fire place for coffee and chit chat all make the ocassional bit of aviation BS worthwhile.

[Confliction]

Cool pics, is that the Nahanni area?

[shamrock104]

Love it, but only for fun.

[shamrock104]

Love it, but only for fun.

[Colonel Sanders]

Flying is great. Can't say the same for the paperwork.

[Old Dog Flying]

Aviation related things have been my passion, my work, my life for over 65 years and today I still love strapping that little shitbox on and converting money into noise.

Barney

[bmc]

I love aviation. Memories of being between the age of 7 and 10 when my dad brought home a fold out that showed 3-view drawings of light aircraft. We lived in Chomedy north of Montreal, below one of the entry points to the circuit at Cartierville Airport back in the 60's.

Since moving to Europe, I never could justify paying $250 to rent a 172, plus annual insurance, plus club fees, etc, etc. Couldn't do it. I'm still in the airline business, but don't fly for a living. The passion has always been there. The medical is long lapsed, half an inch of dust on the private license. I still run outside when I hear airplane noise out at the farm. Often it's a Jodel with those distinctive wings. On Thursdays and Fridays, it's usually Mirage, or Rafale's doing low level. We're near the Dijon AFB. The realtor never mentioned we'd get afterburner noise 300 feet over the house.

I walk our hillside property and never fail to fantasize about putting in my one-way-in, one way out strip that slops down hill. Perfect for a CH701.

I have a good friend from my northern days that sits in the left chair of a B777 for emirates. He pops into town now and then and we talk about flying. We talk about retirement. We talk about max thrust takeoffs and going past the end of the runway blasting through 3,000 feet.

Avcanada keeps me connected to that passion. The photos in the bush thread take me right back to being up north. They take me back to walking on a dock somewhere up north or out on the wet coast. I managed to get some left seat time in Randy's C180 on floats a few years back. I still maintain that the best job in the world is flying something on floats, especially if you can pick your load and pick your weather. I've learned so much from you guys. I have and still enjoy your company.

There's a lad on YouTube that lives in a hangar at St.Hyacinthe airport. His apartment looks down on the runway. He posts dozens of videos of small stuff taking off and landing. I eagerly wait for each upload. There's just something magical about watching a plane takeoff. Be it a very heavy A340 using every inch of runway. Or watching a Supercub apply power, roll 75 feet, see the driver yank down a couple of notches of flap and then he's airborne in no time. Watching a turbo swine seemingly elevate off the water is something I love watching. Gliders overhead quietly. The skill of a crop dusting pilot. The smell of a hot radial engine.

Nothing beats a warm summer evening, just after sunset, with the smell of fresh cut grass, listening to the sound of an idling piston engine going over your head as it lands on a grass strip.

To answer the question, I do. Professionnal for the past 31 years. As an enthusiast, much longer.

[linecrew]

I've never flown for a living during the 25+ years that I've worked in the aviation industry and so all of the flying that I've done has been purely just for fun and thus I've never lost the love for aviation.

That being said though, these days with 100LL prices and various fees now ranging from silly to ludicrous, my wallet thinks aviation can go pound sand...

[bring me the horizon]

As an AME Apprentice and aspiring commercial pilot I can say that everyday that I go to work and touch an airplane I feel motivated to keep that aeroplane in a fit and safe condition for flight as if my family were flying in it. It’s really goal oriented.

Once I left the cowling unlatched on a kingair and I heard about it from the PIC but accidents do happen. I take it as a grain of salt and remember to never let it happen again. And even as us aspiring AME’s hear flack about our mistakes, it’s a lesson in experience that we learn from.

Everyday I go to work, I look for snags and that’s the mentality that I keep in the work place. Complacency is not so forgiving. I find Aviation as a learning curve and the more I can learn and grasp, the better of a mechanic/pilot I can become.

[DGuy]

I have been flying for a living 33 years and it never felt like working. I even enjoy flying small planes in my free time.

[Doc]

Nothing better. Well okay, I'd rather sail, or ride one of my motorcycles, or spend quality time with Penelope Cruz, but a nice flight on a beautiful day is pretty damn close!
But the question is "Do you still enjoy AVIATION?" We all enjoy flying, but do we enjoy what "aviation" has become? I do not. I hate what the industry has become. At every turn, there are new regulations. New stupidity to justify some tool's job in Ottawa, while he/she waits for their pension to kick in. Witness the new "standard" weights some of us are forced to use? What do THESE people smoke? The working conditions are as bad as they have been since the beginning of time (Cat?) for new pilots. Pilots are still being pushed beyond their capabilities, being used as cheap labour, etc. The training situation obviously needs a complete overhaul. Common sense is left in the wake of government mandated stupidity, stuffed down our throats for our own protection?
No, while I really enjoy flying, I detest aviation.