How did we all get interested in aviation? My dad was a B-17 pilot; my mother worked for Boeing building B-17's and as a kid in the late 40's I was living in Fairbanks and flying to and from the Stampede Mine with a bush pilot (when I got to ride along) then flew as a aircrewman in a Skyraider off the USS Lexington. That did it! Learn to fly and get an airplane!
How do Kamikazi pilots practice?
Got to ride in the right seat of a Grumman Goose from Skagway to Haines, Ak when I was a runt. Landed in the water. All rather impressive to a little shaver that can barely see over the window sill. That and many other memorable trips set the hook and kept it set despite many cautions against it.
I got the bug by watching Pawnees, Braves etc etc.. But the best was watching the PA-18's and 12's drop off the "Older Women" the high school girls that would flag in the summertime, twenty some years ago the Tube Top was in !!!!!
Matt
My dad worked for Braniff when I was born, during WWII. He took me for my first airplane ride in a BT-13 when I was 6 weeks old. Guess that hooked me early. My brother and I were flying U-control models when I was 6. We bought our first airplane, an L-2, for $700 when I was 21 years old, and we had to borrow the money at the bank. Don't know why we waited so long.
Volunteer, in charge of Political Correctness
I think watching Disney's "Peter Pan" as a three year old did it to me. I wanted to fly, too, and airplanes seemed like a good way to do that (jumping off the dresser towards the window did not accomplish my goal of sustained flight). From there on out it was airplanes, airplanes, airplanes...
I did quit once. Two years after I was sitting in my office at the airport on a nice summer evening when nesincg -- whom I'd just met -- called me up and said he was at the FBO with a Skyhawk and told me to get over there immediately...
Been flying ever since.
My first job after engineering school was with Boeing, working at Plant 1 across from Boeing Field. Lunch hour was spent on the Boeing ramp, checking out the narrow bodies being prepped for final delivery, the beater Faucett 727 that had been purchased for use as a test bed for an unducted fan, and watching all the GA traffic on the far side of the field.
It seemed like there was every kind of flying going on there (short of soaring and floats): warbirds, training, commercial, floats, business . . . If the activity at Boeing Field didn't spark an interest in flying you may need to check for a pulse.
Speedo
Nieghbor was a chief pilot for a grocery company and built a long-eze in his garage. Also, I grew up in the Mississippi Delta watching Ag planes all day. My first airplane ride was given to me by a pilot who was taught to fly by my uncle. Was enlisted aircrew in both the Army Guard & Navy Reserve. Good memories I hope to pass along to my children.
I was a Bird Last life so this time around I knew I needed to once again return to " Slip the surely bonds of earth...."
Sam
"They tout The Joy of Sex, but it don't last like The Fun of Flying."
Lucille Benson
Got my first ride on my sixth birhtday in a J-3. Ten years later to the day I soloed in a PA-18 125hp. That Christmas Dad bought me a J-4 (65) for $250 put a $200 overhaul on it and I was off and flying! It burned about 3 gallons per hour and fuel was $.27 per gallon. Learned a lot in that little underpowered Cub. But it was as much fun as any plane I have flown since. Wish I still had it!
MULESKINNER
No poetic story here. I got tired of spending half of my weekends driving riverboats. Flying is effective and efficient transportation. A vehicle to get me where I want to be, which is away from people. That's the whole enchilada.
If I wanted to feel like a bird I'd crap on my porch.
Stewart
I had my first ride, in a Western Airlines DC-3 when I was 5. My first ride in a GA airplane was a Gullwing Stinson when I was 14.
I wore out about a thousand balsa gliders and rubber band airplanes as a kid. When I was a senior in HS, my dad bought a Tri-Pacer and learned to fly in it. In college, I joined a flying club. I soloed, in a 150, 36 years ago last month. I've been fooling around with small airplanes ever since.
Mark
It struck me as a better job than "WORKING FOR A LIVING"
30 Yrs later I find I was at least right about one thing...
Bob D
I grew up riding backseat or shotgun in Cubs and 180/185s. Flying here and there hunting and fishing Alaska. When I got my first truck, I decided to strike out on my own using the road system of Ak. It took a couple years to realize that was a huge joke/mistake. Decided to learn to fly myself to the places where the fish and game were. Now that I'm hopelessly addicted to flying, bad flying weather forced road trips are just torture.
Welcome to Alaska! When you disembark the state, it is required that you leave both your daughters and your wallets, thank you!
We flew out moose hunting in a beaver. (Willow Air) The pilots name was Dave. We wanted to go upriver (Innoko River) as far as we could. Dave flew this one spot for about 30 minutes and finally set us down. I was amazed and hooked. We were on floats. I've since been back to where he dropped us off. Still amazes me he got us in there. He told us we had the spot to ourselves, because he wasn't coming back. We killed two moose and floated down to where he picked us up. I knew I had to learn how to fly. It's kinda like being on the river bank fishing and watching that old boy go by in a nice boat. Plus I didn't like being dropped off and picked up when someone else decides it's time to come get me. I'd much rather leave my buddy on the gravel bar and tell him I'll be back at soon as I can. After racing motorcycles, owning boats, snow machines, and 4 wheelers, nothing comes close to flying you own plane.
Sitting in the pasture at the end of WWII when I was three, watching the Stearmans fly from the local airbase, as I tried to figure out how to attach cardboard wings to my tricycle so I could do it too.
JimC
My dad had held a pilot certificate when he was young, but by the time I came along he had medical problems (and financial issues as well) that precluded him from having a medical. But he was an aviation enthusiast and took me to every airport, airshow, and local flying field he could. Several neighbors had airplanes (we lived in a farming area) so there were plenty of opportunities for airplane rides.
But most influential was our family friend and local crop duster (I guess "ag pilot" is the politically correct term), Jim Miles of Hartford, WI. Jim flew a Stearman and worked for all the farmers in the area, including us.
Jim had flown since before WWII, and had flown the "hump" during the war. He was also an avid homebuilder and EAA member who build an absolutely gorgeous Pitts Special. Jim inspired my aviation interest in general and my love of Cubs, biplanes, warbirds, antiques and classics and "vintage aviation" in general. Jim was often over to our house and told stories for hours, and of course I soaked it all up like a sponge!
I also was fortunate enough to be personal friends with John Hatz, the designer of the Hatz biplane. John taught me a lot about flying as well as about all things mechanical, and was just generally a good friend. John and his whole family had a big impact on my aviation life.
Of course there are many others who have had an influence on my aviation life and outlook. I won't try to list all their names, but I'm sure they know who they are.
Joe
Can't remember if I got bit in aviation by watching Sky King on our 9" black and white TV which came on right after wrestling or when I found that model airplane fuselage without an engine in the old house my parents rented. But after getting bit I flew everywhere I went as a kid. I think I was the first swept wing 6 yr old in the neighborhood.
I grew up in and around airplanes. When I was just a little kid my parents went on vacation and I thought it was about time I soloed. After all I had watched my dad do it for 12 years so there shouldn’t be any reason why I couldn’t do it. So, parents left…and so did I. I took a customers airplane because I knew his would fly, and went flying. The parents got home sevearal days later and found out from one of the neighbors what I had done. Needless to say there was a fair amount of friction in the household for quite some time…
I still don’t understand why they got so worked up…
Lippy
A long time ago, I was a jumper (static /freefall). As I'm getting older, I figure there is no sense jumping out of a perfectely good airplane. Got my license but still learning to fly...
My interest came early from my dad and uncle.They both flew and hung around with the local pilots.I was amazed and mesmorized by planes.I remember being a little kid maybe 8 or 9 and my dad would flyin to the campground we stayed at.I would beat feet to the lake.I would proudly exclaim that's my dad.When i was about 12 my dad sold his plane after a friend wrecked it,my uncle went to vietnam as a civilian contractor for bell helicopter.No more planes or flying in the family.My dad was discouraged with flying.He had many guys take advantage of his good will in letting them use his plane.When i was fifteen i told him i was going to take lessons,he discouraged it.I hid my lessons until i soloed,he was real proud,and helped pay after that.Afer a year or so of me flying,he got back into it.It has made us the best of friends.He does'nt fly that much anymore,usually just rides shotgun.But the times we have on the ground,working on the planes,or just mowing the strip are priceless.We were not that close before,but now he is my absolute best friend.He is getting up in years and it is hard to see him fail some,but is in fairly good health.He is still my hero,my uncle has gone and some of our other older flying buddies,so it is a little less special with every passing.Sometimes we just go for a ride to visit some of the old timers,and the visiting and story telling is every bit as good as the flying.Everybody starts to fly for different reasons,i am glad i did.I wonder if i would even work if i did'nt have flying to look forward to.Sometimes after a month of working without a full day off i can get bummed,but then i thin of those stupid planes and i know what i am working for.The rinky dink airstrip and crappy runway give me tons of enjyment also.I always enjoy mowing and trying to improve it.Just the thought of someone dropping in and talking flying gives me great enjoyment.
Remember , the light at the end of the tunnel may be you .O wind of heaven by thy might save all who dare the eagles flight, and keep them by thy watchful care from every peril in the air.
I flagged for a cropduster when a kid. I thought it looked like alot more fun up there.
My dad was a B-17G pilot as well, then a corporate pilot until the mid-90s. He told my two brothers and me that we'd have to learn to fly or leave the family.).
I soloed a J-3 on my 16th birthday, as did my brothers. Got my multi-engine in an Aztec, and now I'm enjoying my Super Cub. Little brother flies most things through G-IVs. Older brother no longer here...using a different type of wings.
Had dreams of flying from a very young age. Older brother worked for Cessna back when they were thinking of helicopters. He was an engineer on the skyhook program.Just out of college he was rooming with a Beechcraft engineer. They flew a Bonanza to our home in Wyoming for a mule deer hunt. I got my first plane ride in the Bonanza at age 12. I really wanted to take flying lessons but was told it would take 400 dollars to get a licenceMy first old Harley cost 70 dollars
On my ten birthday, all I could ask for was an airplane ride, so my parents ask a neighbor to take me for a ride in one of there planes. It ended up being a 1946 J3 that her grandfather bought from the cub factory. Man it was great, Sandy made the takeoff and landing but I was flying the rest of the time. buzzed the house flew over all our ground. From then on it was my dream to get my licence and fly my own plane. Dream may yet come true at the end of this year"fingers crossed".
I think I was born with the desire. I grew up on a dairy farm in north-central Minnesota. It was rare to even see a plane flying over the farm but when one did I remember making a bee-line outside to see it. I must have asked many times to be given a ride but all I remember is a guy my day knew landed on the little lake on the farm in his SuperCub on floats. I was hooked even though there was no way I could ever afford to get lessons.
One day after I was out of the Air Force I stopped at a place that was flying banners and said "I want to fly." Been flying ever since. Bought my first plane (172) a couple of hours after I started instruction. Had it ever since. Thats been twenty years ago.
As a side note...that first plane I had gotten a ride in....the guy had purchased it nearly new. I believe it was a 1959 model. He passed away a few years ago and I tried buying it from his widow. Unfortunately it was sold to a buddy of the deceased but she did tell me I had second chance. I say unfortunately because this new owner was the type to never take care of things.....Use it, abuse it, and then get rid of it.
Keith
I remember my Dad had a pa-16 in Pinedale Wy. Some days the density altitude made it so it was an effort to clear the barbwire fence at the end of the runway. Other days I would watch him climb to altitude, throw out a roll of toilet paper (looked like lightening coming down to my 6yr old eyes). Also remember the big blizzard, trying to make the drive to the airport to check on the plane and ending up driving in circles on the road. Funny the things we remember.
My God father took me on a fishing trip to Canada in his float equipped pa-12. Subscribed to TAP the day we got back, had a supercub within a year, and the rest is history.........
Crashed in my uncle's Lake Buccaneer back when I was 13 , swore I'd never fly in one of those things again. Move ahead 29 years . I had a friend with a maule who kept bugging me to go up with him , I finally went three years ago and signed up for lessons the next week. Got my ticket in 8 months and have been flying a nice 172 since. My friend with the maule and I are rebuilding a 46 PA-12 from ground up with a 150hp to put on floats. Hope to have it in the air this spring. It is truly addicting
Drafted into the Army in the early 50's ,got sent to Korea ! Told the "Ole Boy upstairs " if he'd get me out ofthat mess I wanted to learn to Fly, Join the Masons, And learn to play the piano correctly!! Well , I accomplished one those wishes !!! John
My Dad had a J3 and then a 150 S.Cub that he crop sprayed with in the late 60's. Was always around it in one way or another. Flew RC's for awhile and probably had 1,000 plus hours on simulators before finally buckling down and flying the real ones. I still have some fun on the sims once in awhile. You can fly anywhere in the world in a click.
In 1966 my Dad's best friend bought a new Cessna 172 and came over to the house to offer my dad a ride in his new plane. My dad hated to fly and after several beers told him absolutely no way. I was at the kitchen table doing homework and Ace looked at me and said do you want a ride? I look at my dad and said "can I"? I expected him to say no (I had never been in a plane before) but he said if your crazy enough go ahead!! I was hooked!!! Ace said if I pay for the instructor & gas I could use his plane to get my license. I earned my PP in March of my senior year in high school. I loved evey minute of it and have flown ever since. Thanks Ace
John CFI--Where would we be without others who like to share the adventure?
My dad was a barnstormer as a young man, but when the kids came along, he had to get a real paying job however kept his love of aviation. Hardly a Sunday went by with out he and I hanging on the fence at the local airport watching the planes come and go. I chose Aeronautics in college and spent my career in aerospace but hobby flying was always part of my life whenever I had a few bucks left over. By the time of retirement I could finally afford an airplane, so bought two. My son also got into aviation as an FAA ATController and flys as a hobby as well.
Don
My father was an outfitter guide in the NWT had a 150 SC.... lots of hours in the backseat, remember my first ride into camp in Pilatus Porter on floats quite an experience for a 5 year old kid..........got licensed in 97 been flying ever since....... have a buddy with J3 and dad and I have a newly rebuilt SC ..........
From day one, my dad and uncle were involved in the aircraft industry. Uncle Benny was an engineer for Douglas and dad worked for Pan American. When I was 6, my family took a free Pan Am flight from Texas to LA, via Mexico City and Guatemala. !! The aircraft was a Connie. The pilot came aft and asked my dad if I wanted to fly the plane. I glanced at the other passenger's worried faces as I stumbled to the cockpit. I remember the co-pilot allowing me to move the yoke some. I thought it was so neat to make the plane go up and down. Upon returning back to the cabin, I noticed some really relieved faces....
I eventually taught myself to build and fly R/C and ultralight planes. After scaring the crap out of myself with the ultralights for about 2 years, I went for flight training in a Citabria. Six hours into training, I purchased a PA-12 135 for $9,500. It was in Minn. I made a deal with the crop duster owner. I would send him $500 to fly it to Laredo, Tx. If it was all he said it was, I would pay him. Otherwise, he could just turn around and head back. He brought it after two long days of flying and I paid him.To this day I have never found a plane that loved ranch flying as much as that old 12.
Dad was a crop duster back in southern indiana. Back then they used Champs with 0-320's and a barrel welded in the back seat. From my first ride in a Champ and Tripacer, its been in my blood ever since.
Jim
Thats for sure! Ah the memories.Originally Posted by jrussell
Just about everyone in my family has flown. My dad bought a cub when we moved back to Alaska and I was in eigth grade. Then my brother and I bought a t-cart last November.
Being raised on a ranch in Kaycee, Wyoming I started dreaming about flying from the time I was two or three years old. There was a neighboring rancher, Leroy Smith, that had a Super Cub and I thought that was the Cats pajamas for what I should do with my life. I remember laying out in the yard and watching DC-3’s fly over on their way from Casper to Sheridan and thinking how great it would be to fly one of those. Still love the sound of those radials.
Then the Yentzer brothers Jack and Dick would do some spraying on our place and I was hooked for sure. PA-11’s with 125’s on them. When I left home and turned 18 I bought a J-3 for $800.00 with a wore out engine. I had the engine redone by Jack Swartz for another $865.00 and I was off to the races. Flew that plane for a couple of years and traded it for a PA-18 150 then went to a Cessna 180 for a while and back to the J-3.
My next fascination was with helicopters and I got my helicopter license and kept going back and forth not sure what I liked better. Dick Yentzer took me aside one day and told me that I had better go with one or the other in his opinion and I went with the helicopters for over 30 years. Ended up typed in the Skycrane doing logging and heavy lift work, but the Cub has always been the reason I started and I will end up my flying in what I started with in one form or another.
Gambler1D--I too watched the Yentzer brothers in action and was aquainted with young Sandy. At that time was in high school and earning 65 cents an hour at the local gas station to keep the old Harley running.
Good to hear from someone who also knew the Yentzers. I also knew Sandy and worked for Hawkins & Powers at about the same time as that accident in AK.
The Yentzers had quite the reputation for their experience with Piper Cubs. I don’t know how many of the stories they told me were 100% true, but I know they were responsible for many changes in the early Cubs. From my understanding they had a lot to do with them getting flaps and they personally told me about buying a new Cub (I don’t remember what model it was) but they removed the engine right on the ramp at Lock Haven and installed a much bigger engine and flew it back to Sheridan. Their side of that story was that if they could fly it that way Piper could and did start putting bigger engines in.
I sure miss the old days of Cub flying in Wyoming, where almost every rancher in our area had a Cub and used them like a Jeep.
What was that Harley Dealers name in Sheridan? I bought a 58 Pan Head from him in about 1960 for $800.00. Boy how times have changed.
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