Pilots with Prius

does piloting locomotives count??????

 

I went so far as my cross country and then 9/11 happened. That and I didn't really feel like I was enough of the pilot-type to really be safe. Anyhow, my b/f is one, has a plane, and about to build one. And I'm officially an airport widow.

 

Hello Prius pilots. I too am glad to see this resurrected thread. I’m retired from 24 years as a professional pilot. I soloed in a 1946 Aeronica Champ – N1148E. Our local FBO had a “Champ Club†which offered the airplane at $6/hr wet…I think the instructor rate was $5/hr. In those days, I was able to do most of my cross-country requirements in the Champ (no electrical system and two-way radio) except for landings at controlled fields. I switched to a Piper Cherokee to log the controlled field legs since I needed radio communications. I’ve flown charter, corporate, and was the Chief Flight Instructor for a Part 141 Flight School. I have an ATP rating with CE500 type rating (Citation V Captain) and I have logged 8500+ hours.

 

Well, I wasn't going to mention it, but I'll 'put it out there' as they say: I'm a student pilot, currently still pre-solo...but with the hope of going on for my Instrument, Commercial, and CFI ratings.

I'd like to be a flight instructor.

The rationalization I'm working under is that, while I can't afford to pursue flying as a hobby, if it's under the pretense of eventually being paid (even sporadically) to do it, then (assuming one's ability to suspend disbelief is well developed) it makes more sense, financially.

I haven't mentioned much about this to anyone, even my friends (who think I'm crazy already) because I think deep down I'm afraid that it won't end up happening for one reason or another, and one of my fondest lifelong dreams might end up being proven unworkable.

So, let's keep this between us for the time being, okay?
[smile]

------

Regarding technology and pilots, I think it's funny how, if the pilot of a technically-advanced general aviation aircraft has problems with the glass panel, and has to resort to the steam gauges, well...those are about the same as the ones I fly with all the time! (I have a penchant for renting only the oldest and cheapest 172's).

New pilot thought: I find myself wondering if some of the 'hot' TAA's out there are actually capable provide their pilots with too much information(?) relative to the the performance capabilities of the aircraft/the types of conditions they'll actually be exposed to/the ability of the pilot to process and utilize that information?

Does anyone have any thoughts about this? My instructor is really old school, if you haven't guessed.

So, while I like the concept of being able to plan the entire flight on a paper napkin, I'm going to be faced with a glass panel one of these days...and better be comfortable with it when I am...right?

Perhaps it's just not time to be worrying about this yet...?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ May 16 2007, 01:23 AM) [snapback]443124[/snapback]</div>

Afraid of glass?
Come on...you drive a Prius...should be no problem for you.

I find it ironic that I am so concerned with fuel consumption (and it is a genuine concern)
Yet I earn my living burning gas.....makes me chuckle

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(not another screenname @ May 16 2007, 01:41 AM) [snapback]443131[/snapback]</div>

Actually, the only failure I've experienced so far in flight is the breakage of the carb heat mechanism (I could tell because the knob and a significant-looking part of the assembly came out of the panel)...perhaps there is something to be said for dragging myself --kicking and screaming-- into the 1990's...?!



Honestly, I think it's just a matter of time and exposure, becoming comfortable with any type of technology.

 

PP in 1956,flight instructor, ATP ratings in DC6 DC7 and B727 Flew for a major carrier ( that defaulted on my retirement) total time a bit over 20,000 hours.

Duane

 

PP-ASEL 250hrs TT, 165hrs PIC
C-150, C-152, C-172, C-182, AA-5B, PA28-161

Learned to fly at Hayward, CA. in 3 months.

Stopped flying to due to $$$$$$$ or lack of it.

6 years ANG and USAFR fixing engines on HH-3, C-130, C-141, C-5

A&P 27 years, 4 years light aircraft, 2 years helicopters and 21 years Airlines.

Worked on 727, 737, 757, 767, 777, MD-80, MD-11, DC-10-10, DC-10-30, BAE-146, F-100,
B-206, B-205, B-212, 150, 152, 172, 182, 205, 206, 210, 337, 402, 411, 414, 421, AA-1A,B,C.
AA-5A,B. PA28-140, 161. PA-30 and a few others

Taxied Qual. MD-80, DC-10, 737, 757, 767, 777

When I get in my Prius after work, I like how simple it is. Just MPH, 1 MFD and 2 pedels and one wheel for steering and it starts with a push of one button.

 

In the first pix, just took off from 1a6, with a void time (uncontrolled field) ... the city and airport are down below those clouds/fog...clear above!! The next 2 are the panel and interior...then the last one is our prius...cleared for take-off....
john/teresa

 

[attachmentid=8124][attachmentid=8123][attachmentid=8123][attachmentid=8124]Hi to all...

I started flying with my dad as early as I can remember. My dad worked in the coal mines of Ky., and after wwII, did not want to go back to the mines, so he and his brothers went to Detroit. He opened a small tv/radio shop, got his pilots license, flew and built time with the civil air patrol, and every month or so we flew back to Ky., to visit friends and family. Dad really wanted me to take lessons when I was 15 but I was more interested in motorcycles and girls. Then, one day, around 18 yrs later, really out of the blue, I told my wife I would like to learn to fly. She, always being supportive of all of my wild wants,... judo, karate, competitive shooting, repelling, scuba, etc., said why not!!

We bought a 1969 piper arrow, 200 hp, and I took my first lesson on the flight back to our home base!!! The insurance required me to have 15 hours before solo...because it was a high perf/retract. Got my private pilot's license less that a year later, and we flew everywhere east of the Mississippi...a little over a hundred hours per year. Five years after that I took one of those 10 day quickie course from pic , flew to the d.c. area and took my checkride at Manassas, and got my instrument rating in 9 days. That really made me a safer pilot.

Bought the arrow for 22k, sold it for 75k (had 100k in it), and bought a twin cessna...oh yeah, I had to get a multi-engine with an inst. add on since I owned a twin. Bought the twin in Zurich, Switzerland. The pix of the twin in my posts is in Denard, France on the way back to the states for delivery to me. Love the twin. Fast, well over 200 on 30 gph, turbo-charged, 30k feet service ceiling/16k feet on one engine, 6 seats, climbs like crazy on one engine.

The Skynight has all the toys...garmin 530, (with traffic, terrain, xm weather, stormscope, etc.) slaved - coupled hsi, shadin air computer, s-tec-65 with pre-select/yaw etc., etc.!!! Thinking about selling her and moving up to a cabin class c414.

Love flying...love the hi-tech of the prius...fly to 1a6 sometime and I'll pick you up in the prius and take you to lunch.
john/teresa

 

I drive a bus and a motorcycle, does that count?

B)

 

I took flight training in Cessna 150's a long time ago in the Civil Air Patrol. Our squadron had a gray doped L-16. No starter, probably not more than half a dozen gauges. Also flew ground launched gliders in England for a few days. Flying was expensive back then. It's remarkable that what gets drilled into your head sticks.

 

Not a pilot yet, but I am certainly interested. Having finally completed school, I am moving to Anchorage, AK in about a month to start my career. The first time I visited AK, I though, "Wow! Everyone here has an airplane." They are seriously like used cars, like nothing I've ever seen before. At any rate, I am going to look into starting training after I get up there and settled in. We have a few pilots in my family, and I love to fly.

 

Add me to the list. Wife and I both have our PPL. We kind of got away from it putting two kids through college. As a birthday preset a while back, she got me an hour of stick time in a T-6. Makes flyig a C172 seem a little boring

 

Hi guys...Yes, SEL-PP...currently own a beatiful 1966 PA-140-140/160 with power flow...fly app 130 fun hours a year, hangered at AJO (Corona Ca) Yesterday Av gas @ $3.97, but a 8 gph, is very cheap to operate. is always a big schock from flying an old "steam gages" plane to a 2007 prius ...Gotta love it !!!

 

Am retired TWA Pilot. Was there from 1966 until 1991 when I retired early.
It was a GREAT Airline, especially in my early career.
Checked out (ATP) on the Lockheed L1011. For the time it was a wonderful A/C.
Also flew the 727 (hated it as our's were underpowered). Did get to pick one up new at Boeing in late 60's. Yes it had "new car" small.
Started career on the Convair 880--some may remember. Liked it alot.
We now have 2 Pkg #2 Cars. Like them alot as well.
Carl

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(malibucarl @ Jun 10 2007, 08:45 AM) [snapback]459148[/snapback]</div>

That was Randy Kramer's favorite plane.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(malibucarl @ Jun 10 2007, 11:45 AM) [snapback]459148[/snapback]</div>

I flew with Randy MANY TIMES on the 727 (Jonathon Winters in cockpit at OKC etc.), some on the 880. LONG time ago--I think he went on L1011 after I retired.
A very unique man--like him a lot. Still see his posts on Smilinjack/TWA pilots sites.
Carl


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(IsrAmeriPrius @ Jun 10 2007, 05:09 PM) [snapback]459264[/snapback]</div>

Misread your post with previous answer.
Think the 880 was universally liked. Stable with high T/O and Landing speeds acct of no leading edge slats.
Randy flew the A/C like it was part of him, very smooth.
If you see him say Hi from Me and my Wife Sarah ( who also flew with him), he may remember me as "the Malibu surfer".
Carl Straub
PS get him to buy a Prius in place of his "airport convertible".

 

Hi All,

You can add me as well. I got my PPL in 91.
I'm a member of The Flying 20s (http://www.flying20club.org).

I had every intention of doing it as a career, but ended up as a software engineer with a family.

My first 2 passengers after getting my ticket caught the bug. 1 is with Jet Blue, the other is in Iraq flying C130's.

Rob.