Pilots with Prius

Sounds like a Prius in stealth!!! LOL

 

Carl: I'm also an Angel Flight Volunteer. I joined Angel Flight in 1998, and eventually became a Mission Orientation Pilot when I got my CFI rating. I love Angel Flight; it's given me a whole new appreciation of aviation.
I told a group of pilots that after you've been flying for a few years, you realize that you've been to every airport within your flying budget and eaten at every restaurant in that range, and you've run out of friends who'll go flying for fun and help defray the cost. BUT.....you still need to fly to stay current and safe. So, rather than just burning holes in the sky, why not join Angel Flight and fly people who really need what you do and offer you far more in return for your airplane time.
Would like to share more flying stories and experiences with those of you who are pilots. I think Carl is right: most pilots love techy things and the Prius is the airplane I can't afford to own.
Cheers,
Bob

 

I have no car yet, but do have a license to fly. Not current as I can't afford it anymore. When I was flying Piper Cherokee rentals were under $30 an hour.

 

Also colour blind as a bat... I have a fear of flying as a passenger (and also are uncomfortable when I'm in a car and I'm not the driver... ). But I'd love to fly a plane or helicopter myself.

But then again, anything with an engine in it is fun to 'drive'.

 

I started with my private helicopter rating in 1997. Flying a helicopter is a BLAST but the $175/hour rental rate (for a small 2-passenger helicopter) was cost prohibitive!

After about a year I added private fixed-wing followed by instrument SEL and commercial SEL. I *nearly* got my CFI but I got too busy with work (I am the IT director for a mortgage company by day). I have almost 900 hours but haven't flown in about six months due to busy-ness with work and other hobbies .

At least I have more money in my monthly budget for fun Prius accesories and toys like a Nikon D70 digital camera (Evan - I figured you would appreciate that one! ).

-- Dave

 

Bob

Bob,
As any private pilot knows, flying is all about rationalization (and owning a plane is even more so). Your explanation is great! I think possibly even a non-pilot could appreciate the logic. I need to remember it when trying to recruit some new Angel Flight volunteers.

Carl

 

Interesting topic, Evan. It's not surprising that there have been so many replies. Driving the Geekmobile (that's what I proudly call it) and flying probably have similar attractions for a lot of folks.

I'm a Commercial Pilot, ASEL&S, AMEL, IA, Glider, and CFI ASE. I haven't flown in a while, though, either. Started with PP a while back because I'd always wanted to do it, and couldn't stop myself from taking yet more training.

- John Gersh

 

PP,SES did my training at a suburban Vancouver airport and took my night endorsment there and also my float plane endorsement. Tail dragger in a Citabria 7GCAA, float in a C175 180 CS on CAP1800's most other in 150, 152 172 PA18/150 301HR's and then a little heart tick and by by. Since gone but I really had fun and spent considerable money having it! I was going for my commercial but. This was in 1986-1992. Miss it? you bet, money now going to my retirement fund.

 

I have dabbled in flying. I had a Hang-1 (beginner basically) for hang gliding way back when. And I had about 24 hours towards a PP before I stopped for some reason. At the time I was paying $40/hr wet, my CFI was doing it for free since I was his first student.

I noticed some ham callsigns above, not to start another thread...

jv <- N1DXG

 

As my picture suggests, I am an airline pilot - now retired.

My career started way back in 1964 flying Cessna 150s to get a private and commercial. After college, I joined the Navy and flew Douglas A3B Skywarriors off several aircraft carriers.

After leaving the Navy, I joined Braniff Airways and flew for them until their bankruptcy. Then, on to Piedmont and USAirways. I retired from USAirways as a Fokker F-100 captain with 18,000 hours accumulated.

What a ride! There is no more exciting occupation in my opinion.

The Prius gives me a chance to relive some of the navigation experiences from the airlines. It is a most enjoyable car. It is a pleasure to read of others flying experiences.

Regards,

 

Great Topic Evan, I am formerly a Flight Instructor and Flight School Owner. Ran a Beech Aero Center at Danbury, Ct. from 1976 to 1985. We also had other types besides Beech's. My favorites are the old manual gear Mooney's. Got my student license when I was 16 had to wait till i was 17 to get my Private. At that time i worked for a Mooney dealer so I took a 1970 mooney M20E to take my Private in LOL. Had 250 hrs. too. when i took my test LOL. If by chance any of my old friends from Danbury reads this would love to hear from you. miss my old friends and the Danbury Airport.

 

8) One More PRIUSPILOT

PP-ASEL first licensed in 1965, about 1,400 hrs. logged. Owned Cessna-175 (172 airframe with GO-300C geared engine); partner in Mooney Super 21 - all history insofar as ownership. Checked out in Rockwell Commander; Beech Debonaire; Comanche; etc.

Don't pilot much these days (not current).

 

Student Pilot here with 12.4 hours. Training in a Cessna 152 (N3003U) out of Page Field (FMY) in Fort Myers. At age 70, I'm not my CFI's best student but I certainly am his oldest <g>
[Broken External Image]:http://www.boblade.com/images/Dr_Bob_with C152-2.jpg

 

Bob:

Nice PIC.

Last evening a student pilot flying over Lake Michigan ran out of fuel approx 5 miles from his destination. Made a cell call to 911 requesting help and stayed on the line even in the water. Then everying went dead.

Water around 40 dgs. Apparently he did not survive.

Just a thought......could the Prius technology be adapted for small planes. If so.....he could have remained flying on battery power and landed safely.

[email protected]

 

just as a Prius would strugle to drive for an additional 5 mins after running out of gas, the same would go for the plane.

Most who have run out of gas say their Prius would only go 1-2 miles on battery power.

 

great pic Evan

 

Add me to the list, too. 2nd best license I ever earned. The first was my marriage license.
My hours in the air are some of my most cherished memories, as well as being proud owner of a Piper Cherokee for 7 years. Loved that airplane.
Coolest memory - watching my wife solo in our own wings! Proud of her! Saddest memory - having to sell the plane, worst decision I ever had to make. Do I miss flying? Does one miss breathing? Anything with wings, I watch and enjoy. Once a pilot, always a pilot.

What helps not owning an airplane? Owning a Prius. Got ours yesterday!
Sweet!

Bob in San Antonio

 

Retired navy pilot. Two tours flying from a carrier off Vietnam. A total of 4 cruises flying from a carrier plus 2 1/2 yrs running a carrier flight deck. Went through flight school 1956-58 and retired in 1976. Did some civilian flying in light planes and sailplanes but became too busy in a 2nd career and the rental cost was a bit steep. Have a commercial license in single and multi land, multi seaplane, jet, gliders, DC-4 and instruments. Miss flying but the Prius lets me remember it a bit.

 

Great thread! I started flying at the age of 22 in Carlsbad, CA and earned my Private through CFII. After a bit of instructing, I flew charter (Cessna 340 and 414A) in Silver City, New Mexico for about 6 months. Then I moved to Pittsburgh, PA and flew the Dornier 328 turboprop for PSA Airlines, a USAirways Express carrier. I am now a captain on the CRJ-200/CRJ-701 for PSA based in Charlotte, NC. We just got our '05 Tideland Pearl package 4 within 2 months of my upgrading to captain on the CRJ. These machines have way too much in common: Inverters, engines that move you AND provide electrical power, push-button start, an MFD, electronic engine control, and even tires, wipers & seatbelts!

Now if I could just get paid a little to drive my Prius...

 

I experienced that, too - negative ground speed. Flying once J-3 from Delavan to my base, C77. Yes, The Cub - flying for REAL!

Private, SEL here, over 1500 hrs, now flying C-172 almost exclusivelly.

I wanted to do instrument, but unfortunatelly I have no time to proceed, let alone keep current. IFR is a very different ballgame. Maybe, one day...