A pilot compares cockpits between the Spitfire and the 109

[flynlion]

Mesa bought out Air Midwest and for a while had all of the 1900s on the Air Midwest certificate, right around the same time that I moved to the RJs in CLT.

You should definately try soaring, its the funnest flying that I've ever done. Compairing soaring to airline flying is like compairing a small sailing yacht to an oil tanker. One is more fun, but the other pays better. There used to be several reputable soaring operations in PA that would work those ridges in the Allegheny mts, are they all gone now? That would be a shame.

What kinda work do you do now? I'm always curious about how those ininterested in aviation actually make a living. This glider towing thing is fun, but it really don't pay the bills, and flight instruction pays even less. I could do charter or corporate work but I have a problem with being on call all the time, and I pretty much can't stand rich people LoL.

[bobbysocks]

closest soaring clubs are cleveland ( 2 + hours drive ) and 1 up near warren, pa...basically the same time frame driving. now i do have a camp up near the one at warren and if i already had my license i would probably be more inclined to go. but to head up there for dual time...i see you can do the ground school online or at least get the manuals for free. still toying and deciding. been checking out the ultralights and thinking hard about them. i dont want the freaking parachute with a fan on my back....or kite with a chainsaw motor. there are several that look and supposedly fly like a cub and some decent low wing versions. not readly to throw the money yet but it is an option worth investigating. i see a bunch down that way online....

i am sort of surprised that you cant make a decent buck instructing but then again i am not. the flight schools ( like commuters ) know you are there to build hours so they have you by the short ones... too bad. and charters...i understand. had realtives and friends who did that....operative word DID. NOW if you were young and single i would suggest bee bopping around the caribbean flying island hoppers. sure them money isnt good but witht he sun, sand, surf, and all the nice things that go with it....who cares..lol.

[flynlion]

I did the island hopping thing years ago, flew for a charter company outta St Croix. The main problem with it was that I was always on call, and its pretty hard to enjoy the sand or the rum when you're wearing a beeper. I also tried the island commuters while I was there, but they have the same problems as commuters everywhere and anyway prefer to hire local pilots. My favorite flying job was in Alaska, worked up there for a year. I've often thought about going back but I was 20 years younger then and the winters get so damn cold LoL. I think what I'd like to do now is find a decent paying ground hog job that I don't hate to pay the bills, and tow gliders on my days off. Sounds simple enough yes?

I think you should just bite the bullet, take some time off and go get a pilots license Which rating you get is up to you, but we get a LOT of people at my school who stay with us for days at a time and bang out their glider ticket in a matter of days. Here's where I tow:

http://www.bermudahighsoaring.com/

And of coarse Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...88101617879369

[bobbysocks]

i have my single engine land. got that in the 80s but had a wife and 3 kids at a very early age so it was feed the family or go flying. as tempting as it was i broke down and fed the kids...they cried less that way. i have friends who still fly for for the airlines and most of them have planes so i got up on occasion. still kicking around all my options and really wont do anything until next year. had a friend who did worked alaska he loved it! yeah that would be tempting. were i younger....haha.

oh....sorry for highjacking this thread...haha. i will redeem it next week. i found a lot of 109/spit stuff....you will love.