I'd Like to Learn More About You...
Hello,
I just joined Hangar Chat a few days ago, and I see the membership is still relatively small. I think it would be a good idea to get to know one another before this site explodes with growth. I will start with a short bio of myself. Please feel free to share whatever you are comfortable with. Most all of us are pilots here, so we have some things in common.
I started flying back in 1976 at a place called Collegedale Airpark. They've changed the identifier since I was there, it is now KFGU. It used to be 3M3, if I remember correctly, I'll have to go back and look in my logbook.
I had the desire to learn to fly when I was a kid growing up in Africa, and as a Missionary Preacher's Kid, (MPK) we lived on a remote mission station called Mombera in Central Malawi, (Nyasaland back in the 60s). Every second tuesday of the month, we would be blessed with a Flying Dr service that came up from a place called Malamulo which was about 40 miles outside of Blantyre in Southern Malawi. The pilot was a World War ll Veteran and he was a seasoned aerobatic pilot as well as a Dr, and along with him he would be accompanied by a dentist, a nurse, and a student missionary. He would buzz the mission station with the Church's C-185 and then do a barrel roll as he pulled up, then he would enter the pattern. In the mean time, everyone from the surrounding neighborhood (probably 200 people at least) would race to the runway to watch him land. My sister and I would get on the two motorcycles we had, one was a Honda 90 and a Yamaha 100, and my folks would get in their car (Peugeot 403) and hurry to the dirt strip nearby. It was my responsibility to put up the windsock, and check that there were no obstructions on the runway before they would arrive. They would stay the night, and we would put on a concert for them. The following day they would takeoff, and fly to the Northern Dispensaries taking care of health and dental issues. Every once in a while, my sister and I would have the opportunity to fly in the back seat of that C-185. What a trip!
That was the highlight of my 12 year stay in Africa as I grew up. I never dreamed I'd actually become a pilot until I came back to the US and found fuel prices were very cheap, and I was able to get my private pilots license for $880. Wow, have times changed since then.
Currently I've over 15,000 hours, have flown many different aircraft, but one of my favorites was the Learjet 20 series, which next to the military T-38, had the same engines, except for the afterburners. My most recent job was flying a B-727 and next to the Lear, which was like flying a Porsche, compared to the B-727 which I would compare to driving a truck, although it is very versatile, and can even go into airstrips that even a Lear could not.
Most recently, I've started an Air Ambulance Business called Desert Sun Aviation, LLC. I'm still busy putting it together, and am acting as a broker at the moment. I'm also into internet marketing, and am into several different ventures, the most recent one being Perpetual 20.
That's it in a nutshell, now it's your turn. I'd love to hear your story.
Take Care,
James Wright
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Adam Miller on
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Hi Lorrie - gliding sounds like a lot of fun - dont know a great deal about it but would it would be great to learn more
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I started to learn to fly back in 1999 in the UK after a friend of mine was given a trial lesson in an Airplane for Christmas and it reignited something I had wanted to do for a long time. My father used to be a private helicopter pilot and I had always wanted to fly. I can remember stood on the lawn waiting for him to come in and land and hearing the thump of the rotor blades. 20 Years later, I took the trial helicopter lesson and was hooked. I started in the Robinsons and then moved onto the JetRanger, Hughes 500, Gazelle and AStar. The Astar was the first helicopter I spent a lot of time in and flew it for about 3 years flying all over the UK, Ireland, USA and Bahamas.
Flying in Ireland was so much fun as the airspace is so quiet – if the weather was good then the scenery was amazing with green fields for miles upon miles, peat bogs and mountains – all wrapped up with the smell of roaring fires in the winter as you flew nearby to villages.
I then started to fly airplanes and had a Cessna 340 for a few years before moving back into a Gazelle which was taken on a great trip down to Central America for a year or so. Flying in Panama was an excellent opportunity where again the airspace was so quiet, however flying over the Rain Forest one moment and then landing on a deserted island just big enough to put your skids on is amazing.
I then started to fly the BO105 which was my first twin helicopter experience and I must say I love every second of flying it. Its built like a truck and is so responsive with a lot of luggage room – great for carry people who like to bring lots of bags. I had taken lots of pictures of all of these great and have started to put them on HangarChat.com
Flying is my passion and sharing that passion with others is immensely pleasurable – look forward to learning about everyone’s flying stories.
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Permalink Reply by James Wright on
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Hi Adam,
That's a cool story. Another type of flying I'd like to get into one day. I've been thru Panama a couple times on my way to South America. It's a beautiful place, and one I'd like to become more aquainted with. I'll look forward to seeing those pics when you upload them!
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Permalink Reply by Garry S Shearer on
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I started flying GA as a passenger in 2000 when I was invited to join a group of guys going on a Fly-Golf trip down to Oregon. I'll never forget the day we left Boundary Bay Airport in Delta BC, it was pure blue skies and smooth air as we headed down to the Oregon coast. We were at 7500 ft and just off the coast line when my friend Dennis who was the pilot looked over at me and said...would you like to take the controls ? I said sure. So I pulled my seat up, got my feet on the rudder pedals and grabbed the yoke with both hands when he said these magic words "you have control". My heart started pounding with excitement as I felt the aircraft move with my control inputs and that I indeed had control of this C172. I was hooked instantly and promised myself at that instant that I would become a pilot. I started my training Sept 3rd 2011 with the Pacific Flying Club out of CZBB. After a couple of months delay due to 911 I resumed my training and got my pilots licence in June 2002. Our Fly-Golf trip has grown to 4 airplanes and 8 guys over the past 9 years. We have flown all over the Pacific Northwest to many destinations flying through mountain passes, landing on 1800 ft strips, grass strips and high altitude airports on 100 degree days. I have had some fabulous flying experiences so far in my short flying career and just started training on a Citabria (tail dragger) which is like learning to fly all over again. Thanks for letting me share my story.
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Hi Gary,
Taking control is one of the best things that could ever happen to a pilot, is it not! I remember the day I first took control of a Learjet 24. Holy moly! It only took us 14 minutes to get to 41,000ft. Talk about a joy ride.
Thanks for sharing!
James
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Permalink Reply by Corinne Barringer on
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Hello, everyone.
Well, I started flying a bit later...in the middle of my divorce, while still in grad school. I just made a phone call & signed up for ground school. Couldn't really afford it, but...just kept going. Love it! Still remember the time I called my sister to say, "I just said 'Niner' on the radio!"
So now I am a speech therapist, have not flown lately, miss it!, just getting back to it. Looking for new flight instructor. However, I do give lectures at a local university on aviation communications, work on the Great Lakes International Aviation Conference. I have a private business working with clients on speech, accents, etc. I help international pilots learn better English pronunciation for safety.
I will be giving a lecture in the fall about local women in aviation (OH & MI). Should be fun!
Ultimate goal? Get a float rating in Alaska....and work with a flight school for international pilots.
Fly safe,
Corinne
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Hello Corinne,
Don't let that goal slip thru your fingers. Only you can make it happen! If you have the desire, go for it :)
Take Care,
James
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Permalink Reply by Tyler Senese on
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I just signed up yesterday and when I found this place I was all excited to talk to other pilots who have the same interests in planes as I do. Im 17 and im just bout to solo, I absolutly positively 100% love and am addicted to the avaiton world. I've been flying with my best friends dad for bout 9 or so years but I just started towards my private license bout 6 or so months ago. I've always had a strong passion for flying as far back as I can remember. I want to become a CFI and rack up enough hours and transfer to fedex or ups or commercially. I love flying so much,it is the only thing in the world that I want to do for the rest of my life.
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Permalink Reply by Lorrie Penner on
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Hi Tyler,
Great for you! Follow your dream! My son is 18 and just getting training this summer as well and about ready to solo too. It is an exciting time. I remember my first solo like it was yesterday. (9 years ago) As I took off by myself I could still hear my instructor talking in my head. And when I couldn't hear his voice, I started talking out loud to myself . It was an exhilarating experience and I felt pretty proud for a few weeks afterward.
My husband flies a 747 for a cargo carrier and has been at flying professionally for about 26 years. I'm sure you get plenty of advice, but feel free to ask any of us about aviation as a career if you want. Best wishes to you.
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Hello Tyler,
Keep that dream your passion, and it will happen. Did you get your Private License yet?
Take Care,
James
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Permalink Reply by Jeanine Croft Hearn on
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Hi James!
I grew up in Malawi too! Well, just about 3 years actually! So, not really a whole childhood! Best years of my life tho...it's a shame now, it's unfortunately not at all what it used to be when I lived there (1992-1995). I have been working on Super yachts ever since I left home (South Africa) in 2004 and have been to so many fantastic places! Thus, I was able to generate some savings and pay for my helicopter training! I am now working on my CFI with 'Cloud 9 Helicopters' at F45 (North County Airport in West Palm Beach). I really hope to be getting paid for doing what I love by the end of the year...FLYING WHIRLYBIRDS!! If not the end of the year...I'll get there eventually! ;)
Good luck in your ventures, James!!
All the best,
Jeanine
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Hi Jeanine,
I've been on the road by car for the past month,and have not had much time to get online, thus, the slow response. Please pardon me. I went to my folks 60th wedding anniversary in Avon Park, then as soon as I got back I had to represent the family at my Uncle's funeral. My Dad took it pretty hard, because my Uncle was my Dad's younger brother.
What part of Malawi were you in? It's beautiful country over there isn't it!
Take Care,
James
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