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 Brenna Dittmar on
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Hi all, just joined today after seeing the adverts in the AirVenture publications. ;) You all are so interesting, I LOVE hearing about other pilots and how they got into it!
I'm 20 years old, studying aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA. I had never been in a plane until I caught a Young Eagles flight when I was 17 and was completely hooked..!! I got my private pilot's license in Jan '10...and haven't flown since. I miss it every minute, but I had a great deal going on when I was working on it. I interned with NASA at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL and joined their civilian flying club which was perfect, the prices were great and I also worked on base so it was close to work. I got the license in 3 1/2 months, while I worked full time. It was the BEST time of my life, even though it was difficult. Now it's too expensive to fly at the local airport when I'm not working because of school...but I think I'm going to try to work again this fall because I HAVE TO FLY!
I want to go all the way through multi-engine and be a CFI, and also compete in aerobatics. Oh, and this is my fourth year coming to Oshkosh!
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Permalink Reply by Lorrie Penner on
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Brenna - exciting to hear you got hooked through the Young Eagles program. I have flown quite a few out of my home airport (40I). If you are interested in aerobatics, stop by the IAC (International Aerobatic Club) building off Aeroshell square at AirVenture. Tell Jean and Jim Taylor I told you to say "Hi". If you are interested in getting into an IAC chapter there is one in Georgia. The president of the chapter is a friend of mine, Stan Moye. Visit their website and give Stan a call: http://iac3.eaachapter.org/ . Looks like they are just setting up their website, so not much info on there right now. But he's real friendly and can tell you what activities they have going on. Best wishes to you!
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Permalink Reply by James Wright on
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Hi Brenna,
Oshkosh is a thrill isn't it! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your experience with us!
I'm looking at an opportunity in Selma Alabama. Have you ever been there?
Take Care,
James
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Permalink Reply by Howard B Mariln on
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James,
Eight years ago at the age of 55 I set out to get my ticket. After two flying clubs, six CFI's, 62 cancled departures and 74 logged hours I was the only one to actually get that check ride, and it finally happened two years ago September. Now I'm 200+, in a PA28 180 with Horton Stall Kit and call Katama Airfield 1B2 on Martha's Vineyard my home. Professionally I co-invented a vision safety product used in motorcycle and auto racing, The Fog City Fog Shield, sold it and moved to The Vineyard to raise my kids. Now my son is an engineer with BAE and daughter attends University Of New Hampshire. I'm looking to put my creative energy to use for a fast growing company, and until I find that company I'm producing a documentary on kids learning to fly at Katama Airport www.aviationisland.INFO. Joined the Flying Musicians Association last week and look forward to new reasons to meet up and make great music. Truly appreciated your bio, and can only dream of what my life would have been like had I pursued my dream of flying earlier. But I'm here now and that's the point!
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Hello Howard,
They say better late than never :) I'm a flying musician also... trumpet player. Back in the early 80's where I went to school, we had a special program on Saturday where we would fly to different churches in the area. Often times I flew and took my trumpet with me, and played for church, while the others who went with me would either preach, or have a mission story or a children's story. Now that I look back on it, this was a fun time for me.
Take Care,
James
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I'm part of The Flying Musicians Association http://flyingmusicians.org/. We played a lot at OSH this year, and looking to team up at upcoming events. We'll be at the Harford AOPA conference with a booth, and a bunch of us playing throughout the event. Come look us up! PS: I'm primarily a drummer/singer, but got a bunch of guitars, wood winds and fill in on piano. My office looks like a music store!
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Permalink Reply by Matt Yoder on
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Hello All,
I was first introduced to the aviation world at a very young age. My parents took a week off and went to the EAA Airshow. I couldn't go along until I was 5. But my dad had, and still has, a 172H that I've grown up with. He would take me up for rides. Once I was 5 I was able to tag along to this airshow and I believe that's where I got my love of airplanes from. That was our family vacation until I got into highschool. I remember seeing the Concord, I got to sit in the pilot seat of Fifi the last time she was there. Such good times. And then in 2000 I was able to talk my dad in to flying in to the airshow. What a trip! However, it wasn't until 2006 that I would actually start pursuing my license. Due to life and money though, I didn't actually take my checkride until this past June. June 30, 2011. My dad isn't a CFI but he did let me use his plane to get my ticket. So here I am 5 years and 43 or so hours later a pilot! I also started working for Preferred Airparts in 2006 which I think helped fuel my drive to finally finish my license. I'm now starting to work on my instrument rating and then I want to get my multi and commercial rating. I have access to a Super Cub and hope to have my tailwheel endorsement knocked out by the end of August. In a couple weeks I'm taking a trip up to Alaska and am looking forward to checking out the aviation world up there. I'm thinking about doing missionary flying up there or just flying up there period. Soon as I can get all my ratings done.
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Hey Matt,
Alaska is beautiful country, and pilot's country as well. If you've never been up there, you'll fall in love with it and want to stay. The only drawback is the cold weather in the winter. I've often considered going up there for the summer, just so I could explore the territory. I've been to Juneau and Ankorage. By now you are probably up there!
Enjoy :)
James
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Permalink Reply by Akshay C Dinde on
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Hello Mr.Wright,
I'm Just a Student of Avionics Engineering 2nd year in India(DGCA). I am in Aviation bcoz
i love A/C's I want to pride myself on being able to take on new challenges and love to solve the newest engineering problems to make the world better for all. n working with dem is my dream. Best of Luck for your Desert Sun Aviation.....:D
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Hello Akshay,
I'm noticing there are more Indians getting into Aviation. They must have some good programs over there. I'm going to be doing some group interviews on Linked In soon. Please join me there.
Take Care,
James
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Nguyen on
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Hello everyone,
I'd like to introduce myself a little bit. I am currently 16 years of age and solo'd almost 2 weeks ago. I got into aviation at a very young age when I saw a documentary about astronauts and decided to be one. Several years and Young Eagles flights later, here I am. I am a highschool AP/Honors student who is involved in the AFJROTC program as well as the school orchestra. I'd like to graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with dual masters in Aeronautics and Aerospace engineering. While I'm in college, I'd like to commission into the USAF as a fighter pilot through the college's AFROTC program. If all goes to plan, I will retire after a decade or three of serving in the USAF to become a flight instructor at a local airport.
Well that's me in a short paragraph,
Chris N
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Christopher,
Did they cut your shirt on your first solo? If so, what kind of shirt were you wearing? I wish you well with your goals. Sounds like you are driven to success... I like that!
Take Care,
James
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