AVIATION BACKGROUND

[Engineer1911]

Aircraft mechanic 1970 to 1974, B-52, KC-135, FB-11A, F4-C. Flew the FB-111A simulator at Plattsburgh AFB one night on second shift. Successful landing 27 feet below the top of the runway. First, last and only time with hands-on-the controls except for many engine test runs on FB-111.

 

[pawncop]

Put me in the drooler catagory. Love planes but it never worked out for me to be a pilot.

 

[desi2358]

I worked for several years as an A&P mechanic, still love aircraft but fate led me away and I currently work for a local gunshop. No complaints, love dealing with firearms every day...repair work, appraisals, buying and selling...it's all good!

 

[WingnutInAV]

Got my private pilots license in 1976 and have been involved with aviation ever since. I'm retired Air Force and now have 10 years working as a civilian for the Air Force Flight Test Center. I love anything with wings! Hence... my handle on here.

 

[CQB27]

I was an Army Aviator from 1986 to 1994
TH-55, UH-1H, U-21, C-12C/D, RC-12 D/H/N
1994 hours total, all in the Army.
Haven't flown a single minute since ETS in 1994.

 

[MarineSgtjimh]

Former Marine F-4 pilot. I flew in the '70s. Haven't flown much since.

What squadron were you with? I was in VMFA 334, F-4J in 1969 and 70

 

[Big Cholla]

Private rating in 1968, Commercial Land and Sea in 1969. Bush Pilot in Alaska for 3 years in Super Cubs, Cessna 180s and 185s (floats and wheels). Later was a Parachute Jumper Pilot for a couple of years. Became a LEO fixed wing pilot for 10 years. Also along the way became a commercial glider pilot and commercial tow plane-glider pilot. I have owned a Piper PA 12, a Piper PA 18, a 1957 Cessna 180 and then a 1976 Cessna 180 which I owned and flew for 22 years. I have landed on a beach off of the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, Prince William Sound and the Gulf of California. One of my fondest memories was of soaring in the same thermal with a Bald Eagle. When I eased up on his '6' he looked me over and then pealed off out of the thermal. I sold my last 180 in 1997 and quit flying. I missed it sorely for the first year, but now I just look up and see what just flew over then I am back to shooting. .......... Big Cholla

 

[armenius]

Always loved planes.Started flying on and off at 12.Piper Cubs,Taylorcraft,Stinson 150,PT 19,Stearman.In USAF during the Cold War in Air Defense Command in F89 Scorpion.Later after years of not flying to persue Medical career I got the bug again .Owned a Cessna 172,Beech F33A and Baron 58.Rated Single and Multi Instrument and Single engine seaplane.After 17 years absence from jets was able to log 4 1/2 hours in a Sabreliner 65.I havenet flown in years but look skyward every time I hear one.

 

[Shooting Padre]

Was in the AF and flew with a Staff Sgt who belonged to a military flight club on Kadena, Okinawa. Came back to the state and eventually took flying lessons until my cash flow quit flowing. Never soloed but had a lot of hours between the lessons and "just riding along" time. I have time in Cessna 150, 170s, Aeronca tail - dragger, and a Cherokee. I got married and just couldn't use our funds for flying, and my wife doesn't want to leave the ground. So I spend my allowance on guns.

 

[wlamon3]

Flying was fun. USMC UH-1. M-60s and GAU 2-B from doors and hard points. Civilian helicopters and jets are also fun to fly. Now shooting is my current favorite sport.

 

[SASABERANGER]

Half a carreer in Naval Aviation. 1964-1985 USN, 1972-1985 Naval Air.
P-3, H-3, S-3 Avionics/Flight Deck maintenance and frequent flyer in all but S-3.
USS Randolph CV-15, USS Independence CV-62, USS Howard W. Gilmore AS-16, and USS Thrush MSO-23. (Last two non-aviation).
Grew up in the USAF, watched the transition from P-51s to Jets.
Thom Braxton
AXC-USN Ret.
SWCA #1474

 

[LTC]

USAF 1966 - 1970, TAC, 316th TAW, 316th FMS, Jet engine mechanic. I spent most of my 4 years working at the squadron test cell setting up and running C-130 turbo prop engines.
Managed TDY's to UK, Germany, Japan & RVN (Tet '68).

LTC, Sgt. U.S.A.F.