Thursday, June 16, 2005

Zoomie zoom zoom

Ok, so I said in my last blog entry that I had exciting news. This news is that, pending a few more hurdles (like title checks, inspections and so on) I'm the proud father of a bouncing baby 1976 Cessna 150. Wooo Hooo....

I've been flying since I was a kid. My dad and I would toodle around in his Bonanza all over creation. I got my certificate many years ago, but put flying on the shelf as I had other priorities such as raising kids, being a DBA, Karate and other goodies. Not to long ago, I decided it was time to brush the dust off my certificate, get myself a medical and a BFR, get current again and then buy me an airplane.

I found this 150 sitting in Florida and liked the looks of it. It's just an interim airplane, my goal is a Cherokee 6 or a Bonanza in the next year or two, but I wanted this one to go putter around in for now. So, I'll be flying down south in a couple of weeks to look it over and pay for the thing.

I do love flying, and I look forward to getting my boys involved. Right now, I just have my private certificate, but I'm going to start looking into my instrument ticket now... The plane is IFR certified, and having your own airplane is much cheaper than renting. I checked the rental prices on 150's here in the Chicago areas and they are like 100/hr wet, can you believe that?!?!

So, back in the air with me!!

6 comments:

Thomas Kyte said...

Just be careful if you come near where I live...

Fly too far into a certain "circle" and you'll shut down the government :)

A Northern Virginia Resident (right near Washington DC).

Don Burleson said...

Hi Robert,

You have inspired me. I just wrote the FAA to get one of the new-style pilot licenses, and if I can pass the phsical and a check-ride, I'll be current again.

I like the Piper Cherokees (you know what they say about Bonanza pilots!), but I think my dream place would be a restoted P-51 with that huge Allison v12.

Of course, I'd settle for those 2/3 scale replicas, too. Sigh. . . It's nice to dream. . .

Now. if I can just get Janet interested, we have engough space for a private runway and hangar.

Thing is, I'd only go VFR, and really don't trust the puddlejumpers, and I've seen too many nasty accidents.

Robert Freeman said...

Tom,

Actually, I don't think I'd ever want to even get close to the DC area. The airspace there is just to much for someone to navigate who doesn't really know it well. I am constantly amazed at the stories of the occasional pilot who somehow manages to blunder into restricted airspace there.

Can you imagine flying a little 150 around and all of a sudden here you are staring down the barrel of two F-16's and a Blackhawk ....

* Shudder *

Robert Freeman said...

Don,

The new certificates are very nice... my poor old paper one had seen much better days...

Now if I can find a Flight Examiner to get my Class III medical, I'd be ready to go!!!

I saw one of those P-51 replicas on EBay this week by the way. Very nice airplane.

Now, if I could buy any airplane in the whole world it would be a Vought F4U Corsair..... ohhhhhhh, would I love that.

Lisa isn't big on flying but I'm hopeful that I can get her into the plane ....

Don Burleson said...

Hi Robert,

Yeah, F4U Corsair! The fold-up wings could come-in handy!

I just went to the D-Day museum in New Orleans and they have a nice Spitfire, but it's hanging from the ceiling. What a waste.

Gorgeous planes, the Spitfires, those British knew how to build a fighter. I wouldn't mind finding a T-34 either. I've logged a few hours in one and they are a hoot to fly. . .

Joel Garry said...

I went to a wedding at French Valley Airport a few years back. French-built jet trainer did a flyby, then landed and the pilot climbed out, undid his flight suit, had a tux underneath, and they proceeded with the nuptials. Very 007!

 
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