Valid comment, Avgas.

There is a big difference between taking an RV out for some stupid pointless stunt and a mission necessary for the defense of the country. There is also a big difference in capablilities and in the quality of maintenance and condition of military aircraft as compared to my RV.

At the request of my wife I will still avoid flight on certain days. Recreational flight. If CAP calls up and tells me they need me to go on a rescue mission however, I will go. Even in weather that would normally be below my minimums for recreational flight (subject to CAP regulations). Wouldn't you?

I suppose you think my self-imposed restriction is silly because of the extremely low probability of someone dying while flying compunded by a particular date. Let me ask then, how many pilots have died flying in the months between that thread and now? Respectfully, how many RV pilots? Not as small of a probability as we might like, now is it?

When I was a police officer, I had no problem walking into a bad bar and arresting bikers. Would I go to those same bars off duty and try to pick fights for fun? Nope. Big difference in necessity.

Keeping it all fun here... I was never saying that I thought *I* would be a good choice - actually, Avgas, I was thinking someone like *YOU* would be a good choice. :D

I've been reading this thread for quite a while now and I think the question has answered itself many times over.

Q. Would an old RV pilot make a good fighter pilot recruit?

A. No.

Q. Why. but this... but that... why???

Truth is, an old RV pilot wouldn't make a good military recruit of any flavor. You have to be able to follow orders without question. Most old guys can't do that. A good leader knows what it takes to be a good follower and that helps him be a good leader. Just because someone has been a succesful business person doesn't mean they can follow. It would probably hurt them more than help.

And finally, you can't compare being a civilian cop to being in the military. It just doesn't work. Yes, a cop puts on a unifom to go to work but that's about all they have in common, like the guy that cooked my fries yesterday, he had a uniform on too.

Something similar
 

In the last edition, May 2007, of Pilot magazine (British GA magazine), they had an article about the possibility for a privat pilot to step in and land a large jet airliner in the event that the pilots were incapacitated.

The conclusion were that it was extremely unlikely that an average privat pilot would be able to do anything usable due to the complexity and difference of the navigation systems, autopilot, radio etc. They also concluded that a real Microsoft flight simulator geek would stand a MUCH better chance and could actually pull it off only by operating the autopilot. :D

Actually, the department I was in, it was more like being in the mafia. Part of the reason I got out of the business. We were featured on "60 Minutes" once.

--JCB

Geez, lighten up, dude.
 

Lighten up. I was just trying to have a fun discussion. Perhaps the next thread should be, "Do RV pilots have a sense of humor?"

If I have failed to be adequately funny, then please post a more amusing thread. I am sitting here bored stiff deburring elevator holes. I haven't flown in two months.

--JCB :)

Hah! I thought that part of my post was pretty funny! ! Guess it depends on which side of the fence you happen to be sitting on.

Some, I suspect like I that have worn the uniform, will see the ironic humor in that quote.

Sorry I didn't see your post as a joke. I thought you were actually being serious when you said you were willing to serve and then compared your lifestyle to the lifestyle of those actually serving and have served.

OK, its just a joke to you. Please accept my apology for my serious responses.
:D

I have served, both as police and military. At a time when it was considered by all my friends and family to be foolish to serve in either.

I suppose, then the next time your house is broken into, or your family member assaulted you will be so kind as to call McDonalds.

--JCB

:(

What a wacky thread! :D

Ratman - Spoken like a four year veteran of the Air Force band ... probably a trombone player! Do you have the "thousand note stare"?

--REK

I am an RV pilot. I am short. I am fat. I am 42. I would not make a good fighter pilot.

I don't even like to go upside down.

How about flying one of these? Sitting in an air conditioned trailer, in a comfortable chair. When the mission is over, you walk outside get in your car and go home.