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  #91  
Old 09-20-2011, 06:28 AM
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Geico266 Geico266 is offline
 
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Location: Huskerland, USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David-aviator View Post
The fire is still lit and the funk is gone.
Glad to hear it Dave. Get out there man, life is meant to be lived. The garden can be tended to when the ceilings are low.
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RV-7 : In the hangar
RV-10 : In the hangar
RV-12 : Built and sold
RV-44 : 4 place helicopter on order.
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  #92  
Old 09-20-2011, 07:50 AM
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airguy airguy is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Garden City, Tx
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil View Post
"It similar to what a drug addict experiences. It's something you can't live with because it can chew you up from the inside out, but it's also something you can't live without."
Good way to put it. I've described it to other people asking me the same question as something akin to a moth's attraction to a flame. You know it's dangerous but you're going there anyway because you have to.
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Greg Niehues - SEL, IFR, Repairman Cert.
Garden City, TX VAF 2020 dues paid
N16GN flying 700 hrs and counting; IO360, SDS, WWRV200, Dynon HDX, 430W
Built an off-plan RV9A with too much fuel and too much HP. Should drop dead any minute now.
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  #93  
Old 09-20-2011, 08:12 AM
DocThrock DocThrock is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tkatc View Post
I'm with ya....20 or 30 years down the road (maybe 30 or 40 for me ) I'll reflect on a long, 1 crash history!!

Some say it's not IF but WHEN. I figure I already had mine so I'm GOOD TO GO!!
That's funny right there. I also can reflect back on my one crash history. And my friends are NOT afraid to fly with me because they figure I'm "pre-crashed".

And I'm also in the camp that I'm a bit puckered every time on final. Crash and rebuild an experimental and you hear and (a bit) fear every little anomaly all the time when flying. Then I hop in a T6 and remember each and every time that the plane is called "the pilot maker" for a reason.

I think it's good and healthy to stay "on edge" a bit when you're flying.
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  #94  
Old 09-20-2011, 12:06 PM
PeteJE PeteJE is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel View Post
Does this thread have any redeeming value? Or does it need to DIE?

If you guys think it serves a purpose, then fine. Personally I don't see it!
Maybe it has run its course, but to not see any value in this tread? No it is not about building, but one of the best aviation / piloting threads I have read in a very long time.

Move it to the safety forum. Such reflections and attitudes have everything to do with piloting.
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  #95  
Old 09-20-2011, 12:59 PM
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Geico266 Geico266 is offline
 
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Location: Huskerland, USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel View Post
Does this thread have any redeeming value? Or does it need to DIE?

If you guys think it serves a purpose, then fine. Personally I don't see it!
Mel!

Most of the other threads are about building airplanes, this thread is about building pilots.

*******************************

Thanks Dave,
I have been thinking about this thread alot and while flying. Dave, you gave me a reason to contemplate life and what it means to me to be "alive". From time to time we all need to pause and reflect on life and what it means. Life does not mean the same when you are 16 as it does when you are 75.... at least I hope not! Next time you are in a funk post it.
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RV-7 : In the hangar
RV-10 : In the hangar
RV-12 : Built and sold
RV-44 : 4 place helicopter on order.

Last edited by Geico266 : 09-20-2011 at 01:01 PM.
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  #96  
Old 09-20-2011, 06:08 PM
szicree szicree is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,061
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I just want to thank those that have spoken openly about their concerns. I'll confess that having a two year old son has changed my perspective more than I could have predicted. I'm not flying right now cuz I'm just too busy with other things but would like to get back at it. When I was single and childless I can honestly say I never thought twice about dying. I figured it would only be a few seconds of fear and then lights out, probably better than what most folks experience at the end. But now I'm gripped by the thought of my wife having to tell my boy that daddy's gone and not coming back. He loves me sooooo much and a boy needs his father. Of course I could have a stroke tomorrow from the bacon this morning too. So whatcha gonna do, give up bacon?! I feel pretty sure that if I was a single dad I would give up risky activities, but as a married guy I'm not so sure how to handle it. Sorry for the lack of a clear point, I just wanted to share where I'm at.
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Fullerton, Ca. w/beautiful 2.5 year old son
RV-4 99% built and sold
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  #97  
Old 09-20-2011, 08:32 PM
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ColoCardinal ColoCardinal is offline
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Morrison, CO
Posts: 372
Default Not flying?

Quote:
In the health field, one can calculate their risk of heart attack by tallying up all the risk factors; obesity, smoking, genetics, etc. My physician did such an assessment on me the last time I went in for a physical.
Don't you believe it. It can be predicted that, while driving, you are more likely to hit a deer while in a state that has deer than in a state that doesn't. Don't believe for a minute that it can be predicted that you WILL hit a deer.
I had a heart attack a year ago and have no known "risk factors". Flying was taken from me suddenly and without my consent.
Enjoy what you can, while you can because you don't know what tomorrow will bring.
I'll be in the air again and I'm preparing for it by building an RV. In the mean time the Cardinal is training my wife to fly. To not believe that I'll fly again is too upsetting to consider.
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Carl - - Morrison, CO
N16CB RV7A
Airworthiness cert issued 12/24
best X-mas present I could have hoped for!
paid 'til 10-19

Last edited by ColoCardinal : 09-20-2011 at 08:33 PM. Reason: spelling
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  #98  
Old 09-20-2011, 09:20 PM
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RV7Guy RV7Guy is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 2,904
Default Awareness

First, this has been one of the best threads the forum has had for some time. Don't kill it. It is cathartic and good for all of us.

My entire adult life has been lived in a high risk environment. I began my law enforcement career at age 18. At 23 I got my PPL fixed and rotary wing. At 48, 30 years to the day, I retired from law enforcement. During that career, I was in 7 car accidents. Only 1 was serious and I was down for a couple of weeks. Only one was my fault and very minor in nature.

Shot at twice. I know what a bullet sounds like going by your ear. Nearly stabbed once. Incurred a few injuries from fights during arrests.

All during this career I continued to fly. I established an aviation program for my agency and flew in the Unit. I did 3 different hitches in aviation between promotions.

After I retired, I made building my 7 a full time job. 3.5 years into retirement I was convinced to take a job flying medical helicopters. I also talked my good buddy and RV9 builder, Glenn Brasch, into coming out of retirement. His career is very parallel to mine.

Now, I fly great equipment in a challenging environment. We fly at night with NVG's into areas that are darker than two feet up a cows butt!!! Fun stuff.

I've lost friends and family to car crashes, plane crashes and to cancer. I've lost fellow officers to car crashes, stabbings, shootings and other trauma. I've lost friends in the medical business to crashes.

Everything is a risk. I'm more concerned about driving home than flying the helicopter into a black hole in the middle of the night. It his how we handle these risks. It is situational awareness of our every act that will get us through. Training, knowledge and experience. Plan, analyze, act, review, adapt. It applied in LE and it applies to flying and it applies to virtually everything we do.

I'm very grateful for this thread. People sharing their experiences and life's trials and tribulations gives us more information to proceed with life.

Thanks everyone. This has been very helpful to me!!!
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Darwin N. Barrie
Chandler AZ
www.JDair.com
RV-7 N717EE-Flying (Sold)
RV-7 N717AZ Flying, in paint
EMS Bell 407,
Eurocopter 350 A-Star Driver
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  #99  
Old 09-20-2011, 10:38 PM
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rv8ch rv8ch is online now
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LSGY
Posts: 3,203
Default A lot to lose

I would much rather be in the air with a bunch of guys like you that have a lot to lose if something goes wrong than pilots with nothing to lose. I have a lot to lose, and I believe it makes me a better pilot. I think about the risks of flying before, during, and after every flight, and do whatever I know how to do to mitigate these risks.

We clearly have to accept some risks related to flying, keeping the heart ticking, or walking across the street, so "plan B" is to at least make sure that the family is taken care of financially.
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http://rv8.ch
"Hello, world!"
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  #100  
Old 09-21-2011, 06:25 AM
Peterk Peterk is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,378
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geico266 View Post
Mel!

Most of the other threads are about building airplanes, this thread is about building pilots.

*******************************

Thanks Dave,
I have been thinking about this thread alot and while flying. Dave, you gave me a reason to contemplate life and what it means to me to be "alive". From time to time we all need to pause and reflect on life and what it means. Life does not mean the same when you are 16 as it does when you are 75.... at least I hope not! Next time you are in a funk post it.
Can't believe I MISSED your 75th birthday! Happy belated birthday.

Pete
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