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  #31  
Old 10-14-2006, 09:00 AM
s_tones s_tones is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 114
Default agreed....mostly

There is much truth in what you say. I do in fact drive all over the place with the family but this is of course necessary risk. Flying recreationally constitutes additional unnecessary risk and, statistically, it is significantly more hazardous (GA, not commercial) than driving. Of course each of us is entitled to determine where our cutoff for acceptable risk is.

I have to confess that I just have a problem with the image of my wife and I going down in flames and knowing the kids will be without parents. Just can't imagine anything worse....well, maybe seeing a great white coming out of the depths beneath you while your paddling around with a stringer of fish. That's pretty bad too.

S_tones
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  #32  
Old 10-14-2006, 09:32 AM
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frankh frankh is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Corvallis Oregon
Posts: 3,547
Default Yup and I appologise

Because I so rarely speak out of turn.....NOT!

But seriously, I really do appreciate our point about where your personal cutoff is. Its not just aviation either. I am married to a teacher who earns very little.

Personally I couldn't imagine me "not being around" and her having to sell our nice house which we built together with our bare hands (and a lot of power tool help from Harbor Freight!).

So I worked like mad paying everything off before I built the RV.

Of course most of my buddies thought I was nuts....You get used to oatmeal 3 times a day eventually!...But we did it, we live debt free and I don't worry about it anymore.

She is awefully cute and could pick up another one like me in a heartbeat...My job is done and I still have enough energy to enjoy the RV in my mid 40's....

Cheers

Frank
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  #33  
Old 10-14-2006, 11:29 AM
Deuskid Deuskid is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: St Louis, Mo
Posts: 178
Thumbs up good life style

Quote:
Originally Posted by frankh
Because I so rarely speak out of turn.....NOT!

But seriously, I really do appreciate our point about where your personal cutoff is. Its not just aviation either. I am married to a teacher who earns very little.

Personally I couldn't imagine me "not being around" and her having to sell our nice house which we built together with our bare hands (and a lot of power tool help from Harbor Freight!).

So I worked like mad paying everything off before I built the RV.

Of course most of my buddies thought I was nuts....You get used to oatmeal 3 times a day eventually!...But we did it, we live debt free and I don't worry about it anymore.

She is awefully cute and could pick up another one like me in a heartbeat...My job is done and I still have enough energy to enjoy the RV in my mid 40's....

Cheers

Frank
Frank, regardless of any other circumstances, debt free living is wise.

Carrying debt wisely is fine too. Hardly anyone who is in debt does. I've been debt ridden and now debt free and help others with finances...

Your position is the best in which to be.

John
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  #34  
Old 10-14-2006, 11:34 AM
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szutowiczrv10 szutowiczrv10 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Eaton
Posts: 37
Default I thought I would never fly, but I am(-:

A death of a friend, a passion to live and to see others drove me over the edge to get my pilots license. I am a student with only four hours and I can hardly wait to get up again. It's a rush, a feeling of butterflys in the stomach, a plethora of emotions always fill my heart and soul with every flight. I am hooked, and I know why; life is so short I just new I must fly and set aside any and all excuses to why I could not. To realize a hidden dream tucked away in the irony of life, brought me to this point in my life.

Jim

Last edited by szutowiczrv10 : 10-14-2006 at 11:37 AM.
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  #35  
Old 10-14-2006, 06:24 PM
Bob Axsom Bob Axsom is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
Default Some people cannot afford to fly

Some really hard choices have been made by all of us in life and a lot of them turn out bad. I read about these poor young kids that didn't have much but they started flying at 13, etc. etc. - that's not poor. Rationalizing that everyone can do that if they want to bad enough is just blue sky stuff. Many people will die and never have the opportunity to be a pilot and it is not just because they are not willing to give up their cable TV, cell phone, or they are affraid of the risk. They truly will never have to opportunity for anything above the food, sleep and warmth level of human needs. Some of these people dream of things they may get if they can just get a job. The dream is all that keeps them going. Now, the fear factor is just a choice. Flying is a challenge and a thrill. Most of us wouldn't have it any other way. Those that could fly and choose not to because of the risk - well, they are self limiting life's pleasure but it is their choice to exclude themselves from this band of brothers. The dreamers often do not have a real choice. I have loved airplanes all my life but the first time I got to ride in a small plane was a ROK Cessna 180 from K-16 to K-2 in Korea. I could not afford to take flying lessons until I was 44. I started building an airplane by getting a equity line of credit on my home when I was 60. I turn 70 in a few days and after 4,600+ hours of flight time I am still enjoying every flight. Many early age fliers are burned out long before they reach my age so keep dreaming, you never know how life is going to turn out.

Bob Axsom

Last edited by Bob Axsom : 10-14-2006 at 07:27 PM. Reason: typos
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  #36  
Old 10-14-2006, 08:43 PM
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videobobk videobobk is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Near Scipio, in Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,779
Default Opportunity

Threads like this are one of the best reasons to hit VAF daily. Thanks, Doug!

I have read many great thoughts and a few wonderful quotes, often by non-fliers. I'll add my own thought:

You can have anything you want if you'll forget two words; new and now.

That has allowed me to own more nice cars than I can remember and many other toys that I really didn't need. In fact, selling a '56 Porsche Speedster (and no, it wasn't a kit car) allowed me to start my 9A. We bought our first new car in over twenty years just last year. I had to drop out of flying for about ten years, but I knew it wasn't forever. A dream is just a dream without thought, planning and sacrifice. Yeah, I loved that old Porsche, but. . .

Those of you who are flying, thanks God your your abilities and opportunities. Thank your families. Those of you who want to fly, do a serious appraisal of your goals and resources. If it looks at all feasible, go for it.

I do videos for missionaries. As such, I get to see the "garden spots" of the world. These discussions are not even thinkable in a large part of our world. I hope to be able to share the thrill of flight with some of the people who could never consider what we here undertake. Flight is special. So are fliers.

Bob Kelly
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Bob Kelly, Scipio, Indiana
Tech Counselor
Founder, Eagle's Nest Projects
President, AviationNation, Inc
RV-9A N908BL, Flying
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  #37  
Old 10-14-2006, 09:00 PM
frankh's Avatar
frankh frankh is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Corvallis Oregon
Posts: 3,547
Talking This thread was going thru my mind...

...as I rolled inverted to pull a split S.....The sun was setting behind Mary's peak (local landmark next to Corvallis airport in the Willamette valley. The cloud layer gave a sureal look to the whole valley...

Wow I thought...This is SOOOOO COOOOOL.....

ha ha ha ha.........

Now if only this could be my job and I could retire and use for some real good in the world

Frank
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  #38  
Old 10-14-2006, 10:59 PM
Mark Burns's Avatar
Mark Burns Mark Burns is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ruston, Louisiana
Posts: 879
Default Thanks Jim

Quote:
Originally Posted by szutowiczrv10
A death of a friend, a passion to live and to see others drove me over the edge to get my pilots license. I am a student with only four hours and I can hardly wait to get up again. It's a rush, a feeling of butterflys in the stomach, a plethora of emotions always fill my heart and soul with every flight. I am hooked, and I know why; life is so short I just new I must fly and set aside any and all excuses to why I could not. To realize a hidden dream tucked away in the irony of life, brought me to this point in my life.

Jim
Jim,
I enjoyed reading your post. I'm going to forward it to a friend that's right on the edge of starting flying lessons. I think it will do the trick. Have you ever considered writing?

Thanks,
Mark
__________________
Mark Burns
Ruston, Louisiana
RV-7A N781CM 1,650+ hrs
FFI FL-24
A&P

Last edited by Mark Burns : 10-14-2006 at 11:08 PM.
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  #39  
Old 10-15-2006, 08:40 AM
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sportpilot sportpilot is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Waycross, Ga.
Posts: 243
Default Procrastinate Not

I have waffeled and wavered along the way, and Im sad that I did. I let my "other" life get in the way when I could have spent more time in the air. Still Im glad for what I have done and might do next. Ive seen lots of folks drop out of flying after they discover it is very complex, and yet others move on to become Airline Captains. I think the difference is an individual thing, and each of us must make some serious choices at key points along the way. Its a Rat maze. If your just starting out, or have reached a low spot, I suggest joining the AOPA and do some serious browsing on their Student Pilot webpage. They have compiled a wonderful world of useful advise and assistance for the beginer. Go out to your nearest airport, grab an instructor and make him ride in the right seat and show you what to do next. Good luck

Airport Bums of Waycross
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  #40  
Old 10-15-2006, 05:06 PM
szutowiczrv10's Avatar
szutowiczrv10 szutowiczrv10 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Eaton
Posts: 37
Default

jim,
I enjoyed reading your post. I'm going to forward it to a friend that's right on the edge of starting flying lessons. I think it will do the trick. Have you ever considered writing?


No, never thought much about it, just like writing when I get it right. Thanks though, I am sure I will have much more to write about when I complete my training. I plan to travel often.
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