You're Never Too Old...

[rv6ejguy]

Yesterday I left work early to go flying with my father who is 79. It was a gorgeous flying day.

I was checking him out in the 6A turbo so that he can start flying it solo.

He is an ex RCAF fighter and corporate pilot so the RV is pretty tame but a LOT better than the rental 172 he had recently been flying.

We briefed last week running through a cockpit check and the checklists and preflight items. He got the unusual systems of the Subaru down in short order and we did a bunch of T&Gs. He enjoyed it immensely and can't wait to get up again.

We both had the RV grin when we landed. Don't leave these joys too long. Spend some quality flight time with your Dad. What a great day.

I think he'll have even more fun solo and light on fuel.

[lorne green]

Wow, Ross,
My dad passed 13 years ago. Ex RCAF WAG. He REALLY wanted to be an Airforce pilot. He HAD to settle on wireless air gunner flying in Canso's (Catalina's) in the Atlantic. Ended the war training w/less operators in Edmonton in 44'. He never did live to see me earn my wings 12 years ago...let alone see me build my own airplane. Although, he likely would have said "what the h#$$ are you doing that for? You had to know my dad!
Great story. Keep us posted as to how he's handling things. Thanks.

[fstringham7a]

Ross

You and your Dad are real fortunate to share the RV passion.

My planes "n" Number is N74BZ for my father. His nick name through out his life was Buzz...

I started this airplane because of the joy and love of aviation he unknowingly instilled in me. He would take me to every air show imaginable/aircraft museums/the airport just to watch the airplanes (especially when I would visit him in Yuma)......My great hope was to have the RV7A done so I could take him for a ride. But at 93 (September 2006) prostate cancer got the best of him. Up until about three months before his passing he was acting like and doing the things a man in his 60's.

I did get to give him a ride in a Cessna 150 land-o-matic which was a real fun time.

So Ross and you guys that still have your Dads and Moms with you, call them frequently, visit often, and yes please take them for a ride in your RVXX.

Frank @ SGU & 1L8.....last 1000000000000000 details but will be off to the airport soon!!!!!!

Originally Posted by rv6ejguy

Yesterday I left work early to go flying with my father who is 79. It was a gorgeous flying day.

I was checking him out in the 6A turbo so that he can start flying it solo.

He is an ex RCAF fighter and corporate pilot so the RV is pretty tame but a LOT better than the rental 172 he had recently been flying.

We briefed last week running through a cockpit check and the checklists and preflight items. He got the unusual systems of the Subaru down in short order and we did a bunch of T&Gs. He enjoyed it immensely and can't wait to get up again.

We both had the RV grin when we landed. Don't leave these joys too long. Spend some quality flight time with your dad. What a great day.

I think he'll have even more fun solo and light on fuel.

[Ron B.]

Unfortunately, my dad at 82, keeps telling me that they don't make chains large enough to hold him yet.
Ron

[TSwezey]

Four years ago I was able to take my Grandfather (93 at the time) and my father for a ride along the Southwest Florida coast. It was my grandfather's last plane trip. Take them as much as you can!

[Geico266]

I love to take my 82 year old father in law flying. He loves it! I finally got him to take the stick and he handled some turns and held altitude at the same time pretty well. He was thrilled and told all of his friends he "flew the plane".

He lost his wife of 60 years (my mother in law) a year ago. Watching him grow as a human being after such terrible grief has been an inspiring thing for me personally. Most "old timers" after loosing a spouse pull the covers over their heads and call it quits. Not Ron. He has blossomed in to an independant active person who has taugh me alot ab out life and living each day.

I agree. Cheerish the time you spend with your folks. There will come a day when they are gone.

[Geico266]

I also took my 84 year old Uncle Ted (Highly Decorated WWII P-47 pilot) up for a cruise. His flying touch was still there and he could have landed that plane anywhere he wanted. He was ready to do aerobatics again.

That was a cool day I will never forget.

[Mel]

My Dad never flew. He always kept one foot on the ground. On the other hand my Mother just turned 88 and enjoys going in the -6 every time she get the chance.

[n5lp]

My 85 year old pilot father, who took some bad hits over Germany in a B-17 has never expressed the slightest interest in going up in my garage built airplane. But my incredibly timid mother did express such an interest and said she found it more comfortable than an airliner.

I guess that's good!

[rv6ejguy]

Cool to hear that some of you are taking your Moms up. Mine doesn't like GA aircraft much but accepts that Dad and I are airplane junkies and love flying so she always wishes us a good flight.

She also drove down to pick us up after the rather unfortunate forced landing a couple years ago. How do you break that one? I think my Dad started the conversation " I'm calling from Vulcan (the town) and we're both ok..."

Wonder what my Mom was thinking at that moment?

Anyway, she still happily lets us fly. I couldn't have asked for better parents and after all the riveting my Dad has helped with on both RVs, I owe him.