First year flying
 

Well I started taking flying lessons last January and got my license in May, I also bought a plane in May. I have 140hrs in my logbook now. I have been to Chicago several times, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas, Texas, and all over Missouri. The great thing is my wife loves it to. Not so much the flying but the ability to get there fast. Any drive over 2 hours and she want's to take the plane.

We went to San Antonio a few weeks ago and made it from there to St. Louis in 4.5 hours. We had the wind behind us and I had ground speeds of 200mph, 235mph for a short while. It took 5.5hrs to get there though so I guess it averages out.

I regret that I waited so long to do this, if this is something you are interested in, go ahead and do it now. Granted it is expensive, but so is everything else. I sold my old 911's, and I do miss them, but I still have the Boxster and I have a lot more fun flying.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359486474.jpg

Great post of the lifestyle of general aviation. While I've been a military pilot and hold civ license and ratings, I do wish I could do more GA aviation as the freedom isn't matched.

Stay safe and take some aerobatics instructions as soon as you can and instrument ticket is next.

I keep trying (and failing) to get this done. Time, money, family stuff, working on my MBA, all are obstacles. I'm hoping in the near future I'll be able to get my employer to pay for it (I work in aerospace) to help get me over the hump. I grew up flying with my grandfather in his V35 Bonanza and deeply love flying.

Where do you land in Chicago?

The last few time have been at Bolingbrook. I'm thinking of trying out Shaumburg next. My son lives up there so we now visit more as we can make it a day trip.

Excellent.

When you started your journey into aviation I got the sense that it would work out well. You seemed to have the right approach and attitude.

The real blessing is your wife's attitude...nothing is more important than that. Is she willing to get some quals?

I am really pleased for you. I only fly one a month or so with my neighbor in his Cub...if we see 235 mph I'll wave good-bye!

I understand, it was something that I was always interested in, but either didn't have the time, or money to pursue. Now I'm 55 and who know's how long I will be able to do this. I wish I would have done this 20 years ago. I could have done it, but it would have meant giving up something else at the time. And I didn't know anyone who was a pilot exept the owner of the company that I worked for. I didn't think that it was doable.

The wife is not interested about getting a ppl at this time. I have gotten her to take the yoke and fly straight and level. And she is thinking about taking a few lessons with an instructor, we will see how it goes after that.

My brother in law an the other hand went up with me and is now looking for a plane of his own and starting lessons. He has enough land that he can land at his home and keep a plane there. It would be great to land at his own private strip. If he does this I may even buy an old taildragger to keep there.

And Ive only seen 235mph once. I generally cruse around 175mph.

235 in a Cub! Only for a few seconds during an explosion.

Years ago there was a guy practicing short landing in his STOL Cessna 150. A guy in a cub landed with less roll out the the best the STOL could do. I think he had to add power to get to the turnoff.

You should consider having her attend a private pilot companion course. It's like pilot training light. They will teach her the basics of the aircraft, flight controls, instruments, and navigation, but with a focus on understanding vs controlling. Not only would it help her better understand what is happening in the cockpit, but I've read a couple stories where spouses with this training have actually landed aircraft after their pilots have become incapacitated in flight.

EDIT: quickie search, lots of hits. Also called a "pinch hitter" course. Here's one example: http://www.livingstonaviation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&It emid=77

Keep it up.
The more you do it, the better you get at it.

I put two hours on the egg beater today.

That's Great keep at it.

It's a beautiful thing to fly when and where you want in an airplane you own. I really enjoyed working on my instrument rating and the night flying in a single in the Midwest.