Aseanaero, normally I wouldn't mind posting photos, but my ex-wives think I'm destitute somewhere in Sydney's western suburbs. I don't want to spoil the illusion.

Lodown, anyone who can afford multiple ex wives must be rich. :ok:

mmm
 

I can picture HarleyD standing in front of the mirror, arms folded around his back, caressing himself and telling himself what a wonderful p-i-l-o-t he his and that everyone else, including that useless good for nothing PPL should bow to him and kiss his feet with many thanks.:rolleyes:

I can understand frustration, but to say it in the manner you did just smacks of arrogance.

Avgas, it took me a few to learn my lesson. The second one was the cutest but not the sharpest knife in the drawer. She found a couple of long, blonde hairs on my jumper and I had her convinced a police horse had backed into me and swished me with its tail. That was until she saw the lipsitck on my butt when I was changing into my pj's later on. I tried to convince her that the police horse was operating undercover and had makeup on, but she didn't buy it.

Building a boat at the moment ...that's where all my flying money is going:}

UFO, you sir are a t-o-o-l

Sunfish, what sorta boat?

Firstly, Lodown - you owe me new undies. just messed them up i was laughing so hard.

I've been around the aviation industry my whole life, and I've seen them come and go. One thing that remains perpetual though, is those that have touched the industry, will forever more look skywards at the sound of a growling or whistling aero engine - regardless of whether they love or hate the industry.

I totally agree with Bushy. It's like herpes. Once you have it, it's with you for life.

Like so many others, I myself am perservering through one of the "tough" periods. Wishing I was up there instead of down here, living on 2 minuite noodles and asking myself why we do what we do. Even during these times, I still can't imagine doing anything else. As I said before, we have the best job in the world, even if it is flying a 172 with fat german tourists over some rocks... most days are diamonds, and it sure beats working for a living.

For all our friends that have fallen by the wayside on the journey to the airlines, well, I guess it is not for everyone. I know you all have your reasons. My thoughs are this - dont stop flying because you are no longer a career pilot. I know I could always scrape together a few bucks each month to go for a burn in a 152, or a Cub. Take the time to go to the Dero club for a few ales. There is a comraderie (sp.) between pilots that exists long after our medicals expire that other industries could only wish to have. It's something very important to me personally.

Bet you all remember your first solo better than your first r**t.....:ok:

Actually no! My first solo wasn't followed soon after by several injections of antibiotics.

What am I doing now instead of flying?
 

Wishing I had married someone more supportive :sad:

Whatever I can find.
 

Ex commercial pilots, in my experience, are at the bottom of the list when looking for work, whether in aviation or out side.

The fact that they have a great amount of experience to offer the industry seems to be generally discounted, particularly when the reason for being an ex-commercial pilot is age related, medical failures seem to be even more discounted.

I found myself with no place to go at 65 and a shaky medical and for the past 4 years have been working as a Security Officer in large retail stores. It would be difficult to describe the difficulty I found the transition, however it pays the bills which have to be paid.

I wonder if you will be an insurance risk there too!

I'd be building a bridge while I were at it sunny :E

I get $150 for every "home guy" pic i send into picture magazine!!!! cashed up

Lodown, that sounds like a certain equine friend AnyGivenSunday99 was mixed up with once, except that this little Shetland was the one with lipstick on on its butt. Apparently helping it through a fence...:confused:

AGS99
Firstly, Lodown - you owe me new undies. just messed them up i was laughing so hard.
I totally agree with Bushy. It's like herpes. Once you have it, it's with you for life.

"Ah... centre, request 10miles left of track please"

HL

Been there done that, got the t-shirt, well half the t-shirt anyway

VH-UFO

HaHaHA excellent come back, I cooda writ that meself. I have a feeling that you must have met me by the way you seem to sum me up so poetically.

And if we haven't met, I would be quite happy for you to shout me a few drinks whilst I regale you with stories from many continents, and some incontinence, all of them interesting and mesmurising, some based on fact and even some true ones. Some of these stories are so incredible that sometimes I even amaze myself!! and that is no mean feat, even if I do say so myself, as I do.

I have had a heap of fun times, some absolutely amazing times, a few terrorizing ones, (sorry, I mean character building don't I) and the occaisional periods of misery between flying jobs. I was a professional mororcycle racer in Europe and here in Oz for a while, and whilst that was basically high adreneline and broken bones, i went back to ag fliying coz it was safer. You can still be a perfessernal pilet when you're an old broken down fart, in fact this is known as ''distinguished" by us senior aircrew, but you won't cut it on the race track where a youthful lack of fear is a distinct advantage and arthritis is a severe disadvantage.

Yes I still look up when i hear a plane, and yes I check out the avaition mags in the newsagents (why don't they put them closer to the stick books, it would save time). so I am also an aviation sad, just like so many here.

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, oooh you are soooo sexy, bald and over weight though you may be, or maybe this mirror is defective,


HD

AGS99, good advice indeed. I know for one that I was a little bitter when my career path took up a different heading, mainly due to the lack of flying activity but also because I thought one of the consequences would be losing some very good friends that I'd met along the way. Of course, what it made me realise was who my good mates really were, despite not being able to catch up as often, and as I said before, I get to live vicariously through them. Sometimes it's hard not to get a little p!$$ed off (why is it that ASICs, medicals and documents all expire in the same month?:ugh:), but these days I cherish every second behind the controls; the planned half-hour flight rarely stops at 0.5 - just one more circuit to see if these landings get any better.....

Well I finally got involved in this game doin akro stuff in Pitts under 135 a few years back now instructing on Pitts/172 etc. Spending as much money as possible flying Tigers (getting experience for a summer casual job coming up) and rebuilding a Pitts with a friend as well, just a single seater for competition and recreational fun.
I own a small business as well which is going along nicely. Intend on buying a second aerobatic machine with 2 seats that I can teach in privately as well within the next 2 years. (I had a bit of a crack in a Yak over a few years in a syndicate which was great fun, that would be my no.1 choice without a doubt).

Non aviation, I enjoy Jet skiing - get out on the lake 12 months of the year.
Just love old aircraft, and intend to be involved with flying them until I am 80 at least. :)

M14_P, you're in an enviable position indeed, good on ya and enjoy! :ok:

elzimex, ever thought of putting all that experience to work as an RA-Aus instructor? Medical requirements are much less stringent, and it must beat the hell out of the security job.. there are a fair few schools around, new ones seem to open almost every month somewhere around the country, and I've talked to a fair few recently that were looking for experienced instructors, especially with GA/commercial experience.

Plankbender, I too have thought about RAA instruction. I even have enough time in bugsmashers below 600 kg now to qualify! Also I believe that I have the interest to do the job and would probably enjoy it. Hopefully there is not the incessant pissing contest that exists in much of the airline check and training scene, and also in the GA instructional movement where everyone is chasing the next step on the ladder. Once pilots get to ATO level many become very territorial. Not to mention the CASA crap that goes with these appointments. Reduce the supply, increase the demand, ratchet up the earnings - potentially bad for the industry but it's good business for the ATOs.
On the other hand, if RA instruction pays (say) $40-45 an hour, you would need to fly 1000 hours a year to make a fairly meagre wage. At a more realistic 600 hours a year it is almost better to be on the dole.
I can't imagine that the average recreation pilot who is learning to fly on a shoestring would want to pay much more than 50 to 60 bucks an hour for dual, and assume that the school would take their cut - hence my estimate of what it would probably pay.
However, as a means to avoid raiding the super fund and defer oldtimer's disease for a bit longer, I may yet do it.
Alternatively, maybe put my motorbike skills towards becoming a postie for more money and less bullsh!t?

Reading this thread, re inspires my faith in Aus aviation, keep it up guys/girls.
This proves, we are alive and well, no matter what we fly. We all look UP!
We should never forget it.........SPL,PPLCPL,ATPL, what we all are, is PILOTS. I cant wait to come home. I'll be in Camden on the 3rd, BBQ fired up, beers flowing and watching aeroplane fly over.

Can't wait!!:ok:

Lets make this as good as "More photo's". pilots sharing industry stories