15 votes

Any aviators out there?

I'm a Paramotor pilot, but I'd love to get an aviation specific section going. Anyone a pilot, aviation fan, or airplane geek too?

21 comments

  1. nukeman
    Link
    I recently became interested in getting my PPL. Right now I’ve got too much going on in my life (just bought a new house and will be packing and moving soon), but maybe next year I’d like to work...

    I recently became interested in getting my PPL. Right now I’ve got too much going on in my life (just bought a new house and will be packing and moving soon), but maybe next year I’d like to work to get cracking at it.

    3 votes
  2. [8]
    kwyjibo
    Link
    Yes! Unfortunately, I'm only an aviation fan and not in the profession. One of the biggest heartbreaks of my life was not being eligible to become a commercial pilot but that didn't stop my...

    Yes! Unfortunately, I'm only an aviation fan and not in the profession. One of the biggest heartbreaks of my life was not being eligible to become a commercial pilot but that didn't stop my interest in aviation. Getting a PPL is still at the top of my bucket list. Until then, I'm trying to satisfy myself by playing Flight Simulator. 😊

    You must be very brave being a paramotor pilot. As much as I love the idea of barebones flying and feeling the air flowing around you, I could never have the courage to do it.

    2 votes
    1. [7]
      nukeman
      Link Parent
      If I may ask, what made you ineligible for your CPL/ATP rating?

      If I may ask, what made you ineligible for your CPL/ATP rating?

      3 votes
      1. [6]
        kwyjibo
        Link Parent
        Sure! My physical size, basically. I was too tall.

        Sure! My physical size, basically. I was too tall.

        3 votes
        1. [5]
          u-2at
          Link Parent
          Oh shit. Tall people that wanted to fly but literally outgrew it club line up here

          Oh shit. Tall people that wanted to fly but literally outgrew it club line up here

          3 votes
          1. kwyjibo
            Link Parent
            I'm sorry to hear you had to go through the same thing. It wasn't pleasant for me. I've conjured all kinds of reasons as to why it's for the best when it didn't happen, but I still get heartbroken...

            I'm sorry to hear you had to go through the same thing. It wasn't pleasant for me. I've conjured all kinds of reasons as to why it's for the best when it didn't happen, but I still get heartbroken whenever I see a pilot.

            1 vote
          2. [3]
            blueshiftlabs
            Link Parent
            How tall are you? I'm 6'6" (197cm), and have no issue flying small trainers. Full-sized jets would be even more of a non-issue when it comes to height. The only planes I know of where height...

            How tall are you? I'm 6'6" (197cm), and have no issue flying small trainers. Full-sized jets would be even more of a non-issue when it comes to height.

            The only planes I know of where height becomes a major issue are fighter jets, and things like gliders where weight is a big issue.

            1. [2]
              u-2at
              Link Parent
              Just shy of 7 ft.

              Just shy of 7 ft.

              1 vote
              1. ZaphodBeeblebrox
                Link Parent
                That is why they make open cockpit biplanes! Though seriously you may have some issue with leg length and getting the rudders a comfortable distance. You may need to start in a non traditional...

                That is why they make open cockpit biplanes! Though seriously you may have some issue with leg length and getting the rudders a comfortable distance. You may need to start in a non traditional airplane. Here is similar forum thread from Airliners. None are quite your height but there are resources. https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=739699

  3. atchemey
    Link
    Right now only a simulator pilot...But I've got well over 10k hours in various home computer simulators since I was a kid :) Someday!

    Right now only a simulator pilot...But I've got well over 10k hours in various home computer simulators since I was a kid :) Someday!

    2 votes
  4. skybrian
    Link
    I took flying lessons for a few weeks a long time ago, but I'm not a pilot. I should probably sell my headset one of these days.

    I took flying lessons for a few weeks a long time ago, but I'm not a pilot. I should probably sell my headset one of these days.

    1 vote
  5. gowestyoungman
    Link
    I WAS interested in getting my PPL and took a discovery flight once. But I read Admiral Cloudberg's aviation crash histories with great interest so that has kinda made me an...

    I WAS interested in getting my PPL and took a discovery flight once. But I read Admiral Cloudberg's aviation crash histories with great interest so that has kinda made me an never-gonna-be-an-aviator knowing that most of those crashes were due to confluence of events that would've been very hard to predict. Ive also lost a cousin and a good friend who were piloting small planes so that didnt help either.

    1 vote
  6. 13roses
    Link
    I like Jumping out of airplanes! I've been thinking of getting into PPG, as I love flying under canopy and I think I'd like to be able to stay up longer and fly around.

    I like Jumping out of airplanes! I've been thinking of getting into PPG, as I love flying under canopy and I think I'd like to be able to stay up longer and fly around.

  7. blueshiftlabs
    Link
    I fly! I got my sport pilot's license back in 2017, and go flying a couple times a month. I don't own my own aircraft yet, but I'm hoping to at some point in the future.

    I fly! I got my sport pilot's license back in 2017, and go flying a couple times a month. I don't own my own aircraft yet, but I'm hoping to at some point in the future.

  8. LilacMagnolia
    Link
    I had a discovery flight a few years ago in an Cessna and loved it! The barrier for me is the cost- once I am in a position to keep up with regular lessons I will be signing up. My one regret from...

    I had a discovery flight a few years ago in an Cessna and loved it! The barrier for me is the cost- once I am in a position to keep up with regular lessons I will be signing up. My one regret from the discovery flight is that the weather prevented us from flying over my home town, which I would have loved to see from the air. All the more reason to get back up there!

  9. OBLIVIATER
    Link
    Paramotoring looks absolutely amazing! If only I wasn't deathly scared of heights haha. The freedom you get from a paramotor is unachievable with anything else IMO, its probably the closest thing...

    Paramotoring looks absolutely amazing! If only I wasn't deathly scared of heights haha. The freedom you get from a paramotor is unachievable with anything else IMO, its probably the closest thing we have to jetpacks that aren't ridiculously dangerous and clunky haha

  10. [2]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. wbl
      Link Parent
      Rotor is expensive… one of my CFIs is a former Blackhawk pilot and he only flies fixed wings now. Just a word of caution!

      Rotor is expensive… one of my CFIs is a former Blackhawk pilot and he only flies fixed wings now. Just a word of caution!

  11. wbl
    Link
    Low time PPL here! Got my license in 2021. At some point I need to go work on my IR. I’ve only flown the usual Warriors and Skyhawks but I’m partial to those adorable commuter planes of...

    Low time PPL here! Got my license in 2021. At some point I need to go work on my IR. I’ve only flown the usual Warriors and Skyhawks but I’m partial to those adorable commuter planes of yesteryear… I want to fly an Ercoupe so badly!

  12. ZaphodBeeblebrox
    Link
    Low time PPL here as well, working on my instrument now. @hyperious I think an aviation tilde may be a good thing. Likely one for Aviation and if they do subs Maintenance, 121, 135, 91 operations...

    Low time PPL here as well, working on my instrument now. @hyperious I think an aviation tilde may be a good thing. Likely one for Aviation and if they do subs Maintenance, 121, 135, 91 operations etc. It may be a while before that is really needed, but it's an active community in general (as in: the people tend to be vocal and opinionated). It may be good to have here.

  13. kuzbr
    Link
    I am not a pilot, but flight school used to be my dream. I am a plane geek, I'm a big fan of military air craft. will be interesting to see what other people have to share here :) I did do a...

    I am not a pilot, but flight school used to be my dream. I am a plane geek, I'm a big fan of military air craft. will be interesting to see what other people have to share here :) I did do a discovery flight a few years ago, and interestingly I think I realized it's good I never went to flight school because I don't think it was for me.

  14. FrankGrimes
    Link
    I do it as a profession flying business jets. It started as a hobby that I had hoped to turn into a career, and now it's a career that I don't really do as a hobby anymore. Not that I don't enjoy...

    I do it as a profession flying business jets. It started as a hobby that I had hoped to turn into a career, and now it's a career that I don't really do as a hobby anymore. Not that I don't enjoy it (I very much do - it's the best job I've ever had), but after spending a week flying as a job, I want to come home and enjoy my other hobbies.