Honda CX500 & GL500 Forum

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05-22-2008, 6:34 PM anoke422 Joined on 05-14-2008 Grand Island, Nebraska Posts 36 Flying, anyone? I have noticed that several people on here have user names that seem to me to be aviation related.  I was just wondering how many people on here are into aviation or flying, or anything related.  Besides motorcycles, aviation is my other true passion in life, so it's always good to hear from others who share my affliction! Just to kick things off, I have been flying since the fall of 2001.  I am currently working as a pilot on a Citation II that is owned by a couple of locally based companies.  I am also an active flight instructor (CFI, CFII).  I don't make much money, but hey, it beats the hell out of having a real job! Screw politics...I just want to burn things down! 1979 CX500 Custom    Report

05-22-2008, 10:13 PM Anonymous Re: Flying, anyone? I hope to be flying again soon....  Just one more trip to Florida, and hopefully everything will be fixed.... I don't think I'll ever take it there again, certainly not to get it worked on. J.T.

05-23-2008, 5:35 AM hugemoth Joined on 01-21-2008 Bend, Oregon Posts 111 Re: Flying, anyone? I've been flying my ultralight PPC for 11 years but with gas prices being what they are I'm spending less time in the air. For the most part I'll be riding motorcycles this summer with only a few hours of flying. Used to put close to 200 hours per year on the ultralight. Q    Report

05-23-2008, 10:14 AM vitter Joined on 04-29-2006 Ontario Canada Posts 90 Re: Flying, anyone? Aircraft mechanic. Have worked in General Aviation, piston engine overhaul, a little bit on helicopters. Now with a regional airline. After spinning wrenches for the airline, I’m now in the office working on fleet reliability improvements and maintenance issues.    Report

05-24-2008, 11:51 AM BeeSting Joined on 05-23-2008 Flint, Michigan Posts 10 Re: Flying, anyone? Aircraft Structural Repairer here. My most recent flying was going in and out of Baghdad, though. *BeeSting*    Report

05-25-2008, 9:20 AM instructorpilot Joined on 12-15-2007 Orlando FL Posts 297 Re: Flying, anyone? Yes, I fly a CRJ900 for Pinnacle, maybe you have heard of us because of the shenanigans of a young captain and a certain flight attendent in Harrisburg. It is a great gig and it beats working. But most of all is the time off. I usually get about 15 days off a month because of scheduling and regulations. The travel benifits are good as well. It allows me to investigate motorcycles all over. I would have never bought my California CX if I coulden't travel for free. I used to run a Flight School in Titusville FL and am still an instructor although inactive. I love airplanes and motorcycles. I ride to the airport near here on my days off to watch airplanes taking off and landing, my 9yo son is my partner in crime on these excursions. I build rubber powered airplanes from balsa when the motorcycles get too frustrating. I was a powerplant engineer at P&W for years in a former life. It has been a good industry to me. Al 2 CB350F's, 1 CX500, 1 GL500, CB750F, XV500, 2 GL1100's, DL1000    Report

05-26-2008, 1:05 PM anoke422 Joined on 05-14-2008 Grand Island, Nebraska Posts 36 Re: Flying, anyone? Yeah!  I did hear about those shenanigans!  Wandering about in the woods and all...reminds me of some of the crazy stories my friend over at Great Lakes airlines tells me.  Crazy stuff. Screw politics...I just want to burn things down! 1979 CX500 Custom    Report

05-26-2008, 4:01 PM Interstater Joined on 12-10-2006 La Crosse, Wisconsin Posts 45 Re: Flying, anyone? I have a 1/2 share in a Cessna 172b but I am lucky to fly it 100 hrs a year as I chase those elusive $100 hamburgers on whatever bright sunny days we happen to get in Wisconsin.  I will also probably fly less in the years to come because of the fuel prices.  We are STC'd to burn auto gas and that helps some, but it is still getting expensive.   I also have a 80% scale Tiger Moth (the Fisher Flying Products kit) that I have the wing structures, tail feathers, and fuselage just about finished after about 6 years of work.  Now comes engine, controls, varnish, covering, and paint, at the rate I am going I give myself about another 6~8 years to finish it.  I guess I like being able to say that I have an airplane in the basement! I have been an airplane nut since I was little. My Dad was a Navy pilot and then always had airplanes as a civilian.  In fact, he had a 1/2 share back in the 60's in the exact same 172b that I do now.  Its kinda neat to fly the same plane that I flew in with my Dad when I was a pup, and I hope to keep the airplane another 6 or 7 years so my son can pilot it too.  He would be the 3rd generation at the controls! There has been some mention of EAA AirVenture/Oshkosh in the travel forum.  My Dad took me to my first when it was still at Rockford, and since it moved to Oshkosh in '70 I have only missed it 2 or 3 times.  Myself and my family will be there again this year.  We'll be set up out in Camp Scholler probably the entire week, out near 10th and Lindbergh (look for a white Starcraft toy-hauler trailer pulled by a blue Ford F-150).  Any CX/GL types are very welcome to stop by in the evening for a cool one and plenty of aircraft or motorcycle talk. Interstater LaCrosse WI      Report

05-26-2008, 8:08 PM mcreviver Joined on 05-06-2007 Williamsport, PA Posts 585 Re: Flying, anyone? Everybody will be flying less as fuel prices escalate into the wild blue. I have some customers now who only fly 6 to 25 hours a year. And for that they have to pay me to re-license their planes every year, plus hangar rent, insurance, and recurrent check rides and medicals. How much does that figure out to per hour? I wouldn't recommend anyone get into small aircraft maintenance at this time. And if you want to learn to fly, you better have deep pockets or else join the military and let them pay your bills. Ron in PA    Report

05-27-2008, 3:03 AM anoke422 Joined on 05-14-2008 Grand Island, Nebraska Posts 36 Re: Flying, anyone? It would be a blast to be able to make it to Oshkosh. I've been thinking about making the trip on the bike and I've got some relatives out that way. I guess it depends on the work schedule though. Also it really does suck with all these high fuel prices. It is ruining everything for a poor kid like me... Screw politics...I just want to burn things down! 1979 CX500 Custom    Report

05-27-2008, 12:23 PM Interstater Joined on 12-10-2006 La Crosse, Wisconsin Posts 45 Re: Flying, anyone?  mcreviver wrote: Everybody will be flying less as fuel prices escalate into the wild blue. I have some customers now who only fly 6 to 25 hours a year. And for that they have to pay me to re-license their planes every year, plus hangar rent, insurance, and recurrent check rides and medicals. How much does that figure out to per hour? I wouldn't recommend anyone get into small aircraft maintenance at this time. And if you want to learn to fly, you better have deep pockets or else join the military and let them pay your bills. I checked my logbook.  In 2007 I flew 102.6 hrs, at the rate I am going this year i will be lucky to fly 50 hrs.  This sux.  My aircraft's annual is also up at the end of the month, so there is another bill I get to face.  Even doing an owner-assisted annual it is going to be painful.   I am also being hammered this summer with a 80% increase in T-hanger rent and a new requirement that I buy insurance that covers the city's hangar.  What the???  You are right, flying is for the birds,,,,,,        Report

05-27-2008, 5:12 PM tntchitwood Joined on 03-02-2008 Pine Knot, KY Posts 510 Re: Flying, anyone? I jump out of airplanes.....Does that count? I love to fly. '82 Silverwing Chopper '02 750 Shadow http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/29599/ShowPost.aspx    Report

05-27-2008, 7:33 PM anoke422 Joined on 05-14-2008 Grand Island, Nebraska Posts 36 Re: Flying, anyone? I'm jealous! I've always wanted to skydive, maybe next year when I get a raise. Screw politics...I just want to burn things down! 1979 CX500 Custom    Report

05-28-2008, 2:16 AM tntchitwood Joined on 03-02-2008 Pine Knot, KY Posts 510 Re: Flying, anyone? If you do it for the military it doesn't cost you a dime. I don't do it anymore at 36 I am over the hill. '82 Silverwing Chopper '02 750 Shadow http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/29599/ShowPost.aspx    Report

05-28-2008, 6:54 PM instructorpilot Joined on 12-15-2007 Orlando FL Posts 297 Re: Flying, anyone? WHAT!!!! Jump out of a perfectlly good airplane....bbbbbut why??? Actually I already know the answer to this question having done this my self. Al 2 CB350F's, 1 CX500, 1 GL500, CB750F, XV500, 2 GL1100's, DL1000    Report

05-28-2008, 7:32 PM mcreviver Joined on 05-06-2007 Williamsport, PA Posts 585 Re: Flying, anyone? I jumped out of a Huey helicopter but it was only a few feet off the ground. One of my customers has a Cherokee Six 260 and he participated in a threee plane formation flyby for a military Memorial Day observance. The 20 minute flight cost him $50.00. Says he has 3 hours since last annual and it's due June 1st. I hope he is joking. Ron in PA    Report

08-26-2008, 11:29 AM steve in reno Joined on 05-29-2008 reno, nv Posts 16 Re: Flying, anyone? Flying, that has a nice sound to it. I have been flying hang gliders for over 33 years. Started 2 weeks after exit from US Army, march 1975. Approximately 4k hours so far. Took sailplane lessons in 2007, but due to insurance costs, got all but my solo. I live in the Tahoe area and I can say that the view from 17k' msl is magnificent. I had a twin engined sight seeing plane closer than 150' from me the other day on a flight. I sure hope he was looking out the window and not at his instruments. I wear a parachute, but prefer not to use it! steve in reno do it right-do it once! gl650    Report

08-26-2008, 1:53 PM Cobram Joined on 06-23-2007 Boston, MA Posts 679 Re: Flying, anyone?  anoke422 wrote: I am currently working as a pilot on a Citation II that is owned by a couple of locally based companies.  I am also an active flight instructor (CFI, CFII).  I don't make much money, but hey, it beats the hell out of having a real job!     I see things haven't changed much since I got my ticket, too many years ago for me to admit.  Do "airport bums" still get a free ride in the right seat if they're at the FBO at the right time, or are those days gone?  I found my old log book and have time in over 25 different aircraft...albeit for an hour or less. (This coincidentally was the flight time from my FBO to the nearest airport with Jet fuel.)  I used to ride the 3rd seat in the cabin of commercial jets, everything from DC's to L1011's back in the day with nothing more than a valid VFR or IFR ticket.  If I tried that today I think I'd probably find myself in a small TSA holding cell waiting for an agent with the thickest fingers I've ever seen to slip the latex glove on..... 1978 CX500 - I live on a one-way street that's also a dead end. I'm not sure how I got here, or how I'm going to get out.    Report

08-27-2008, 11:44 AM Gene McCall Joined on 03-02-2006 Murfreesboro Posts 654 Re: Flying, anyone? Now, after the Alaska/Canada trip, for my next trick I would like to fly an ultra light or powered parachute from Tennessee to the Amish rally site in Pa. I have always loved/wanted to fly but never could afford the freight. Who knows what the future holds..... Gene I didn't get this old by being timid, just not being stupid!    Report

08-27-2008, 12:08 PM PWG in Lowgap NC Joined on 01-08-2008 Minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway Posts 733 Re: Flying, anyone? Never ever again. No way Jose. http://httassociation.com 82 GL500 / 66 MGB Trike "Old Yeller" 05 Suzuki S50 "Plaything" ANY WARM DAY ABOVE GROUND IS A GOOD ONE (unknown senior citizen)    Report

10-26-2008, 2:50 PM LearMech Joined on 10-21-2008 Battle Creek, MI Posts 15 Re: Flying, anyone? My name pretty much says it....I mainly work on Learjets but also most other corporate jets when other teams in the shop need help. Just a little tip to the pilots here, mainly the ones flying part 135....when you don't feel like deadheading a plane home and make up a squawk to get out of it, think of the mechanic who is losing his weekend with his kids. Sorry, had to rant just spent a weekend in DTW troubleshooting a Hawker 1000(yeah you know it sucked) that had a "rudder problem" that couldn't be duplicated. HHHMMMMMM ? Mike 82 GL 500 -If you made yourself laugh then it was funny enough.    Report

10-26-2008, 5:02 PM TwoW4B2C4V Joined on 11-15-2007 Posts 509 Re: Flying, anyone?