Pilots, Check in!

[Nassau Flyers]

How many of you are pilots? What ratings do you hold? Do you have any tips or tricks that you use all the time when flying?

There has to be a bunch of you out there no?

Check in here!

[PhilDernerJr]

I definitely fall into the "I've always wanted to fly but..." category. All I have is my FAA dispatch license, but I'm eager to take to the skies one day, as I'm sure many of you others are who haven't yet.

[T-Bird76]

You should add "Armchair airline pilot" LOLOL

[USAF Pilot 07]

I fly KC-10s (aerial refueler DC-10 variant)... I've got a FAA commercial (multi & instrument) rating around here somewhere although I've never used it for anything civilian related.

I think it'd be fun to get into and start doing some private "VFR flying" (single or twin engine small planes), but just don't have the time and don't think I can justify the money on it.

[moose135]

I'm an "inactive" pilot - been a few years since I've flown, hope to get back in the cockpit when time and money (well, primarily money) allow. I have a commercial license with multiengine and instrument ratings.

[cancidas]

commercial, instrument and multi on fixed and helo. i'm not current on fixed wings right now, but do own 1/3 of a straight tail bonanza. now most of my time is spent in a Bell 222.

[Nassau Flyers]

commercial, instrument and multi on fixed and helo. i'm not current on fixed wings right now, but do own 1/3 of a straight tail bonanza. now most of my time is spent in a Bell 222.

AWESOME!!! I always wanted to fly helicopters. Is the transition very tough (aside from Stick and Rudder)? Any tips for pilots who want to make the switch?

[Nassau Flyers]

I fly KC-10s (aerial refueler DC-10 variant)... I've got a FAA commercial (multi & instrument) rating around here somewhere although I've never used it for anything civilian related.

I think it'd be fun to get into and start doing some private "VFR flying" (single or twin engine small planes), but just don't have the time and don't think I can justify the money on it.

Whoa that's a pretty large plane. It's interesting to know that even though you fly a very large complex aircraft for a living you would still enjoy a trot around the skies in a smaller general aviation airplane. Now when I fly a little (compared to the DC10) 172 I'll have a totally different appreciation for it! Thanks for that refreshing bit of info!

[USAF Pilot 07]

Whoa that's a pretty large plane. It's interesting to know that even though you fly a very large complex aircraft for a living you would still enjoy a trot around the skies in a smaller general aviation airplane. Now when I fly a little (compared to the DC10) 172 I'll have a totally different appreciation for it! Thanks for that refreshing bit of info!

It's a different type of flying IMO; both are enjoyable.

Flying the -10 doing stuff like large cell formations, aerial refueling at 25,000 feet with all types of aircraft (from F22s to C5s) and doing receiver AR (where we get gas) is a ton of fun. Our missions are pretty well planned out and we are on to-the-minute timelines. There are so many moving parts, and so many things to plan for and account for and make sure are in order before we actually go fly that most of the time we say once the wheels are up the easy part has finally begun.

That being said, while it's a blast, there's also something to be said for going to the local FBO having almost no plan and hopping in a cessna, flying VFR wherever you want, stopping to grab lunch somewhere and then heading home, without worrying about anything but how much it's costing you! I'd love to do the Hudson Corridor, or fly along the L.I. or Jersey shore, or head out to Colorado and do a mountain VFR run...

Just goes to show that flying is fun - whether it's doing 30 knots in a non-powered glider, or traveling around the world in a 747! (unless it's in a helicopter, then it's just plain nuts!)

[Laxgoaly]

Airframe & Powerplant License and Student Pilot...

[nycpilot]

Where's the space for ATP? Got one of those, too.

[ISP Pilot]

Private, Instrument SEL

Would like to like to get a Seaplane rating just for the fun of it. Debating whether or not to go for Commercial. Flying in the soup is the best experience!

My first intro flight was at Nassau Flyers about 10 years ago but I was not impressed with the desk staff or CFI at the time so I ended up at ISP, even though it was 20 minutes further from my house. Hopefully things have improved under the new management!

[AA 777]

This is what I got these days...

Commercial Pilot ASEL, ASES, AMEL
LR-JET SIC Type (Lear 25/35/55)
CFI/I ASE
Instrument Airplane
Advanced/Instrument Ground Instructor

Most of my recent time was in a Piper Seminole and the past 15 or so hours in a Lear 35

ISP Pilot...You should get your SES rating. It was some of the best flying I've ever done!

[Nassau Flyers]

ISP Pilot, we hear yah! Instrument is where it's at. Things are going well. We've added more airplanes to our fleet, welcomed additional CFIs to our team and moved into a new space.

[727C47]

ATP DC3,CV240/340/440,Boeing 727,CE560XL/XLS,been flying since I was 16,14,500 hours by the grace of God,and Pratt Whitney, 8000hrs in the DC3,I love that airplane with a passion, still fly the C47 at airshows. Born under the Canarsie Approach,JFK will always be my field of dreams,though truth be told some of my most sublime moments aloft have been experienced behind the stick of the Aeronca Champ flying off of a grass strip,greeting the new day aloft,NORDO,just a whiskey compass,and a sectional to steer by. The journey continues,and i truly think my best flying is still yet to come.

[flyboy 28]

Private, but not current by any means. Been about a year since I've logged anything official. Plenty of backseat stick time in various stuff, though. :)

[Nassau Flyers]

Private, but not current by any means. Been about a year since I've logged anything official. Plenty of backseat stick time in various stuff, though. :)

These are the saddest stories for us. What keeps you from going up? We're working on finding cost effective solutions for people like you to get you all back into flying again. Be on the look out for group flights and free events!

A flight instructor of mine once told me: The difference between Heroin and Flying? You can get off of heroin.

[Nassau Flyers]

ATP DC3,CV240/340/440,Boeing 727,CE560XL/XLS,been flying since I was 16,14,500 hours by the grace of God,and Pratt Whitney, 8000hrs in the DC3,I love that airplane with a passion, still fly the C47 at airshows. Born under the Canarsie Approach,JFK will always be my field of dreams,though truth be told some of my most sublime moments aloft have been experienced behind the stick of the Aeronca Champ flying off of a grass strip,greeting the new day aloft,NORDO,just a whiskey compass,and a sectional to steer by. The journey continues,and i truly think my best flying is still yet to come.

Have any tips or tricks for aspiring pilots? Any good habits you've acquired that makes flying more enjoyable for you?

[flyboy 28]

These are the saddest stories for us. What keeps you from going up? We're working on finding cost effective solutions for people like you to get you all back into flying again. Be on the look out for group flights and free events!

Lack of currency, for the most part. Got my rating while I was still in high school. Then I graduated, need rent money, to pay utility bills, food, etc... Being a grown-up sucks. :lol:

[moose135]

These are the saddest stories for us. What keeps you from going up?
I've developed this fondness for living indoors and having actual food to eat. An extended stretch of unemployment didn't make it any easier. It was so much easier when someone was paying me to fly.

[Nick]

I've had a few fam flights in smaller aircraft but nothing serious. If I could use my GI Bill for flight school we'd be in luck. I think Farmingdale would allow it. But thats a 4 year program for professional pilots.

[727C47]

ATP DC3,CV240/340/440,Boeing 727,CE560XL/XLS,been flying since I was 16,14,500 hours by the grace of God,and Pratt Whitney, 8000hrs in the DC3,I love that airplane with a passion, still fly the C47 at airshows. Born under the Canarsie Approach,JFK will always be my field of dreams,though truth be told some of my most sublime moments aloft have been experienced behind the stick of the Aeronca Champ flying off of a grass strip,greeting the new day aloft,NORDO,just a whiskey compass,and a sectional to steer by. The journey continues,and i truly think my best flying is still yet to come.

Have any tips or tricks for aspiring pilots? Any good habits you've acquired that makes flying more enjoyable for you?
Just follow that passion, everyones path is different,dont listen to the naysayers,just follow your inner compass,and realize its all good,80 knots in the Aeronca ,1000 feet over Sandy Hook,the DC-3 at 3am, aloft and alive over a sleeping planet, flying the pivot turn on the Canarsie Approach in the 727 ,everything hanging in the breeze,your old neighborhood beneath your wings,and those JT8ds spooled ,and smoking,fl450 in that high thin oh so clear blue in the wee XLS, the point is that it is ALL good,and you only live once ,so why not pursue this dream,this passion,make it real,whether your path takes you to an Aeronca Champ,or left seat in the 747-800,the main thing is to fly!!! You have to take the chance,you have to make the leap of faith,in yourself,in your dream. Trust in God,yourself,your dream,and go for it. It is so worth it.end of rave.I'm just a Ny/Nj boyo,who has lived this fever dream with all its ups and downs for a couple of decades now,and would change nothing,i hope this helps.

[coachrowsey]

I definitely fall into the "I've always wanted to fly but..." category. All I have is my FAA dispatch license, but I'm eager to take to the skies one day, as I'm sure many of you others are who haven't yet.

I'm in the same category as you, but being " a few" years older I feel sure the only flying I'll do is as a psgr.

I was taking lessons over 34 years ago, but meet my wife & made the decision to marry thus I just never was able to afford to continue. By the way 34 + years later no regrets on that part.

[hiss srq]

I've been chasing the dream since I was 9. I'm all flown out though. The future of aviation with epalauttes is so dim my xenon's can't even light the way unfortuneately. Now I am persuing a career to become an MD. When I finish that I figure I'll go be one of those stereotypical Dr's who takes their A36 or P210 to convention's and MVY. No furthur than that though.

[Nassau Flyers]

Just follow that passion, everyones path is different,dont listen to the naysayers,just follow your inner compass,and realize its all good,80 knots in the Aeronca ,1000 feet over Sandy Hook,the DC-3 at 3am, aloft and alive over a sleeping planet, flying the pivot turn on the Canarsie Approach in the 727 ,everything hanging in the breeze,your old neighborhood beneath your wings,and those JT8ds spooled ,and smoking,fl450 in that high thin oh so clear blue in the wee XLS, the point is that it is ALL good,and you only live once ,so why not pursue this dream,this passion,make it real,whether your path takes you to an Aeronca Champ,or left seat in the 747-800,the main thing is to fly!!! You have to take the chance,you have to make the leap of faith,in yourself,in your dream. Trust in God,yourself,your dream,and go for it. It is so worth it.end of rave.I'm just a Ny/Nj boyo,who has lived this fever dream with all its ups and downs for a couple of decades now,and would change nothing,i hope this helps.


Amen to that brother. Great piece!

[Nassau Flyers]

I definitely fall into the "I've always wanted to fly but..." category. All I have is my FAA dispatch license, but I'm eager to take to the skies one day, as I'm sure many of you others are who haven't yet.

I'm in the same category as you, but being " a few" years older I feel sure the only flying I'll do is as a psgr.

I was taking lessons over 34 years ago, but meet my wife & made the decision to marry thus I just never was able to afford to continue. By the way 34 + years later no regrets on that part.


The average student pilot in the USA is around 45yrs old. We have some 60+ year old students who finally came around to understanding that you are never to old to live out a dream. I'd encourage you to come to one of our Pilot Club Meetings (www.flynfi.com/rsvp (http://www.flynfi.com/rsvp)) or better yet come in for a chat and a first flight challange even if it's just to get you back into the cockpit one more time before you give it all up entirely. If you have a special occasion coming up, a First Flight Challenge would be a perfect gift to yourself, just so you get that one last chance to decide whether or not this is something you are willing to miss out on. Although I'd love to see you come fly with us, there are plenty of schools at almost every airport on LI who offer First Flight Challenges.

oh and by the way, 34+ years married? WOOHOO! I love hearing good news like that!

[BigAppleCoder]

Private Pilot - SEL here.

I learned to fly in 2000 at KAPA in Colorado. Unfortunately, I haven't flown in a couple of years due to a lack of time and money whilst starting a business.