Do you really LOVE flying ?

[kabz]

I can remember most of my 200 hours, probably all the major mistakes and close calls, and most of my better landings, which give me a warm glow ...

Here's the question:

Is there something special to flying which you lose once it becomes a job ? And if you love it, do you still enjoy talking about it ?

 

[Typhoon1244]

It's easy to get jaded...especially with some of the sh_t you have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. We wouldn't still be doing it if we didn't love it, though. My dad summed it up when he was still flying for a major airline: he hated the job, but he loved to fly.

...I dunno if that makes any sense to you, but I know what he means.

To answer your question, yes, I still love to fly. There's something about making a 53,000 pound machine do exactly what you want it to...there's just no feeling like it in the world!

 

[floatflyer99]

Still lovin' it

I agree, sometimes I hate my job but never lose the love of flying.
I own my own plane, a 1946 Aeronca, so I love flying enough to do it outside of work and to spend what little money I have on it. On the other hand, there's times I've gotten pretty tired of sitting in that little Aeronca, too (like on a 4 hour leg where you're getting passed by trucks on the highway!).
In short, flying at its worst is kinda like being married--you (hopefully) never stop loving your wife even through the tough times, etc. In it's best moments, however, flying is something that transcends explanations or words--when you love it, you love it and just can't stay away. That's how it is for me.

 

[Draginass]

I loved flying in the military.

I love flying light airplanes.

I hate flying commercially. And it's just keeps getting worse. It's rapidly becoming a vocation, vice a profession . . . . just like the airline managers want.

 

[bobbysamd]

Flying as an occupation

It is like a lot of interesting jobs. Flying is extremely fun for its own sake, but the attendant BS can obviate the joy.

Ask your girlfriend about some of the nonsense she dealt with during flight school and in her job. Not necessarily in-flight and operational nonsense, but the kind related directly to employment.

 

[46Driver]

I'll agree with Draginass: I loved flying in the military and I am bored out of my mind flying commercially.

 

[ACWild]

I guess I'm lucky because i have an extreme variety of flying to do. I love flying now more than I have in the past.

 

[KlingonLRDRVR]

Floatflyer99,

Your post brought back found memories. I used to own a 1946 7AC Aeronca. I just loved flying the little "Guppy" even if I got passed by Chevette's and Geo Metro's on a windy day.

Cheers,

KlingonLRDRVR

 

[Whirlwind]

I started this thread, as my gf is fed up of me asking her how her flights went, what ATC did, whether she dropped it in etc etc.

I have worked up gradually in fits and starts, from some lessons in a 172, then gliding, then back to airplanes ... almost to commercial.

She's a RJ pilot with > 4000.

Ahh, lucky you!!!

I can remember most of my 200 hours, probably all the major mistakes and close calls, and most of my better landings, which give me a warm glow ...

Keep in mind that over time, you'll remember some of that stuff, but as the hours build they just become more hours.

You probably rememeber your first year of driving cars more than your 4th year of driving cars.

Or do you always love getting in a plane, be it a humble 152 with a cute chick

Mmm... I love getting in anything with a cute chick!!!

It doesn't get much better than a nice, cozy 152!

 

[Typhoon1244]

I'll agree with Draginass: I loved flying in the military and I am bored out of my mind flying commercially.

So why did you guys get out?

Sorry...I'm not trying to sound like a prick. But you guys must've known you weren't going to have as much fun on the outside, so why'd you leave?

 

[Draginass]

Why'd I get out? Retired. Combat flying is a young man's game, despite what us old guys would like to think. It was time to get out of the way and make way for the younger guys. Something I will gladly do at age 60 in commerical aviation . . . . . like a lot of geriatric cases with 3 ex-wives and NO LIFE don't want to do.

 

[46Driver]

Typhoon,
No problem, its a logical question. I can't speak for Draginass but in the Corps once you hit major you will be spending more time administering and less time flying. You can join the reserves and continue to fly fun military aircraft (its also a quite nice part time job) as well earning yourself a very substantial retirement. Also, when I left it was in the great hiring boom of 2000 when even helo pilots got hired - THAT almost never happens so you had to seize the moment. Finally, the difference in pay that major airline pilots make compared to what you make in the military is more than double, plus no exercises in the desert, no standing duty, no paperwork, a very flexible schedule and the ability to live anywhere you want vice going back to Camp LeJeune again.

 

[fr0g]

H@ll yeah!

Even after working for a commuter for 2 years I still love it... I have my 172 that I can cruise around in whenever I get the urge to "get back to basics"
I can imagine that after many years at an airline I might become jaded, but like I said, I like flying the small ones too.. so I'll always have that..

 

[hobbsmeter]

Yes, I still LOVE flying. It's all I've ever wanted to do as long as I can remember and I am very happy to be doing it. After 2 furloughs I still love flying (anyone have the number to a good shrink? lol) I can see how easy it is to become jaded in this industry, but remember attitude plays a big part in your perceptions. Good luck, fly safe and HAVE FUN!

 

[Typhoon1244]

...the difference in pay that major airline pilots make compared to what you make in the military is more than double, plus no exercises in the desert, no standing duty, no paperwork, a very flexible schedule and the ability to live anywhere you want vice going back to Camp LeJeune again.

Doesn't sound like fun to me!

Now bear in mind, I never (officially) got a chance to fly when I was in the Army, but I knew a lot of pilots. They had to deal with a tremendous amount of B.S. on a daily basis, and most of them were very lucky if they were getting 150 hours a year. When I was at Fort Lewis, I had about 400 hours total time...which was more than our Flight Platoon commander (an O-3) had!

I have the impression that military flying is, for the most part, an hour or two of fun followed by weeks or maybe months of drudgery.

I have nothing but respect for the job you guys did...but it doesn't sound like fun to me. I've said it before, and all of the ex-military guys I've flown with, especially the Navy guys, agreed: military pilots are impressive not just because of the hot equipment they fly, but because of all the political and collateral crap they have to put up with when they're not flying!

 

[Ben Dover]

People get into flying for lots of reasons. One reason is the sense of freedom. I remember those days as a private pilot just going where I wanted to go, as high, as low, as fast, as slow. Bad weather, birthday, Christmas, superbowl, you don't fly if you don't want too. You get the idea.

In the airlines there is no freedom. You fly unless the airport closes down, on your birthday, Christmas, etc. And not only that, you fly the appropriate profile. So now somebody else is telling you how fast to climb, when to turn, what bank angle to use, when to retract flaps, etc.

I love my job, and still love to fly, but it's not about the freedom.

 

[skyking1976]

Yes, absolutely. Flying is some of the most fun you can have with your pants on!

 

[Whirlwind]

Yes, absolutely. Flying is some of the most fun you can have with your pants on!

Bring a beautiful woman with you in the right seat, and it can be the most fun you can have with your pants off too!

 

[Typhoon1244]

Bring a beautiful woman with you in the right seat, and it can be the most fun you can have with your pants off too!

Why do guys with their heads in the clouds keep their minds in the gutter...?

 

[ACWild]

It's said that the secret to a happy life is to make your hobby your job, and to marry your best friend

What if your best friend is a dude? Nevermind...