You love to Flying Because......?

[Vardog]

I was asked by a non-pilot friend why it is that I love to fly so much. When I tried to explain it I found that it was not easy to do. I answered him - I love being able to do it in the first place. I love the the sights, the feeling of freedom, yadda-yadda-yadda. But as I was telling him I knew that these things were not particular to aviation. Any number of things could provide the same things that I had said flying had given to me. So - why FLYING?
What is it about flying that you love? Why do you do it? Why do WE do it? Is there a single element of aviation that unites us all and seperates us from those who do not fly?

Your opinions would be great!

 

[asolo]

I like to fly b/c there's nothin like the adrenaline rush of my students trying to kill me! Here's lookin at you VarDog!

 

[bigD]

I like the fact that being up there is a world in and of itself. Everything I do on the ground, be it school, my programming job, the fight I just had with my girlfriend, or whatever - gets left on the ground. When I'm up there, it's just me, the plane, and whatever tasks I need to accomplish to keep the flight safe.

Now you're right - this isn't completely unique. But what's cool about aviation is that if you keep raising the bar for yourself, you'll never run out of stuff to aspire to. There's just too much to learn and accomplish in one lifetime. So no matter how many hours I have, and no matter what kind of ratings I get, there's always something I can do to make myself a more knowledgable and capable pilot. And learning new things is part of the fun of it all. There's nothing cooler than looking back through your logbook and seeing the progression of capability in yourself as a pilot.

Those are the big items for me.

 

[LrBob]

because it beats the crap out working in a real job and of course there are all the girls and big bucks----Yea right

 

[Sniper Bob]

Fortune and glory, my friend. Fortune and glory.

 

[LrBob]

thats right almost forgot the glory-i will be basking in the glory while freezing my butt of in winslow az tomorrow-yippee

 

[TDTURBO]

I do it because of the challenge, versatility and thrill of knowing a mistake could kill you. I raced motocross for 10 years but am too old to do it anymore so flying was the next logical step. I also like because its expensive, takes brains..IFR especially....and not everyone can do it. That is why I hate the recreational and sport pilot certificates. The more people that learn to fly, the sooner it will become congested, restricted and more dangerous.

 

[tcoll777]

chicks dig it

 

[DLF8108]

ADRENALINE RUSH...PLUS...FREEDOM
& THE SELF-DISCIPLINE TO EXERCISE IT WISELY

 

[navigator72]

Clouddancing

I love the feeling of seeing things that most people will never see.
The chicks realy dig it too.

 

[skyking1976]

I have to say that flying has taken me to places that has allowed me to see some of the most beautiful sights our world has to offer. To name a few: The sun rising over the Green Mountains in Vermont. The skylines of London, New York, and Chicago. The endless pack ice and icebergs while crossing the north Atlantic. The sun setting over the desert in New Mexico.

I would rather be freezing my a$$ off in the middle of winter, flying a piece of $h!t Navajo for $25K per year over the Rockies than sitting in a cubicle, punching a keyboard, making $50K staring out the window wishing I was flying the Navajo... Oh yeah, chicks dig it too!

Cheers,
Skyking

 

[Typhoon1244]

Why do I love to fly? Because of the mountains of cash I'm making as a regional jet captain!

Seriously, though...

It's difficult for me to explain. I know I get unbelieveable satisfaction from making an airplane do what I want it to do. I don't get the same feeling driving a car, working on a puzzle, or any other challenge or endeavor. Bringing an airplane down out of the sky and landing it just where you want to...it's a rush.

I don't think I could ever give it up.

 

[darien]

high flying

I feel high when Im flying high Do you rember the first time you soloed Well I do not fly that often so I get that feeling each time I fly When I land I'm like "hell yes" Forget the rollercoasters I just had the ride of my life. I'm just glad I'm healthy enough and fortunate to fly for fun. For all you guys that fly professionaly forget the chicks and money and never forget the elated feeling of that first solo.

Great day to ya!

 

[HappyFlying]

I love flying because....

The first streak of dawn behind the Appalachian Mountains

The final glow of a pink sunset

My shadow cast in the moonlight of a fullmoon

The green trail of meteor crossing the night sky

The soft feel of a greased landing

The grass stains on my prop tips

The satisfaction of breaking out at minimums

The challenge of constantly learning new things

The joy of taking my nephew for his first flight

The chance to pitch a tent under my wing

The absolute rush from my first snap roll

The faint smell of oil and avgas as I open my hangar door

The friendships I have made all over the country since I began flying

....Just to name a few


Fly Happy and God Bless this holiday season,
HappyFlying

 

[bobbysamd]

Why I love flying

because it beats the crap out working in a real job and of course there are all the girls and big bucks----Yea right

Especially the girls. That's also the primary why I started in radio - Yeah, right, to both.

Everyone is right. I like HappyFlying's point about the friends. Meet anyone who is a pilot and no matter if he/she is a student or some 40,000-hour 747 captain and you have something to talk about - and probably have made another friend.

There is a big intangible about flying and aircraft that is hard to explain to others, let alone to yourself. I know that for me I always liked vehicles. Things that go. I get a great deal of satisfaction from just flying the airplane. Then, when I started instructing, I got a great deal of satisfaction from soloing out someone who didn't know anything about airplanes a short time before, and attending to that person as he/she progressed through the person's ratings.

I liked the romance of the so-called Golden Age of Airlines of the '50s. Sure, RJs are cool and I would have loved to fly one, or a 1900, or something with glass, for that matter. But Connies, DC-7s, DC-3s, etc. have it over all of them for romance.

I appreciate SkyKing's point two ways. Being in an airplane beats sitting in front of the screen in an office all day - but it is hard to beat the $50K, too, unless it's more than $50K.

Yes, it's hard to explain.

 

[ClassG]

Did sim training at Flight Safety in Long Beach earlier this year. My instructor retired from United in 1976. He is now 86. Said he only knows of one other person than himself who has more type ratings and LOAs.

At 86, this man, Frank is his name, was still sharper than myself AND my sim partner together, both at around 30. He says it sucks to be an old pilot - you must always remember these things:
1. Never waste the opportunity to take a piss
2. Never, ever trust a fart.
3. And Never, Never let a stiffy go to waste - even if you're alone.
(OH, and in case you screw up on one of these first 3, ALWAYS wear dark black pants.)

Joking aside, when I sked him casually what it was about flying that he loved so much, for so long, he said many of the things you're all saying.

But added, he had done many other things in his life. But NOTHING else made him feel like the man he KNEW he was supposed to be. Only flying did that. Sure it's about challenges and relationships and maybe even chicks. But it made him whole.

It's so great to get to hear from an old-timer every now and again. They usually don't tell you anything you haven't already heard. But the way they say, and the place it comes from leaves a lasting effect that you'll always respect.

Hope Frank's still doing well. I know his wife was sick. Hope they get to enjoy another beautiful Christmas this year. Anyone heard from him lately?

 

[AWACoff]

I love to fly because without it, my life would not be complete. If I get furloughed again, you will find me working for peanuts at the nearest dropzone. Why live if you can't fly, eh?

 

[Fr8Dog]

well everyone knows chicks love pilots so you have to become a pilot if you want to get laid all the time, and because of all the money you make. Well thats what I thought when I started flying anyway.

 

[Country Wild]

It is the best therapy I have found.

 

[bigD]

Poon.


I was told to expect lots of this upon becoming a pilot. But once I got my private, I waited, and nothing happened. So they told me I needed to fly bigger planes, so I got checked out in the 172, and still, nothing happened. So I thought maybe flying low winged planes would do it and got checked out in the entire Cherokee line. Still, nothing happened. Retracts! Now that's where the poon is. 250 hours of retract time later, and still nothing. Light twins! 100 hours later - still nothing.

Man, this is harder than I thought! I bet you've gotta burn kerosene. That's it! I need to be flying a turboprop or jet. I'll be beating them off with a stick then!

Heh heh - I'm really glad my girlfriend doesn't spend any time on these boards....I'd be in DEEEEP trouble!