iceman wrote:You know, Flywriter, You could probably sit down at a dozen hangar flying sit ins with us old pilots and not learn anything new and just hear about politics and the cost of fuel and such. But once in a while the conversation turns golden and you hear stuff that really settles in and makes an impression. THen you hear the tales of great flying and good fellowship and stories of one guy putting it all on the line to help anothe pilot. Doesn't happen too often but then once in a while you share oxygen with someone who makes your day and you remember those times and it all seems to come together. Too often there's way too much animosity at the airport. THis guy hates that guy, this one doesn't approve of that one and so on. But for the most part if you put the Bull crap asside most of the pilots I know are really good guys and will go out of their way to help in any situation.. Ah I guess I just had one too many glasses of wine tonight.Disregard the previous>>>>>>

Oh dear ~ you mean you guys are *human*???! There's potentially petty personality crap wherever more than two people gather together ~ even with pilots????!!

Go figure

Premise of my article in a nutshell is that for better or for worse, ultimately the best saving grace GA has is its "communities"; at airports, here ... you guys need to spread the love for what you do; rise above, care, and spread the enthusiasm for the kind of flying you enjoy with the world; inspire a kid ~ wake up an adult to possibilities....

Just call me a Pollyanna ~ but I've talked to, interviewed, probed enough men and women's pilot minds?

To think you all are more than capeable of rising to the challenge ~ I have faith

In the past, I've lived in an airpark (with all the diversity described above) and it was fun, but sometimes pretty stressful too. It's tough to get a group that's too diverse to get along well with eachother. We had everything from retired ag-pilots to retired Coast guard paper pushers, to retired full Colonels in the AF, as well as an ultralite guy.... and for the most part, everyone got along and just ignored the idiotic stuff...but sometimes it was a bit tense.
Now I live on my own airport.... 2400 feet of grass that belongs to me, and having the experience of dealing with the diversity from the airparks has helped me nurture the "community" of friends that I like to have around here. The only real "rule" is that you have to enjoy flying and not be a jerk. I've done the warbird, antiques, rayban crowd thing....and there are some great people in them....and they're welcome here...as long as they realize that the guys with the Powered Parachutes are just as welcome and have as much right to be here as they do.... and so far it's worked out well! We're mostly into old, small aircraft....and tend to draw those people as well as the PPC crowd occasionally. As long as it's fun, it'll continue. We're definately into getting the younger generation (that includes ANY age) exposed to the fun part of flying and hangar flying. Summer brings the occasional BBQ, beautiful evenings and a cold iced tea from the fridge... winter brings ski flying and hot coffee (or chocolate) in the shop while we BS or work.
Definately the internet has opened up many different communities, and I enjoy and participate in quite a few...aircraft, trucks, horses, motorcycles...and a few others.....
As far as the expense thing, and prioritizing to make ends meet.... I agree with all that has been said before... you sacrifice for what you want to have... we (my wife and I) figured out that wealth has very little to do with money a long time ago. Our horses are here, planes, motorcycles, trucks, and most importantly friends......and about everything else we really want...it's just a matter of what you want to have in your life and what it's worth.
By the way Flywriter.... you can always justify the horses as "runway mowers"..... see?
John

hardtailjohn wrote:In the past, I've lived in an airpark (with all the diversity described above) and it was fun, but sometimes pretty stressful too. It's tough to get a group that's too diverse to get along well with eachother. We had everything from retired ag-pilots to retired Coast guard paper pushers, to retired full Colonels in the AF, as well as an ultralite guy.... and for the most part, everyone got along and just ignored the idiotic stuff...but sometimes it was a bit tense.
Now I live on my own airport.... 2400 feet of grass that belongs to me, and having the experience of dealing with the diversity from the airparks has helped me nurture the "community" of friends that I like to have around here. The only real "rule" is that you have to enjoy flying and not be a jerk. I've done the warbird, antiques, rayban crowd thing....and there are some great people in them....and they're welcome here...as long as they realize that the guys with the Powered Parachutes are just as welcome and have as much right to be here as they do.... and so far it's worked out well! We're mostly into old, small aircraft....and tend to draw those people as well as the PPC crowd occasionally. As long as it's fun, it'll continue. We're definately into getting the younger generation (that includes ANY age) exposed to the fun part of flying and hangar flying. Summer brings the occasional BBQ, beautiful evenings and a cold iced tea from the fridge... winter brings ski flying and hot coffee (or chocolate) in the shop while we BS or work.
Definately the internet has opened up many different communities, and I enjoy and participate in quite a few...aircraft, trucks, horses, motorcycles...and a few others.....
As far as the expense thing, and prioritizing to make ends meet.... I agree with all that has been said before... you sacrifice for what you want to have... we (my wife and I) figured out that wealth has very little to do with money a long time ago. Our horses are here, planes, motorcycles, trucks, and most importantly friends......and about everything else we really want...it's just a matter of what you want to have in your life and what it's worth.
By the way Flywriter.... you can always justify the horses as "runway mowers"..... see?
John

Hi John ~ I would have responded to this before now?

But a) busy weekend ... and b)? Just been sitting here drooling over that picture!

You're living my dream sir ~ living my dream....................

Appreciate too ~ your attitude and thoughts shared here.
Putting the finishing touches on my article ... wish me luck
Thank you to everyone who contributed here and shared your perspective.

(p.s. ~ I see you went for the "heavy-duty" mowers! They're beautiful!)