I linger often and come in at 32 on the age scale. I find this to be very interesting as I've been trying to come up with ideas to get others in my age group involved in aviation. They seem to be the missing generation in our neck of the woods. I've found many that have no time and lots of money or absolutely no money and lots of time with interest in learning to fly.

From people in this forum let me ask the following question. How did you get into flying??? Personal bug to learn to fly, professional pilot, flying club, buddy took you for a ride, etc... I would be interested to hear how people have gotten into aviation.

Personally I've had my pilots license since the age of 17 and was effectively raised in aviation with my parents running the local FBO for years.

My plane is 48 and I am 61.

Tim

My plane and I are 7 years apart but it only seems like 5

27, flying a 61 year old plane

I'm new on this board but have been flying for 15 years. I'm 40 years old but my Mom swears I stopped "maturing" at 15, whatever that means! Oh yeah, almost forgot. My ex-wife thinks I act 12. I tell her that she only brings out the best in me!

I went all the way up to forty some years back and didn't like it one damn bit so I went back down to thirty and started back up agian, figured it might be better the second time around. So now I am 32 sort of

Getting younger folks into aviation: seems like Doth is right, often a money/no time or time/no money kinda thing. Some people might get involved except that other hobbies are easier. You see lotsa people riding motorcycles these days, for example-- it doesn't take a month or more to develop the skills necesary to go for a ride by yourself, usually an afternoon or two can get that accomplished. Also, no medical certificate required, and a mid-adventure beer isn't any big deal either. Ditto for a hot-rod, a motorhome,a jet-ski, or a sailboat. Or maybe just a set of golf clubs. Hell, learning to fly is a lot of work!

Eric

54. Still trying to figure out what I wanna be when I grow up. Had my 180 since 84.

My first plane ride was on my Dad's lap in his B-17 durning WWII... soon to be 64...

33, the plane 41

I really didn't expect to see as many people in there twenty and thirtys in here thats pretty awsome considering most of us in this age brackett are mortgaged out and broke And to you more "seasoned" guys thanks for making your experience so available to young punks like me. It's easy to post what seem like stupid questions to you guys and not feel like you're gonna reep hell on us.

BTW: Kenny Chapman you got your 180 the year I was born

Physically 34

Mentally 18

The plane is 53. I am 42 and trying to enjoy every minute.

I have learned that time is more important than money. I can save money, but I get 24 hours every day and it has to be spent right now. I can earn money, but time is allotted.

I have a neighbor who was still flying his PA 11 at 90 years old. His son, my age once said "if he can get it out of the hangar and start it, let him fly."

At 42 I don't feel old, just broke in. I try to enjoy every minute wether here, at a family event, boring meeting, etc... But if this weather would stay clear I would fly every possible minute.


There isn't ONE person visiting this forum is who old. Squander your cash on toys and enjoy every minute you have, they are limited.

Bill

I'd like to say I'm older and wiser than most of those that have answered at 49, but I'd be lying,,, at least about the wiser part.

Oh, and Frankie (my Maule) is 35. I guess you could say I have a thing for younger women. (Just airplanes sweety ) Just in case my wife is reading this.

Mark

loving life because, as a controller I'm 4 years away from mandatory faa retirement and will have the next 30 years to do nothing but go flying and continue enjoying life.

I hate to ask for directions...but can any of you direct me to the more mature, 170 site? The mean age here at BCP is closer to the square root of 170 than mine. Just kidding. Okay, I'm 57. So, since my Maule is 30...can I subtract that? Okay, I'm 27...is that better?
Don

I've always wished my airplane could talk. It's 43 and was owned by Don Sheldon. Imagine what I could learn from it.

sector15 wrote:loving life because, as a controller I'm 4 years away from mandatory faa retirement and will have the next 30 years to do nothing but go flying and continue enjoying life.

Is the mandatory retirement age for controllers the same as for airline pilots--60? There's talk now about bumping that to 65, maybe the same for controllers,eh?
I don't need any "mandatory" retirement age, just as soon as I'm financially able to do it I'll be gone. I'm only gonna slow down long enough to tell the boss to kiss my ass! Unfortunately I'll probably be so old & slow by the time I can afford to retire that he'll be able to catch me and kick my ass instead!

Eric

I am now 28, but I got my tailwheel endorsement at 26 in an aircraft that was twice my age. Something about respecting your elders for they are (usually) wiser and can teach you a lot. I learned a lot about flying from that old Supercub...she weren't pretty, but she could still float you around the pattern with all the grace of her early years.

-Low

Hey, we had a gentleman and his wife come to our 170 fly-in at Minam Lodge last June who was flying a beautiful 170B with a fuel injected 160 and he was 79...he was an inspiration to me and I'm just 2-yrs older than my plane....