Don't set age as a requirement! I have a friend at our old field who has a 1937 T-craft and a Kolb U/L He flies almost everyday that the weather allows and he's 84 or 85. He was happy to see Sport Pilot come about. Heard he was still going strong last week. He quit drinking at 52 and figured he needed a new hobby so he took up flying! Last count was about 3500 hours.

maulewaco wrote:70 and 40 for the planes and 42 for the pilot.

Hey N6EA 1971 M-4 at 25 years old in 2007. Can I get one of your calendars?

Whoops, shouldn't try to type before am coffee. I should have tried to lie about my age first.

There's a gentleman at our airport who learned to fly and got his Private at 80. Age means nothing.

Age: 37
Sense of Humor: "Eleventeen"
Airplane: 55 and better-than-new

A: "Old Woman!"
D: "Man!"
A: "Man, sorry... What knight lives in that castle over there?"
D: "I'm 37"
A: "W-What?"
D: "I'm 37, I'm not old!"

I still don't think Jr. has answered the question. Where did the "Jr." part come from anyway? hehehe

I'm 28, my airplane just turned 60 last month.

Interesting thread.

John

Nope, FAA figures we are just way too old at 55 and are forced to retire. I love what I do and would to do it until the day I die, but Uncle Sam says noway.

[quote="zero.one.victor 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?
Eric[/quote]

Ok kids. I'm 70 but this year will be 69. Next year 68, etc. I've decided to live the rest of my life backwards!

We have locally a 94 year old sport pilot who flies the actual first FAA licensed light sport aircraft, a Sportstar. He let his 3rd class expire when he got the plane almost 2 years ago. I go flying with him occasionally when he wants a youngster along!

Fun thread:
Am a WW2 baby. Started flying a PA18 in 71 so I could hunt and fish all over ALASKA. Married and moved to Tx 4 years ago. My Tx ( also a WW2 baby ) wife of 4 years decided last year she wanted to get a pilot ticket. Was else could I do but teach her. Must keep peace in the house.
When you fly your always learning or you die !!!!

I am 61 and my babies are 54 and 38.
My neighbor is 80 plus and still flies up to parker for the buffet every week.
Jay

Good morning folks. A newbie here. I'm 52 and live in the mountainous state of Wisconsin. Lots of grass strips around here and a ton of water to land a seaplane. I've been a pilot for 30 years and spent most of them renting. 4 years ago bought a '46 stinson and life got a whole lot better. I'd give that thing one of my kidneys if it needed it. I fly quite often to the airport in Iola Wisconsin that has been mentioned a few times in Sport Aviation and have met the wise old characters that hang around there. There is a 95 year old that still flies his C-150 every week. He pulls it out of the hangar and fires it up for an hour or two of putting around. Has a hard time hearing you but is still sharp as a tack. This site reminds me a lot of Iola. A bunch of folks who love to share the joy of this addiction we call flying. Gimmee more
Mark and 8408K

Yup, Cool thread. All kinds of pilots with all backgrounds make this site great... and a webmaster/moderator with Zane's disposition, expertise, and enthusiasm.

Jr., you da man. I should have put more thought into my "handle". Maybe I wouldn't have ended up dubbed "bumpkin" (the bird used to be white with a whole lotta "pumpkin orange" on it)... hehehe. Do you still have your Supercub kit? You're gonna love your 170 with those extra ponies.

M

I'll be 46 middle of next month...both my planes are 61 already.......
JH

Wow, lots of new faces here, I go away for a day or two and look what happens. Welcome everyone!

I tuned 48 yesterday, that makes me a '59 model and my Fly'n station wagon is a 48 model.

I have to say, I have owned rag bags all of my life, love them, but you never get anywhere fast.

I have been eyeballing a super viking as I think they may be the fastest of the rag bag planes. Wheel is on the wrong end though.

Dane

Building without a kit for the first time is ambitious indeed! Looks like you have good welding skills, though, Jr. My first homebuilt will be a sheet metal and computer CNC prepunched KIT, I am afraid. But that's because I don't have any good skills. Girls only want guys with good skills!

M

man... this thread pulled alot of you guys out of the woodworks. Good to hear fom you all. I never mentioned my planes age I don't think, it's a 1950. A little older than my father and he always says he hopes its in better shape than he is, cuz he wouldn't fly himself around

Howdy..................

Thought that I would add another "older" type pilot to the list. I am 65 but real happy to see lots of younger folks with the flying passion.

Jim

Add me to the 30's group. Never thought I'd get to 33, but here I am finally!! Never posted, but this post brought me out. My bird's 24 and I've been with her for just over 3 years now. There's things I've regretted doing in my life, but never getting my own plane. Thanks for have such a great website to enjoy!

This kid is a 1956 model, older than my two planes which are '63 and '67 models. I started flying in 1973 in my Dad's Pacer.

I have a friend who just sold his 170 (owned for over 30 years) last year at about age 80.Another friend about the same age just sold his L-16. There's a guy at my airport who's 93, still owns a Twin Commanche. I admire his hutzpah, but I do believe he's not up to the challenge anymore, at least in that thing. A couple years ago I was on downwind when he came burning into the pattern at about 180 mph and about 500 feet too high. He finally realized that his ducks weren't in a row and peeled off into a big 360 to slow down and go down. His landing was just dandy though!
Kurt, one day last summer I was flying with a friend in his new Husky south along Dabob Bay down by where he lives at the end of the Coyle peninsula. We were at about 4-500 feet, and a T-Craft went by our right side northbound at about 300. Looked like Mac. Good on him!

Eric

Mac's is blue & white and slow & always low.
How'd you like the Husky?