lowflybye wrote:

Tadpole wrote:

lowflybye wrote:That is why a 727 (and others) have a tail stand. FedEx / UPS and others use nose gear straps on the other aircraft models...keeps the aircraft from doing a stationary wheelie. : )

that requires more man hours to use.....

I know you were being sarcastic, but in all reality it takes less time than hooking up the pushback tug...used to do it all the time when I was a rampie at FedEx back in my college days. We always loaded the tail first...hard to load front to back when the cargo door is up front...so a nosewheel strap or a tailstand were a must do item. I have seen more than one nosewheel strap pulled tight when the tail got heavy. As a side note, when the nose straps are replaced after useful life they make excellent tow straps for off road vehicles...the vehicle will break before the strap does.

I was being sarcastic. I've stuck my fair share under tails of KC-10s and KC-135s.

Littlecub wrote:Heck, this thread has already been hijacked...........

This concludes our test of the thread hijacking system...we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

z3skybolt wrote:Sorry...

...about the format above. I must have punched the wrong button. And no...I never learned to spell. Now...back to backcountry flying.

Blue Skies.

Bob

Hello my BCP friends. Sorry if I helped stir the pot I agree, back to what this forum is about..... Backcountry Flying

Oh hey...... Remember this thread??? http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6672

58Skylane wrote:Hello my BCP friends. Sorry if I helped stir the pot I agree, back to what this forum is about..... Backcountry Flying

I don't personally have a problem with it...it's fun to stir the pot from time to time...keeps things interesting. We just have to keep an eye on it so we don't slosh over the sides and start a fire.

lowflybye wrote:

58Skylane wrote:Hello my BCP friends. Sorry if I helped stir the pot I agree, back to what this forum is about..... Backcountry Flying

I don't personally have a problem with it...it's fun to stir the pot from time to time...keeps things interesting. We just have to keep an eye on it so we don't slosh over the sides and start a fire.

Big 10-4 on that

Tadpole wrote:One of the reasons I'm trying to decide which plane next. I want a XC, IFR plane to carry my wife, 4yr old, soon-to-be-born, and myself on trips to see family. I'm tired of flying commercial and would much rather do it myself even at a higher cost. More freedom too, and typically faster. Window shopping now while I evaluate what to get.

Yep. Every time we think about moving down there my future plane plan grows in scope. I've now bypassed the 210 or Bonanza in favor of a KI Seneca II or 310 just to avoid the airlines in everything but the worst winter weather. Sigh.

You know, this thread brings up some interesting questions. When I first started flying I had thoughts of using my plane for business and reducing my dependence on airline flying. I quickly learned that weather could easily destroy any travel plans even one day in advance. Then I came to understand that the capabilities of the individual plane would, to a large degree, contribute to regulating my ability to plan flights. Finally, I came to grips with skill sets I would need to have to even partially achieve the goal of business flying.

I had to ask myself a couple of questions. Do I want to invest the dollars necessary to buy the kind of plane that business flying would require? Am I willing to spend the time and money to achieve those flying skills that the plane and weather would demand? And the big one, is the forced personal risk worth the payback?

I came to the conclusion that, for me, I fly because it is fun and it provides me with opportunities that make me grow as a person. If I want to fly to a destination, then I am not going to put any constraints on that flight. Like a time or even date to get there and back. It is all about sharing that experience with family and friends. If all the variables come together and I can use my plane for business - Great! If not, one less thing I have to be concerned about.

Part of the trick to life, I have come to believe, is letting life be good to you.

(All comments and opinions are those of a personal nature. No pilots were harmed during the writing of this posting)

I guess I haven't had as many negative experiences as other people flying commercial. Aside from the inconvenience and bitter pill that is airport security and unreliable airline scheduling, I actually find it easier to focus on my job and the work when I can relax and fly the airlines. When I'm the pilot, that task and associated set of responsibilities dominates my consciousness, work is a distant second priority. Plus, if we have some nasty weather to contend with, I'd prefer to let the pros who fly approaches several times a day, everyday, handle it.

So I guess the best solution is light charter in a 310.

Domestic just sucks and I travel several times a year on business. Believe it or not Southwest treats me the best plus they seem to hire "younger" ladies. International business class is still very nice and I believe on a recent trip to China I had actual silverware not plastic, hot towel, a big chair with tv, blankets, and all the free alcohol you could drink. Of course the ticket was like 17K which I consider a crime but hey it wasn't my dime and 15 hours on an airplane is a damn long time. As as side note the flight attendants were older than my grandmother which doesn't help sell tickets IMHO.