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I posted this offer in the videos forum but thought I would ask here as well. I would like to get some form flying in if anyone is interested around VA Beach area. I was thinking maybe we can eventually build up to a division and take it down to First Flight something this spring/summer. Imagine the sight of the very first division of Mooney's breaking over Kitty Hawk! Please let me know if anyone is interested.

My arm may also be twisted into doing this....God, I have so many first world problems!

I have been waiting for the local field here (Navy OLF Fentress) to open up on a weekend when I can make it out there. I have a pretty fast ritewing and Falcon 120 with an electric ducted fan on it. I would really like to fly them more than I do these days. Sure wish I could shrink myself and climb into those damn things sometimes.

Can you guys explain the inability to pick up captain? Are you saying that even if you work with the same airline until the age of 65, there will be enough folks who are younger but senior to you? Will this continue to be the case even with all forecasted changes in the airline industry?

While those jobs pay a good amount, I say no thanks. The possibility of being shot down or captured by the scum that lives in that part of the world without the same protection afforded to the military just doesn't sound appealing. Next, I'm getting out because I've done enough deployments to last me a lifetime. Being away from family as an airline pilot and being away on a deployment thousands of miles away are two entirely different things. At this point, I'll gladly do the former. Also, the same automation that takes you from one airport to the other over the US will be used to do countless circles in the sky over the same spot for hours on auto pilot....talk about exciting. To each his own.

If you are being serious, do you really need someone to break this down for you?

I don't agree with the numbers mentioned above for the regionals and here is why. The industry is changing due to self inflicted wounds that will really begin to fester in the next 3-5 years. I am in a similar situation as you but just about all of my 800hrs is turbine time and most of it is PIC. If I can fly some more with the military, I will continue but should I get out in the next couple of years and go the airline route, I will also have to "pay my dues" to get hired by the majors. Getting out of the military at around the age of 35 without a retirement will leave me with several options. Unless I just get really lucky and start a business with a golden egg laying goose, it will take me at least 5 years to match my current pay climbing the corporate ladder, which is absolutely undesirable. With this in mind, the wave of airline retirements and lack of qualified ATP aviators that is about to occur, I think I could make it to a major with my current experience within 3 to 4 years. Flying is what I love and I am coming to the realization that it is the only thing I want to do in life. Therefore the decision is easy for me considering the hardship. If you want to go the airline route, you will probably face a slightly steeper climb based on your current experience but I will say this, there hasn't been a better time to get into the airlines in well over a decade. The upswing of the airline cycle is coming up and I can only imagine there will be another decline at some point in the future (there always is). If you want to get in, do it now and get your "number". If you haven't already, google "airline pilot central" and start reading the threads.

I would love to get a division flight together if anyone is up for it in the Virginia Beach/North Carolina area. I'm thinking a flight of 4 Mooney's in the break over First Flight will look pretty damn cool.

I had a very similar experience and you can see a lengthy discussion about it on here if you desire. Long story short, I had multiple starting attempts on a cold engine (25 degrees) until the engine eventually backfired and set the pooling fuel in the air box on fire. Since then, I kept 2 light bulbs in the cowling if the weather was cold and even after the coldest night, the oil temp was a nice 40-50 degrees. Also, I hand turn the prop at least 3 or 4 times before attempting a cold start these days and I have not had a single issue since that day. The procedure I use is similar to what everyone else has stated above: master on, pump on, pump 3 times, pump off, wait 30 seconds, crank. Like I said, no issue at all.

The first step to fixing current day America is to fix the idea of Family, which will magically lead to education. Unfortunately, I don't think any of this will happen before the next major economic disaster, which I believe is around the corner.

I only buy my gas from Hummel field (W57). Last time I filled up, it was $3.57/gal. I refuse to pay nearly a third more at my home station.

My 63 C has a 3 blade prop and that is how I purchased it. It is actually being overhauled right now. I normally climb at 110mph and I routinely see 1500 FPM with just me in the plane and 1000 FPM with a passenger. I have never flown in another C with a 2 blade prop so I don't know if i'm doing better or worse but maybe someone can chime in. By the same token, it feels smooth enough to me without having anything to compare it to.

Ended up stopping in Crisfield (w41) for some cheap gas but no one was there to activate the pump so we took back off and went to Ocean City (OXB). I decided not to head west due to the winds and the lack of an appropriate runway at my destination to accommodate the wind. We ended up landing to the northwest at both airports and the wind was kicking right down the pipe...between 15-20 kts. I guess I'll have to wait for the mountains some more.

Made that mistake before...never again!

That looks like a good option. I was also looking at KSHD (Shenandoah) just to the. Gas is def cheaper here though and they have some good reviews on Foreflight.

I will fly there someday but not this weekend. I want to see some mountains.

That is my kind of humor. Just waiting for some angry lesbians to pipe up any minute about how this was offensive.

Looking for recommendations for the best $100 burger around my area. I'm planning on flying out of KPVG (Virginia Beach area) this sunday with some friends for about a 2hr round trip. I'd like to go North or NE but I'll consider anything.

Don't see that everyday.

I grew up in Union City and I have always wanted to take a flight around the bay. I'm def going to have to plan a trip to the Bay someday soon. Enjoyed the video!

Awesome video man. I miss SD like nothing else...sure hope I can move back someday. What type of camera/cameras are you using here and how are they mounted to the aircraft? I have a Contour Pro that I use on my RC place with a stick on mount and I have not had any issues with it so far. I am probably hitting around 100mph+ in a dive and it has never come flying off. I would love to try it with my Mooney as well.

I disagree with you and the accident here speaks volume as to why. Just because it can be done does not mean it should be done. Also, the whole issue here is that there was no good divert available. As a single seat Military aviator who spent plenty of time staying current, these are not the kind of conditions to take lightly when departing at 12am. I looked at the WX here last night and decided today would not a good day to go flying my Mooney. These guys had a serious case of get-home-itis and unfortunately it did not work out well.

I was looking at the forecast last night because I wanted to go out for a flight this morning. Needless to say, it did not look good at all and the decision was easy. I'm curious why he would take off knowing the wx he would eventually be dealing with? The saying about Bold and Old pilots comes to mind as I read over the transcript and listen to the comm.

Unbelievable that he would make the decision to take off in the first place. I wonder if he ever checked the wx. Judging by the ATC feed, i'm going to guess he did not.

Even with snow and ice in font of the hangar and at the risk of landing flat on my face trying to pull the plane out, I managed to log 2 hours this past weekend. Its supposed to be nice this weekend so i'm looking forward to some more flight time.