Airplanes hold a special place in the imagination for many of us. Since today marks 100 years since that first flight at Kitty Hawk, why not share what airplanes/aviation mean to you. From simple means of transportation, to a way to make a living. From that magic feeling you had as a child the first time you remember seeing an airplane fly overhead (or smelled jet exhaust!), to the best airport coffee stand.

Aviation...."what's it to ya?"


I grew up in a family of pilots. My grandfather flew in the first Marine Aviation Force in Europe in 1918 (WWI), My dad started as a crew chief on B-17 at the tail end of WWII, and went on to get his wings flying the F-86, F-89, F-102, RF-4 (in vietnam) and the F-15. Me, I soloed in a C-152 at 16. Worked as a CFI through college and ended up with a commission in the Marine Corps flying CH-46's (beirut and Grenada era).

Now days, it's more of job. Labor unions and crappy managment take the joy out of flying for living. But it's all I know how to do, so I suck it up and realize how lucky I am to have a job where my office is at FL370.



Cheers to airplanes and to aviation. And another round to those aviators who have come before me and paved the way. Happy Birthday Aviation!

 

I wonder if his seatback was in the upright position when Wright made that first landing

 

I know that I never really paid that much attention to until they were all shut down after the 9-11 attacks. Boy, were the skys quiet then.

 

WOW, how do I get that gauge cluster for my car?

 

I flew the F4C Phantom in the AF.

 

33rd TAC Wing at Eglin by chance? My elemetary school playground was right next door....no wonder I can't hear!

 

No, though I trained with guys in the 33rd at Brooks. I see Anchorage in your location. Done time at Elmendorf.

 

I absolutely love airplanes. Ever since kindergarten. My kindergarten teacher had a box of toys for us to play with during recess and when I finally got a turn to play with a toy, I always the humongous (at least it was to me back then) toy B-52. So much fun. And, at my grandmother's house, they had a box of toys for me too, and I always played with the big toy F-14.....

 

Hoonda, what the heck is that in your sig? Is that the next NSX?

 

all about the g5 baby, fuel the jet