Good Ole' Days!

[PGA07]

After my visit to the aviaiton club with my friend yesterday, I got to thinking. Boy has the general aviation community changed. Some of you will not recall those times, because you never experienced it, when the FBO or club was the place to be. Some of the more experienced people on here may recall those times.

A nice summer day, would find my father and I at the local airport, even if we did not fly. Sitting at the end of the runway watching approaches, enjoying the day. Then going to the FBO or club and just talking with people who shared the same interest. On a nice day there were at times, 20 people at the FBO or club. Some flying, others teaching, others just enjoying the moment. The more I look back the more I realize that my love of aviaiton began right there and then. Those are the images burned into my memory.

People were not concerned with getting to such and such place with this many hours or in this many months. They flew because they loved it! If an opportunity presented itself within the field, they may have taken it. If not, they still stuck around and shared what they knew. People shared flights. Aerobatic (which is hard to find now) pilots freely took anyone interested up for a ride. Anyone within aviation within a 100 mile radius knew most of the good pilots and instructors. It was fun!

You just don't find this today. Most people are only concerned with advancing their career in as short of time as possible. It was a time when the sight of a Citation was the rare occurance. Now that has be replaced with the sight of and Aeronca(SP) Champ being the rare occurance. Boy times have changed!

I guess I just find myself longing for the Good Ole' Days! Take me back to the "Flight of Passage" with Rink Buckner days! There was no SJS or PFT, there was only a passion!

[Murdoughnut]

That's because, while there's an over abundance of pilots out there, there are very few aviators any more.

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by PGA07

After my visit to the aviaiton club with my friend yesterday, I got to thinking. Boy has the general aviation community changed. Some of you will not recall those times, because you never experienced it, when the FBO or club was the place to be. Some of the more experienced people on here may recall those times.

A nice summer day, would find my father and I at the local airport, even if we did not fly. Sitting at the end of the runway watching approaches, enjoying the day. Then going to the FBO or club and just talking with people who shared the same interest. On a nice day there were at times, 20 people at the FBO or club. Some flying, others teaching, others just enjoying the moment. The more I look back the more I realize that my love of aviaiton began right there and then. Those are the images burned into my memory.

People were not concerned with getting to such and such place with this many hours or in this many months. They flew because they loved it! If an opportunity presented itself within the field, they may have taken it. If not, they still stuck around and shared what they knew. People shared flights. Aerobatic (which is hard to find now) pilots freely took anyone interested up for a ride. Anyone within aviation within a 100 mile radius knew most of the good pilots and instructors. It was fun!

You just don't find this today. Most people are only concerned with advancing their career in as short of time as possible. It was a time when the sight of a Citation was the rare occurance. Now that has be replaced with the sight of and Aeronca(SP) Champ being the rare occurance. Boy times have changed!

I guess I just find myself longing for the Good Ole' Days! Take me back to the "Flight of Passage" with Rink Buckner days! There was no SJS or PFT, there was only a passion!

Not to say you can't really find this anymore, but this is sort of what the field I fly and work at is like. Yes, there are people who do it for a career (that is what I am doing to), but there is still a passion out there. Jets are very rare, lots of taildraggers, just old planes, gliders, kit planes, and yes aerobatics! Just the other day I got an offer to go up in one. I have only really spent time at a few fields growing up, and it was the same thing at those airports to.

Unfourtunitly, I see change on the horizon. The township jsut bought the airport and they want a longer wider runway, new taxiways, corporate hangers, jets, a restuarant, shop, and throw all the light GA in T hangers. there is also going to be condiminiums built near the end of the runway (pretty safe rumor now) and I just can't wait till they start complaining.

It is frustrating and depressing to see that airports around the country are being turned into this, but I guess that is the business....

[skydog]

The other day I was driving along a two-lane highway and I noticed an airplane flying very low. At first I thought it was a cropduster but then I realized he was landing. I realized he was landing at a little grass strip I didn't even know existed. After I got closer I saw several airplanes sitting on the ground next to this little strip, and I realized that there was some kind of fly-in going on at someone's private airstrip. I didn't have time to stop so I don't really know what was going on. But rest assured that there is still a passion for sport aviation and the good ole days are not quite gone.

Passion is great when you are doing it for a hobby. But if you are making a living from it, I think people need to be more dispassionate. Passion is what has a guy flying an airplane with 50 people aboard for less than what a fellow can make delivering pizza.

I am undecided about this whole low time pilot thing, but I will say this: The requirements for the job are finally getting in line with what is being paid. i.e. The airlines aren't paying enough for a guy to have a logbook full of hours.

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by PGA07

I guess I just find myself longing for the Good Ole' Days! Take me back to the "Flight of Passage" with Rink Buckner days!

The days when I'd have to use a different water fountain at the FBO, if I was welcome at all?


Sorry - couldn't resist . . . although it's true . . .

[PGA07]

Originally Posted by n57flyguy

Not to say you can't really find this anymore, but this is sort of what the field I fly and work at is like. Yes, there are people who do it for a career (that is what I am doing to), but there is still a passion out there. Jets are very rare, lots of taildraggers, just old planes, gliders, kit planes, and yes aerobatics! Just the other day I got an offer to go up in one. I have only really spent time at a few fields growing up, and it was the same thing at those airports to.

Unfourtunitly, I see change on the horizon. The township jsut bought the airport and they want a longer wider runway, new taxiways, corporate hangers, jets, a restuarant, shop, and throw all the light GA in T hangers. there is also going to be condiminiums built near the end of the runway (pretty safe rumor now) and I just can't wait till they start complaining.

It is frustrating and depressing to see that airports around the country are being turned into this, but I guess that is the business....

I guess the old saying "money talks" is alive an well. We really can't blame these townships for wanting to advance an airfield to bring in more high profile traffic. Especially with it looking like more and more people going the route of on demand flights.

[PGA07]

Originally Posted by mtsu_av8er

The days when I'd have to use a different water fountain at the FBO, if I was welcome at all?


Sorry - couldn't resist . . . although it's true . . .

Tu che' (SP) hell, I can't spell it and won't look it up right now. I guess some things change for the better and others for the worse! All in all, we have to accept that the do in fact change!

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by PGA07

Tu che' (SP) hell, I can't spell it and won't look it up right now. I guess some things change for the better and others for the worse! All in all, we have to accept that the do in fact change!

No doubt. If we want the good change, we have to accept the bad as well.

[PGA07]

Originally Posted by mtsu_av8er

No doubt. If we want the good change, we have to accept the bad as well.

Although, I have come to the realization that change is indeed good. Unless it affects the environment, my health or my family! If it affects one of those three, then it is on!

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by mtsu_av8er

The days when I'd have to use a different water fountain at the FBO, if I was welcome at all?

Are you one of those...<gasp>....Freight Pilots???

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Are you one of those...<gasp>....Freight Pilots???

Hehehe . . . . I heard that they smell funny, and it's not safe to bring them around your daughter!

[CapnJim]

Originally Posted by mtsu_av8er

The days when I'd have to use a different water fountain at the FBO, if I was welcome at all?


Sorry - couldn't resist . . . although it's true . . .

I remember a water fountain at a JC Penny's in Ft. Worth that had been painted over several times, but even in the paint you could see a faint indentation of letters that spelled out the word 'BLACK'. I think that water fountain has been removed. I still remember it though. Jesus, that was in the 90's.

[Chewie von Nubbins]

Was this when you had to hand crank the prop to get the plane started, and nobody wore shoes, and all of the women washed clothes in the river and walked around bare foot and prego? AND...when you didn't have refrigerators, and no such thing as electricity?

Yeah, my Paw Paw talks about those days a lot too.

[gcman6]

I fly out of O03, a small grass strip in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the other day I was sharing the pattern with a shiny yellow cub. It was alot of fun, and a little slow too!!

[Doug Taylor]

Best advice dad ever gave me:

"Today ARE the 'good old days' boy."

Think about it.

[t-cart]

Do any of you young guys know what a GADO was? FLY SAFE! T.C. This was not all that long ago.

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by PGA07

I guess the old saying "money talks" is alive an well. We really can't blame these townships for wanting to advance an airfield to bring in more high profile traffic. Especially with it looking like more and more people going the route of on demand flights.

Yeah, but what sucks is the plan has no "back up" except for a Tramuahawk costing $130/hr. To me it is too optimistic, they want all these hangers, but they don't know if the companies will even come in! It could go bad, quick, and the only thing is A)everything costs more, a lot more or B) lock it up.

But our runway is only 3,700 feet and with jets........ I dont think I would see more than a CJ or Encore though. If it was solid, go for it! The place could use some remodeling, but nothing to this extent (I guess it is to get money to do that).

Another thing, the people who might come in will probably lack the passion of avaition and run it like a textbook. sigh........the good ole days are gone.

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Best advice dad ever gave me:

"Today ARE the 'good old days' boy."

Think about it.

oh, oh, I know, I know!

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by n57flyguy

oh, oh, I know, I know!

I'm on the ER, and I still say "Salt Lake was a great base! Man, it was like a fraternity!"

I was in SLC and I said, "DFW was a great base! Man, it was like a fraternity!"

When I was in DFW, I said, "MCO was a great base! Man, it was like a fraternity!"

I figure when I bid narrowbody captain, I'll probably say, "JFK on the ER was the best deal ever! Man, it was like a fraternity!" so might as well fully enjoy the here and now and not worry too much about the past, right?

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I'm on the ER, and I still say "Salt Lake was a great base! Man, it was like a fraternity!"

I was in SLC and I said, "DFW was a great base! Man, it was like a fraternity!"

When I was in DFW, I said, "MCO was a great base! Man, it was like a fraternity!"

I figure when I bid narrowbody captain, I'll probably say, "JFK on the ER was the best deal ever! Man, it was like a fraternity!" so might as well fully enjoy the here and now and not worry too much about the past, right?

I see you left out ATL!

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I'm on the ER, and I still say "Salt Lake was a great base! Man, it was like a fraternity!"

I was in SLC and I said, "DFW was a great base! Man, it was like a fraternity!"

When I was in DFW, I said, "MCO was a great base! Man, it was like a fraternity!"

I figure when I bid narrowbody captain, I'll probably say, "JFK on the ER was the best deal ever! Man, it was like a fraternity!" so might as well fully enjoy the here and now and not worry too much about the past, right?

Correct in my book, *thin book* I may add. Yeah, chill, have fun now, but keep it back in of your head till it comes. You only train once, so I say enjoy it!

Spaceballs "what is happening now, is now. NOW is NOW. Were in NOW, NOW. What about then? then is gone, were in NOW. How do we get back to then? we can't. why? Because were in NOW."

[Doug Taylor]

I wonder!

[surreal1221]

Originally Posted by skydog

Passion is great when you are doing it for a hobby. But if you are making a living from it, I think people need to be more dispassionate. Passion is what has a guy flying an airplane with 50 people aboard for less than what a fellow can make delivering pizza.

Well said. Keep your eye on the prize. Remember it's a job, a fun one, but still a job.

[Sprint100]

Originally Posted by mtsu_av8er

The days when I'd have to use a different water fountain at the FBO, if I was welcome at all?


Sorry - couldn't resist . . . although it's true . . .

That's exactly what I was thinking HILARIOUS

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

Well said. Keep your eye on the prize. Remember it's a job, a fun one, but still a job.

double well said.