cool, interesting pax...

killbilly · February 18th, 2008, 14:15

So I get nestled into my window seat yesterday for a flight from PDX to DFW. I set my coat down, put one book in the pocket and open the other to start reading. The older gentleman (late 60s to early 70s I think) seated next to me glances over at my book - it's a very-used copy of "Tips To Fly By" that I picked up at Powell's.

"Are you a pilot?" he asks. Soft-spoken, genteel mannerism.

I smile. "I'm a student pilot. Working on my private."

"And do you plan to fly commercially?"

I paused with this. My first reaction - he was like thousands of other people that equate "commercial" with 121 flying, and was about to just say, no, but something stopped me. I thought for a second and said, "I'd like to get a commercial ticket, yes - the skills I'd pick up are pretty valuable, but I don't necessarily think airline flying is for me."

And something clicked with him. Looking back, I think I passed a test or something. Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Turns out yonder older gent drove Super Sabers and Starfighters in the Air Force before going into the private sector as a rep for Boeing. Also had some joint-training stuff and flew a few RAF Hawker Hunters. He was nice enough to tell me some stories...paraphrased excerpts below...

On the Sabre's flying characteristics...

"You had to constantly adjust the attitude - it would drift about no matter what - trimming it was a constant work in progress...transatlantic flights in the thing were incredibly uncomfortable."

On the Starfighter...

"Flew like it was in a trench on rails. Tremendous power."

On the Hunter...

"The British pay different attention to detail. The Saber's pressurization system was loud and obnoxious, but the Hunter was quiet - quiet enough you could take off your helmet and conduct a normal conversation. They seemed very concerned with making the airplane 'tight' and well put-together - more than we were in those days."

He then mentions that he was thinking about getting current and picking up his CFI tickets, because he thought he might like to fly again and teach. Says there's a nice airport right where he lives in McKinney, TX.

So I tell him what I know about TKI, Monarch and the flying clubs in the area. His eyes light up, and he says he wants to check out the clubs. I tell him that would be great - he's got a lot of experience to offer the fledglings out there...

Super-nice guy. Very kind, with that quiet competence you get from seasoned pros.

Never did get his name, nor did I give him mine, but I sure hope to see him on the ramp some time...I think he'll do a good student a good service. It was a nice chat.

JetsGoWhee · February 18th, 2008, 14:19

Cool!

ljg · February 18th, 2008, 14:22

You never know who you'll run into on the road. Good story.

SeanD · February 18th, 2008, 15:20

Great story. I cant imagine what that must of been like flying the Saber let alone flying it on a transatlantic. I remember sitting in one at the Aviation Nation here in Vegas after I annoyed the owner for about 10 minutes

. Im only 5 ft 9 and weight about 150ish and I consumed most of the cockpit with very little room to move.
What an amazing aircraft.

Skillet · February 18th, 2008, 15:21

That's good stuff and alot better than some lady my dad sat by once. He was already seated and a lady sat down in the seat next to his looked over at him and said "I don't do chit-chat".

Mark

t-cart · February 18th, 2008, 17:40

I really enjoy sitting and talking to those types of people.

February 18th, 2008, 14:15	#1
killbilly Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,165	cool, interesting pax... So I get nestled into my window seat yesterday for a flight from PDX to DFW. I set my coat down, put one book in the pocket and open the other to start reading. The older gentleman (late 60s to early 70s I think) seated next to me glances over at my book - it's a very-used copy of "Tips To Fly By" that I picked up at Powell's. "Are you a pilot?" he asks. Soft-spoken, genteel mannerism. I smile. "I'm a student pilot. Working on my private." "And do you plan to fly commercially?" I paused with this. My first reaction - he was like thousands of other people that equate "commercial" with 121 flying, and was about to just say, no, but something stopped me. I thought for a second and said, "I'd like to get a commercial ticket, yes - the skills I'd pick up are pretty valuable, but I don't necessarily think airline flying is for me." And something clicked with him. Looking back, I think I passed a test or something. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Turns out yonder older gent drove Super Sabers and Starfighters in the Air Force before going into the private sector as a rep for Boeing. Also had some joint-training stuff and flew a few RAF Hawker Hunters. He was nice enough to tell me some stories...paraphrased excerpts below... On the Sabre's flying characteristics... "You had to constantly adjust the attitude - it would drift about no matter what - trimming it was a constant work in progress...transatlantic flights in the thing were incredibly uncomfortable." On the Starfighter... "Flew like it was in a trench on rails. Tremendous power." On the Hunter... "The British pay different attention to detail. The Saber's pressurization system was loud and obnoxious, but the Hunter was quiet - quiet enough you could take off your helmet and conduct a normal conversation. They seemed very concerned with making the airplane 'tight' and well put-together - more than we were in those days." He then mentions that he was thinking about getting current and picking up his CFI tickets, because he thought he might like to fly again and teach. Says there's a nice airport right where he lives in McKinney, TX. So I tell him what I know about TKI, Monarch and the flying clubs in the area. His eyes light up, and he says he wants to check out the clubs. I tell him that would be great - he's got a lot of experience to offer the fledglings out there... Super-nice guy. Very kind, with that quiet competence you get from seasoned pros. Never did get his name, nor did I give him mine, but I sure hope to see him on the ramp some time...I think he'll do a good student a good service. It was a nice chat. __________________ "The first rule of Flight Club is you do not talk about Flight Club."

February 18th, 2008, 14:19	#2
JetsGoWhee Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Virginia'ing Posts: 192	Re: cool, interesting pax... Cool! __________________

February 18th, 2008, 14:22	#3
ljg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 546	Re: cool, interesting pax... You never know who you'll run into on the road. Good story.

February 18th, 2008, 15:20	#4
SeanD Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KLAS Posts: 3,578	Re: cool, interesting pax... Great story. I cant imagine what that must of been like flying the Saber let alone flying it on a transatlantic. I remember sitting in one at the Aviation Nation here in Vegas after I annoyed the owner for about 10 minutes . Im only 5 ft 9 and weight about 150ish and I consumed most of the cockpit with very little room to move. What an amazing aircraft. __________________ JoBama 08

February 18th, 2008, 15:21	#5
Skillet Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Orlando Posts: 84	Re: cool, interesting pax... That's good stuff and alot better than some lady my dad sat by once. He was already seated and a lady sat down in the seat next to his looked over at him and said "I don't do chit-chat". Mark

February 18th, 2008, 17:40	#6
t-cart Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In the sticks Posts: 602	Re: cool, interesting pax... I really enjoy sitting and talking to those types of people.

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