I read Jill Tallman’s article “Around the Patch: December Anniversary” (January 2014 Flight Training). I really enjoyed seeing both the up and the downsides of owning an airplane from the emotional as well as practical aspects. I’m coming up on 200 hours of flight time, and will be retiring in a couple years. I’ve been renting ever since getting my private pilot certificate. I know exactly what Jill was talking about when she ticked off things such as rushing to get back on time and cleaning up after somebody else. There have also been equipment issues that were dragged out because the owner couldn’t decide whether or when to spend the money. And the airplane I’ve been renting up to this point is an hour away. All that detracts from the joy and freedom of flight.
Time off from my job, the weather, and airplane availability all have to line up favorably in order for me to fly. The odds of all three happening simultaneously is small, especially here in the Northeast in winter. I’ve daydreamed of how wonderful it would be to see a good-weather day and just go. I’ve hesitated about ownership because I thought the responsibilities would be overwhelming, and I’m not very mechanical. But the more comfortable I get with flying, and the more I see and hear about ownership, the more clear it becomes that I really can have my own airplane. Jill’s article reinforced the idea that it is doable for mere mortals.
Mark Litteken
Valatie, New York
We get letters!
I would like to respond to the “Letters” section, “Lapsed Pilots: Never Too Late to Learn?” (January 2014 Flight Training). I, too, would like to see an article geared toward new “older” pilots and the careers available to them. I have been involved in aviation off and on all of my life and it wasn’t until I resumed my flight training at 50 years old that I began hearing from other “older” pilots who shared the same experience—beginning (or resuming) flight training after the kids and grandkids are grown. At the time, I thought I was experiencing a mid-life crisis, until I discovered many others in their 50s and older doing the same thing. More important, many from our age group are doing great things since completing initial training, and I too would enjoy reading about them. Too old to fly? Think again!
Robert Elliott
Clovis, New Mexico
I wholeheartedly agree with Wolf Edmond’s comments in “Letters.” His comments on the Sport Pilot program are right on. The Cessna 162 is a higher-performing airplane than the 152, the only difference is the weight. Plus the 152 is a lot cheaper. If the FAA is really serious about promoting general aviation it would revise the number of airplanes that would qualify for an LSA rating.
Norm Sparby
Napa, California
Special signature
Just read the article about Caitlin Lyons' private pilot checkride (“Success Stories,” January 2014 Flight Training). I couldn’t help but notice the calligraphy in her logbook. Not mentioned in the article, the calligraphy was done by designated pilot examiner Frank DeAngelone. Over the years I’ve flown with Frank for private, commercial, multi, and tailwheel endorsement. Frank is an institution on Long Island, a great guy, and a flyer’s flyer with a most interesting flying career. Frank should be an article of his own.
Vic La Sala
Sedona, Arizona
Memory fix
Natalie Bingham Hoover’s article “Memory Fix” in the January edition gives a great overview of the need to understand aircraft maintenance requirements, logbook entries, and endorsements—and to be able to determine whether a rented, borrowed, or owned aircraft is really airworthy. I would add that when reviewing airworthiness directives, it would be prudent to clearly understand which ADs are one time, which are recurring, and that recurring AD requirements have all been met also.
Mike Montefusco
Fort Worth, Texas
Erratum
“Advanced Pilot: Oops, Wrong Airport” (February 2014 Flight Training) incorrectly identified the location of McConnell Air Force Base in the illustration on page 48. McConnell is located just below the indicated airport. Flight Training regrets the error.
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