Message-ID: <013001c0b8eb$e58e2fa0$d3c395cf@pavilion>
From: "John Barrett" <2thman@olympus.net>
To: "Lancair Mail List" <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: Re: Learning to fly in a Lancair - Really stupid idea?
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2001 06:57:58 -0800
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Chris,

I agree with the advice to have the plane thoroughly checked - then go for
it.  One additional step if you haven't already done so.  Get some dual time
in a Lancair 2 seater and see if you still have the confidence/desire
combination.

I'm reminded of an experience I had in Lake Chelan about 15 years ago that
may apply here.  There was a squadron of guys with rebuilt T-34's all
dressed in warbird colors and doing aerobatics - generally having loads of
fun over the lake.  Since I did my military training in this airplane back
in 1968, I screwed up my courage to ask for a back seat ride.

One of the pilots agreed and I found myself over the lake doing loops, rolls
and a little formation flying.  I even got to do a bit of it myself - what a
KICK in the A--!  On the way back to the airport I started asking the guy
about himself.  Turns out he was about 50 (older than I), retired after
selling a company that made parts for Boeing, and had been flying for only
one year and had only about 400 hours total flight time - most if not all in
the T-34.  I began to second guess my sanity in asking to ride with someone
like this and my nervousness was hightened when he did a high speed low pass
over the runway followed by a chandelle back to final before landing.

Then I reconsidered my shortsightedness when I remembered that in the Navy,
I was doing much wilder stuff than he was within one year of beginning
flying at Pensacola and I only had 100 hours.  By about 150 to 200 hours, if
memory serves, I was flying Korean War vintage fighter jets converted to
advanced trainers.  I was in my early 20's was having a ball and considered
myself wholly invincable.  I was on top of the world.  Of course, a
significant # of guys around did get killed, but I never even gave my own
mortality a moment's thought except during the times I did stupid things in
the airplane and came close - (happened several times).

I wouldn't trade either experience - Navy flight training or the Chelan
experience - for the world.  If you're anything like me or thousands - maybe
millions - of red blooded young blokes, then take the bull by the horns and
live your dream.

Happy flying.

Regards,

John Barrett
CARBINGE
"The World Hinges On Us"
http://www.olympus.net/personal/2thman/carbinge1.htm


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