Warbird Information Exchange

Well, Friday I blew through my Class 3 medical with "flying colors"! Whohooo! I've got 10.1 hours in the Citabria toward my PPL and now it's really have at it!

So I called my friend (you know who) who invited me over for a little more instruction from the back seat. Here's a couple shots of how I celebrated on Friday. Beats the heck out of the Citabria!

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

I can imagine that your backseat "training" on Friday was more entertaining than your normal training in the Citabria! But I am envious of your time in the Citabria....I am doing my training in a Cherokee. I don't have any issues with the cherokee, but I can only imagine that the Citabria would be a whole lot more fun!

Enjoy your "training" in both airplanes!

flyingsailor

But the small wheel is in the wrong place

As someone else who did all my training in the Citabria, way to go!!!

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real airplanes have round engines

Real airplanes don't need no stinking air conditioner, and they don't smell like the garbage truck, and people don't have to hold their ears when you taxi by. But of the almost real ones, those T-33s still look about the best.
But congratulations, one of the most fun things in flying is learning from the start. It's all new and you make progress so fast. The first dozen hours or so are INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. It is when you form the basic habits and procedures that make the difference between an excellent and just an ok pilot. Things like coordinating the rudder with changes in power and airspeed, and like putting the nose attitude where you want it on takeoff, climb, landing.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Thanks Guys for the support! You already know I'm probably not right in the head but I wanted to learn to "fly" like my Pop did. I figure once I have got a good handle on flying stick and rudder, the transition to tricycle gear should go smoothly.

Even though the T-33 has the third wheel in the wrong place, ha, the added speed and G's are really cool! Paul let me do a little straight and level and some turns. Did some aileron rolls once before.

Then Paul showed me what "cranking and banking" is all about! No, I haven't been put to "sleep yet.

All in all, I feel pretty lucky right now to have such good friends and to be learning to fly at the tender age of 57.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Congrats!



LOL

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The T-33 looks the best ? I beg to differ,....





Congrats, now we want to hear about the solo !

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

Thats even better then doing training in a C-152!

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Hey Scott

Sounds great - hope you get to fly the Cornell - maybe next year??

Rick, the A-4 is not bad either, but I do like the classic T-33 lines from back in the days when even jets still looked liked airplanes.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

That's the goal but only when I feel I am ready. That goes for my whole program. I have no time table and I will make steps only as fast as I feel are warranted. I have a great instructor and that helps a bunch.

...but the Cornell is definitely a goal of mine.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Scott is a textbbook warbird/aviation nut and it's fun to see his excitement as he reaches new milestons in his flight training--the 3rd Class physical the most recent one. Scott did an outstanding job flying the jet and didn't get into the pilot induced oscillation aka "wing waggle" so common to new T-33 pilots--the ailerons are hydraulically boosted and pretty touchy. He's got a natural touch for driving high test machinery. Must be a combo of some aviator genes from his WWII fighter pilot pop and his own crazy sprint and midget car racing experience. Great job dude! Ok when you get back in that Citabria, get your feet back off the floor and forget what I told you!

Bill, now that you mention it, the A/C felt sooo good since it was an unusually warm day. It doesn't smell so much like a garbage truck but perhaps a hint of Coleman lantern. The cockpit floor is made of wood and it's built like a cement truck, flies great, never breaks...really old school.

Rick,

The TA-4 is a good looking airplane but we'll have to agree to disagree. Maybe if I got to fly it I'd see beyond her sleek lines and more of her inner beauty.

There couldn't be a more profound statement. The pre-solo instruction you receive are probably the most important you will learn in your aviation career. They are the foundation upon which everything else will follow. If that is solid, everything else will fall right into place. If the habit patterns you develop early on are poor, you will have many problems later on in your training. Do it right the first time and do things exactly like your instructor tells you. Sometimes they may appear to be jerks, but don't take it personally as they're just trying to teach you how to save your own life. The fundamentals you learn are your "building blocks" and will make all future training much easier and enjoyable. Learn, experience, and soak up knowledge like a sponge and most importantly have fun! Congrats!

BTW, you're never too old to learn to fly!

Awesome news Scott,
I must admit, I am a little jealous. Get your medical and go for a ride in a T-33. You do have some great friends.
I must get back in the air. I got about 10 hours in when I was 19 (10 years ago) but the money (and time) ran out.
Problem is, now I am too fat to fly the C-152. Or I can just find a skinnier instructor!!!
Regards,
Mark

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Once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards... for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo daVinci