Our future warbird pilots

[BigGrey]

Trey's great review thread got me to thinking about our future warbird pilots. Trey is on the right track to be flying warbirds in the future. We know about Steve Hinton Jr. and what he has done and will do in the future.
So where do we stand as far as young pilots flying our warbird population in the future? Do we have many twenty-somethings flying warbirds now? Do we have any young pilots getting time in the heavy iron like the bombers?
How do the other countries around the world stand as far as young pilots flying the warbirds?

Les

[DenverWarbirdFan]

Hi Les-

I'm 25 and my whole goal in life is to be Mustang rated. I'm working on my license now and have about 20 hours...mostly in an Aeronca Champ, with 1 hour of T-6 dual and an hour in a Cirrus SR-22 GTS.

Scott

[warbirdcrew]

I'm 21 and in a similar position as Trey or S.H. Jr. , born into the right circumstances. I've been extremely fortunate to get many, many hours in all kinds of different warbirds -- my first airplane ride ever was in an L-17 in a car seat. In my life, I've gotten experience (I won't say hours, because not all of it is log-able) in everything from Ercoupes to Albatrosses. Warbirds is the reason I got my license and its my main reason for going to the airport any chance I can get. People ask me what degree I am taking in college, and what I want to do with my life, and my answer is always: "make enough money such that I can afford not only to fly, but to fly warbirds". It is my one true passion. I don't mean just Mustangs either. I've enjoyed some of the warbirds I've flown in so much, like the Albatross or Skymaster, that I would definitely want to own one in the future. It is fact that earlier generations will not be around forever and we need up and coming people to take up the torch not only to keep the airplanes flying, but also to remember their original purpose and why it is necessary to keep them flying, not just so we can dress up and play Maverick. People (some on this site included) rag on organizations like Red Bull or the CAF for their marketing stickers on the sides of their airplanes. IMHO, the airplane could have polka dots for all I care, as long as it is flying (no offense Eric ). However these two organizations are examples of the future generations doing what it takes, in an increasingly costly world, to keep flying the airplanes that we cherish, and for that they have my respect. I also think that it befalls those of us privileged enough to be in positions where we have access to warbirds to do what we can to get the word out and increase awareness and participation not only from other aviation groups but from the public as well.

[DenverWarbirdFan]

It is fact that earlier generations will not be around forever and we need up and coming people to take up the torch not only to keep the airplanes flying, but also to remember their original purpose and why it is necessary to keep them flying, not just so we can dress up and play Maverick. People (some on this site included) rag on organizations like Red Bull or the CAF for their marketing stickers on the sides of their airplanes. IMHO, the airplane could have polka dots for all I care, as long as it is flying (no offense Eric ). However these two organizations are examples of the future generations doing what it takes, in an increasingly costly world, to keep flying the airplanes that we cherish, and for that they have my respect. I also think that it befalls those of us privileged enough to be in positions where we have access to warbirds to do what we can to get the word out and increase awareness and participation not only from other aviation groups but from the public as well.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Well put.

[Randy Haskin]

This is an important topic that we've talked about on WIX before, and the status essentially remains the same...

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=16575

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=16240

There are still PLENTY of young Americans who are interested in picking up the torch. Unfortunately, the cost of owning, insuring, and operating warbirds is growing at a rate higher than "we" are increasing our wage-earning potential.

Ultimately, the next generation can't do it on their (our) own.

What that means is that the current generation of warbird owners MUST take an active stake in mentoring the future generation of warbird pilots. Those who CAN afford to own and operate warbirds must bring younger pilots into the fold soon so that someone is there when they can no longer fly.

[jtramo]

This is an important topic that we've talked about on WIX before, and the status essentially remains the same...

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=16575

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=16240

There are still PLENTY of young Americans who are interested in picking up the torch. Unfortunately, the cost of owning, insuring, and operating warbirds is growing at a rate higher than "we" are increasing our wage-earning potential.

Ultimately, the next generation can't do it on their (our) own.

What that means is that the current generation of warbird owners MUST take an active stake in mentoring the future generation of warbird pilots. Those who CAN afford to own and operate warbirds must bring younger pilots into the fold soon so that someone is there when they can no longer fly.

I might trade my ground bound Mustang (65) for a taildragger this summer so I can get the tailwheel time up. Even though my Embraers engines are technically round, I'm not counting that as "cool" time building. Hopefully I can start volunteering my time somewhere in the spring. In my head I think I was born to fly warbirds but I certainly wasn't born a doctor or lawyer.

[Nathan]

Im working on my wings too. Just havent done so in the past year.

[mustangdriver]

I have been flying since I was 16. I have flown and flown in about a dozen warbirds. I was a crew member on the C-123 and L-21 before I could drive. Problem with me is that there aren't many warbirds around here.

[EDowning]

Randy Haskins wrote:

There are still PLENTY of young Americans who are interested in picking up the torch. Unfortunately, the cost of owning, insuring, and operating warbirds is growing at a rate higher than "we" are increasing our wage-earning potential.

Ultimately, the next generation can't do it on their (our) own.

What that means is that the current generation of warbird owners MUST take an active stake in mentoring the future generation of warbird pilots. Those who CAN afford to own and operate warbirds must bring younger pilots into the fold soon so that someone is there when they can no longer fly.

Well said Randy. I agree, but it's harder than you might think to bring a young person along in the warbird movement.

Trey and Steve Hinton Jr. and Warbirdcrew etc. are the exceptions to the general attitude that I have seen so far. I'm sure there are many more I just haven't met them personally.

I think too few people that age are giving the military path a fair enough amount of consideration. I thought it was very impressive to watch Steve Jr. fly at Reno, but it made me wonder why a kid with his background isn't interested in enhancing his experience with a tour or two of military flying. Flying for the military taught me every bit as much about life, chance for success, as the business world has or certainly flying warbirds has.

Just a thought.

Eric

[jet1]

...will be flying combat missions from connex boxes that are airconditioned and sitting at rear deployment bases. I'm afraid that the F-22 might be the last actual manned fighter. pilots will be reduced to freight haulers except for the helicopter types....

[Jack Cook]

Flying for the military taught me every bit as much about life, chance for success,
as the business world has or certainly flying warbirds has.

Spot on Eric!! Serving in the Navy me a better more well balanced person.
A better team player but able to function well has a individual.
More goal oriented, stronger willed, mature and self suffcient.
Plus they gave me some shiny wings and cool planes to fly in
I'm just glad I didn't join the Army
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVMHaJkR2DY

[mustangdriver]

I am with Eric and Jack on this. THe more training you get in more advanced aircraft lke the military hardware the better. Also you get to build a good foundation for an attitude and habbits.

[jtramo]

I would have loved to go the military route but its still extremely competitive and their medical standards high. I'm only "corrected to" 20/20.

[Nathan]

Flying for the military taught me every bit as much about life, chance for success,
as the business world has or certainly flying warbirds has.

Spot on Eric!! Serving in the Navy me a better more well balanced person.
A better team player but able to function well has a individual.
More goal oriented, stronger willed, mature and self suffcient.
Plus they gave me some shiny wings and cool planes to fly in
I'm just glad I didn't join the Army
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVMHaJkR2DY

I would not go as far to say your well ballenced Jack!

[RyanShort1]

Well, I'm one of the twenty-somethings trying to get in eventually. Not born into the "right" circumstances, well, maybe. But met a group of guys willing to let me help. The L-5 isn't the "best" warbird, maybe, but when I talked to Mr. Hinton at WOH, I think he told me he started out on an L-5 as well that he still has. I don't really expect to ever be wealthy enough to fly a P-51 or B-25 unless I hit upon something a LOT better than I'm doing right now, but I'm still going to try. I figure for now that CFI and hard work is my best shot.

Ryan