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Illinois. I married into a lot of debt. If I didn't have $2k in
payments each month It would be easy to afford lessons.

But as it stands, living on what many in my town consider a King's
Ransom I cannot yet afford lessons.

one day ...

Jay Honeck wrote:
I wish I could get my license. I wish I could start training, even. I
make $50k+ per year and I still can't afford it... so keep me going with
more stories like this.


Depends where you live. I suppose if you live on the West coast, $50K is
considered survival wages?

In Iowa, a $50K annual income would allow you to easily take flight lessons.
I know several people making less than that who own and regularly fly their
own planes.

On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 02:09:02 GMT, Jay Honeck wrote:

Mary flew us home, while I gazed out the window, pondering how lucky we were
to be alive, how fabulous everyone in the tight-knit world of aviation can
be, and how fortunate we were to be enjoying this wondrous thing we call
flight...

Jay,

You have said this so many times so eloquently, more so then I ever could
myself.

I have been honored to the freedom of flight, and have managed to capture
some of my flights on video (with the help of a passenger *smile*.

If you go to http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=mbo, you will see some
of the magic of flying I have experienced.

Feel free to download and upload to your website if you desire. The videos
range from take off to IMC to VFR on top, to a night flight landing.

For me, it's an honor to be able to "commute" to work as I do now, or just
take off and fly from Mississippi and be in Ohio 5 1/2 hours later.....

Allen

"jeremiah johnson" wrote in message
news:Q9H8e.25550$Bb3.6735@attbi_s22...
awesome story.

I wish I could get my license. I wish I could start training, even. I
make $50k+ per year and I still can't afford it... so keep me going with
more stories like this.

jeremiah


I won't say anything jeremiah. My income is considerably less than $50k+
per year. However, I did learn to fly and currently own eight airplanes.
Admittedly only one of the eight is currently in flying condition, but I AM
working on getting a few more flying as I can afford to buy the parts and
materials.

I was up flying the other day though in the one that is flying. It is also
a Gull wing Stinson Reliant, although it is a bit newer than Paul's. :-)
Mine was built in 1942 for the Army Air Corps to use as an advanced trainer.
Then the US decided they didn't need those particular advanced trainers and
lend-leased them all to Britain. It flew over to Britain in 1943 on its own
wings.

Mary and I were in Bangor, Wales downing a few pints at a local pub and I
got talking to the gent next to me at the bar. Of course, me being who I
am, the conversation turned to aircraft and flying. The gentleman mentioned
that he had been a flight instructor in the RAF during the war. Of course I
asked him what he instructed in. I expected Tiger Moths, or Provosts or
something like that. Imagine my shock and pleasure when he replied "Stinson
Reliants."

Of course I responded to that with "Do you know, I own THREE Stinson
Reliants that ALL flew for the British in WWII!"

Anyway, I chugged around the countryside at a leisurely 100 knots in luxury
in my elderly but roomy airplane, fondly referred to on the news groups as
"The Red Lady."

She makes her home at Pinckneyville, Illinois ( PJY ) which is the home of
the annual rec.aviation flyin. This year the flyin is being held May 20,
21, and 22. I usually try to give everyone who wants a ride in the Red Lady
a chance to ride in it and take the controls for a while. Sometimes the
weather doesn't cooperate, and sometimes the Lady herself gets cranky and
won't cooperate, but usually we all get to fly around a bit during the
flyin. It is a flyin where we fly all day and talk about flying all night!
You don't need a lot of money but extra stamina is very useful.

If anyone wants to join the crowd at Pinckneyville for the flyin please drop
us an email at to let us know you are coming so we can be
sure not to run out of groceries. :-)

Highflyer
Highflight Aviation Services
Pinckneyville Airport ( PJY )

Illinois. I married into a lot of debt. If I didn't have $2k in payments
each month It would be easy to afford lessons.

Ouch. You ain't kidding!

Well, be patient. I don't know how old you are, but I spent my first 35
years on this planet gazing skyward, wondering...

It's never too late!

Blue skies,
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

If anyone wants to join the crowd at Pinckneyville for the flyin please
drop us an email at to let us know you are coming so we
can be sure not to run out of groceries. :-)

Augh. Another Pinckneyville lost to us -- we've got to be at my nephew's
wedding in Seattle that weekend.

One of these years...

Personally, I'm rooting for a huge fight between the future bride & groom
between now and then...

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Very nice videos, Allen.

I just might steal that night landing video...

Thanks,
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

This from an English major...

Jay Honeck wrote:
Once inside we were bathed in fresh leather -- a whole *bunch* of cows gave
there all for THIS bird.

Here are a few pix from the flight...

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/stinson_gullwing.htm
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

30 on friday. Actually I talked with my fiance (not /quite/ married
yet, though i call her my wife because the day is so close) and she has
over $110k in debt. I have $0.

I'll be upset if I don't have my private certificate by the time I'm 35.
Actually I'll be upset about it no matter what happens because
originally I wanted it by my 30th birthday.

I read the stories that you people write and the discussions that go on
here, longing. I've been lurking on this group for a long time.

You guys need to keep talking about flying, and how wonderful it is
I need to live vicariously through this newsgroup or I'll go crazy..

jeremiah

Jay Honeck wrote:
Illinois. I married into a lot of debt. If I didn't have $2k in payments
each month It would be easy to afford lessons.


Ouch. You ain't kidding!

Well, be patient. I don't know how old you are, but I spent my first 35
years on this planet gazing skyward, wondering...

It's never too late!

Blue skies,

she has over $110k in debt. I have $0.

Holy crikey! Now *that* is true love...

;-)

One piece of advice: Cut the credit cards up now -- BEFORE the
wedding...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"