My big metal bird

Cockatoo · March 18, 2009, 08:32:27 PM

I saw the "Is Anyone A Pilot" topic.
Well I am and own a Beechcraft.
It was my 40th birthday present!

Natalie · March 18, 2009, 10:42:30 PM

WOW, nice birthday present! How long have you been flying? My brother and his wife fly and she is a flight instructor, I went up with them once and they had me use the controls.
I am not a fan of flying but it was fun for a little while.
Congrats on the nice gift.

poka-bee · March 19, 2009, 12:24:24 AM

Nice gift! Are you gonna use it to lead swarms like fly away home did with geese? I flew in a small plane once long ago...very noisy & I was amazed not to mention alarmed when I saw close up how fragile they are! I know they are safe & all but made me nervous just the same. Seeing things from that different perspecitive in the sky was amazing though & for a little while I forgot about how little metal was around me! Do you have specific places to travel to like relatives, vacation homes, friends. Do you fly every week? Most important, do you take your favorite birds with you?? J

Cockatoo · March 19, 2009, 09:34:43 AM

I've been flying since 1983.
I fly as often as I can and use it as a car sometimes.
Like going to the beach and visiting my mom.
My Uncle Bill worked for and retired from Lockheed and is my A&P(mechanic). He has a FLEET of aircraft! :-D

My twin brother's cockatoo calls it the "big pretty bird".
My 'toos have never been in it.

buzzbeejr · March 19, 2009, 06:11:11 PM

OK, that is officially the most awesome gift EVER. I am only 14 but have flown several times...allowed to do everything except land/take off/ taxi...ground stuff. I want to get my license someday in the future.

Greg Peck · March 19, 2009, 08:28:49 PM

What do you have to do to get a gift like that. I am still getting socks and underwear for my birthday.

I have always wanted to be a pilot. I will settle for a gyrocopter or ultralight I just want own an aircraft of any type some day. I wish my kids would grow up faster lol. 20 grand a year in daycare is cutting into my aircraft dreams.

Kathyp · March 19, 2009, 09:14:30 PM

socks and underwear are practical and probably won't kill you.....unless you complain about getting them as a gift....

i have always wanted to learn to fly a helicopter. i don't know why, but it seems like it would be a blast.

Cockatoo · March 19, 2009, 10:08:05 PM

Quote from: buzzbeejr on March 19, 2009, 06:11:11 PM
OK, that is officially the most awesome gift EVER. I am only 14 but have flown several times...allowed to do everything except land/take off/ taxi...ground stuff. I want to get my license someday in the future.

When I take a young person flying, I'll let them taxi the plane off the ramp, under my instruction of course.
I even make videos while aloft of them flying the plane for the parents.

Here's my Uncle Bill, we're in his Piper Comanche 250

Cockatoo · March 19, 2009, 10:15:45 PM

'Nuther video.

buzzbeejr · March 22, 2009, 05:00:34 PM

Quote from: Cockatoo on March 19, 2009, 10:08:05 PM
Quote from: buzzbeejr on March 19, 2009, 06:11:11 PM
OK, that is officially the most awesome gift EVER. I am only 14 but have flown several times...allowed to do everything except land/take off/ taxi...ground stuff. I want to get my license someday in the future.

When I take a young person flying, I'll let them taxi the plane off the ramp, under my instruction of course.
I even make videos while aloft of them flying the plane for the parents.

Here's my Uncle Bill, we're in his Piper Comanche 250

I'm in the Civil Air Patrol (Airforce Auxiliary). They actually can't let us do the ground stuff. Once we're in the air though, we do everything. My second orientation flight ( when I learned they were called this I laughed because I thought of the bees), the guy actually ate his lunch while I was flying...that was awesome.

Cockatoo · March 22, 2009, 05:21:18 PM

You know, if I thought you were competent enough, I'd let you rotate and lift the plane off.
It's really no big deal in calm winds.

I let my brother shoot approaches and he finally landed it all on his own yesterday.

buzzbeejr · March 22, 2009, 06:50:03 PM

I figure in a few more years I'll go for my license. Then I can fly mom and dad down to see bud. (: I need to get unhooked from my flight sim. I have over 875 hours on the thing...ugh.

buzzbeejr · March 22, 2009, 06:53:30 PM

I just noticed in your vid...that has to be loud, no headset or anything.

Cockatoo · March 23, 2009, 02:49:25 PM

My Beech is actually quiet.
Not noisy like a Cessna. ;)
I do wear a headset when having to communicate with controllers though.

buzzbeejr · March 23, 2009, 09:15:14 PM

theres why...I've only flown in cessnas. I looked at your other vids, looks like your into the same things I am. Guns and Airplanes...not at the same time of course :)

Brian D. Bray · March 24, 2009, 01:28:05 AM

I got a Question; What do you do when your bird moults? Picking up all the tin pin feathers must be a real chore. :lau:

TwT · March 25, 2009, 06:06:59 AM

nice video's and a very nice present!!! just one question was this present from someone else or from yourself :? (you dont have to answer that ;) ), :-D the only time I get real nice gifts is when I get them myself.

Cockatoo · March 25, 2009, 09:07:09 PM

It was from my wife.
Here she is with my Uncle Bill.

poka-bee · March 26, 2009, 12:51:05 AM

She is beautiful! Has a sparkle in her eye so must have a good sense of humor! J

Cockatoo · March 28, 2009, 02:55:09 PM

She's perfect. :)