Introduce Yourself...

[355flyer]

Originally Posted by Rob Lay

My dad was a pilot and my two passions as a kid were planes and Ferraris. I started taking lessons at 14, but parents only paid for the first few lessons and I couldn't afford to continue. My sophomore year in high school I received a few bad grades because I spent all my time studying for the Private Pilot.

The past several years have been spent with other hobbies and passions, but I'm getting close again where financially and time wise I can fully commit to completing my license. My goal is to start in the Spring of next year and complete Private Pilot by summer.

I live in Southlake, TX with my wife Jennie Hocking (Jahock). She is a Physician Assistant and I've been in Software Development while running my own company part time. Goal is to quit my day job and run my company full time while being a stay at home dad.

Other hobbies are Ferraris, Car Racing, Swimming, Cycling, Running, Hunting, and Fishing.

I look forward to sharing my student pilot experience in detail as entertainment for those that have been through it and maybe a guide for future students.

Nice knowing you will be transitioning to wings. I enjoy taking the 355 to the airport and then taking to the skies in my 22. Best of both worlds. Look at the Cirrus's. They are the Ferrari of the sky.

Andy

[355flyer]

Originally Posted by fastalk

I am also from F-Chat and fly and own a Robinson R44 Clipper II. I am based out of Van Nuys, CA (KVNY) the busiest GA Airport in the country.

Adam

Adam, Nice to know ya. We will be flying to VNY from GAD this Saturday. New SR-22 Cirrus GTS. You are right it is one busy airport, however try Lawarenceville Georgia some day. It usually takes me 20-30 minutes to get IFR out of there and the other day I was notified I was number 11 for the final approach.

Andy

[Stratohammer]

Mike here. Drifted over from FChat.

I've been an airplane nut since childhood. I got my private license at 17 - soloed before I had a driver's license. I earned flight time by working at the flight school washing airplanes, scrubbing the floor, and helping the mechanic.
Well, I really enjoyed helping out with maintenance, so I got my A&P and FCC licenses.

These days I work in a Fortune 500 flight department where we operate Citation X's and an Excel.

Daniel - I know what a Sabreliner is! One evening at IAH I watched an incredible amount of consumer electronics get stuffed in the aft equipment bay of a Mexican registered Sabre on its way home.

Gatoraptor - A few years ago, I went by the shop in Fort Worth where they had started the ME-262 project (or so I was told). By then they had moved out to Washington and the Fort Worth shop was building reproductions of Japanese Oscar fighters. The Oscars were interesting but I really wanted to see the ME-262's.

[imported_MikeAR303]

Another FerrariChat member here... also addicted to cars, boats, planes, motorcycles, etc...

Currently a USPA licensed skydiver. Looking to get my PPL very soon (I was going to do it this summer, but skydiving took over my life). Recently had a chance to fly in and take the controls of a Pitts S2C at the dropzone and immediately got addicted. My goal is to be flying one of my own (probably partial ownership) within the next couple years.

[FormerCitationEngineer]

I am another FChat member. Learned to fly in high school and solo'd before I got my driver's license. Have flown various contraptions from a Citabria up through an MD500. Currently, a legal counsel for a major corporation, but in my prior career I was an aerospace engineer for Cessna where I did system design and flight test development work on the entire Citation line, including the II, Bravo, V, Ultra, Encore, Excel, CJ series, VII, and X. Spent a good portion of my time doing systems flight testing.

[FastTalk]

Originally Posted by 355flyer

Adam, Nice to know ya. We will be flying to VNY from GAD this Saturday. New SR-22 Cirrus GTS. You are right it is one busy airport, however try Lawarenceville Georgia some day. It usually takes me 20-30 minutes to get IFR out of there and the other day I was notified I was number 11 for the final approach.

Andy

Congrats on the SR-22. I was admiring one in Catalina last Monday. If I ever get my fixed wing that is what I will buy

Adam

[Gatorrari]

Originally Posted by Stratohammer

Gatoraptor - A few years ago, I went by the shop in Fort Worth where they had started the ME-262 project (or so I was told). By then they had moved out to Washington and the Fort Worth shop was building reproductions of Japanese Oscar fighters. The Oscars were interesting but I really wanted to see the ME-262's.

Well, the Me's are still there if you're willing to visit Seattle. Meanwhile the Texas operation has been closed and the Oscars are now in Arizona.

[Jcarson]

Just saying hi - I live and fly in the Caribbean. Gearing up for the PPL Checkride in the next couple of weeks. It's been a bit trying getting to this point - the company was grounded and my instructor suspended (great huh?) BUT still moving forward, nevertheless...

[Fan512bbi]

Hi guys, my name is Steve, after cars my next passion is aviation, my Father was in the RAF during the 60's and early 70's and i can remember as a kid being in the cockpit of a tiger moth, anyway i would like to wish Rob much luck with this site.

[Doug McGill]

Also from FChat.

I've been in love with Ferrari's for as long as I can remember, but airplanes have been in my interest for only a few years. After I graduate high school this summer I plan on working to get my pilots license before entering the military. If it takes to long I might have to put it on hold, but I definitely want to get it, really bad!

Born and raised in San Diego, CA...I have been living in Vegas for four years.

[Stanley Miller]

Hi everyone. I'm stanley. I worked as a flight attendant for UAL for almost ten years. However after a series of pay cuts and being the only straight guy in a work group I decided to get my private pilot license. I have a ways to go but am having a great time getting there.

I come from a long line of airline employees. My father was a mechanic with Delta and my mom was a FA for PSA when I was a kid.

Anyway, I have a love of all things aviation and am glad to have found this site.

[Rob Lay]

Originally Posted by Stanley Miller

I worked as a flight attendant for UAL for almost ten years. However after a series of pay cuts and being the only straight guy in a work group I decided to get my private pilot license.

Please tell me that job is great for picking up girls!

[jettjohn]

Hello all.

I am new to the forum. I am hailing from Ft. Lauderdale Fl. I am a pilot for a corporate outfit in Ft. Lauderdale.

I am originally from Trinidad in the Caribbean. My hobbies include flying(even though it is my JOB, I really, Really, REALLY enjoy it, fishing and hot girls, but I am married.

Interested in learning from you all and bringing forth whatever knowledge I can.

[Rob Lay]

Originally Posted by jettjohn

Hello all.

I am new to the forum. I am hailing from Ft. Lauderdale Fl. I am a pilot for a corporate outfit in Ft. Lauderdale.

I am originally from Trinidad in the Caribbean. My hobbies include flying(even though it is my JOB, I really, Really, REALLY enjoy it, fishing and hot girls, but I am married.

Interested in learning from you all and bringing forth whatever knowledge I can.

Welcome!

[imported_Airspeed]

Me with my ship in Aspen Colorado. It is scheduled to be parked permanently soon due to the bankruptsy at Northwest. I love this plane and if they go through with their plans I will miss it.

I am a Fiero owner (400 hp LS1, V8 swap coming soon), and love mid-engine cars. They don't have to be prestigious or expensive. I found out about this site from F-chat as well.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...tn_MEatASE.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...n_dsc00253.jpg

[jettjohn]

I hope that you do not lose your job due to the folding of Northwest. Do you have a plan B?

[imported_Airspeed]

I am fairly senior in my division and should remain employed. I will probably be trained on another type of aircraft. I feel bad the the 300+ guys at the bottom of the list. Who knows what they will be facing. Aviation is a tough business.

[jettjohn]

It really is. I have a cousin that has been a career pilot since he was 18. Started flying in the islands, then a US regional, finally after a couple more steps, he was with American on the Airbus 300.

He also had a family and then got laid off. He now flies in Qatar in the Middle East. he is lucky, because his wife is from Indo and the family move was easy-ish. He is still on the Bus, but it can be an overnight thing and always have to have a plan B.

9/11 really screwed things up for alot of people, even if it was not the sole cause of aviation woes.

I do not know what else I would do. I love flying alot, but besides that it feeds me and my wife and pays my mortgage. I have been giving alot of thought to real estate or pressure washing or fishing commercially in S. Florida(sounds good, but no way to make money) haha.

Kinda depressing, that's all. But atleast you will have your job and thank GOD, I have one too.

What bird do you fly? I am flying a Challenger 601 presently. I have flown King Airs, Lears 20-30 series, Hawkers, Falcons 10 & 20, GIII, Cl60 and although the same type, presently just the 601.

Keep good. Good luck!

[jettjohn]

OK, sorry. Just saw the pics of your plane.

I have probably seen you on the way in or out. HAhA.

[Artherd]

Another Ferrarichat.com allumnus. Nothing more to see here, move on about your business.