Thank you Orville & Wilbur!

[1937hd45]

Today, Decembr 17, 2003 is the 100th anniversary of powered flight. Does anyone have an auto/aeroplane story to tell? How many of us have a pilots license? I'm ten minutes from the local airport and just never had the time, or passion to take lessons.

[Guest BruceW]

Orville and Wilbur's accomplishment is important to me as my work is aircraft vulnerability/survivability. I work with both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. I have never had the time to get a license but use to fly my friend's single engine airplane when we went cross country for work.

[Guest Hal Davis (MODEL A HAL)]

I have the license, but not the time or money to do the flying. Pretty much gave it up when I got involved in antique cars. (Except mine is not an antique since it has internal expanding brakes).

My taste in planes is the same as my taste in cars. I like the old, slow, impractical planes like the J-3 Cub. The essence of simplicity, it has nothing on board that is not required for flight.

[6219_Rules]

Hal, you and me both. I like simplicity over complexity...esthetically clean and sound engineering are a far cry better, IMUIO, than overly complicated, over-engineered machines.

"My tastes in planes ran to the early mono-planes and biplanes, the Jenny, the Tiger Moth and Albetross are a few of my favorites. I had hoped to learn to fly one someday. It is never too late...all it takes is money. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[kuhner]

I am a big aviation buff myself and usually take at least one maybe two trip to the Airforce Museum in Dayton a year. For those who have never been there its arranged by time, starting with kites. We never usually make it past the WWII stuff. Its a great place to go and the Packard Museum is just a short trip away.

Its hard to believe the Wrights accomplished what they did. Could you imagine building an airplane in a year! Inventing and designing as you went along.

[Guest Hal Davis (MODEL A HAL)]

It's hard to beat a wire with a cork on it going up through a hole in the gas cap for a fuel gauge.

In the summer, the open door acts as a stall warning device. Doubt it was designed to be that way, but rest assured that the door will start to hinge upward before the plane will stall. Of course it would do it in the winter too, but you have to be a better man than me to fly with the door open in winter.

No starter, therefore no battery. Not a problem if it starts easily. Similar to a "T".

Brakes suck, but on grass, you seldom need them. They are really more for doing run-ups and turning around at the end of the strip. Hard to get your heels on them, though.

If you have a passenger, you can't see the instruments without tapping them on the shoulder and making them move, but it sure makes it easier to turn on the carb heat. They can actually reach it from up there without having to touch their toes.

Can't see over the nose to taxi. Have to make "S" turns to check what's out front.

All of the shortcomings that were later improved on newer planes are the things I find so interesting about the Cub. The same guys who say "Get a Champ. You can solo from the front" or "Get a tricycle gear plane. They're safer" are the ones who want to put hydraulic brakes and alternators on a Model A.

[6219_Rules]

Oh who needs safety!!! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have never actually flown in one but my parents had the opportunity to fly in an Albetross. What fun they had! Now an untra-light would be a lot of fun to learn to fly. I could probably do that...what do you think? Have you tried that, Hal?

[Centurion]

I've been reflecting recently on my own "first flight" experience. I grew up during the 1960's in a small town in rural Eastern Oregon. On summer days, I recall the drone of the great piston-engine airliners, and would always look up to see the tiny silver speck high in the sky. I looked with awe at the contrails left by those new jetliners, but we were hundreds of miles from a major airport, and the concept of actually flying in one of these machines seemed beyond the realm of possibility . . .

. . . until everything changed during the summer of 1964, when Dad accepted a position with a Seattle-based general contractor to manage a road project near Juneau, Alaska.

I had long been a "car guy", and enjoyed the long journey to Seattle in the family's '61 LeSabre, which was identical to the one in the ad below.

The ad seems especially appropriate, with the first-generation jetliner (Convair 880) in the background.

After an anxious night at a hotel near Seattle's airport -- where the screaming turbines kept me wide-eyed with apprehension -- we boarded a plane bound for Alaska. Pan American was, at the time, the world's most prestigious airline, and the Pan Am 707 is regarded as one of the greatest classic airliners of all time -- the very symbol of American international aviation during the 1960's. I'll never forget the incredible "Clipper" service and the beautifully-presented omelette for our in-flight breakfast. How times have changed!

Part of the fun of our time in Alaska was "airplane watching". Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airways operated a network of flights throughout Southeastern Alaska with its fleet of Grumman Goose (shown) and Consolidated Catalina amphibious aircraft.

I loved watching the departures and arrivals at Juneau's Seadrome, and recall my Dad's arrival on some of the Catalina flights while traveling on business to Sitka.

It was at the Juneau airport that I first saw and admired Lockheed's elegant Constellation, operated by Pacific Northern Airlines -- "The Alaska Flag Line".

I realize now that this was nearly the end of an era, and Pan Am, Pacific Northern, and Alaska Coastal-Ellis -- all long-time aviation pioneers in Alaska -- would disappear from Alaskan skies before the end of the decade.

That was truly the summer that I grew to love airplanes and aviation. There are few things more enjoyable than plane watching at a nearby airport. I took ground school at one point in the late '70's, but lacked the resources for the flight training. Still, my best friend is a pilot, and a number of co-workers have also been pilots over the years. I've had many opportunities to travel around the Northwest in a Beechcraft Baron (light twin-engine), Cessna 182, or Piper Cherokee. It never ceases to be a thrill.

I work in Everett, WA, and we received the word yesterday that our community was selected to build the new 7E7 Dreamliner, so I look forward to seeing some of the first flights of an entirely new plane.

[Bill Stoneberg]

Never was a pilot but I know how to fly a plane.

Both Dad and my Uncle were pilots and I flew with them as much as I could.

Dad has quit now as he is into his 80's but I still fly with my Uncle in either his Stearman or his Satabria. I like them both, but they are a world apart as far as planes go.

The stearman is a old bi winged plane that is like driving and antique car.

The Satabria is a Swedish stunt plane that is more like driving an E-type from the early 60's.

In addition to flying, I spent 10 years jumping out of planes as a hobby.

Started in college and finally quit when I got married and moved to Texas. Had over 2500 jumps out of a variety of planes and helicopters. Exciting hobby but I am glad I stopped.

Had 3 malfunctions in all my jumps, the first on jump # 13. Can still remember landing hard on my butt on that tar and gravel road.

[KRK Sr.]

I just got back from the Outer Banks last night. Mondays local newspaper had the Sunday crowd at 23,000 people for the 100 year celebration at Kill Devil Hills. The Island crowd control was well organized with motor coaches used for traffic to and from the hill. No parking near the displays. On Monday A-10's and Fighter jets made two fly overs in a diamond pattern. They were close!!! I am sure the 35000 tickets were all used today with the two flights and our President's appearance scheduled today. I heard on the radio that they did not get the plane off the ground. Oh well. I left the digital camera in the bag and took the 35mm so no photos. Gale winds on the coast Sunday made for a cold day, with fly overs canceled. Spent the next day on the ocean fishing... Back to the old grind today... Karl

[Guest Hal Davis (MODEL A HAL)]

Randall,

No, I haven't tried the ultralights, but maybe one day. You do not have to have a pilot's license to fly a TRUE ultralight. The problem is few TRUE ultralights lack the useful load to get my fat @$$ off the ground. There are several planes out there that would be called "ultralights" by the casual observer, but in reality, they are legally classified as "Experimental" and therefore require a pilot's license. I always thought I might like to have an ultralight just in case I lost my medical. If I keep losing weight, maybe one would lift me. Ultralights and the light experimentals are much more affordable than certified aircraft, but there are some who doubt their safety.

If you do decide to do it, by all means, seek an instructor who has a two seater so you can get the feel of it. Just because it is legal to fly one without a license, doesn't mean it's prudent. I have heard of people successfully doing it, but I wouldn't recommend it. It's a lot easier to take off than it is to land. That puts you in a bad situation. It's best to have the number of landings equal the number of takeoffs.

[6219_Rules]

You know Hal...I just might look into it. I think it would be a blast. I doubt I could afford a plane but possibly an ultralight. Sell one of the cars etc.. hmmmm it does have an appeal.

I'm no Casper Milktoast myself...it would have to have a pretty BIG engine to lift me off of the ground. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[juddman]

No personal stories of my own, but an interesting family tidbit or two. My great grandmother worked at the necktie factory in Ohio to which the 2 bolts of silk were delivered in the first ever commercial delivery by air and she was present when the Wright model B landed. I believe her date quoted is mistaken - I've seen other information that indicates that this took place in about 1910. Anyway, to quote from my grandma's writings:

"She got a job at a necktie factory on High Street, where she either cut out or sewed the ties; I expect she cut, because she was always afraid to work on the power machines. A dozen or fifteen young ladies worked six days a week, on the second floor; they probably worked at least nine hours a day, but to all of them it was a chance to make a living in a clean , light place under the benign proprietors, Mr. Benzin and Mr. Ustik, who encouraged them to enjoy their work in a sisterly group who chatted as they worked and spent their hour at lunch time, after sandwiches were eaten, dancing, trying the latest steps, sharing each other?s joys and sorrows, while their kindly employers (everybody agreed they were beloved) looked on. The work did not appear to be onerous, at least for the five years she spent there.

Once, in the summer of 1904, they all went to work in their best dresses, not to work at all but to be photographed by the newspaper reporters. It seems that a couple of young men in Dayton, 40 miles away, name of Wilbur and Orville Wright had made a machine that would fly. They actually thought it might be used commercially. Mr. Benzin and Mr. Ustik, a forward looking pair, believed so too, and as promotion for their own business, they agreed to accept a shipment of silks, by air, all the way from Dayton! Crowds of people saw the boxkite land - on the State House lawn? - possibly, and Benzin and Ustik?s precious bundle safely delivered into the hands of the smiling proprietors, all in the full glare of publicity."

Also, my dad also spent 34 years at Grumman as a mechanical and manufacturing engineer making some pretty wicked hardware for the Navy.

Cool thread!