Bunkerhill
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,012
- Reaction score
- 12
It is amazing to me how we always no matter who we are end up being influenced by someone. I was preflighting my cub the other day when a fellow came over and started telling me about a plane he intends to purchase that is light sport certified and requires a license to take passengers. Since he flys an experimental single seat he has no license but wants to buy a 2 seat so he can take his wife up. We talked about the plane for awhile which is a champ and then I mentioned that he would want to get his license as soon as he can either before of after getting the champ. I was shocked when he came back with the statement " I don't intend to get a license because that's just something they can take from you", I was so stunned that I really had little else to say. It turns out he runs around and looks up to this guy who is a self proclaimed experienced ultra light driver who Ive heard say some things that just did not sound right with regards to the rules. I doubt he has a license either.
It makes me so thankful to have had and still have good examples around me. My # 1 mentor is a guy in his early 50s who gave me my first official lesson in the 80s. He has 25,000 + hours in a bunch of different airplanes. Including several thousand hours in Beech 18s and DC 3s flying freight at night in order to build enough time to become a Fed X pilot. He is now one of their most Sr Captains who refuses to allow the auto pilot to fly his approaches. He just purchased a J3 and has a hanger next to mine.
I was reminded of how this mentorship thing works a few days ago when we decided to fly together cross country to another airport. I preflighted my Cub thoroughly "I THOUGHT" and took off. I circled in the pattern waiting on him while he taxied to the line and began his run-up. He was there quite awhile and before he moved past the line I saw all of his controls moving while he ck ed them. I was reminded at that moment that I forgot to ck mine in my haste to get going. Enough said I was humbled and I learned a lesson without him saying a word . In almost 30 years I have NEVER seen him do anything that is unsafe. He is now my A&P and I am so thankful for his example and commitment to being a pro. I aspire to be the same
It makes me so thankful to have had and still have good examples around me. My # 1 mentor is a guy in his early 50s who gave me my first official lesson in the 80s. He has 25,000 + hours in a bunch of different airplanes. Including several thousand hours in Beech 18s and DC 3s flying freight at night in order to build enough time to become a Fed X pilot. He is now one of their most Sr Captains who refuses to allow the auto pilot to fly his approaches. He just purchased a J3 and has a hanger next to mine.
I was reminded of how this mentorship thing works a few days ago when we decided to fly together cross country to another airport. I preflighted my Cub thoroughly "I THOUGHT" and took off. I circled in the pattern waiting on him while he taxied to the line and began his run-up. He was there quite awhile and before he moved past the line I saw all of his controls moving while he ck ed them. I was reminded at that moment that I forgot to ck mine in my haste to get going. Enough said I was humbled and I learned a lesson without him saying a word . In almost 30 years I have NEVER seen him do anything that is unsafe. He is now my A&P and I am so thankful for his example and commitment to being a pro. I aspire to be the same
