My first powered aircraft was an ultralight taildragger called a Skypup. I took lessons in a Aeronca Champ and belonged to a club where everyone started out with ultralights, graduated to experimentals, and then went on to “classic aircraft” mostly Aeroncas, taildragging Pipers and Cessnas and a variety of fabric covered planes.
In my old age I just like a nice tame, simple tricycle gear airplane that once you plop it on the ground, can be taxied around like a car. I don’t need speed or challenges landing or taking off. I have had enough exciting aviation experiences. I just like predictable and safe these days.
Are you a real pilot?
An old Marine Pilot sat down at the Starbucks, still wearing his old USMC flight jacket and ordered a cup of coffee.
As he sat sipping his coffee, a young woman sat down next to him.
She turned to the pilot and asked, Are you a real pilot?
He replied, ‘Well, I’ve spent my whole life flying planes, first Stearmans, then the early Grummans...
flew a Wildcat and Corsair in WWII, and later in the Korean conflict, Banshees and Cougars.
I’ve taught more than 260 people to fly and given rides to hundreds,
so I guess I am a pilot, and you, what are you?
She said, ‘I’m a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about naked women.
As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about naked women.
When I shower, I think about naked women.
When I watch TV, I think about naked women.
It seems everything makes me think of naked women.’
The two sat sipping in silence.
A little while later, a young man sat down on the other side of the old pilot and asked: “Are you a real pilot?”
He replied, ‘I always thought I was, but I just found out I’m a lesbian.’