tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9619963.post5261380432070140685..comments2023-12-08T12:50:34.303-08:00Comments on W.C. Varones: Idiot reporters and the panic media strike againW.C. Varoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17663570682958847976noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9619963.post-9286312168789785432011-04-24T13:38:22.972-07:002011-04-24T13:38:22.972-07:00I always wanted to fly as a boy but came from a fa...I always wanted to fly as a boy but came from a family that was so broke it could not afford to pay attention. One of my friend's step father was a crop duster and could fly his ass off but only when someone was paying him. Around 2002, I finally had the time and money to go take classes and get a Private certificate. The best moment coming in 2004 when I was able to go fly around Hawaii and island hop in an old rented Cessna. Touch and go's on an old strip next to the Pacific. Costs just blew me away.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9619963.post-89214465987798798102011-04-24T11:58:54.600-07:002011-04-24T11:58:54.600-07:00Yeah, it's a pity. Costs have more than double...Yeah, it's a pity. Costs have more than doubled since I started in '98.<br /><br />I just found one statistic that the number of licensed pilots in the U.S. fell by 200,000 (~25%) between 1980 and 2008.<br /><br />It should be a golden age, with composite airframes, glass instruments, etc. Nice planes and nobody left with a dollar to fly them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9619963.post-59113145941899013932011-04-24T08:27:06.660-07:002011-04-24T08:27:06.660-07:00The way it was reported you might think the smalle...The way it was reported you might think the smaller craft became inverted from the wake turbulence but I think that is a symptom of 24hour breathless news coverage...even when something boring happens, they feel they have to make it into something because a "name" is associated with the event (or non-event). Ooooooh, maybe the Captain farted while executing the go-around?!?!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9619963.post-22416155868835687382011-04-24T08:15:52.755-07:002011-04-24T08:15:52.755-07:00I-wee-tah-tid I-sofa-king-wee-tah-tid.... fuel, f...I-wee-tah-tid I-sofa-king-wee-tah-tid.... fuel, fuel, fuel, fuel, fuel, fuel....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9619963.post-65538939870295838002011-04-24T08:13:05.333-07:002011-04-24T08:13:05.333-07:00Gave it up - between the increase in price for fue...Gave it up - between the increase in price for fuel, the FBO raising the rental price for a 172, increased fees for the club membership, etc., etc. couldn't justify it anymore. The FBO (Langa Air) went bust after 30 years in business and closed up the school. Went to motorcycling more often. Maybe one day I'll get myself a little used 152 or something super easy on fule and tie it down at a little non-tower field in the middle of no-where.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9619963.post-34083748685925264372011-04-23T18:21:40.074-07:002011-04-23T18:21:40.074-07:00I think when the ruling class has its way, private...I think when the ruling class has its way, private aviation will be for them exclusively.<br /><br />In the meantime, I'm paying the higher Avgas prices.Zekenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9619963.post-5253506491215381242011-04-23T17:00:18.026-07:002011-04-23T17:00:18.026-07:00Aviation?!? Do tell please. I used to go flying ...Aviation?!? Do tell please. I used to go flying a bit until av-gas prices went to the moon and priced me out of that hobby.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com