Posted: 12/14/2025 11:14:46 PM EDT
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My dad was a pilot. He got is ticket with the GI Bill back in the 60's. He wanted to fly for in the military, but not qualified at the time because of his eyesight. He was probably inspired by my mom's aunt and uncle, who both flew a Taylorcraft off of their farm in Michigan. I used to stay summers with them, and did a lot of flying with my uncle also. Here's my dad on my uncles farm on a trip up to drop me or my brother off for a month or two. Late 60's. I love the old Ercoupe in the background with the farm equipment. Lets see some old pictures. Attached File |
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
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My great aunt, right after her check ride. BC-12. She died a few years ago at 103. It was actually their son's plane, but since they were going to have it flying of off their farm, they wanted to be able to fly it. Attached File |
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
Zero in mine, but the kiddo is already lining up to make it happen from here on. In about a year I’ll be buying lessons 
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“ Well, it feels like someone took a rubber band and snapped it right on the edge of your anus.” -JThompson
Non Solis radios sed Iovis fulmina mitto
Non Solis radios sed Iovis fulmina mitto
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Originally Posted By raverill: Dad was a US AF Captain https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/421774/IMG_8557_jpeg-3675785.JPG Also  https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/421774/IMG_5514_jpeg-3675786.JPG lol! I hadn't seen that one.
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9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
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My dad had a PPL, he checked me out on the family J4 Cub. Years later I gave him a checkout in a Cessna 182. Mom soloed a J3. Aunt taught me to fly when I was in high school. I retired from a fly-by- night outfit in TN. Still fly a Steen Skybolt and am restoring the J4. |
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I have a cousin who was a USAFA grad & B-52 / A-10 pilot. He hasn't touched a plane in over 15 years but got mad at me when he was looking to get into GA flying to visit his kids. On his list of "must haves" was retractable gear and could not stomach the idea of flying a 182. He is an absolute peach. Once I got my ratings, my brother followed suit though he works as a mechanic, not a pilot. |
| I'm jealous of all of you. I have zero familial role models for anything beyond shopping and dining. Nobody in my family has ever done anything noteworthy, adventurous or even the least bit outdoorsy for the past three generations, as well as the current one. I'm the only one who's a pilot plus a long list of other things. Sometimes I suspect I was adopted. |
"Cogito, ergo armatum sum."
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Originally Posted By Drsalee: My son in law flies F-35s We are quite proud of him and also terrified. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/161250/IMG_6073-3676165.jpg That’s bad ass. |
“ Well, it feels like someone took a rubber band and snapped it right on the edge of your anus.” -JThompson
Non Solis radios sed Iovis fulmina mitto
Non Solis radios sed Iovis fulmina mitto
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Originally Posted By Drsalee: My son in law flies F-35s We are quite proud of him and also terrified. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/161250/IMG_6073-3676165.jpg Nice! |
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
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My dad was a Navy pilot, helicopter rescue and carrier based sub hunting back in the late 50's early 60's, did some civilian helicopter work after that, then was hired at United where he spent the rest of his career. He flew probably 5-6000 hrs of helicopter time and I think just under 30000 hrs airplane. Learned more than I can even say from him, even though he was never my instructor. He's 93 now and having cognitive issues, but when we talk flying he's still a pilot. I hope I can do as well as he did for the remainder of my career. One of the best things about having a dad like him was that every time I was put in a situation where I had to make a tough, but correct flying decision, knowing I'd probably get fired for doing so, is that if I caved in I'd know he would be really disappointed in me. That happend a couple of times too, but knowing he was proud I could make the right choices outweighed the stress of unemployment. I'm lucky to have him. |
My dad had about 1000 hours and his instrument rating and called himself "Baron Von Chicken". I remember the day he was flying back to NJ from a business meeting in Montreal and landed in Syracuse NY. He rented a car and drove home because he had to be in the office the next morning. My mom was a little pissed because she would have to drive with him to Syracuse and drive back to NJ. That date was June 24, 1975 and I know that date because it's day Eastern Flight 66 crashed on approach to JFK due to wind shear. My dad lived to fly another day.
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"I don't know if I'm up or down
Whether black is white or blue is brown. The colors of my life are all different somehow.
Little boy blue's a big girl now"
"Killing Yourself To Live" Black Sabbath
Whether black is white or blue is brown. The colors of my life are all different somehow.
Little boy blue's a big girl now"
"Killing Yourself To Live" Black Sabbath
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My Father was a pilot, had his Commercial Cert and ME Rating but didn't get to do it for a living because his GI Bill ran out before he got his Instrument Rating. Also, other life stuff got in the way. He did work in the Aerospace Industry all his life so he/we were always immersed in aviation. We would fly together when I was little and then we hung out at the local airports a lot. I was more fortunate. Just finished 40 years as a professional pilot. 37 of that as a Fixed Wing EMS Pilot (King Airs and Citations). My son is in his in his third year in the right seat of a B737 for a very major US Airline My dad got to fly with my son after he got his Private, I just wish he'd have lived long enough to see my son fly the 737. |
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My Dad flew Hueys in the army, and then got his fixed wing ratings on the GI bill when he got out. He just flew for pleasure after the army. I grew up riding with him in a Bell 47 and then small Cessnas. He quit flying last year after 50 years. I also flew with two of my uncles as a kid, and one of them instructed me for my private. I just finished restoring my Dad’s first airplane, he owned and sold it before I was born. I tracked it down and bought it as a project a few years ago. He was my first passenger in it. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By kfs35: My Dad flew Hueys in the army, and then got his fixed wing ratings on the GI bill when he got out. He just flew for pleasure after the army. I grew up riding with him in a Bell 47 and then small Cessnas. He quit flying last year after 50 years. I also flew with two of my uncles as a kid, and one of them instructed me for my private. I just finished restoring my Dad’s first airplane, he owned and sold it before I was born. I tracked it down and bought it as a project a few years ago. He was my first passenger in it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/262156/IMG_0409_jpeg-3676921.JPG That's awesome! Very nice! I was never able to take my dad for a ride in my Champ. By the time I bought it, he was unable to climb into it. I did get to take him in a 182 though. Good times. |
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
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Originally Posted By ske714: That's awesome! Very nice! I was never able to take my dad for a ride in my Champ. By the time I bought it, he was unable to climb into it. I did get to take him in a 182 though. Good times. Originally Posted By ske714: Originally Posted By kfs35: My Dad flew Hueys in the army, and then got his fixed wing ratings on the GI bill when he got out. He just flew for pleasure after the army. I grew up riding with him in a Bell 47 and then small Cessnas. He quit flying last year after 50 years. I also flew with two of my uncles as a kid, and one of them instructed me for my private. I just finished restoring my Dad’s first airplane, he owned and sold it before I was born. I tracked it down and bought it as a project a few years ago. He was my first passenger in it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/262156/IMG_0409_jpeg-3676921.JPG That's awesome! Very nice! I was never able to take my dad for a ride in my Champ. By the time I bought it, he was unable to climb into it. I did get to take him in a 182 though. Good times. He has a tough time getting in and out too. For that matter, I do too some days.
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Originally Posted By kfs35: He has a tough time getting in and out too. For that matter, I do too some days. Originally Posted By kfs35: Originally Posted By ske714: Originally Posted By kfs35: My Dad flew Hueys in the army, and then got his fixed wing ratings on the GI bill when he got out. He just flew for pleasure after the army. I grew up riding with him in a Bell 47 and then small Cessnas. He quit flying last year after 50 years. I also flew with two of my uncles as a kid, and one of them instructed me for my private. I just finished restoring my Dad’s first airplane, he owned and sold it before I was born. I tracked it down and bought it as a project a few years ago. He was my first passenger in it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/262156/IMG_0409_jpeg-3676921.JPG That's awesome! Very nice! I was never able to take my dad for a ride in my Champ. By the time I bought it, he was unable to climb into it. I did get to take him in a 182 though. Good times. He has a tough time getting in and out too. For that matter, I do too some days. lol! You and me both! Very nice Champ! |
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
Member
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ON, CAN
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Attached File My dad’s C150. My 140 is hiding behind it in the new hangar. It’s now getting cozy with classic cars. Did my first lesson 30 years ago in that plane and we still have it. The Honda Big Red was purchased new by my grandpa 40+ years ago. It now only tows the planes around. 
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Dad was USN and flew the SA-2 Viking off of an aircraft carrier. He retired Delta after 30 years. Mom was a Delta FA. I was at a regional and am now part 91 in corporate aviation on the F900, F7X and Gulfstream 500. Younger brother is a CA at SWA with 20 plus years and counting. |
Ever see a lion after he eats a zebra? - MrClean4Hire (RIP Brother)
I hate waiting, but I really hate waiting to wait. - sgtgeo (having to wait on a Form 3 before sending a Form 4).
I hate waiting, but I really hate waiting to wait. - sgtgeo (having to wait on a Form 3 before sending a Form 4).
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Father flew P3’s during the Cold War. Short stint at ValuJet and then 30 years at a legacy. Uncle went to the Air Force Academy but got injured playing sports and medically retired after graduation in the 70’s. I have his David Clark headset from solo’ing a Cessna at the Academy. I went civilian 91/135/121. Private pilot to the right seat of an MD11 in five years and other Boeing products so no complaints from me. Ugh I’ve met one of my brother in laws one time. He found out I was a pilot and tried to do it too. The FAA revoked his student pilot certificate for omitting DUI’s. I don’t talk to him but the story I heard was he thought putting down one of them would seem honest enough they wouldn’t look for the others. 
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Originally Posted By 1BMF: Father flew P3’s during the Cold War. Short stint at ValuJet and then 30 years at a legacy. Uncle went to the Air Force Academy but got injured playing sports and medically retired after graduation in the 70’s. I have his David Clark headset from solo’ing a Cessna at the Academy. I went civilian 91/135/121. Private pilot to the right seat of an MD11 in five years and other Boeing products so no complaints from me. Ugh I’ve met one of my brother in laws one time. He found out I was a pilot and tried to do it too. The FAA revoked his student pilot certificate for omitting DUI’s. I don’t talk to him but the story I heard was he thought putting down one of them would seem honest enough they wouldn’t look for the others. lol Yeah, they don't play. I was waiting for a comment on my BIL's 100 hours. He's a good dude, so I didn't want to say anything myself, but I'm here for the lulz. Lots of cool family history here. I wonder how rare it is for someone to take up flying with no family connection to it. I should have done a poll. |
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
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Originally Posted By ske714: lol Yeah, they don't play. I was waiting for a comment on my BIL's 100 hours. He's a good dude, so I didn't want to say anything myself, but I'm here for the lulz. Lots of cool family history here. I wonder how rare it is for someone to take up flying with no family connection to it. I should have done a poll. Until my son got his ticket, I was the only pilot in my family- no one else on either side flew. As far as I know, only me my son and 1 cousin are still the only pilots and those 2 did it because I took them flying and they caught the bug. |
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All ATP (3) including father, brother and myself. Dad was PIC in P-51, also flew C-130 loads in and out of Vietnam. My brother was both a USAF and Navy pilot. I was teaching multi-engine instrument flying early on, and enjoyed that experience, too. |
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My dad was an A&P at Northwest airlines for 40 years. He retired a little early after his second wife died of cancer. He always wanted to fly, so he ordered a sonex kit and built it from plans in his downstairs family room over the course of 3 years or so. I have a picture somewhere of us pulling it outside through the patio door. While working on the plane, he got his license at a local grass strip airport. After flying the Sonex for a few years, he decided he wanted something a little different, and built an SPA Panther. For a couple of years after that, he would say things to me like; “You know, if you learned how to fly an airplane, it’d be a lot easier for you and your brother to figure out what to do all of this stuff when I’m gone.” It made a lot of sense, and in 2019 I was able to make it work with my work/family schedule and finances. I started lessons in September of 2019 at the same grass strip, and got my certificate in July of 2020 in the middle of the Covid Apocolypse. I was signed off for check ride in March, but couldn’t get any DPE to schedule for 3+ months. Dad and I own a hangar at the airport midway between the two of our houses, about a 10-minute drive for each of us. He still has his two planes, and I bought a 1947 PA-12 project in early 2023, which I flew for a year, then brought a shop for new fabric and paint. That quickly snowballed into a full rebuild with about 12 STC’s. It is now almost 2 years into what was originally going to be a 3-month project, so I just fly the Sonex while I patiently await its completion. It’s getting close now, and it will basically be a new airplane when it’s done. I think I may take it to Oshkosh to see what the judges think of it there. My dad is 80 now, but flies more than 90% of the pilots at our airport, definitely more than me. Part of the reason for doing the work on the 12 now vs later was so that he could see it completed and fly it. We are still looking good for that. Attached File |
On the day shift at the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
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I'm third generation in my family. My Grandfather flew in the Army Air Corps in the 20's. My dad started out flying for fun, and then ended up owing several airplanes over the years. He eventually sold airplanes, delivered new Cessna's from the factory, flew the bush in Alaska and eventually did Part 135 both fixed and rotary wing. My mom got her private along the way. Looks like it dies with me. None of my kids have any interest in becoming pilots, even just for fun.. And since it's a picture thread. My Grandfather at Brooks Army Airfield, San Antonio. 1928 or 1929.   My dad in one of the two Navions he owned over the years. I love the empty Schlitz case he's using for a kit bag.  Flying a BLM contract in Arizona, I think this was in 1979 or 1980.  Mom going solo.  Yours truly going for a ride with dad. 1969.  Paying the bills these days. On the way home from San Juan, PR a couple of years ago.  One of the many fly in breakfasts we went to when I was a kid.  About to go for a ride with my grand parents in Anchorage, when they came to visit while we were living up there. 
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Originally Posted By Dr_Nimslow: I'm third generation in my family. My Grandfather flew in the Army Air Corps in the 20's. My dad started out flying for fun, and then ended up owing several airplanes over the years. He eventually sold airplanes, delivered new Cessna's from the factory, flew the bush in Alaska and eventually did Part 135 both fixed and rotary wing. My mom got her private along the way. Looks like it dies with me. None of my kids have any interest in becoming pilots, even just for fun.. And since it's a picture thread. My Grandfather at Brooks Army Airfield, San Antonio. 1928 or 1929. https://i.imgur.com/4Ueg7vA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/EcdRszr.jpg My dad in one of the two Navions he owned over the years. I love the empty Schlitz case he's using for a kit bag. https://i.imgur.com/TdhfUXj.jpg Flying a BLM contract in Arizona, I think this was in 1979 or 1980. https://i.imgur.com/0oDbFcc.jpg Mom going solo. https://i.imgur.com/io7QCBR.jpg Yours truly going for a ride with dad. 1969. https://i.imgur.com/BZPtk6S.jpg Paying the bills these days. On the way home from San Juan, PR a couple of years ago. https://i.imgur.com/O9jz2iw.jpg One of the many fly in breakfasts we went to when I was a kid. https://i.imgur.com/X68RkdL.jpg About to go for a ride with my grand parents in Anchorage, when they came to visit while we were living up there. https://i.imgur.com/zxNw1vr.jpg YOU WIN ! |
Have another hit of sweet California sunshine
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I flew F-15s and also for a major legacy airline. My fathers step brother flew for an airline and my great uncle on my mothers side flew P-38s, P-40s, and P51s in the pacific theater. I got to talk to him about his war experience while I was an Eagle pilot and he said his most fun mission was gunning a moving train trying to hit the steam boiler to blow up the engine. He said they would all kick in an ante and the guy that blew up the steam engine would take the money pot. I soloed before I drove a car or was old enough for a learner permit to drive a car. My parents had to drive me to the airport so I could go fly a plane by myself |
Mach
Nobody is coming to save us.
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Nobody is coming to save us.
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What an incredible bunch of stories! I feel like a piker in comparison. Started in high school, then enlisted Crew Chief in the USAF, later moved over to the Army National Guard and flew UH-1M's, flight instructed, charter, freight, Metroliners and on to Northwest in 1987. Medical out after a work related neck injury in 2007. Got my medical back and did ISR in the sandbox, corporate jet, 135, and finished as a Chief Pilot with a low number of type ratings, about 25 compared to many of my friends with three times as many. First one in my family, but my oldest son did solo in my Stearman at the National Stearman Flyin in 2000 on his sixteenth birthday, he later got his private and kind of lost interest after that. |
Dave Funk
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition.
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition.
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Originally Posted By Whamo: My dad had about 1000 hours and his instrument rating and called himself "Baron Von Chicken". I remember the day he was flying back to NJ from a business meeting in Montreal and landed in Syracuse NY. He rented a car and drove home because he had to be in the office the next morning. My mom was a little pissed because she would have to drive with him to Syracuse and drive back to NJ. That date was June 24, 1975 and I know that date because it's day Eastern Flight 66 crashed on approach to JFK due to wind shear. My dad lived to fly another day. https://i.imgur.com/Xy4Ba5S.jpg I’m stealing that name! |
Romani ite domum! Hail Caesar!
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Both my grandfathers were pilots in the military. Mom's dad was in the Air Corp/Air Force and by WW2 he was a full bird colonel stationed in Texas, and teaching new bomber pilots. Dad's dad started off in the Marine Corps flying observation planes in the Pacific. He got shot down at Guadalcanal. He would later go on to serve in the Navy, after WW2 and become the 23rd helicopter pilot in the entire armed forces. He would go on to fly some interesting missions, including the first to fly a helicopter in the Antarctica, which occurred during Operation Highjump. "The U.S. Navy ordered four S-51s “off-the-shelf” from Sikorsky in late 1946 for use in the Antarctic and Operation Highjump, placing them into naval inventory as the HO3S-1.[7] Carried aboard the seaplane tender USS Pine Island, on Christmas Day 1946 an HO3S-1 of VX-3 piloted by Lieutenant Commander Walter M. Sessums became the first helicopter to fly in the Antarctic." He would later crash the same or similar helicopter shortly after takeoff due to ice freezing the main rotor. His crew gave him the nickname "Frosty Balls" for that one. Mom's dad would retire out of the USAF and move to DC to help get the then new NTSB up and running, he would go on to travel to the Philippines to help train their crash investigators. I have pictures I'll upload later. ETA: to clarify, I myself am not a pilot. I just am an enthusiast. |
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My paternal Grandfather flew B17s in WW2, and eventually flew for American Overseas Airways, and then Pan Am. Retired from PanAm in 1979. Was a sim IP at AA until his death in Jan 2001. My Dad flew F4s and F18s in the USMC Reserve. Flew at American Airlines from 1984 until 2020 retired left seat 777. He is happily retired and not working/flying. I flew OH58Ds and CH47D/F in the Army. I flew 4 years at Piedmont to get my regional punishment in, and now I fly for Widget airlines since 2022. 3 generations of not wanting a real job. |
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Originally Posted By CFII: ...3 generations of not wanting a real job. Pretty much sums it up for many of us sir! And think of the teachers who told us we would never get paid to look out a window for a living.  |
Dave Funk
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition.
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition.
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Originally Posted By F224: Pretty much sums it up for many of us sir! And think of the teachers who told us we would never get paid to look out a window for a living. Originally Posted By F224: Originally Posted By CFII: ...3 generations of not wanting a real job. Pretty much sums it up for many of us sir! And think of the teachers who told us we would never get paid to look out a window for a living. who knew bar hoping could be a good living! |
Mach
Nobody is coming to save us.
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Nobody is coming to save us.
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As a high school freshman I went to see the consular and told him I wanted to be a pilot, he said “ oh so you want to be a throttle jockey”. Never talked to him again. I had an interview with AA in 1985 when they still had the astronaut physical. They threw me out for being too short. Turned out ok as I retired from a major as a 777 captain. |
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Originally Posted By Drsalee: My son in law flies F-35s We are quite proud of him and also terrified. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/161250/IMG_6073-3676165.jpg of all aircraft out there, he has quite an advantage. I was able to put on a working F35 helmet at Paris Airshow. The information available through that device is mind blowing. |
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Originally Posted By JKW: As a high school freshman I went to see the consular and told him I wanted to be a pilot, he said “ oh so you want to be a throttle jockey”. Never talked to him again. I had an interview with AA in 1985 when they still had the astronaut physical. They threw me out for being too short. Turned out ok as I retired from a major as a 777 captain. I was also passed over by AA in mid 1986 because I had low blood pressure. We had a guy at NWA who was only five foot tall. He carried around his US Air rejection letter that had "Ha Ha" hand written in red on it and the minimum height of 5'4". He retired off of the B747-400 as a Captain, and had been for more than ten years. Like you, he got the last laugh. That letter was displayed by his family as they greeted him after his last flight. |
Dave Funk
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition.
Past President and now a Board of Directors member Iowa Firearms Coalition.