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My Long Time Pilots License

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PAUL161

PAUL161

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Reading some info a pilot friend sent me, his FAA registration number caught my eye. Looking at it I thought how high it was compared to mine, and he's had his for quite a few years. Since I got my license in 1963 and my friend got his, there has been, 1,647,021 new pilots awarded their tickets! He got his 15 years ago, so that number is much higher yet. Been flying for over 50 years, that's a long time! Wonderful memories during those years and many stories to go with them. I actually started taking lessons in 1957, but entering the service put a halt to that until I was discharged from the Navy. I've recently been told by the FAA, I'm being considered for the "Master Pilots Award"! This is given by the FAA for 50+ years of continuous accident free flying. Could be just a bunch of prop wash, but, who knows. PJ

Yeah, that's me in 1964, in my "new" old Stearman!

 
Paul - that will be *quite* an honor. Congratulations on filling up the "experience bucket" before the "luck bucket" ran out.

Great photo of you in the Stearman. What's the story of you getting the airplane?
 
Back in the early 60s, a fellow at the Flying W Ranch in Medford N.J bought the Stearman and it set in the hangar for quite a long time, as he was afraid to fly it. Known for being very touchy when landing, because of the narrow landing gear, he decided to sell it and get a tri gear aircraft. I've always loved biplanes since I was a kid watching "Lucky Marincheck" crop dusting with a Stearman on the farm across from our house. Every time when he was done, he would wave to me as he left. I never forgot that and dad took me to see his airplanes in the next town, what an experience for an 8 year old kid! Lucky was quite a guy, an ex fighter pilot in WWII, he was a hero to me and full of flying stories. Never to speak of the war, just fun flying things he did. I never forgot "Lucky" all these years. That was my inspiration to get my license when I was old enough, and had some money. When this aircraft came up for sale, I jumped on it and it was like a full circle had been completed. I sold it some time later to put my boys through collage when they graduated from high school. Believe it or not, the aircraft still exists up in Michigan, found by my son. The N number has been changed, don't know why, as my number was the original CAA number awarded. It has been totally restored in Marine colors and is beautiful! Gosh I'd love to fly her again. Memories, wonderful! PJ

The Master pilots Award is actually called, "The Wright Brothers Master Pilots Award"!

Here's my old bird today, some 50 years later.

 
Congrats Paul! You have much to be proud of as not everyone achieves a 50 year flying record.... well done!
 
I've always wanted a Stearman but can't afford one :(
 
Wow! That is great! (and great shots of the Stearman)
 
That is something to be proud of Paul. Great looking old photo of you in the Stearman too.
 
40 pounds lighter then, I mean me! The award is just a consideration, not written in stone. I have over 6000 hrs total, but lost my first log book a ways back, so that's something they have to take into consideration. They require three letters of recommendation from other pilots and believe it or not, I got one from my original flight instructor and one from the chief pilot at the W during that time. He's the one who taught me aerobatics in the Stearman. Couldn't believe their still kicking. Both retired airline captains. It's just a waiting game now, they have all the information. Remember, their a government operation! :highly_amused: PJ
 
Congrats on the milestone! Glad to see that your old bird is still out there and is where she belongs -- in the air.

On one of my visits to the hangar at Fawn Grove, Jack Kosko once told me "If you're going to go through all the trouble of fixing up a plane...let it fly."
 
I agree, they should fly, what they were built for, but some are so rare and some are so fragile, to risk one in flight would not be a smart thing to consider. They belong in museums for preservation for all to see in the future. Lots of stuff out there now to fly with a historical background and can be purchased easily. You just need a ton of money! :highly_amused: PJ
 
You just need a ton of money!

ain't that the truth!


 
Even though his has US NAVY on it, it appears to be the Army version. They had a 220 hp Continental engine, as his does, mine was a Navy version with the 225 hp Lycoming engine with the front collector ring, Continental had a rear collector ring. Engines have been changed over the years on some and his just might be a Navy version with an engine change. I'd have to know the serial number of the fuselage to tell. Heres an Army version and a Navy version. You can see the difference in engines. The yellow one, the Navy version, was like mine, just someone painted mine in the wrong colors. Most Navy Stearmans were in a yellow background, but with different markings per squadrin. The second one, with the Continental engine, is in it's proper dress for the Army air corps.



 
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