I always hate the introduction forums. They always read like a new guy showing up for an AA meeting. I'll go ahead and "share"

My name is Bart. I've been addicted to aviation for the past 5 years. It started out harmless, a few extra dollars in my pocket and I was out just taking the teaser "discovery flight". I should have known it was worse than crack when the first hit cost me $50, isn't the first one supposed to be free?

Next thing you know, I'm coming in to work late after taking lessons. Eventually I worked my way up to a PPL and started renting a Cessna 150 whenever I felt like it and wasn't bound my CFI's schedule.

Pretty soon, I'm renting enough that there are conflicts with others who have the same addiction and are getting in my way when I need my fix. So I bought my own, a 1963 Cherokee 150. No, I don't want a partner, I don't need anyone to know how much I'm spending to feed my addiction.

Next thing you know, I'm at the airport 2,3,4,5 days a week. I don't ski as much, I don't fish as much, I don't go out to eat as much. If I'm not flying, I'm installing interior, gyros or penny pinching for a new GPS to put in the panel.....

Realizing that my addiction will never give me fulfillment with a Cherokee, I bought a 1961 N35 Bonanza that goes faster than any speed mod money can buy for a Cherokee, has enough HP to satisfy my cravings and enough knobs on the panel to turn to pacify my mind.

One day I realized that I put it in a hangar that costs more than the rest of my monthly expenses combined, and the plane is my most valuable asset should I have to sell something to squeeze cash out of it. I live in a small post WWII home that my wife and I remodeled ourselves, in a dumpy part of town, drive a 1989 Toyota pickup that I built out of salvage parts and painted flat black with industrial enamel because I was too cheap to buy car paint. I don't know how I could be happier.

I order off the dollar menu because value meals are a rip off and the profit margin on soft drinks is "where they get you", but a $10,000 15 year old GPS "is a good deal"

Anyway, I came in guns-a-blazin asking questions and bothering the collective without formally introducing myself and confessing my problem.

I don't think anyone here is going to stage an intervention but It'll be more like meeting your AA buddies at the bar....

Howdy.

Better add a pic quick or Jason won't believe you.
Congrats, I am also a new Beech owner and loving it.
Terry

Well, welcome and nice intro.... like you, I also have an addiction. Two of them, one on each side of the wing consuming $180.00 PER HOUR. But I couldn't be happier...

Rick

Think I've posted 'em already but here it is

http://www.wngs.net/bo

here it is where's it's supposed to be... at my (rented) hangar... I keep it in the small hangar on the left.



(that's Allen Gilbert that some on here know standing beside it, he flew it home with me... He's a trooper, had problem after problem getting it here but he hung in there, I highly recommend him for your pilot-for-hire needs)

that's a problem??? Geez... I really have problems.

Welcome to the club.

Hilarious. Welcome!

Welcome to the best bar in town...

Next on your list will undoubtedly be a BPPP weekend. You get to bing in Bonanza heaven with some of the more seriously challenged and get even more addicted The wives get to attend a sort of "BeechAnon" while you re doing it too. My future wife, who already sits next to me most of the time when I'm "partaking", has started her own habit though. I could see us sellin my boat and livin in a box at the airport. At least you aren't out playin Golf.

Great post

Bart, now you did it, I might have the same problem. I think there's a name for it. aviationholics comes to mind.

So ...

What's not to like?

Alright, you can join. Actually, I vote you team captain.

Remember, acceptance of your addiction is a big step on the way to "recovery". You better take it easy. Add a little denial and call me in the morning.

Excellent post Bart

I can relate... we owned a plane years before we owned a house and while my wife and I had one Honda Accord between us.

Great post Bart! Welcome to BT and congratulations on the new addition

-Neal

I love you man.

I need a drink...

--paul

I think you, and many others here have it all wrong Bart.

I'll tell you why.... In many countries across the world people have varying medical conditions that they either are unaware of or simply adapt to.

We have the distinct advantage, here in the U.S. to not only identify any ailment or deficiency but to seek treatment for said malady.

To my point. What you and others might call an affliction or dare I say it, addiction I choose to simply recognize it as a a deficiency that is easily remedied. Not unlike taking a multivitamin or mineral supplement.

The unfortunate facts for us is that our supplement comes in the form of 100LL, and for some of our brethren, it's kerosene. Regardless the treatment, the good news is that the supplement we require is, for now anyway, readily available and very effective!

So, welcome to the BeechTalk Bart, the Quintessential Altitude Deficient Treatment Center.