I was introduced to BT by a couple of regulars on the field, (cough Ryan) they told me I should try it, (cough Randy) just get signed up and check it out, it just another tool in a pilots tool box..........well I have been on for 2 months doing some serious lurking, 2 or more times a day. WOW the wealth of information and the quality is unprecedented, I have used the search bar to answer countless questions thus far. Thanks for the help guys!!

I did my PPL at KARV in a couple of old 172, they were "sufficient" but I would only fly occasionally, give rides, go to breakfast and such. At the same time I had a couple of mentors who gave me a taste of real flying from a TBM to Floats but still I wasn't very passionate about going along for the ride. Then my flight instructor took me for a ride in a Stinson that was for sale by a local widow, whelp 2 days and a tailwheel endorsement later I owned said Stinson. I went nuts, owning my own airplane was great, 150 hours in 3 months of flying. I slowed down and only logged 350 in the two years after. In the two years I learned more about piloting, ownership, maintenance, got a high performance, complex, bought a hangar and became partners in great BTrs 182. (182 is great I am still on the fence about him). I am a check ride away from an IR, if I wasn't such a putz I should have it done by April but.......I am getting a freshly overhauled franklin engine for my Stinson Tuesday.

Couple lessons I have learned in my short flying "career"

Buy a airplane
Get a mentor who also like to practice emergency procedures
For the first airplane by something a lot cheaper then you think you can afford because that airplane will cost more then you think (I love stinsons!)
Practice emergency procedures
My flight instructor says a lot of "weird" things happen to the planes I fly so I shortly learned that airplanes break
Practice emergency procedures
Airplanes can be repaired
Trust but verify
Take on a prodigy and practice emergency procedures with them
Learn what "dents" an airplane but still keeps the passengers alive and incorporate those things into your practice emergency procedures and more importantly your flying.
SLD makes Ice fast.
Ifr training is all about then next two steps and a willingness to accept plan b or c.

It will be fun to get to know everyone better!

Mark,

Welcome to BT. So in the long post there are no airplane pics. If you have been on here for two months you should know better. Let alone Randy and Ryan

Tim

Welcome Mark. I am a Yooper. We consider the northern most cheeseheads honorary Yoopers. Cheeseheads represent well on BT. They set a high bar. One is even a rocket scientist! Some have a to tendency to lose their only engine. On balance they are a net gain.

Extra points if you can get the cheesehead who helped uncover the recent murder for hire plot in Wausau? to join BT!

Enjoy!

Yes sorry for the long post and no photos. Here is my Stinson

Hmmmmm it appears that I have some things to learn about posting photos


Mark Hangen Ryan has told me a lot about you, when are you going to join us at Mt. Bohemia? I'll be back in Wisconsin this weekend and am planning on at least Saturday or Sunday and a couple afternoons of skiing next week.

Aerobatics so close to the ground is not recommended :-)

Welcome aboard Mark!

Welcome to BT Mark.

A lurker no more!

Here are some pics.

Enjoy without moderation.

So one day Mark and I are at our hangars after a flight. Guy drives up and asks us if we work at the airport. "No watcha need?" He reports he has a flat on his bonanza and he needs to get back to Illinois. He asks if we have a 7 x 6 tube. Yes indeed. So mark helps him along with a mechanic. Turns out the guy is another BT'er. His name........Mark W Petersen. What is the chance?

Two marks made a right that day.

Hurry up and post the question about the IFR capabilities of the Stinson. I want to hear the answers.

Post it under "Low and Slow talk"

Ok this will be fun.

Nice aerobatic Stinson.......on skis no less

Welcome