Wing Nuts

Just curious, but I was wondering how many of you at this forum have been involved in aviation professionally? Not wanna-bees. But those of you who have made your living either pushing some crate around the skys, or bending wrenches on one.

Just curious....

[PeterL]

I suspect lots of contributers have first hand experience of aviation at the sharp end. Some at a very sharp end indeed. In comparison with those my involvement can fairly be described as periferal. Twenty two fun packed years in the fighter control branch of the Royal Air Force, the Javelin to Tornado era. A long time certainly, but all due deference to those who actualy strap that blowtorch to thier backsides.

Respect

Peter L

I am training to be a professional pilot, does that count?

[Barrett]

Mary: for what it's worth dept--I think it counts.
I've never flown professionally but been a self-employed aviation author and editor since 1972, and own a private airfield in Eastern Oregon that is home base to an ag outfit.

C. Grube,
I have been involved in Naval Aviation as an Aviation Ordnanceman for 16 years now. I build up and configure ordnance (i.e. bombs, missiles, rockets, aircraft guns, pyrotechnics, ecm, exotics) and have turned wrenches on F-4's, A-7's, and F/A 18 C aircraft. I've been stationed on the U.S.S. Independence, the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, the U.S.S Nimitz, and finally the U.S.S. Boxer which carries Marine Aviation aircraft. Made eight cruises, guess you could say that I've been there and done that.
VBR,
Jim

[joegertler]

Been making my living full time since 1969 (My Dad, Joe Sr.-passed away 1990- brought me into aircraft salvage and when I joined him we focused on vintage aircraft and built up one of the world's best vintage aero engine collections)buying and selling vinatge aircraft and engines and parts.Also appraising them, a stint as a professional museum curator/Executive Director and museum consultant. Have traded with, and bought and sold to and from most of the world's major and minor aviation collections and private collections. Technical advisor and aerial co-ordinator for numerous aviation film projects. Specializing in WWI engines & instruments and extremely rare or unique aircraft. It's been fun.

[Richard_Schrader]

I spent 13 years flying Hueys, and Chinooks.

Retired Air Force (active and Reserve time), nuclear weapons targetting officer (Minuteman), GCI (Radar Intercepts) in Germany and Saudi (Iran/Iraq war, not Desert Storm), Munitions Officer (F-4D, E, and F-16), 8 years defending aircraft and engine manufacturers, pilots, FBO's,etc., in law suits arising from aircraft crashes (typically fatal) including Ricky Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughn. My first instructor was Mr. I. C. West, who learned to fly in the USAS in 1917. His attitude was distinctly different from any instructor I have known since. He used techniques for strafing trains to teach control and thought today's pilots were afraid of the ground. We stayed low.