From F-15 Fighter Jet to Airplane Owner | a Look into General Aviation

When you have been exposed to the thrill of aviation a latent voice is born that commands your decisions for a lifetime. I guess it could be said that aircraft can be taken away from aviators but you can not take aviators away from their love of flying. Maybe it was just the seven year itch. Regardless, once I decided to get back in the saddle after an extended hiatus from the cockpit, I could not be happier. The next chapter in aviation continues to lead me down a path that has proven to be just as rewarding as the previous. Despite the din of declining pilot populations and oppressive economic headwinds, I believe general aviation is on the verge of a long growth run.

Even though one could argue that there was little to accomplish once becoming proficient in the aviation community's most coveted accomplishment - a single seat fighter pilot - nothing could be further from the truth. There are so many facets of aviation to experience. My recent journey has been in the amphibian seaplane circle which is far removed from my F-15 experience yet in some respects more rewarding.

There are many defining moments in one's aviation journey. My first combat squadron assignment was at Eglin AFB, FL. We were accepting delivery of new jets and sending our aircraft to the school house and some select Air National Guard units. In my day it was McDonald Douglas that was building the world's finest air superiority fighter. At a young age of 24 it was my turn to fly out to St Louis on a commercial flight and return with the squadron's newest jet. You get a lot of curious looks as a commercial passenger when your attire is a flight suit, helmet and bag stuffed with a g-suit along with a pubs kit. It is second only to the looks you get in the bar when a hottie 2-ship waltzes in but that is another story. The mission was simple and did not require a lot of flight planning. I was to simply arrive at the factory, take a courtesy tour and fly the jet home. Her tail number was 099 and my name would be painted on the canopy rail.

I was humbled by the size of the plant and countless employees that poured there heart and soul into the manufacturing of these aircraft. Not only did I see F-15s on the assembly line, there were AV-8B Harriers and F-18 Hornets being built in perfect harmony. Although the mission was simple, there were a few surprises. First was the overwhelming responsibility when I was told to sign the dotted line for the jet. It was very similar to buying a new car. There were options and prices. This is certainly the only time I would ever sign for a single item that was $38,497,112. The second surprise was the anemic maintenance logs and only 1.2 hours on the jet. This led to yet another humbling experience.

When I cracked open the canopy and climbed up the ladder it was the smell of new. Much like the smell of a car when it is first purchased. This was the first time I did not have to guess what the guy before me ate for lunch on the previous flight. I cranked her up, taxied her out, and filed IFR to Eglin AFB direct with a max performance climb to FL 350. There's something really fun about being vertical by the end of the runway and accelerating like a rocket as you look back between the tails and watch the runway environment disappear. Eagle 099 was on her way home.

That was then and this is now. It's a whole different ballgame when you are spending your own money and not Uncle Sam's. My Lake Amphibian was not new, but she was new to me. I did not spend millions but I can assure you every minute with her is priceless. After nearly 5 years together we are still in the honeymoon stage. If the cockpit smells, I know who to blame.

Aircraft ownership does not have to be an elitist sport. Whether through owner/operator, fractional or flying club it can be both affordable and an enjoyable alternative to the oppressive commercial air option. My airplane is not a speedster. She owns the low, slow and in the water operating envelope that is very exclusive to but a few flying types. However, she has demonstrated long cross county capabilities. The flexibility I have by leaving when I want and enjoying the sights along the way is hard to quantify. General Aviation is positioned well for a long growth run primarily because the commercial air business model has lost touch with the customer. Piston prices are very affordable and the new technology is allowing safer travel coupled with better training.

If you have not flown in a while, it is time to knock off the rust and get back in the game. If you find yourself looking starry eyed at those that can jump in a plane in a moments notice and go where they choose and when they want, it is time to take your first step. The $4000 investment to learn a new skill will have a return that is off the charts. Seek out your local flying club and get your foot in the door with an inexpensive discovery flight. If my 9 year old daughter can fly from Greenville NC to Richmond VA with just a little help from daddy, I'm sure you can too. Flying an aircraft is the gift that keeps on giving.