rmaynard 15,436 #1 Posted September 3, 2023 My youngest grandson just turned 12. He's known for several years that he wants to fly. Today he got his first flying lesson. Doing everything except takeoff and landing, the instructor allowed him to fly the airplane (Cessna 172) by himself. I am so proud of my grandkids and the fact that early on, they have their heads screwed on straight and have a direction in life. 8 2 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,987 #2 Posted September 3, 2023 No doubt that it is not accidental . It is the result of the example and influence of the ones nourishing their minds and lives. Something that it is altogether missing today . 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,146 #3 Posted September 3, 2023 2 minutes ago, formariz said: Something that it is altogether missing today . Not totally missing Cas. Stories of these kids help to cancel out all the sad news stories. My belief has always been......Most kids turn out well. Some because of good parenting and some in spite of bad parenting. 6 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,438 #4 Posted September 3, 2023 Well done Ed and Ed's relatives! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,436 #5 Posted September 3, 2023 Here are pictures of my little pilot from today. 1 12 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,214 #6 Posted September 3, 2023 1 hour ago, Ed Kennell said: Not totally missing Cas. Stories of these kids help to cancel out all the sad news stories. My belief has always been......Most kids turn out well. Some because of good parenting and some in spite of bad parenting. My wife and I worked with teens in a youth group for 20 years. I always felt that the vast majority of them would turn out ok despite, or because of, experiencing a few of life’s harder lessons. Now we are seeing many of those teens with families of their own doing well and contributing to the community. Like @Ed Kennell, While I have concerns about the future (what thinking person doesn’t, right?), I’m generally confident that the next generations will manage ok. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,612 #7 Posted September 3, 2023 @rmaynard the CONFIDENCE HE EXPERIENCED WILL CHANGE HIS LIFE ! enhance that ,and encourage him on what he would like to do . you will probably notice how he listens more and responds to opportunities , from one grandpa to another , and your wife also , the right stuff , pete 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,197 #8 Posted November 30, 2023 I started flying at around 12yrs old also. My grandpa had a Cessna 172 at that time. He had a few planes through the years. They lived on a farm so he had a private grass airstrip. He would fly in to pick me up on a Friday afternoon when school let out- we lived 1/2mi from small airport. We would fly back to my grandparents where I would spend weekend with them. Sunday afternoon he would fly me home. I remember flying to Seven Springs, Niagara Falls, & other destinations to get lunch or dinner. Grandpa has been gone for a while now. I'm still flying what was his last airplane. Beechcraft Bonanza V-tail. (aka- the Dr. killer) Flying is a great hobby...... 4 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moparfanforever 844 #9 Posted December 4, 2023 On 9/3/2023 at 11:57 AM, rmaynard said: Here are pictures of my little pilot from today. Top Gun school will be next !! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,838 #10 Posted December 4, 2023 Awesome stuff @rmaynard! Is that the grandson who was at the big show this summer? I had a similar opportunity to fly a 4 seater Cessna for a Spring Break week about a year before I could take driver’s training. It was an experience I’ll never forget! @ML3 I see room for round hoods in the hanger! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,436 #11 Posted December 4, 2023 7 minutes ago, Pullstart said: Awesome stuff @rmaynard! Is that the grandson who was at the big show this summer? I had a similar opportunity to fly a 4 seater Cessna for a Spring Break week about a year before I could take driver’s training. It was an experience I’ll never forget! No Kevin, it's his younger brother. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,194 #12 Posted December 4, 2023 Flying is an expensive hobby but it could lead to a very rewarding career. The more opportunities a young person has to experience the options that are out there the better their chances of selecting the best vocation to fit their personality. Good investment in his future. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,612 #13 Posted December 4, 2023 @953 nut as you know , instilling / enhancing , confidence , in youth is what makes the change , once encouraged and supported , covering the details , they are LISTENING , WANT TO DO MORE , thats the critical difference, walking thru the details , and letting them do it . he already has the interest , desire to do more , good going , Pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,197 #14 Posted December 4, 2023 4 hours ago, Pullstart said: Awesome stuff @rmaynard! Is that the grandson who was at the big show this summer? I had a similar opportunity to fly a 4 seater Cessna for a Spring Break week about a year before I could take driver’s training. It was an experience I’ll never forget! @ML3 I see room for round hoods in the hanger! I know but it's not my hangar. Sharing it with another plane. I may put one of my RJs or maybe get another one & equip it with a hitch to use as a tug for bringing plane in & out 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,197 #15 Posted December 4, 2023 3 hours ago, 953 nut said: Flying is an expensive hobby but it could lead to a very rewarding career. The more opportunities a young person has to experience the options that are out there the better their chances of selecting the best vocation to fit their personality. Good investment in his future. Very true about flying being a rewarding career. Most my girlfriends family have planes & are pilots for a living- both commercial & private. Her youngest sister is a Coast Guard rescue helicopter pilot. As far as an expensive hobby???? Maybe..... I'm fortunate that my plane is paid for so that's a huge savings. Overall it's really about the same to maintain, store, operate, etc the plane as it costs to keep my 39ft Sea Ray (boats definitely a money pit) Seems like Wheel Horses are relatively inexpensive to collect😜 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treepep 564 #16 Posted December 6, 2023 On 11/30/2023 at 9:12 AM, ML3 said: I started flying at around 12yrs old also. My grandpa had a Cessna 172 at that time. He had a few planes through the years. They lived on a farm so he had a private grass airstrip. He would fly in to pick me up on a Friday afternoon when school let out- we lived 1/2mi from small airport. We would fly back to my grandparents where I would spend weekend with them. Sunday afternoon he would fly me home. I remember flying to Seven Springs, Niagara Falls, & other destinations to get lunch or dinner. Grandpa has been gone for a while now. I'm still flying what was his last airplane. Beechcraft Bonanza V-tail. (aka- the Dr. killer) Flying is a great hobby...... Very cool! What is the story on all of the smaller planes hanging about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,197 #17 Posted December 6, 2023 7 minutes ago, Treepep said: Very cool! What is the story on all of the smaller planes hanging about? R/C airplanes. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
