Just found this thread and it's perfect timing because I'm a clipped wing aviator right now. Had a minor tail rotor strike the other day and now I have to wait for a check-ride before getting signed-off again. Oshkosh video was great and for those who wonder what I do for a living just look at 1:25 minutes into the video. It's not me but one of mine, sitting in the governmental "Black Helicopter". I had the opportunity once, many years ago, to go to Oshkosh. Wish I could go every year but it falls on my daughter's birthday
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As far as my aviation career I learned to fly 20 years ago complements of the U.S. Army's helicopter flight school. Flew Blackhawks in Operation Desert Storm for the 101st and now I fly for Homeland Security rounding up illegal aliens and drug smugglers on a daily basis. I was doing just that when I had the tail rotor-strike but Uncle Sam does not like it when I bend his airplane
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I owned a Cherokee 140 after I got out of the Army and have to say my best flight was taking a vacation to Solvang, California. Landing just after watching the Sunset and proposed to my wife that weekend. It was very memorable.
I had to sell the plane when I was told I had Cancer, lost my medical, and was given a 50/50 chance of living over the next 6 months. That was six weeks into my marriage and I did not want to stick my new wife, soon to be possible widow, with a plane she knew nothing about. That was 15 years ago now and I'm still kicking
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Anyway I have been interested in building or owning another airplane for many years. Wish I had the time but more so the money, would have to sell the Lotus and that would not be fun. For now I guess I'll enjoy the flying while my favorite Uncle pays the bill
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