This is one of the planes that I fly. It is a Cessna 180 with a modified wing kit and ski kit. Probably a 1974 model. they don't make em anymore so they are a precious commodity.
my work plane
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This is one of the planes that I fly. It is a Cessna 180 with a modified wing kit and ski kit. Probably a 1974 model. they don't make em anymore so they are a precious commodity.
MarcL
Well-Known Member
Really. that's nice ....
Bex
Well-Known Member
When I was younger, I went out with a guy that had his pilot's license, who decided to take me up one day in a little Cessna. It was a strange experience - there was a little hole in the door for ventilation - which didn't help much, as I was pretty nervous and sweating. He showed me how the controls worked, and then, like the d**k that he was, let go of everything and told me to fly. I thought I was going to pass out. I've never been in a small plane like that again. Really nice to look at your photos, but brings back some unpleasant memories.
There are some guys around here that have these little light aircraft things, like a big kite with a seat attached underneath, and a small motor. They fly overhead on nice summer days, but this is just recreational, of course, rather than a 'work' plane. Which, of course, leads a newbie to wonder what this actually means - commuting??
There are some guys around here that have these little light aircraft things, like a big kite with a seat attached underneath, and a small motor. They fly overhead on nice summer days, but this is just recreational, of course, rather than a 'work' plane. Which, of course, leads a newbie to wonder what this actually means - commuting??
I am a pilot for the state of Wisconsin department of natural resources and the aircraft are used for many things. Wildlife monitoring, wetland violation observations, fire control, search and rescue, tree seeding, aerial photography, wolf monitoring using telemetry and visual observations, eagle nest surveys, beaver dam surveys, illegal dumping surveys, timber trespass documentation, weather related forest damage assessments and more.
It is not a bad gig, until the winds get high in the spring fire season and then the ride can get very violent and sometimes just a little scary.
It is not a bad gig, until the winds get high in the spring fire season and then the ride can get very violent and sometimes just a little scary.
leverhead
Well-Known Member
Okay, Doc... now you're showing off. That's too fine a setup for any one guy.
actually it is a state owned aircraft there are 4 180's and 2 185's that I get to fly. there are also some 182's on of them has the 300 hp conversion and some modified 172's with either 180 or 200 hp conversions. and a couple of 337 skymasters. All aircraft in the fleet have S.T.O.L. wing modifications and most of the tailwheel planes also have ski kits 2 have float kits
Ben Brand
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Very interesting job you have DrBob.
interesting it is but it is not always fun.
but then again I know where all the nude swimming beaches are and know how to sneak up on them.
Markw
Well-Known Member
Dr Bob I love it, that would be the job I would like, you mentioned wing modifications, have you got vortex inducers fitted ? they do make a lot of difference
When I get any free time I try to go up in my friends aircraft, I just love flying !!!!
When I get any free time I try to go up in my friends aircraft, I just love flying !!!!
Brothers, we need to take up a collection tlo buy the good doctor a hi-def camera.
rustycase
Well-Known Member
Nice enough fleet to work with, drbob!
Good you get the opportunity for low level flying.
...and your personal???
rc
Good you get the opportunity for low level flying.
...and your personal???
rc
Bex
Well-Known Member
Too bad that you've got to keep your eyes on the road....
Sounds though, like you have really interesting work....
I sold my personal airplane last February. It was a Cessna 182K. presently I only fly when I get paid for it, not for fun anymore
ArizonaDave
Well-Known Member
Nice plane. Sorry it's not for fun anymore, but hopefully you did have fun while you had it.
Don't get me wrong, I couldn't justify the expense of owning my own plane anymore. When I started flying avgas was 37 cents a gallon for 80 octane and 41 cents a gallon for 100 octane and my little Cessna 150 used about 5 gph for a fuel cost of $1.85 per hour. Now avgas is $5.24/gallon and the 182 burns about 12 - 14 gph for a fuel cost of $65 to $75.00 per hour that is the not so fun part of private ownership. Parts are insane also, spark plugs for example cost about $35.00 each and there are 12 of them. An overhaul on a O-470 costs about $30,000.00 give or take $5,000.00
I still fly as much as I ever did I only fly when I get paid for it.
Bex
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So, not such a bad deal, then, when you think about it. Flying is still fun for you, only now someone else pays for the parts, gas, hangar, etc., PLUS you get paid for doing this as well. Sounds rather like a win/win to me....!!
ArizonaDave
Well-Known Member
Ok, now I'm beginning to understand a bit more. Inflation seems to have happened at a faster rate than reported the last few years too, faster than reported. Plus the value of the dollar has dropped compared to precious metals over the last 10+ years. So, if I understand you right, you still enjoy flying, but it's just more expensive now than it used to be, is that about right?
Bex
Well-Known Member
I suppose that 5gph vs 12-14gph has little to do with inflation, but I always enjoy it when Americans - who pay less for gas than most anywhere in the world, discuss fuel prices. Over here, at least for cars, there is no option to get 89, 91 95 octane, etc. All pumps just have one choice, which basically converts to 91 octane. They sell it by the liter - it is currently €1.59 per liter, which converts to about €6.05 per gallon. Then take into account today's attractive exchange rate of $1.24 to the euro, and you get $7.50 per gallon. Note I say 'attractive' exchange rate - the dollar has been down against the euro to over $1.40 at times, which would bring the cost of gas up to $8.45 per gallon or more. My car has a crummy little gas tank - 11 gallons. It sickens me when I think that it could cost $70 or more to fill it up.....
overall the cost of aviation has gone through the roof. A factory new Cessna 182 is $398,000.00 us dollars and can easily cost $450,000. well equipped. Simple basic 2 seat light sport aircraft par out at $140,000.00 factory new. A new Cirrus sr22 will set you back about $600,000.00
Cessna no longer produces 180's the tailwheel version of the 182 due to manufacturers liability issues. same for the 185's.
It is not just the price of fuel. It is the price of lawyers that have destroyed the light aircraft industry.
I have been a flight instructor for 40 years and have given over 5000 instruction the first 6 years I instructed. After that I only do pilot check rides and flight reviews. I no longer want the liability of student pilots thanks again to lawyers. The next 35 years I gave only 3500 hours of instruction, and no pre-solo instruction.
But I aint quitting my flying job.
Cessna no longer produces 180's the tailwheel version of the 182 due to manufacturers liability issues. same for the 185's.
It is not just the price of fuel. It is the price of lawyers that have destroyed the light aircraft industry.
I have been a flight instructor for 40 years and have given over 5000 instruction the first 6 years I instructed. After that I only do pilot check rides and flight reviews. I no longer want the liability of student pilots thanks again to lawyers. The next 35 years I gave only 3500 hours of instruction, and no pre-solo instruction.
But I aint quitting my flying job.
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