my best friend has a 4-seater and i will fly in it if i absolutely have to (like burning man or some place where it takes forever and a day to drive). i always picture it crashing and freak myself out. what a horrible death.
i usually just try my best to nap but since its such a small plane, even the slightest breeze causes turbulence. and then i get motion sickness.
Post by InBetweenDays on Aug 21, 2012 16:14:57 GMT -5
I've flown in a 6-person float plane a few times, but they weren't private. Once because my cousin was in town getting his float plane license and took us up to the San Juan's for lunch. Two other times to fly up to Victoria, BC or Roche Harbor, WA.
We've also flown on a few Cessnas between Boston and Nantucket (hold 9 passengers so not as small). I am afraid of flying, but am actually more comfortable in the smaller planes. Especially the float planes - they can land pretty much anywhere when flying around here!
There is no way in hell I would get in a plane with someone who only has a private pilots license! I don't have a problem with small planes, more the person who is flying it lol.
Yep. I have been on the 6 seater island hopper in the area I grew up numerous times. My BFF's uncle owns a private plane that is also a 6 seater and I have been on it 4x.
Yes and it was NBD, but I was 13 and got to tag along b/c my dad was making a client visit to a location where one of my friends had moved several hundred miles away.
I was just stoked that I would get to hang out with her for the day, safety be damned! I think the plane was maybe 6 seats?
Commercial flights to my hometown are regularly 20ish seats, so not much room to be picky about plane size if you want a flexible flight schedule...
My former FIL had planes and flew. First time I'd been in a small one. Shoot, I think it was the first time I'd been in one period.
I volunteered for a group of "hobbyist" pilots with four-seater planes that took disabled kids up in the air and flew them over Puget Sound and the islands. The faces on every one of those kids was so memorable. Flying in a small plane gives you a sense of freedom that a lot of other things just can't.
Post by runblondie26 on Aug 21, 2012 19:42:20 GMT -5
Are we talking jet or prop plane?
We've know several good airline pilots who've died in small prop plane crashes (like 6-8 seaters), and have heard a ton of close call stories.
I'd only do it if I knew the how/who was maintenancing the plane, the skill and decision-making history of the pilot (like willing to take off heavy because of pressure from a demanding client), and clear weather conditions. My DH is a commercial pilot, those are his criteria for getting in any private plane.
Yes! It was a lot of fun. I had been dating DH for all of 1.5 months during college and we were going to his home to have Passover with his family. He nonchalantly tells me "Oh, my dad is picking us up in the plane." Turns out his dad is a private pilot and flies a little 4-seater as a hobby. I got to fly the plane myself once we were up in the air One of my favorite experiences.
A few months ago DH bought a "Intro Helicopter Lesson" groupon and I got to tag along on that ride as a passenger in the 4-seater helicopter. Very smooth ride. I was surprised. Also a lot of fun.
The little airport in my hometown did a cool promo thing when I was 14 years old or so. They offered a free ride in 4 seater airplanes with retired pilots after teaching you how to fly said plane so that you could take a turn flying the plane when it was your turn. I went up with my sister & her BFF so I didn't get to fly the plane, but that was okay. It was my first time in a plane period and it wasn't private. The first time I was in a regular sized plane was when I was 17 years old.
We've know several good airline pilots who've died in small prop plane crashes (like 6-8 seaters), and have heard a ton of close call stories.
I'd only do it if I knew the how/who was maintenancing the plane, the skill and decision-making history of the pilot (like willing to take off heavy because of pressure from a demanding client), and clear weather conditions. My DH is a commercial pilot, those are his criteria for getting in any private plane.
Totally agree! Dh is a commercial pilot too, private pilots just don't fly enough hours/consistently to have the same reaction time/decision making ability. Flying with your random neighbors uncle who has a plane is freakin dangerous.
Here in Alaska we have the highest number of private planes per person in the country, so most people here fly in small planes (especially to the more remote towns). My dad has two planes (both 2 seaters) and I know how to fly although I do not have my pilot's license. My FIL had a plane but sold it. I've flown in most different types of small prop planes - I personally love it!!