I am just getting into flying and airplanes. Found a deal with 13 airplanes, Ultralight / Light Sport and bought them all. Went to buy one and he made me an offer for all of them. Some of them are brand new never had fuel in them or flown. Some are kits to be assembled and all need fresh fuel, plugs, fuel lines, cables etc. Lots of work and enjoying it. Huge challenge.

This week I am closing on 2 hangars and some land at airport.

In many ways I am enjoying airplanes more than my race cars. It is a different thrill and like our cars they have to be right, the stakes are high.

Who else is into flying in addition to racing?

I served in the Air Force for 26 years. The last part of my career I was lucky enough to be selected to become a crew chief on a couple of experimental airframes. My racing background was part of what allowed me to do this. Yes, I'm being vague for a good reason(s).

I had a buddy (RIP) that was selected to do the same as above. We got off to a rocky start, he couldn't understand what drag racing had to do with an aircraft. One of the 1st things I made reference to was roll, pitch & yaw. I had to explain what that meant in a race car, but he understood quickly. As for the inspections, maintenance & documentation side. I won him over with my maintenance & I had to learn how things were done for the others & many other aspects.

I was also fortunate to log a good many hours flying back seat in my aircrafts & F-16s. While everything was a hoot & one thing not. The one thing that stood out was the combat takeoff in the F-16. The bad thing I did & didn't care for was the negative G force. I had control of the stick when it happened!

When I retired from the AF, I was hired on as an aircraft mechanic/crew chief with Northrop Grumman (defense contractor). I worked on what I call more cookie cutter platforms: primarily rotary wing (HH-60 Blackhawk) & secondary was fixed wing (F-16). I retired after 15 years with NG.

I was truly blessed to experience the above journey; but in the last 5 years of my career, it became a job & that's when I retired.

Curly,

Glad you're enjoying your new aircraft start & I'm sure it will be different than mine. The airplane & racecar overlap in many ways; I have used my aircraft disciplines & incorporated them into my racing program. It has been very helpful with my program!

2BKING

I take my racing serious and there are many things that are in common. Both there is not much room for error.

Records, Density Altitude and weather in general, maintenance, weight and planning for any problems.

I have always said if you race long enough you are going to blow a motor, have a stuck throttle, lose your brakes, a fire or some other problem. You better be prepared and have a plan in advance, when it is late at night, dark, oil on windshield and oil and water under your tires you better know what to do with out thinking.

If you have a throttle stick what are you going to do? Stand on brakes, hit kill switch, throw out parachute, kill fuel and if that does not stop it push it up in neutral and hope rev limiter works or even blow the motor but do not panic and go wide open into something solid. Losing a motor would be better than losing your whole car and possibly life. Have a plan, check everything in advance to prevent failures and be prepared if / when it does happen.

I have a lot of cool airplanes including one that was a stunt plane used at Disney World for a flying stunt show. That thing is rated at 10.4 G's and does rolls, loops and all kinds of other crazy stuff. Then I have one that is supposed to have 200 MPH top speed and 175 cruise. Got a Titan Tornado that is like a very small fighter jet. After I get them all cleaned up good will get pictures and post them.

As I get older loading up trailer and getting to race track, the heat and all the late nights flying airplanes is looking better and better.

Yup, got my license 45 years ago. Added IFR and Multi. I've owned singles and twins. Accumulated 2,400 hours and then got back into drag racing and quit flying. What a dope! Oh well now I fly commercial and read a book not having to look around for traffic. Loved it though!

Had my license for over 40 years. Sold my last plane in 21.Got to the point where I didnt use it enough.

Mr. King, Thank you for your service.

I purchased one acre with 2 hangars on it and one acre with nothing on it at a very nice quiet airport. If I build more hangars on the other acre I could double my money. My airplanes are light sport which are cheap to own and fly. I will be able to fly all I want weather providing.
The airport is located at Lake Possum Kingdom and is really pretty out there. Lots of small mountains, cliffs, rivers, ponds and one of nicest lakes in Texas.
One of my planes is a Quicksilver GT-400 which is single seat low and slow airplane. Cruises around 55 MPH and is fun to fly over the area.
I have 4 CGS Hawks which are a little faster and more loaded with gauges etc. These are good for local flying with in 50-75 mile range.
Have 2- MaxAir Drifters 2 seat trainer planes.
One MaxAir Rocket stunt plane.
One Titan Tornado which is my commuter plane, it takes 45 minutes to an hour to drive to my hangar but about 25 minutes to fly there.
Then I have my Sonex Legacy with big motor that can go much longer distances and faster.
Also have 5? that are frames that need complete assembly so those will be a long time before I am done with them.
All of my airplanes are ultralight or light sport planes and not certified aircraft so I can work on them and they are not expensive.
My plan right now is to finish most of the planes then get them all inspected at one time, Register them and start selling off all except the two I want to keep.
Then fly a lot, not flying much right now still learning. Or as they say in Minnesota "learing".

Because of the similarities and thrill I thought more racers would be pilots.