How did you get into aviation?

WB, I create my own templates. If you would like to do the same, here’s what you do:

Take a line drawing of the aircraft (I’m providing the RV-7 here for you)
trace over in Macromedia Flash to create a vector diagram
layer with rendering and highlighting to make the drawing appear 3D
Once done, lock the shading layers and color away on the base drawing.

I’ve only worked with Flash so not sure how these instructions would translate into your favorite graphics app.

Alternatively, you could just work with MSPaint and just using this drawing play with different liveries. The final image may not look 3D and polished, but if you’re just looking to get an idea of what would look nice and don’t want to put blood and sweat into it, this is the route I would recommend.;)

I have always been a bit interested since I was a kid, but it got rekindled when I met my (now) wife and then became a transatlantic f/f.

I think a big bit of this rekindling was when I was waiting at Gatwick for the first time she came to Britain and went up to the terrace to watch for a landing DL MD-11. Her flight was 2.5 hrs late (it was DL, remember 😉 ) and I spent a really enjoyable three hours just watching things happen.

I’m hoping to eventually move into the airline industry – I have lots of revenue/yield management from my previous work in the passenger rail sector, and the airline industry is probably the nearset equivalent in the USA as well as being such a fascinating one.

Mike

Nasir: continueing our conversation. Where can you get a template to do a RV-7? Is it possible to get one. how do you do it?

Y’know what?! I would’ve thought that most of the members were airline brats like myself (parent as a crew member). But y’all are a normal bunch!! 😉

I don’t know how long it’s been since you’ve been out to these parts, Wrenchbender, but they’ve surely built quite a bit since the 80’s, that’s for sure. As I mentioned before, Chino is a booming area in terms of real estate. I purchased my home about 1.5 years ago and have already made a good chunk of change on it, and it’s not even that big. However, the area right around Chino Airport is still green with dairies remaining, but who knows for how long. I haven’t been to Norton, errrrrr, SBD Intl Airport in years. I mentioned in a thread about a month ago that I went by there in ’95 and saw Clipper Juan Trippe parked out there, but haven’t been by since. Before living in Chino with my parents, we lived in Highland which is where the former Norton is. I have found memories of C-141’s at an early age flying directly over out church on finals into Norton. There was quite a few of them based there in the early-mid 80’s.

I have no idea actually?? I just started with a flightsim and then started learning so much about planes from the internet. Freaky. They mayor thing that made me aviation enthusiast was probably turning a 737-400 to the next waypoint over the sea TFS-BRU. Lucky me, and according to the captain, I did it perfectly :D.

Grew up going to museums and airshows which sparked my interest greatly. Also I started traveling at a very early age thanks to my parents interest in traveling the US and other countries. I remember flying on PSA, Alleghany, Eastern, MVA and a few others that are all gone now. My only family connection to aviation comes from 2 relatives, one who flew for the Navy through the Vietnam conflict and another for Western Airlines.

Really only became a pilot because other professions seemed boring. Plus, I never have to worry about what I’m going to wear to work.

Originally posted by Wrenchbender
The best part was I would fly home at only about 200 feet with the window open so I could see everything

Any photos to share ?

Greekdude. I hope they don’t build to much around there. Have you been to Norton AFB since it closed? Norton was run down when I was there. I was ferrying planes for a aircraft dealership from Compton, CA to Indiana but had to quit because I was going to get killed If I kept it up. I was going to stop by Chino and Norton but didn’t have time. I did stop at Victorville often where there are alot of United planes. I like flying out that way in the desert lots of fun. I really like chasing trains. Also there are old oil industry landing strips out there. Just to the west of victorville is an old guy that has a rather large salvage yard full of military aircraft and civil stuff. The best part was I would fly home at only about 200 feet with the window open so I could see everything

A flight to YYZ from GLA on a Canada 3000 A332 got me hooked. I got a visit to the cockpit mid-flight and it was the smoothest ride ever, I just loved that flight so much! Had a great chat with the pilot and FO, so since that flight in 1998 I’ve wanted to be a pilot, and I am still going to be! I hope That is why I also have a thing for A330s now as well. 🙂

I first started when I was born!! My grandma loves planes, my dad is a baggage handler at Newcastle, my auntys work on check in and my mam’s best friend is a supervisor at Newcastle!

I’m sure there were quite a few dairies in the vicinity back then. There is still lots of greenery around the airport, and Flo’s is still there. Many of the dairies have been shut down and relocated to Bakersfield and houses have been put up. Chino/Chino Hills is a booming area and houses are constantly being built. There are still a few dairies, however, that provide a lovely smell any time winds kick up and after a rare rain shower. If you’re ever in the area again, give me a holla’.

Are there still fields around Chino? I loved it there! Please don’t tell me they are all gone! We used to eat at Flo’s on the field and practice hovering out by the runways. We used the M.A.S.H. helicopters used in the series for flight training. Ray Stitts (Polly fibre) was in my class.

I got in to aviation as my parents always took me to airports as a child. Even now, they’re still quite happy to come to an airport with me for the day which is cool. I’m now working on my girlfriend. It’s taking a while but she’s getting there!

Wrenchbender, I do indeed live in Chino. I have been living there for 19 years. In fact, I only live about 2 miles from Chino Airport, and about 5 miles from Ontario Airport. I’m not familiar with the helicopter places you mention, but if they are based at Chino Airport, I’m sure I can take a stroll down there and check it out. They still have that Planes of Fame museum down there that has a few hangers full of vintage aircraft from WWII and the like. Chino Airport has an airshow every year in May, and I see those planes buzzing around my house for a few hours.

Greekdude! Are you really located in Chino? I used to fly the Bell 47’s there in the 80’s when the place was called Reid’s Helicopters. I think it is called Hemlock Helicopters now. Is it still there? Have you seen the Helicopters? My wife flew in the Army and hasn’t flew since. I’m trying to get her intereseted again. Thanks

For me it happened like Hans.

I was en route Orlando – Glasgow on a Monarch 757 in 1994.
I got invited up to the flightdeck. The View was stunning. A Twilight outside, brilliant white fluffy clouds and the tail beacon of an aircraft 10 miles ahead of use flashing away. Co-pilot flipped a switch on the overhead (He too said it would light the cockpit up like a christmas tree) and the whole flightdeck came alive with light.

Simply magical. I was hooked from there on in. And have always been a fan of the 757 as a result.

Speaking of Scottish football, what’s going to happen with Barca and Celtic on Thursday? Better yet, what’s going to happen on Tuesday and Wednesday with Champs league? (Sorry for getting off the subject, yo)

Originally posted by wysiwyg
Wind up merchant perhaps? If so, how incredibly clever…never seen anyone do that before :rolleyes:

Who on earth would have thought of ever becoming an internet forum wind up merchant ?:D These pesky kids are too darn clever:rolleyes: 😀

If you (Bathhouse) want to see wind uppers, have a look at some of the Scottish football club forums….

I’m not shure how i got into aviation. I have always flown since I was about 1 or 2 and I really do love it! All i can remember wanting to be is a pilot from a very young age and believe it or not when i think of myself as a pilot it makes me emotional, sonds sad i know but it’s my dream and one day i’ll get there. Hopefully.