Transsexual Flys WWII Fighter Plane Trainer - AT-6 Texan

[Traci Elizabeth]

As some of you know. I have been a private pilot for several decades albeit my wife has squashed my flying time for fears of what "might" happen especially the older I get. It never made her assured when I use to fly rescue missions for downed planes most of which were general aviation aircraft (the small private planes single or twin engine typically). Most of the rescues were fatalities.

Nevertheless her and I both had a really special treat. Both of us had the opportunity to fly a World War II Fighter Plane Trainer called the AT-6 Texan for an hour.

Not only did we fly this amazing plane but we did about 20 minutes of Aerobatics.

This is my wife getting into the front seat:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/grandpotter/DSC09642.jpg

Now down the ramp to the runway:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/grandpotter/DSC09665.jpg

Now just after rotating and immediately prior to pulling the landing gear up:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/grandpotter/DSC09671.jpg

And finally the return (note the big wave):
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/grandpotter/DSC09675.jpg

I have always regretted not taking up aerobatics seriously and it is not only a mastery of the plane and challenging your flying skills but it's just so dame much fun.

I just had to share this with you.

[7sisters]

Oh god this is amazing. Simply totally amazing. I'm so delighted and moved that you got the chance to fly this beauty. This is a moment you will never forget. Thank you for sharing.

[Zenith]

Way cool...was always a dream of mine to get some stick time in a Corsair...just have to settle for the power and fury of a Cessna 152...lol

[Tracey Corset]

Nice post Traci, What a treat indeed to fly such a plane, i think they were used over here in the UK for training, very powerful, looks like a lovely day too, Mustang next !!!!

[pamela_a]

Lucky girl. I'm so jealous. It's always been a dream of mine to fly. You look great in the AT-6 but I think you'd look fantastic in a P-40 (properly painted with the Flying Tigers nose of course) or a P-51. I have to admit the new fighters are great but the older WWII planes have style and class.

[thechic]

Hi there thats so cool,you are so lucky,did see a couple of AT-6 (Harvard) as they are known here 4 weeks ago fly over the house.just love the sound of the Pratt & Whitney radial piston engine.
since getting married im lucky if i can do an hour flying a year even though im half a mile from the airport.

[Traci Elizabeth]

Way cool...was always a dream of mine to get some stick time in a Corsair...just have to settle for the power and fury of a Cessna 152...lol

OMG! A Cessna 152 :D. I have more hours in 150's and 152's than anything else. Cost effectiveness RIGHT!

Next would be the 170 & 180 series. But I do prefer low wings and love flying the Piper Archer.

Nothing worse than being in the left seat of a 150 or 152 with with someone who's body size pushes hard against your right side and you have to lean up against the door!

Plus when you are sitting at full power before releasing the breaks to start your roll-out, you are shaken to death in a 150/2. And if you didn't have to "pee" you do now!:D

Gusting crosswind takeoffs in a 150/2 are even more fun...weeeee!

Last but not least Julie, always make sure your hair is pony-tailed before sticking your head out the window to scream "CLEAR!"

May your magnetos always give you a fresh start!

Hugs,
Traci

[Jorja]

Lets see you try the aerobatics in this, http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordoncrago/471292411/ I fly a Sikorsky S-61N about 3 or 4 times a month doing heavy lift operations. I used to fly full time before I started my own business. They aren't graceful but they can move a lot of weight.

[Traci Elizabeth]

Lets see you try the aerobatics in this, http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordoncrago/471292411/ I fly a Sikorsky S-61N about 3 or 4 times a month doing heavy lift operations. I used to fly full time before I started my own business. They aren't graceful but they can move a lot of weight.

You LUCKY "BITCH! :angry:

I ALWAYS wanted a rotary license. A lot more versatile in the short haul than any fixed wing!

[Sarah Michelle]

I'm envious. I think time in any vintage trainer would be superb. I can smile at the concerns your wife expresses, I didn't start flying until I was over 50, (Sports Star by Evektor) so my wife has absolutely no comfort when I'm in the air.
I keep telling her that it's most unlikely that I'm going to nap off in the air.......

[Stephanie Anne]

Wow that must have been fun. I hear those are amazing to fly... too many airshows under my belt.

[Jorja]

You LUCKY "BITCH! :angry:

I ALWAYS wanted a rotary license. A lot more versatile in the short haul than any fixed wing!

The Navy was good for something :D

[Zenith]

You LUCKY "BITCH! :angry:

I ALWAYS wanted a rotary license. A lot more versatile in the short haul than any fixed wing!

Who needs a rotary license with flaps down in a 152 and a STOL kit installed...lol :D

[Traci Elizabeth]

Who needs a rotary license with flaps down in a 152 and a STOL kit installed...lol :D

LOL! You go girl. In fact with full flaps and the right wind, we can even go backwards RIGHT! Not to mention short field land on a Dime!

[Traci Elizabeth]

The Navy was good for something :D

So where you a Pollywog? Where you initiated to a Shellback? If so, does your ass still hurt? :D

[TxKimberly]

That looks like a complete blast! It must be one hell of a lot of fun to be at the controlls of a powerful little monster like that. Sitting in my 67 Ford Mustang gets my heart rate up - I can just imagine what sitting in THAT thing does!
I've always had a deep fascination for flying and have always dreamed of piloting an aircraft. Considering that I have no time or money for lessons it looks like it will be one of several unfulfilled dreams though.

[Traci Elizabeth]

The Navy was good for something :D

It was? What was that "Old Sea Leg?" Army & Air Force myself. But I spent all pre-adult years in the Navy and Marines!


always a dream of mine to get some stick time in a Corsair...

Not just you dear lady! OR Should I start calling you "Pappy" or "Gramps?" That is a dream of mine as well (not to be called "Pappy" or "Gramps") :D

Corsair where are you?.

Not many people know that there was a two seat trainer version of the Corsair called the Chance-Vought .

[Traci Elizabeth]

The Navy was good for something :D


That looks like a complete blast! It must be one hell of a lot of fun to be at the controlls of a powerful little monster like that. Sitting in my 67 Ford Mustang gets my heart rate up - I can just imagine what sitting in THAT thing does!
I've always had a deep fascination for flying and have always dreamed of piloting an aircraft. Considering that I have no time or money for lessons it looks like it will be one of several unfulfilled dreams though.

You know Kimberly any and all airfields down there in Texas have flight schools and they ALL offer very "inexpensive" One-Hour training flights to see if that is what you want. But the point being is that for most of that One-Hour, the instructor lets you actually fly the plane and you will be in the pilot's seat (left side). It is a really CHEAP way to full fill that dream and there is NO reason NOT to do it. There is NO obligation and for most, it's a thrill of a lifetime to actually fly the plane. I can almost guarantee it will be a Cessna 152 as Julie flies. But even though it is just a two-seater, they are really fun and very responsive. You know you are flying a plane in one of those. And being a "high-wing" plane, downward visibility is great.

I would only advise you to fly as early in the morning as possible before the earth begins to heat up.

Kimberly - DO IT! ONE-HOUR - YOU FLY - CHEAP!

[Jorja]

So where you a Pollywog? Where you initiated to a Shellback? If so, does your ass still hurt? :D

Yes I was a Pollywog and yes I was initiated to a Shellback. Yes my ass still hurts :D

[Mary of Long Beach]

How fun that must have been. What a perk for your relationship. Keep it up. mary

[Traci Elizabeth]

Yes I was a Pollywog and yes I was initiated to a Shellback. Yes my ass still hurts :D

I am forever thankful, I never had to go through that even though I have crossed the equator many many times! You Navy guys/gals are really sick in your traditions! :D

[TxKimberly]

You know Kimberly any and all airfields down there in Texas have flight schools and they ALL offer very "inexpensive" One-Hour training flights to see if that is what you want. But the point being is that for most of that One-Hour, the instructor lets you actually fly the plane and you will be in the pilot's seat (left side). It is a really CHEAP way to full fill that dream and there is NO reason NOT to do it. There is NO obligation and for most, it's a thrill of a lifetime to actually fly the plane. I can almost guarantee it will be a Cessna 152 as Julie flies. But even though it is just a two-seater, they are really fun and very responsive. You know you are flying a plane in one of those. And being a "high-wing" plane, downward visibility is great.

I would only advise you to fly as early in the morning as possible before the earth begins to heat up.

Kimberly - DO IT! ONE-HOUR - YOU FLY - CHEAP!


DON'T encourage me! I will tell my wife that it was YOUR idea and then there will be hell to pay!~

[Traci Elizabeth]

The Navy was good for something :D


DON'T encourage me! I will tell my wife that it was YOUR idea and then there will be hell to pay!~

Unless she has a long arm, I feel safe sitting here so go ahead and blame me but DO IT! Fulfill that dream if even for just ONE-HOUR!

You will thank me later!

[TxKimberly]

Unless she has a long arm, I feel safe sitting here so go ahead and blame me but DO IT! Fulfill that dream if even for just ONE-HOUR!

You will thank me later!

I May, but then again I may invest what it takes to get a license and die in a horrible plane crash and it will ALL be your fault! ROFL

[Traci Elizabeth]

The Navy was good for something :D


I May, but then again I may invest what it takes to get a license and die in a horrible plane crash and it will ALL be your fault! ROFL

Oh My Goodness! Kimberly, if that happens then just sing your rendition of "Hallelujah" (which is quite good by the way and I really enjoy listening to it) as the plane is making that sudden "stop" and you will be flying though those "Pearly Gates" for sure! (can I have you guitar, amp, and mike? :D :D )

[TxKimberly]

Oh My Goodness! Kimberly, if that happens then just sing your rendition of "Hallelujah" (which is quite good by the way and I really enjoy listening to it) as the plane is making that sudden "stop" and you will be flying though those "Pearly Gates" for sure! (can I have you guitar, amp, and mike? :D :D )

Traci - LOVE your sense of humor! Suspect you and I would get along just fine. At least right up until you discovered that my ego was out of control . . . (so I've been told several time as of late anyway!)

[Traci Elizabeth]

The Navy was good for something :D


Traci - LOVE your sense of humor! Suspect you and I would get along just fine. At least right up until you discovered that my ego was out of control . . . (so I've been told several time as of late anyway!)

Bring it on girlfriend. I love "alter-egos!" Humor? What fricken humor? I was serious! :D

But yes, I agree we would get along perfectly and have a great time!

[Hope]

Who needs a rotary license with flaps down in a 152 and a STOL kit installed...lol :D

What do you mean "back side of the power curve?" in a 152 it is ALL slow flight...

Now a tomahawk... THAT is a fine cost effective beast. AND you can spin it... I triple dog dare you.

[Leanne2]

This is a fun thread for me to read. I'm a privat pilot SEL. Much time in 172s and PA28s but the most fun was in Champs. I love to side slip to landings. Actually I love all types of slips. It must be a TS thing. Leanne

[noeleena]

Hi ,

So cool as i looked at it i thought harvard as well just not those colours , i see some pipers in front 140 /160 s did time in them so you did up & overs ,he he, now that puts you in the seat...

Thanks for that ,Nice to see you both got up. lovely ,.

...noeleena...

[jerca]

Now a tomahawk... THAT is a fine cost effective beast. AND you can spin it... I triple dog dare you.

I don't have many hours loged, but those are all on tomahawk :-) Currently I can't afford flying, but never stoped dreaming.

[Melody Moore]

I haven't wanted to comment on this thread.... because Im so envious of you.... you beeyotch! :rasp:
I've always dreamt about flying a WW2 Warbird and an AT-6 Texan is closer than most people ever get. :worship:

[Teri Jean]

Oh sister I would ride back seat anytime. The love of planes and flight is something a few enjoy. Keep your feet off the ground, the sun on your brow, and the wings level. Or as we said in the Navy, keep the shiny side up and oily side down. LOL Now if you want to have fun, strap yourself in and have yourself shot off a carrier because as much fun that can be it gets better when you land on that postage stamp. Thankfully I was a passenger as this mechanic would have gone swimming otherwise.

Teri

[Traci Elizabeth]

Oh sister I would ride back seat anytime. The love of planes and flight is something a few enjoy. Keep your feet off the ground, the sun on your brow, and the wings level. Or as we said in the Navy, keep the shiny side up and oily side down. LOL Now if you want to have fun, strap yourself in and have yourself shot off a carrier because as much fun that can be it gets better when you land on that postage stamp. Thankfully I was a passenger as this mechanic would have gone swimming otherwise.

Teri


Terri, you are right about that. I had the experience to be catapulted off the USS Kitty Hawk in the South China Sea (the Kitty Hawk was the first missile defended carrier in the fleet). I had to check my eyeballs to see if they were stuck to the back of my head.

I did not however fix-wing land on it as I was choppered onto her deck in the beginning.

Actually, I prefer to fly with the sun "behind" me. And what fun is it flying with the wings "level?" If you want level flight, fly a chopper! :D

[Melody Moore]

I have managed to dead-stick land a Cessna with an engine failure onto the deck of an aircraft carrier with no arrestor hook and without crashing or going for a swim in MS flight simulator, so does that count? :D

[Traci Elizabeth]

I have managed to dead-stick land a Cessna with an engine failure onto the deck of an aircraft carrier with no arrestor hook and without crashing or going for a swim in MS flight simulator, so does that count? :D

OMG! That's hysterical!

[Melody Moore]

OMG! That's hysterical!
It was an actual training scenario in MS Flight Simulator and I thought so too LOL

[Traci Elizabeth]

It was an actual training scenario in MS Flight Simulator and I thought so too LOL

I remember when MS Flight Simulator first came out and I had a daughter who loved to pretend so I got it for her. If my memory serves me, I used it more than her. But I do remember in that the beginning the graphics and sound effects were not that good. I am sure there have been countless improvements in it. Do they still even sell FS?

[Melody Moore]

Not sure Traci, but it was lots of fun, I also had the Australian Add-ons and I thought it was neat that they even had the tiny Mundoo Airport just outside of Innisfail where I lived on it and I could fly from there up to Cairns where I now live. and yes I remember that the graphics were pretty trashy, but it was accurately representative of the features in the local landscape. I also remember you could go online and have local real time weather affecting your flight conditions. I tried flying in a cyclone once, that was fun. LOL

By the way I had my student pilot's licence & did actually start to learn to fly (privately with a flying school) while I was in the army, but stopped because it got way too expensive for me.

[Traci Elizabeth]

Not sure Traci, but it was lots of fun, ... I also remember you could go online and have local real time weather affecting your flight conditions.

You are aging yourself Sweetie. When I first purchased FS, there was no "online" in fact, FS came in a floppy disk as there were no other methods of data retrieval ... you know back in the IBM PC days. Talk about "aging" oneself, my Lord, what have I just done?

[renee k]

Flying a T-6 is on my bucket list. I'm a bus driver ( airbus A-320 series ) professionally. It's not as much fun as a warbird.

Renee

[Traci Elizabeth]

Flying a T-6 is on my bucket list. I'm a bus driver ( airbus A-320 series ) professionally. It's not as much fun as a warbird.

Renee


Renee, flying a "jet" is on my bucket list. Maybe John Travolta could give me that opportunity (lol).

But I agree, flying a "Warbird" is indeed a treat especially when being able to do aerobatics. It is amazing how simplistic the avionics are in them and the weather conditions many of those pilots endured.

I had the privilege of knowing a "true" pioneer in aviation. He flew in WWI, remained in the Army and the was a lead instructor in Stearman (Boeing) Model 75 trainers. He was a pilot's "pilot!"

[Karen564]

Both of us had the opportunity to fly a World War II Fighter Plane Trainer called the AT-6 Texan for an hour.

Not only did we fly this amazing plane but we did about 20 minutes of Aerobatics.

I have always regretted not taking up aerobatics seriously and it is not only a mastery of the plane and challenging your flying skills but it's just so dame much fun.

I just had to share this with you.

Thanks for sharing !!

What an awesome experience that must of been for the both of you!

I didn't know that you flew & had a PPL..

The best I can claim to saying that I piloted was my friends Piper Archer II , fixed gear & IFR equipped. . It flew like a Cadillac/Lincoln compared to the other smaller birds I've flown.. (no, I never went for my PPL officially)...I didn't really need to when I had friends that owned planes & were crazy enough to teach me how & give me the control of their planes...LOL
If I take you farther step back into my history, I was all set to be accepted into the Navy flight training school to be a F-14 fighter pilot...That was back in the day when I wanted to fly at the speed of sound with my hair on fire...lol
I loved flying every chance I had, it's like being in a completely different world when your up there, & flying at night is even cooler...lol
But like many things in my life, things never really worked out as I would of preferred them too...

Anyway, Again, Traci, That's Awesome & WAAY Cool !!!!:thumbsup:

[Traci Elizabeth]

The best I can claim to saying that I piloted was my friends Piper Archer II , fixed gear.


Hey, I LOVE the Piper Archer II. It's a great 4-seater dispute fixed gear and aside from a few extra miles a little more drag, that's one less thing to have to worry about when landing.





I was all set to be accepted into the Navy flight training school to be a F-14 fighter pilot...

Myself, I was going to be an Air Force Fighter Jock until my vision squashed that (I was just over the limit) but it really was my age, I was 6 months past the max-out date. Since I did the US Army thing first. Then I was going to Vanderbilt AFB for missile school then wound up in intelligence activities overseas after being a military attache officer at an Asian Embassy.




flying at night is even cooler...lol

YEA RIGHT! I never did enjoy night flying that much even though I have a lot of hours logged in night flights. My last night flight was one I shall NEVER EVER forget. The tower brought me in too close behind a MUCH LARGER Commercial plane and it's Vortex, throw my plane uncontrollably to the point I almost could not regain control. I did have soiled panties after that experience.

ONE of the problems with night flying is depth of vision which is something one really needs to rotate, fly, or land.

But I do LOVE flying too!

[Hope]

I have managed to dead-stick land a Cessna with an engine failure onto the deck of an aircraft carrier with no arrestor hook and without crashing or going for a swim in MS flight simulator, so does that count? :D

Ha!

I did that on "A-10 attack" years ago... An OH-so-realistic flight sim if ever there was one.

[Karen564]

Myself, I was going to be an Air Force Fighter Jock until my vision squashed that (I was just over the limit) but it really was my age, I was 6 months past the max-out date. Since I did the US Army thing first. Then I was going to Vanderbilt AFB for missile school then wound up in intelligence activities overseas after being a military attache officer at an Asian Embassy.

YEA RIGHT! I never did enjoy night flying that much even though I have a lot of hours logged in night flights. My last night flight was one I shall NEVER EVER forget. The tower brought me in too close behind a MUCH LARGER Commercial plane and it's Vortex, throw my plane uncontrollably to the point I almost could not regain control. I did have soiled panties after that experience.

ONE of the problems with night flying is depth of vision which is something one really needs to rotate, fly, or land.

But I do LOVE flying too!


Cool !
I originally wanted to go into the AF, but after talking to others that were in USAF & others that were in the USN on carriers, I decided that it would be better to have a constant change of scenery & travel the globe. Plus the timing was perfect because the Navy was then offering a better package to get me into the fighter seat, I had better than normal vision, great coordination, great physical condition & had half a brain...lol They said I was golden as long as I get through Annapolis OK & pass the flight training...Which I felt confident in doing so & doing well. I loved the idea of flying off & on a carrier for a living.. Do my 20 years, get out & into flying heavies.
I was only a signature away from my dream to start a flying career & serve at the same time.

Flying at night (over land) is a cool experience & love the views looking at the city lights....lol & we had all the electronics to gets us back on the ground safe & sound every time (he did the landings, not me...my job during those flights was to fly S&L using IFR & to handle the buttons & knobs as he ordered me to do on the E gear/radios during the landings & best of all, enjoy the ride...lol). It does take lots of faith & trust in those instruments to what there telling ya, that's for sure...

I can appreciate your experience of getting caught up in that jet turbulence/wash (ing machine...lol) , It certainly can toss ya around & drop ya like a rock like nobody's business..Definitely very scary indeed .. like, where's the TP...lol You are at God's mercy at that point.

My friends Archer II that I flew was kept in a hanger which was in th e privatized section of Westover AFB.. Which today has a C5 air wing flying in & out of the base....When we flew years ago, it was mostly all C-130's that we had to share the base with.. ....The runway is so long that we could do touch & go's forever & still have plenty of asphalt left....lol
Anyway, it made it easy for T&L's...but if we left later than we should of, we would have to land at another AP & get a ride back home, because the base was strictly off limits to civilians after sunset....

But kudos to you for flying that old warbird...That's something I would always treasure !
Since there aren't that many birds like that around anymore ..

[Melody Moore]

You are aging yourself Sweetie. When I first purchased FS, there was no "online" in fact, FS came in a floppy disk as there were no other methods of data retrieval ... you know back in the IBM PC days. Talk about "aging" oneself, my Lord, what have I just done?
Hahahaha Traci... Well thank God Im not that old, I was talking about MS Flight Sim 98 which came on CD, then I upgraded to MS Flight Sim 2000.

I eventually moved onto the Jetfighter Series at version IV (http://au.gamespot.com/pc/sim/jetfighter4fortressamerica/index.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssimilargames&tag=similargames%3Bimg%3B3) and always flew with realism and any anti-crash features in the game were always turned
off - it was so much more challenging & exciting - so I have a huge dislike for the idiot proof modes in Flight Sims which take the real fun out of flying.

[Teri Jean]

Well Traci and others, as I said before I was a mechanic so flying was special and far and few between. Having said that while off the coast of California we had a plane go down for a hydraulic pump failure and it flew into fighter town by San Diago. So I recieved the tap on the shoulder to go in and help repair and send it back to the ship. So loaded into the Cod we took off and then when finished we caught the Cod back to the ship and took a trap. Fast forward six months and off the coast of Vietnam and my enlistment was up. Again strap in and launched off to fly into Danang and then Subic Bay and home. The intense feeling of being shot off a deck 65 ft off the water and then landing on it is a rush. The pilots who flew the fighters and attack bombers have a much more intense perspective. My hat goes off to all those who flew Navy jets.

By the way as we have said; "There is only one airforce and that is Navy Air, if you cannot land at 160 knots on a pitching deck, in a rain storm, at night, go to work for an airlines." LOL My hat goes off to all branches of the service throughout the world. Happy Veterans Day

[Ann Thomas]

I'm not a pilot myself, although have done some flying, as my dad was a professional pilot and instructor for a while as I was growing up. I've loved reading the thread and all the posts. Would still love to get shot off the deck of an aircraft carrier and have my cheeks pushed back to my ears - it's the only flying experience left that I've not done, that I want to do anyway.

The best experience I've ever had was flying with Joanne Ostruud years ago. She flies stunts at air shows and back then she had a two seat piper she took me up in. She did a bunch of stunts with me in the front seat. It was the thrill of a lifetime. I read later she crashed that plane in a field in Oregon. One of her stunt planes is on display in the Boeing Museum of Flight in Seattle. She's on Youtube, crashing a plane upside down in the dark trying to cut a ribbon with the tail in front of a crowd at an airshow, then going to the announcers booth and apologizing to the crowd for crashing in front of them and scaring them so badly. She's a great lady - haven't seen her in years since she's gotten famous.

My dad was an editor of Western Flyer newspaper for a while too, back a few decades ago. I love flying and hope to maybe some day get back to it and finally get a license!

Ann

[Patriciadtv]

wow whats a feeling. i love helico but and i dont have much $ to fly real thing i just go whit RC helico. i have 2 of them. One 48 inch gas and one 24 inch electric.

[Jorja]

wow whats a feeling. i love helico but and i dont have much $ to fly real thing i just go whit RC helico. i have 2 of them. One 48 inch gas and one 24 inch electric.

Believe me the real thing is a lot more fun to fly.