How Many Steel Players With Pilots License?

Wayne Baker · Post by **Wayne Baker** » 25 Jan 2004 8:48 pm

Thanks for all the responce to this thread. I think it is great that many in the steel guitar world have interests in aviation as well. I am an A&P also. Being in the AF for 17 years now, I have worked as a crewchief on C-141, C-5, C-17, C-130, 747, DC-10, and L1011 aircraft. I can't wait to get home and take my Emmons out for a spin.

Roger, your doing a way better job than I could ever hope to, and Ernest, I should be gear down somewhere right around 1 Mar.

Thanks,
Wayne Baker

David Coplin · Post by **David Coplin** » 25 Jan 2004 9:31 pm

I started flying off base while I was stationed in Biloxi Miss. in the Air Force in 1956. Didn't fly again until I got Back to Oregon in 59. Got a private, commercial,Multi and instrument rating. Over the years I have owned a Cessna 170, Cessna 182, Comanche 260, and a V-35 Bonanza. At one time I owned a FBO here in Oregon . I still fly as a Contract pilot for the US Forest Service as a Fire recon and Air Tac pilot. It is amazing how many people I have met that play music and fly.
Ray, come on down to Eugene and we'll get you back in the air !

Dave Coplin

Dennis Manuel · Post by **Dennis Manuel** » 25 Jan 2004 9:50 pm

I have flown single engine aircraft since 1980. Started my training in a 150 and finished in a 152. My favorite plane is a Piper Warrior.

John LeMaster · Post by **John LeMaster** » 26 Jan 2004 4:15 am

Wayne:

I began flight training in C-150s and C-172s in 1978, which was during the same period I was being trained as a locomotive engineer. For those who are familiar with locomotives, I trained on F-7 (old!), GP-7, GP-9, GP-35, GP-40, SD-35. SD-40, B30-7, and U23B types.

I took (and passed) my check ride for the Private ticket 3 days before I made my first run as a promoted locomotive engineer.

Over the years, I got the instrument rating, then the commercial ticket, multiengine, and CFI. Owned a Starduster (open cockpit aerobatic biplane) for about 2 years.

Look forward to seeing you when you return, and to picking some steel together.

Dan, I agree with your recommendation. 'Fate is the Hunter' is my all-time favorite non-fiction. I eventually read seven other Ernest K. Gann books. He was quite a pilot, and perhaps an even bettter author.

John L.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 26 Jan 2004 5:40 am

I started taking flying lessons in 1996 in a Cessna 172. Still don't have my private but hope to someday. By the way, I have flown on a couple occasions with ole Bobbe and he is a wonderful pilot. This thread sparks an idea, let's have a fly in / steel show at an airport somewhere. Fly in in the morning, play all day and night in a hanger and fly out after breakfast the next day. It would be great for steel guitar and aviation. Maybe get more pilots playing and more steelers flying.

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Johnny Cox (Team Millennium)
<A HREF="http://www.johnnyandjoancox.com" TARGET=_blank>www.johnnyandjoancox.com
</A>
<A HREF="http://www.msapedalsteels.com" TARGET=_blank>www.msapedalsteels.com
</A>

[This message was edited by Johnny Cox on 26 January 2004 at 05:46 AM.][This message was edited by Johnny Cox on 26 January 2004 at 05:47 AM.]

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 26 Jan 2004 5:56 am

Wayne:
I had a Piper J3 which I gave up for economic reasons when I got married in 1949. Lots of fun. I used to fly up to Owensboro, KY from Louisville early every morning to have breakfast with buddies there, then back to Louisville for rehrearsal and a noon radio show on WAVE. Lots of fun, and nothing like the serenity of cruising around about a mile above the rat race -- time to reflect over the beauty of life and work out a few new steel guitar licks in my head for use on the noon show. Wish I could afford to do it again.

c c johnson · Post by **c c johnson** » 26 Jan 2004 5:57 am

I am an experienced pileit for the local riding club. Great work if you can get it. I have 32000 hrs by myself and another 12000 with a little help.

Harry Teachman · Post by **Harry Teachman** » 26 Jan 2004 6:14 am

Well, let's see.... started playing steel in 1969, started helicopter training in 1983 ( big jump there!), working pilot now, not much steel. Any other 'copter pilots playing steel?

Lynn Owsley · Post by **Lynn Owsley** » 26 Jan 2004 7:50 am

I got my private ticket on July 5 1966
Learned to fly in my family Aeronca Sedan,which is also a tail wheeler. My mother thought it to be OK for my big brother to learn to fly, but I was too young at 15...so I soloed myself with no instruction except what I saw from the back seat while my brother was being instructed...
Friends told my brother and Dad of seeing them on days when they were not flying and I was caught! That's when my Dad agreed to let me train also.
I was playing fiddle in an Alabama band and I owned an old 6 string Supro, our steel player bought a new ShoBud and I flew him to Nashville to pick it up in person,he needed to sell a Fender 1000, on this flight he told me that playing pedals was very similar to flying as to both hands and brain busy much of the time...I bought the Fender 1000
Later I owned Robison 133 Helo and these machines are so much like playing pedals,
I firmly believe that anyone who can play Together Again on the pedal steel guitar can fly a helicopter with little difficulty if that person does'nt panic easily.I never was certified on Rotors...My employer has 3 jets,which I get to fly R seat often, and many single engine crafts and one Baron Twin,which I'm asking Jerry to teach me some about the Baron
I'm still just a single eng fair weather pilot...fly a lot of interstates...

Greg Vincent · Post by **Greg Vincent** » 26 Jan 2004 8:04 am

I got my license in a 152 when I was 18. Haven't flown for years, though. Hope to get back to it someday. -GV

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 26 Jan 2004 8:12 am

Johnny Cox, I love your idea, I'll put on a steel show at a local Nashville airport, (Portland, Lebannon, Gallatin,)
and put you in charge of booking,you have to play too! Bring some of the great Texas players and we'll have a ball!

Danny Naccarato · Post by **Danny Naccarato** » 26 Jan 2004 9:05 am

Got my Private Ticket in '78. IFR in '92. Owned over the years a couple PA-140's and the last was a '55 F Model Bonanza V-Tail loaded with Beryl D'shannon mods. Great plane it was......Sure do miss it.

bill mitchell · Post by **bill mitchell** » 26 Jan 2004 5:50 pm

When I was a junior in high school I took a my first plane ride with a guy named "Potsy" Brown at Cornelia Fort field in Nashville. He rolled that Stearman upside down and told me he would stay there until I turned loose and raised my hands over my head. Somehow I did it..for at least half second.
I later took a couple hours in an Ercoupe and 15 years later soloed in a PA22 Colt in Odessa, Texas..a fabric covered brick.
Got too expensive with three little ones at home...wish I could do it again. But, like some of the rest of you I've found Fltsim 2004. I even found the airport and got that 737-400 back on the runway. I'm thinking of adding rudders to my Sho-Bud. Bill

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 26 Jan 2004 6:04 pm

Boy, I'm enjoying this thread!!!!!

joe long · Post by **joe long** » 26 Jan 2004 6:44 pm

Been flying for 50 years. CFI with 5 students at the present time. My wife is also a rated pilot. Currently own a 69 Skylane. We have owned: C-172RG, 2 Bonanza's, Mooney, C-140, C-170B,and a C-180. We have been to Oshkosh 10 times camping under the wing for a solid week in the Antique/Classic section. OSH is a must for any airplane nut just like the steel guitar shows are to music lovers.

Go for the license. When I learned to fly back in the late 50's the Private Pilot license did not have the requirents that it has today. Today with the complex airtraffic system the Private license is more difficult but well worth the effort. Just ask any fresh pilot. The examination for the Private is an all day affair and when it is over and you have the Private license ticket in your hand you will know that you have made a great accomplishment and have joined the ranks of a very small majority of members. Good luck and Happy Flying..

Jack Strayhorn · Post by **Jack Strayhorn** » 26 Jan 2004 6:56 pm

Ron Lashley had his license for many years. I am at a loss for names tonight but there is a player in Kernersville NC named Randy who flies for Fed X, a player in Charlotte named Mark who flies for US Air and Ron had a good friend in Atlanta who use to fly up to Burlington quite often. Flying seems to go with the territory.

Jim Landers · Post by **Jim Landers** » 26 Jan 2004 7:01 pm

Started flying in 1950 and landed the last time in Nov.1990. A little over 32 years of it was crop-dusting. C1570224 ASEL 15.000+ hrs.

Jim

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 26 Jan 2004 7:15 pm

Flying since 1969. ASMEL-CFII-ATP-Glider. Former Eastern Airlines L-1011 B-757. Like riding in the back of my wifes 1947 Aeronca 7AC for "sunset patrol" out of our back yard airstrip most nights. Like playing steel too!

David Coplin · Post by **David Coplin** » 26 Jan 2004 9:45 pm

Johnny Cox & Bobbe Seymour,
What a great idea for a fly-in and hanger jam or dance. A few years back I owned a fbo here in Oregon and we used to hold hanger dances.The music was a big band with a 40's theme and uniforms and airplanes from that era. Texas is closer to us here in the Northwest but Tenn. is not all that much further.I'll round up a couple of the NW players and we'll see if we can navigate that far.

Dave

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 26 Jan 2004 11:24 pm

Ron Hogan, an excellent steel player, who I believe is a member on this forum is an ultra-light pilot. He came by the hospital where I work last week to work on our CT and showed me some pictures of his aircraft that he had in his lap top computer.

Duane Marrs once told me that he was a pilot years ago.

I am also involved with the heliport at the hospital and see a lot of different choppers come and go. Last fall a Blackbird from Ft. Campbell came in. Tight fit!

I did a few hours in a Hughes 500, talk about expensive!

John Drury
NTSGA #3

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 27 Jan 2004 9:23 am

I am an Airline Transport Pilot. I have logged over 10,000 hours and I am type rated in 6 specific jets. I currently fly a Beechjet 400A out of St Augustine FL.
I play a Mullen HWP throught a 1980 Mesa Boogie MKIIC, simulclass model with an EV 15L.
Currently rehearsing with Michael Cooper out of Ocala FL who was lucky enough to have gotten signed by a major label.
Airplanes and music...all Ive ever done. Thank god for the pedal steel! I welcome questions, as I am an instructor also....Mickey

Ralph Willsey · Post by **Ralph Willsey** » 27 Jan 2004 5:33 pm

I got my licence in 1972. A friend and I owned a 1940 Luscombe for a while, but it was no fun mixing with big traffic. I now leave flying to those who can do it every day. It's not something you want to be shaking the rust off.

I do think it made me a better driver, and it sure makes the passing weather more interesting, having some idea what's behind it -- mere earthlings usually have no clue.

I've found that people who are interested in flying often often tend to be interested in photography and music as well. Anyone else?

Chuck Campbell · Post by **Chuck Campbell** » 27 Jan 2004 6:32 pm

Great thread. What a great idea for a Steel Show Fly In. I would be the first one there as it incorporates two of my passions. If we could just add Motorcycles (Harleys) then I would be a happy camper. I started flying in 1956 and have my private, Multi Eng Instrument rating. I have owned many airplanes but now have a Twin Comanche. I had thought about selling it in the spring, but if we have a fly in steel show, I’ll need it. A Good excuse to not sell. I was also a C-130 Flight Engineer in the USAF.

robert hays · Post by **robert hays** » 27 Jan 2004 7:19 pm

WOW! lots of aviators on this forum I was in USAF for 22 yrs,was a flt mec/eng on C-54s C124s C-131-E C131-A T-29,flew with air-evac for 15 yrs,flew luscombe 8-a Cessna 150 and got my private in 1971 never upgraded to above private SEL, always enjoyed flying,have not flown in yrs,could not pass the physical now i'm sure but have lots of memories,and had some great experiences in my 7K plus hours. Flew in Alaska and that was quite interesting! My best memory is that I took my mother for her first airplane ride on her 80th birthday!

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 28 Jan 2004 10:54 am

Ernest Ganns' "Fate is the Hunter" is truly one of the finest and most enjoyable books I have EVER read. Whether you're a pilot or not, you're certain enjoy this one.
Another great book is "Probable Cause" by Robert J. Serling (former AP Aviation Writer)
about some of the most famous aviation airline crashes and the story/facts behind them.
Fly-ins are great fun....and if I still had my Cessna 310, I'd be there already in order to park close enough to the action so I wouldn't have to carry all my stuff, so far.
Then again, if'n I still had my 1978 Harley, I could come and bring along my smaller music stuff.
Then again, maybe my nabor down there in Eugene could latch onto a Forest Service DC-3 or something like it, and we could take a whole bunch of use down to the big event.