Any other DVC Pilots and/or Aircraft Owners?

[Disney On The Bayou]

The last three trips to Disney I have flown our plane into Kissimmee Gateway Airport. Nothing like flying yourself.... No airport lines, no schedules and baggage restrictions. Just wanted to hear from fellow pilots and DVC members on there experiences. I would like to eventually like to fly to both HHI and VB.

 

[tmt martins]

No but I just found out one of my cousins have a small company plane ( family business so basically theirs to use).

I told her to get her PL so she could take us to Disney .

If I ever hit it big thats the first thing I'm doing . I've done an ultralight before and took a small leson from a friend of my fathers once when I was a teen.

I just saw they have another small jet coming out at $2.2 mil Man the trips I could take with that.

 

[Boston5602]

Not me - I got as far as my solo , gosh years ago , then family things happened and never quite got my license.

Now that I have the house , and DVC , maybe thats next!

What kind of plane do you have?

I always thought I'd like a Beechcraft Bonanza , but of course I couldn't afford that!

 

[blizzard]

My DH is a pilot. He works for an airline, and also does some flying and maintenance for a CJ1 owner.

As for airplanes we own, we have a glider and a share in a Citabria - neither of which would make for a fun trip to WDW. The CJ1 would be nice to fly down, but I don't think the owner would let us borrow it for a week! Besides with the reduced rate on the airline DH flies for, it is cheaper to go that way than pay for airplane gas.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I have been a professional pilot for 20 years or so.
I fly into ISM and ORL once every couple of months, but I fly into MCO every week.
I have flown directly overtop of my beloved VWL, and all of WDW for that matter.

My only regret is that I let flying turn into a job, instead of a fun hobby.
Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but when you have to do something on someone elses schedule.... Well, you get my drift.

I would love to get ahold of a small Cessna and just have fun flying low altitude, good weather VFR.... On MY schedule of course!

MG

 

[Caskbill]

I have my pilot's license, but am not current and don't fly anymore.

Owned a Cessna 172 back in the late 70's with a group of people. Later I owned a Mooney 201, again with another group of people. Kind of like a flying club, but each member is a part owner and has an actual cash investment in the airplane.

Rating was SEL (Single Engine, Land), and also Instrument rated. Had endorsements for High Performance and Complex. (Required for the Mooney since it had higher HP, retractable gear, and variable pitch prop. It's not as fancy as it sounds so for you novices out there, don't go thinking Stunt Flying or anything like that.... )

A lot of that has changed considerably since I use to fly.

I do miss it. Did fly into Kissimmee and agree that's the way to go. Of course that was way before DVC.

 

[grimgrinnin]

I just got Flight Simulator X and flew over WDW in an Extra, does that count??


grim

 

[DBBN]

I've had a Private Pilots License (SEL) since 1981, along with other FAA certificates. We've never owned our own airplane but DW did give me the go-ahead on buying a new G-1000 equipped Skylane. Very nice of her to do that but we'll hold off for now.

I've seen threads on this subject before and have been pleased to see how many DVCers have an interest in aviation. I'm aware of Aircraft Owners, Corporate pilots, Military pilots, Private pilots along with several Air Traffic Controllers who post here at least occasionally.

 

[madcoco]

Haven't posted here in ages. Airline Pilot here. Agree with Maistre Gracey.(sending you a PM later) Love the job. Don't fly for fun much anymore. Very lucky to fly at all. Was medically retired. Told I would never fly again. Then through miracles of medicine, great doctors, some good fortune and a wonderful family returned to the unforgiving skies. Just lost a friend last week in an Airshow accident. She died doing what she really loved.
Have been dropping flying to the minimum each month to spend more time in other ventures.
Fly safe and enjoy.

 

[Beth]

HI MIKE!!

Great to hear from you - glad to hear you were able to fly, again.

 

[CDN Prince Charming]

I don't own a plane or even have a pilots licence for that matter, but I am trying to save up some money from my job as an Air Traffic Controller here in Toronto to buy into DVC

CDN Prince Charming

 

[goldilocks_63]

But because of work constraints, weather (we go mostly in winter - concerns with icing), and length of trip, we fly commercial for vacations....

but we fly little fun trips from chicago to saugatuck all the time. If we have to delay a day for whatever no big deal.

Tons of fun, Goldi

I miss Miegs field. Used to fly down to see the planitarium, dinner, etc.

Maybe a jet someday... but for now we share out of a little housing development called NaperAero.

Lots of lessons from you ex-AF / Navy guys. Keeps my hubby (and my family) safe.

 

[madcoco]

don't own a plane or even have a pilots licence for that matter, but I am trying to save up some money from my job as an Air Traffic Controller here in Toronto to buy into DVC

Cactus says hello. Haven't been to Toronto in quite awhile. Thanks for helping keep the skies safe.

 

[Olaf]

DH is Air Force and has time in the C-23, C-130, C-17 & KC-10. He's currently flying a desk, and getting into the KC-10 when time permits. His dream would be to own a plane and be able to fly it into WDW or nearby.

When I was a child, my father used to rent out a Cessna 182 from the Aeroclub at Eglin AFB, and fly us down to WDW. I have to admit I'm not a very good passenger, everytime I got sight of the field for landing, I puked.

 

[rie'smom]

FIL flew small Piper but became ill and stopped flying.Then inlaws used to have a jet with on call pilot. It was fun flying to Texas ranch and also to the Saint's games. Unfortunately dear MIL has since died and FIL has lost interest so no more private flights. It was fun.

 

[tink2020]

Ahhh, it has always been way up there on my "list of things to do" to get my pilot's license.... and to fly to my second home would make it even more of a dream come true! DH bought me a few lessons as part of our engagement, but that's as far as I've gotten. Someday........

 

[Disney On The Bayou]

After posting this thread I lost internet access....I was surprised that there are so many in the DVC/Aviation community. For you professionals, I'm sorry, flying is a great hobby and a lot of fun. I can understand not wanting to fly when you already do it 40 plus hours a week. The trips to Disney are the best..... VFR at 1500 right off the Florida Coast is the best....emrald water and white sand beaches....and yes the trips over WDW when on the approach to KISM are just as good. For those thinking about learning to fly... its worth it and it can be affordable. I fly out of Ama, (LS40) which is just across from KMSY (New Orleans), its a 3800' grass strip and it really is the essence of aviation with 60 other members we fly everything from ultra lights to twins to floats...

 

[simpilotswife]

DH started taking flying lessons this year. Hopefully in a year or so he'll be flying us to WDW himself.

 

[Olaf]

For you professionals, I'm sorry, flying is a great hobby and a lot of fun. I can understand not wanting to fly when you already do it 40 plus hours a week.

Did I miss something? Who said that? I don't know any pilots, flying for a living, who wouldn't love to get out on a regular basis in a light airplane--and I know tons of pilots. If our base had an aeroclub, DH would be at it.

 

[TroyWDW]

My wife and I are both Private Pilots. But, we live about 8 hours flight time away from Orlando which makes it less inviting to fly privately to WDW. I'm instrument rated, but it's still too far to try and plan for all of the possible situations and schedule flexibility. It is simply more convenient to fly commercial. Even the big iron had problems this weekend getting us home through the weather.

We too miss Miegs Field in Chicago. We loved to fly in for the weekend. The closeness of the airport to the museums, Michigan Mile, and hotels was great.

I've thought about trying to rent a plane in the Orlando area and doing some sightseeing on one of our trips. Any recommendations of an FBO?

Troy