Matt Whiting

Jay Honeck wrote:
>> Maybe sometime in the future when I grow wings again, you might still
>> be doing the BBQ/Pool party, because I know I am missing something fun
>> and special with a great group of people.
>
> Thanks, Dave. It's truly disheartening to hear that you've dropped out
> of flying altogether -- but I know you're not alone. (Don't worry --
> the Fly-In Pool Party will continue as long as we own the hotel!)
>
> I can see why you've dropped out, though. My son and I just got back
> from a three-day custom car show in Des Moines. There were thousands of
> people in attendance, and you could literally walk for days and never
> see the same car twice.
>
> More importantly (and to the point) for about 10% of what I've spent on
> aviation over the years, we could own many of the coolest, most
> tricked-out collectible cars at that show. I will never become as
> excited about cars as I am about airplanes, but it's easy to see why
> "normal" people might choose to go that route.

A friend who learned to fly at the same time as me did the same thing a
decade or so ago. After many years of C-172 ownership he sold it and
bought an older Vette convertible. His wife likes the Vette better than
the airplane and spends far less money and can spend much more time with
the Vette.

I was up flying for 2.5 hours today to get in some approaches to keep my
instrument rating current and hardly heard another sole flying. I heard
a Citation also doing practice approaches at an airport about 60 miles
away, but I flew to three local airports and did not see a single
operation at any of them and this is on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.

Like it or not, GA is starting the emanate the death rattle.

Matt