I'm in the same ballpark, Brent.  As simulation continues to improve, the
"virtual" flying experience gets more fun for me.  I have a DSL at the
house, and fly with a group of folks on the 'net.  If you get a decent ATC
package it can be loads of fun.  Our only problem is that everyone wants to
fly and nobody wants to be ATC.  I enjoy playing God, though, so I'm usually
tapped for the role.  You can really get involved with real-time weather,
traffic, the whole-nine-yards if you want.  I could get addicted pretty
quick if I let myself, so I set "maximum flight time" every week.  Once I
use it up, I don't get on again until the following week.

I really enjoy fly fishing/tying and B&W photography too, so I have to
steward my time pretty carefully.  I have to work hard at not letting my
wife and kids be "virtual widow and orphans".  Do you have any passions
besides flying and cooking (I ask as someone who can "burn" water?

-Kyle

-----Original Message-----
From: Brent Edwards [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2002 11:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Introduction


Kyle wrote:

> Glad you're here, Brent.  You'll find us quite a varied crew, but very
> supportive of each other.  BTW--do you have issues keeping your med. cert.
> current?

Thanks. I let my medical lapse in 2000, as I simply couldn't afford it any
more after we bought our latest (and hopefully last) house. The last year I
flew regularly (1999), I spent over eight grand on rentals and avgas. <sigh>
It's totally a rich man's game now, and that's a club I simply don't belong
to.

I didn't have any problems renewing it in '94 and '96, but in '98 they
wanted a whole new neuro/ortho assessment. I anted up the cash that time,
and was told by my m.e. that I could probably expect that every six to eight
years (every third or fourth recert) for as long as I was willing to keep a
medical.

Brent