Subsim Forum regulars' bios, pics, 'how you found Subsim'

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

So, do we have a picture from you?

I don't take any pictures really. There aren't many that exist outside family albums. There's only two that I know of that are posted online. I'd have to do some digging to find a good picture of me.

I'll post one of my favorites of me though.

This was from one of my favorite days of all time...The September Cape Girardeau Airport Open House...

That's me in the back. I loved that thing. A Gyrocopter company came out and gave rides. Once we got off the ground, the pilot asked me if I wanted a go. So, I flew that thing for about 30 minutes.

[Sailor Steve]

Cool enough. I just thought that if one is going to comment on someone's picture one should give an equal chance. Cell phones work.

Still, that is a cool shot and I envy you a little. I've taken lots of rides in lots of vehicles, but never a gyrocopter.

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Cool enough. I just thought that if one is going to comment on someone's picture one should give an equal chance. Cell phones work.

Still, that is a cool shot and I envy you a little. I've taken lots of rides in lots of vehicles, but never a gyrocopter.

Well...let me tell you what you've missed....

You missed the "Motorcycle of the Air"....the Gyrocopter....

If you ever get a chance to go up in one...take it... As you can see, I'm a tall guy. I was slouching in that picture. I had to duck down to get behind that little windscreen. It was probably one of the top 3 things I've ever done. I loved it. I didn't have any instruments in the back seat but there was the stick and the throttle. I had fun. At one point, over the Mississippi River, I peeked over the pilot into the front seat to see the instruments. We were some 1500 feet over the river. It was AWESOME!!! I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Hell...If you gave me a choice between the girl I like and flight...I'd go running to the aircraft smiling like a little kid in a candy store.... (After maybe sneaking a solution to the other choice when you aren't looking.... )

The Air Show is coming back to that airport this summer...I can't wait. Last time they had the Air Show here I got all the Blue Angels Autographs, but, I missed the A-10 Warthog flights they had going on. I got the A-10 Pilot's autograph though. This summer, there is supposedly going to be a B-25, TBM Avenger, and L-3 coming along with all the usual awesome flight stuff.

I actually was looking into Flight School earlier today. (EXPENSIVE!!!! And you thought car gas was bad...the cheapest fuel at my local airport is $5.34 a gallon. Plus the cost of training, insurance, the plane, space at the airport, etc...)There's a local college with a great Aviation program and I'm thinking that if the Air Force doesn't work for me I'll go to college and be a pilot. That, or the Army...

Originally Posted by Cybermat47

Actually, he's so pathetic that his hand snapped off when I tried to put a weapon in it

That why he's standing with his hands on his hips?

I always liked Spartan Armor. My favorite was the E.V.A Armor from Halo 3 and Halo Reach.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Red October1984

You missed the "Motorcycle of the Air"....the Gyrocopter....

While I can't say nay to that, I have to defer to Neil Armstrong, who once said the next best thing to flying a jet fighter was riding a good motorcycle. While I haven't flown a jet either, I've ridden some pretty good bikes in my time. Unless you've done that as well your comparison might be stretching things a bit. I've driven some fairly fast cars too, and 150 mph on the ground is a fair bit of excitement.

I don't question your enthusiasm, especially since it does look like a lot of fun. Just the comparison.

I have been up in an ultralight, and I have flown a hang glider. Also fun.

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

While I can't say nay to that, I have to defer to Neil Armstrong, who once said the next best thing to flying a jet fighter was riding a good motorcycle. While I haven't flown a jet either, I've ridden some pretty good bikes in my time. Unless you've done that as well your comparison might be stretching things a bit. I've driven some fairly fast cars too, and 150 mph on the ground is a fair bit of excitement.

The term "Motorcycle of the Air" was what the MagniFlight people kept telling me it was. I've never ridden on a motorcycle but if it's like the Gyrocopter...I'm sure i'd like it.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Red October1984

The term "Motorcycle of the Air" was what the MagniFlight people kept telling me it was. I've never ridden on a motorcycle but if it's like the Gyrocopter...I'm sure i'd like it.

I'm sure you would. I got my learner's permit at 16. When I read the part that said "May drive an automobile, but must have a licensed driver in the car at all times. May ride a motorcycle, but may not have anyone else on the bike", I said "Dad, you know that little 50cc Honda you bought to drive to work and never did?..."

I never looked back. That little bike and I were constant companions. When my six months were up I renewed the permit rather than get my license. Six months later I had a girlfriend, and had to finally drive a car.

Several years ago a friend had to move to another city just for a couple of months. He asked if I would look after his Honda Shadow while he was gone, and ride it every now and then to keep it from garage rot. I rode it to work one day. The warehouse assistant manager said "Steve, I didn't know you rode!"

I said "I'll bet I was riding before you were born."

He said "I doubt that. When did you start riding?"

"April 1966."

He stared at me for a minute and said "You beat me by one month."

Just last night I was looking at bikes online. I was checking out insurance and one company asked "How many years' riding experience?"

I was a little embarrased when I typed "47".

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I was a little embarrased when I typed "47".

That's funny. I haven't even ridden a normal bike in a few years....Once I started growing fast...My bike couldn't keep up. So I grew out of it fast. I've heard of some bad things to come from motorcycles and I've heard of some awesome things.

I don't know what to think. The Permit system for Motorcycles is different now than it was 47 years ago i'm sure. Bikes sound fun...but cars are just fine.

Still hoping to get a Mustang... and maybe my pilot's license and a small plane....


There's a 1965 Cessna 172 for sale at my airport for $35,000... One can only dream.

[Cybermat47]

Originally Posted by Red October1984

This was from one of my favorite days of all time...The September Cape Girardeau Airport Open House...

That's me in the back. I loved that thing. A Gyrocopter company came out and gave rides. Once we got off the ground, the pilot asked me if I wanted a go. So, I flew that thing for about 30 minutes.

Cool. I've only ever been in the air once, in a helicopter. Having a C-130 passing over the helo mid-flight was pretty cool too.