Mike's Flying Page
Burning avgas - what a hoot!
Private Pilot
Long ago and far away, a friend of mine was building flying hours towards his commercial pilot certificate (pilot's license). One day he invited me to come along - I was hooked! Unfortunately, it was not possible at the time for me to pursue becoming a pilot. Instead I bought a series of boats and my family and I had many wonderful times on the water.
Years later my situation changed and I was able to get my pilot certificate. I started my ground school in January of 2006, my first flight was in February 2006.
It didn't take me long to realize that I wanted my own plane. It's nice to get to know a vehicle, learn all its idiosyncrasies. Once you become familiar with it you feel more comfortable, it is easier to tell when something just doesn't seem right. I purchased my first Cessna 150 in January of 2007 and named her Li'l Red. Since then I have owned two more aircraft, a Kolb Firefly ultralight and a second Cessna 150 which I currently own.
Mike in Rufus at New Holstein AP
The three aircraft I have owned are "Li'l Red", "Rufus T. Firefly", and "What a Maroon". How each got its name is detailed in the aircraft's individual page. Click on the corresponding button to link to the page for information regarding each specific aircraft.
My first meeting with my first aircraft. She was a 1972 Cessna 150L, tail number N5437Q - Isn't she a beauty?
Delivery day of Rufus T. Firefly, a Kolb Firefly ultralight aircraft. She folded up and fit in a trailer, allowing me to tow her to interesting places to fly.
I flew to Palm Springs to purchase this 1977 Cessna 150M, tail number N704QF. I flew her home from palm springs, up until then the longest trip I have flown as pilot in command.