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What’s next?

Dwillows

Member
Just finished ELSA RV-12iS, AirWorthy Cert, 25 hrs, Garmin VFR, loving it, but at my age (85) thinking what next??? Shall I just fly it, or maybe sell it and build another??
Any others been through this decision sequence with ideas, thoughts to share?
 

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at this point in your life , unless building is your passion and you would be perfectly happy having the big one while pulling a cleco, i would enjoy what you have. i am 75 and this was my choice and i am good with it. i was also an rn in an icu for 20 yrs so my opinion is based on a modicum of experience.
just the way i am playing it.
 
at this point in your life , unless building is your passion and you would be perfectly happy having the big one while pulling a cleco, i would enjoy what you have. i am 75 and this was my choice and i am good with it. i was also an rn in an icu for 20 yrs so my opinion is based on a modicum of experience.
just the way i am playing it.
It’s all good…. I love flying AND building and if I could afford it, would keep the plane AND build another. But I notice a creeping preference for building as stresses of flying become more noticeable (and make me a less skillful pilot) but they affect building less. So that’s my conundrum.
 
FInd a young person in your area who wants to build and needs a mentor. You get to build (with someone else’s money), you get to pass on what you know to another generation, and you get to keep flying the airplane that you have and enjoy. That’s a lot of wins….
 
It’s all good…. I love flying AND building and if I could afford it, would keep the plane AND build another. But I notice a creeping preference for building as stresses of flying become more noticeable (and make me a less skillful pilot) but they affect building less. So that’s my conundrum.

FInd a young person in your area who wants to build and needs a mentor. You get to build (with someone else’s money), you get to pass on what you know to another generation, and you get to keep flying the airplane that you have and enjoy. That’s a lot of wins….
I like that idea a lot….. how do you go about finding a young person with that kind of money to spend? Seriously. Are there such young people looking for mentoring? Tell me more.
 
I like that idea a lot….. how do you go about finding a young person with that kind of money to spend? Seriously. Are there such young people looking for mentoring? Tell me more.
Check with your local EAA chapter? Yes…I agree, it is a tough combination to find - but they have to be out there, or our litle corner of aviation faces a bleak future.
 
I like that idea a lot….. how do you go about finding a young person with that kind of money to spend? Seriously. Are there such young people looking for mentoring? Tell me more.
Attend your local EAA Chapter meeting. Walk around the airport.
Post here on VAF.

I find interested builders seem to find a Mentor when they need one. I have no idea how it happens. My Mentor, Dave, found me when I was pounding dents in test parts with my gun set at 90psi. Thank goodness. Saved me a lot of money and mistakes. I have passed my knowledge on to three others plus two grand kids. I'm always happy to help. I think I enjoy helping as much as building and flying. I still love flying.
 
I'm a one of those young guys (only 74 years old) and would love have an old guy's help. Too bad your not in Spanish Fork (SPK).
Seriously I have the same desire to fly and build and help pass on any skills that I may have acquired. (and learn new ones).
I have joined the local EAA chapter and attend the meetings and I stalk around the airport peeking in open hangars, and striking up conversations with any victims inside. I have already met some builders there and I have met a "youngster" who is building an RV 10 tail kit. He helped me take inventory of my Sonex Highwing tail kit for my new build and I promised to reciprocate by helping him with his RV 10. My last build was a RV 10, so it was an easy deal to make.
 
Attend your local EAA Chapter meeting. Walk around the airport.
Like Larry said, fish in a small pond: ask chapter members to send any STEM/Youth Build candidates your way.

Pls post your results: I intend to be a United Flying Octogenarian as well.
 
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