Dave,

With all due respect, you are SOOOO missing the entire point.

Rant /On

It isn't the questions. God knows we've all asked hundreds (if not
thousands) of questions of CFIs, Air Show Pilots, Airline Pilots, friends
who fly, etc...
Before I earned my PP-ASEL, any chance I would get to ask questions of real
pilots, I'd barage them. I still do.

I was (and still am to a large extent) an UberFencenHanginAirportenGeek.
For years I'd sit in my car near airports, shoot photos and listen to a
scanner...I still do this from time to time. I have over 10,000 35mm
slides. I have a library with over 3,000 books and magazines related to
flying of all kinds from hang gliding to flying fighter jets. It's one of
my prized posessions. I still build models. I still collect patches, pins,
manuals and antique panel instruments.

The worst part of my job? The fact that I work weekends and can't attend
airshows any more (my personal best was the summer of 1987. I was living in
Philly then and I made it to small airshows and AFB Open Houses from Boston
down to Pax River. IIRC, 12 or 13 shows that summer.)

But, the one thing that would have set me apart from our Albatross back then
and it would do so today (despite having immersed myself in aviation for
seemingly forever):

- I knew that I didn't know jack **** (and as it relates to flying, I still
know that one is constantly learning.)
- I knew how to say THANK YOU!!!

If an honest to gosh, flesh and blood pilot would take the time to answer my
stupid ground-pounder questions, I'd say thank you for your time. I'd ask,
they'd answer, I'd move on.

I wouldn't doubt them to their face - Mx Does
I wouldn't tell them they're wrong - Mx Does
I wouldn't attempt to sound superior - Mx Does
I sure as hell wouldn't try to bull**** them - Mx Does

So I'll say it again. It isn't the questions, it's the intent behind the
questions because if he already knows all the anwers then why is he asking?

Rant \Off

So you make the call Dave. You want to feed his addiction? You want to
help him get his jollies? Be my guest. I'm sticking firmly with those who
think he needs a nice long rest in a rubber room.

Jay Beckman
PP-ASEL
Chandler, AZ