Bird Dog

Sounds like me.

Birds with just a skag and no tail wheel.

The smell (oil, dope, etc) of the old birds you can never forget.

OX engines

Navigating by the signs painted on the water towers and barns.

Of course I don't expect you young ones to remember all the things of
early flying )

A very Merry Christmas.

Big John (1921 a good year)

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On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:09:54 -0500, "Birdog" wrote:

I am an 82 year old grounded pilot, but my heart is still in the air. I
still enjoy discussions of the basics on here, which appear too seldom.
After years of flying, the very last time I left the ground I was still
mesmorized watching the ground drop away - with the very mystique of being
able to fly. After I lost my medical, I tried RC models, and it was little
better than having a toy airplane on a string. I tried simulated flying on
the 'net, and found it totally lacking in reality. So nowdays, I just
daydream a bout what once was.

So, like sex, you young guys enjoy what you have while you have it. I wish
everyone could experience the smell of fabric and gasoline in the old tail
draggers, and the feel and forgiveness of a grass strip. I keep telling
myself that I have been lucky as hell!