I turned 82 in December. But, the good news is, I'm still vertical and breathing. I got my PPL in 1954. Del Monte Aviation at KMRY. I haven't flown in quite a few years now...darn doctors...and I have nothing but good memories from the "old days". Down the coast to Big Sur. Up over the Sierras to KTVL. Three day weekends to KLAS. Wow! Sort of makes me want to sigh, and be young again.....Doug

Wow! Lots of us older guys around. 72 here and hope my brain stays wired together to still be flying at 85+!! With all these oldtimers I was thanking about designing and selling a flight sim console with yoke and pedals that we old guys will be able to fly once we are stuck in our beds and can't make it to the computer any more LOL!! Looks like a wide open market!! Fly on guys!!

Wow! What a great thread. Sometimes I feel down about my age, 74 in May, then I read a thread like this and it picks me right up. It is so wonderful to pursue a great challenge as is FS and meet folks like you all who share the pursuit. I have been flight simming since 1997 when I walked into one of my student's offices and looked over his shoulder at FS98. I have no RL aviation experience, other than many hours paxing,  but a lifetime in mechanical engineering. I "fly" daily and never grow bored. There are so many dimensions to FS beyond aviation to enjoy.

Cheers.

Rick

43 minutes ago, shivers9 said:

Wow! Lots of us older guys around. 72 here and hope my brain stays wired together to still be flying at 85+!! With all these oldtimers I was thanking about designing and selling a flight sim console with yoke and pedals that we old guys will be able to fly once we are stuck in our beds and can't make it to the computer any more LOL!! Looks like a wide open market!! Fly on guys!!

You'll make it. Just don't let yourself slow down. I walk 5-7 miles each and every day and hit the gym 3-4 days a week.Hiring a personal trainer a a few years  back was one of the best moves I've ever made. But, whatever you do, don't sit around and let your body go to waste. Never forget, you're mind needs something to get around in.....Doug

At 66 going on 67 I feel positively a child; and I can say, beyond any doubt, that since retiring I have never enjoyed life more. The body might not be able to quite follow the mind but, hey, you can't have everything!

 

57 minutes ago, W2DR said:

You'll make it. Just don't let yourself slow down. I walk 5-7 miles each and every day and hit the gym 3-4 days a week.Hiring a personal trainer a a few years  back was one of the best moves I've ever made. But, whatever you do, don't sit around and let your body go to waste. Never forget, you're mind needs something to get around in.....Doug

That actually reminds me of a t-shirt I have that I am very fond of... https://www.dropbox.com/s/hl1shscxt9tt78l/t-1.png?dl=0

I love it. Wish I could wear it to the gym tomorrow...................

I'm 67 and retired and honestly don't know what I would do without my sim hobby. Get a job to stay bussy I guess. Ugggh what a grim thought. Honored to be in this company.

64 here. I have a couple of other hobbies, but simming , and this website mostly.

LOVE the T shirt.....Thanks for sharing.........

12 hours ago, Rob_Ainscough said:

I love these threads that make me feel so young!

I hope I have enough brain power left to be flight simming at 80, congrats to you historical simmers.

I do wonder what all the simming debates will be like 25 years from now ... google (aka Alphabet Inc.) sim, global simulation not just flight simulation?  Will Apple (265B revenue) be allowed to buy Microsoft (110B revenue) and/or Google (136B revenue)?  

Apple II running sub Logic Flight Simulator ... IN COLOR!  Aaaah, the memories.

appy new year!

Cheers, Rob.

 

I got vertigo from staring at the screen too hard in 7th gradd!   I LOVED it!

I will turn 77 in a couple of months. Started in 84 with a Apple 2E and Bruce Artwicks Flight Simulator. Bought every version that has come along.

67 here, 68 in a few months. E6B, pilotage, ADF, sectional maps for flight planning, no sim to pre-fly a route...GPS: what's that? Yep, not an octo but old enough. 

Had my PPL check ride in 1988 in an old C172 that rattled and squeaked but the engine ran beautifully. N39497 I think it was, based at KHFD.

Since then had a deer strike at KEEN (Piper Warrior) during night landing practice.

Lost radios at night over southern NH one foggy September and was unable to trigger any runway lights. I ended up at KMHT for an unplanned overnight after regaining comms using the right side PTT and headset plugs. 

A near disaster fuel flow problem after takeoff at KIJD (also in a Warrior at night) which I was able to rectify: before takeoff I had reached down to my left to close the air vent and unbeknownst to me, I moved the fuel lever to a neutral 'between tanks' position. I can still feel the panic when I recall this one...my steps: 1) Keep flying the aircraft 2) turn back to the airport 3) grab the flashlight and start checklist (in my head) 3) spotted the problem! 4) move the lever to full right! 5) carry on towards home, keep breathing.

I also recall becoming disoriented during my attempt at flying to KOWD at night. The lights of Boston were too much for this low-time pilot and had to 180 back to HFD.

Many flights to BID, MVY, ACK, at crazy times, day/dawn/dusk/night, hazy summer skies.

Currently I'm just a sim pilot and wonder from time to time, while smiling, how I got away with all my 'youthful' adventures...and these are just my flying stories! I was also an avid rock/ice climber and winter mountaineer...but those stories are for another time and place. 

Thanks to the OP for the fun thread! 

Greg G       

One of these? I'm just a youngin, only 68.

 

Just turned 70 last month. Started out with the very first MSFS. It is amazing to see the advances made over the years. I guess that is why I really don't complain a lot.  There are many lessons learned over the years. When I was younger I just didn't listen.😉