Originally Posted by
HappyCrew
Rocjett,
If you enjoy weekly meetings with the FEDS and are hell bent on dealing with a magnitude of daily and mechanical problems, then by all means, go fly around in some 60+ year airplane. There are still a few bottom feeders out there flying these jurassic antiquated turds through the sky. I did it and have friends that are still doing it and while it may marginally enhance your stick and rudder skills, we all agree that this type of flying is no longer the stepping stone it used to be. These operations are more like rest stops, you get to see all your peers zip on by while you wash grease and fukking oil off your shirt.
PS: If you do decide to go down that dark and lonely road, go and pick up a DUI or two. This will greatly enhance your experience and you will have stuff to talk about when you're not busy shutting engines down.
Wow.
The only meeting I ever had with the "feds" when flying round motors (still flying them, incidentally) in single or multi equipment was a group of inspectors passing through, who wanted a tour. I gave them one, and they were quite happy. I don't know what it is that you did that caused so much scrutiny by the FAA, but it certainly isn't the fault of an older airplane or a round motor.
Radial engines do not create a black mark on your record. A DUI does.
Perhaps the difference is that while I've spend a fair amount of time in 60 and 70 year old airplanes, none of them were "turds." Sounds like you made some bad choices.