"A man's gotta know his limitations.."

@bradsteelguy9140

13 күн бұрын

One of the greatest quotes from Harry.

@marttimattila9561

13 күн бұрын

Bullshit exceed your limitations is the goal. Gotta know your limitation is only excuse for laysines.

@ThePsiclone

13 күн бұрын

unless you feel lucky...

@AIM54A

13 күн бұрын

@@marttimattila9561 Nobody exceeds their limitations when trying to pull out of a high G maneuver. At age 90 your arm strength is a fraction of what it was when you're 60. Your tolerance to G loads is also drastically reduced due to your heart not being able to pump as hard. No 90 year old should be doing acrobatics.

@TheGospelQuartetParadise

12 күн бұрын

I must quote this line two - three times a week. Cuz I know my limitations.

I’m 94 , retired Aircraft certification engineer and private pilot. Still drive but don’t fly as too much certification required with Pacemaker. My wife who has passed away, always drove with me and I do miss the extra traffic information she used to give me , so take great care to know what’s going on around me. Drive Dodge van so sit up hi , can see all around me and, electric cameras. Govt checked every 2 years

@tinytattoomike7943

13 күн бұрын

🏆

@dremwolf5419

13 күн бұрын

My condolences on the passing of your wife.

@dallastorvaldtronsdal7644

12 күн бұрын

Amazing. Take good care, sir.

@tsparks4133

11 күн бұрын

Are you "Bill"?

@buffdelcampo

9 күн бұрын

When my father was in his late eighties, he used to say, "I drive familiar roads only and never at night." Before he turned ninety, he was starting to have vision problems, so he made the decision to quit driving. I quit flying when I thought I may not pass the flight physical. I was 56 and not a commercial pilot, so it wasn't a big deal. I think it's better to have an expired medical rather than a denied medical. I guess it doesn't make much difference but I thought a denied medical could cause some grief someday with an insurance company or some other entity.

It wasn't easy to take Dad's car keys either but, cutting corners on the sidewalks and getting it high sided in a ditch punched a hole in the gas tank. I should have done it sooner, and I knew it. I love and miss you, Dad.

@toma5153

13 күн бұрын

Yes, it's tough to give "the talk". My wife came to an agreement with her dad: buy the vehicle off of him and promise to chauffeur him any time any place.

@GARDENER42

13 күн бұрын

I just commented above on the same thing in regard to my father, though his doctor helped with a slight distortion of the truth.

@argentum530

12 күн бұрын

After my step-dad passed away, I went to live with Mom to help with the house and errands. She asked me the first day if I minded driving her to her appointments. She didn't feel safe driving anymore but didn't want to lose her connections to social groups and her hairdresser etc. It was a wonderful chance to connect with her after years of mostly telephone conversations. And the family was happy that she made the decision herself without an 'intervention' ... I'll always miss you Mom, RIP.

@kain0m

11 күн бұрын

Best thing that happened to my parents was that someone called the cops on my grandpa. They were struggling to find a reason to stop him from driving, but once he was going to need a medical to continue driving, he surrendered his license to avoid the humiliation of it being taken away.

I'm 82 with an Instrument and Commercial rating. I quit flying at about 73 or 74 because, when I looked at my mental capabilities, it was obvious to me that I no longer was the same person I was 5 or 10 years ago. Frankly, it is difficult to face but time does not spare anyone. (Wish our political friends would realize that too.)

@branchandfoundry560

8 күн бұрын

Kudos to you, Sir, for knowing when to say when.

@oldmech619

7 күн бұрын

I lost my insurance a few years ago. That was hard.

I'll be 72 soon. I soloed at 16, earmed a CFI around 21-22 and flew mostly single-engine airplanes all these years. I still fly, but only with another pilot on board. Flying has gotten more complicated over the years, especially with push-button navigation, autopilots and more crowed airspace. There is a difference in how our brains work as we age. Not everybody will agree, and some may rightfully disagree, but I'll fly with my younger friends as I age. I made it this far after all these years, and I wish to thank the person upstairs that I'm still around to write these words. Aviation was one of the greatest things to happen in my life, and I would do all over again.

@mikefougere

9 күн бұрын

Respect to you Sir. I also assume good company is enjoyable when we've flown a lifetime..

Colonel Borman was a friend of mine and I believe he stopped flying solo at age 93-had a beautiful T-34. I can't even describe what it was like to fly with him-these guys were absolutely in a league of their own. Remember, these are the men that strapped into a Saturn V, everybody backed off three miles for safety, and they launched for the moon without any hope of rescue if things went south. Borman rode an intercontinental ballistic missile to orbit in Gemini..... They were a whole different caliber. Godspeed Bill Anders.

@777CaptMark

9 күн бұрын

I have read that Jim Lovell also voluntarily quit flying solo a few years ago. The astronauts of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo days were highly educated and experienced test pilots. Their nerve, skill, and courage is simply beyond question. All this education, experience, and skill also brought them sound judgment (well, for most of them, most of the time). The only way to be an old, bold pilot is to know when to either stop flying or start flying with another qualified pilot. I'm not saying Bill Anders had reached the point where he actually needed another pilot to fly with him. Maybe, maybe not. The accident that took him from us could have happened to anyone of any age. That said, his own son said in a fairly recent interview that his dad had stopped flying the P51 but still flew the T34. I think that shows he was aware that he needed to dial it back a bit, and he did so. I do not accept that his accident was solely due to cognitive degradation or physical impairment of any kind. Again, it could have happened to anyone.

@patrickkenney1080

7 күн бұрын

@@777CaptMark Spot on-I agree wholeheartedly. Even at 90, Frank was sharp as a tack and worked out every morning at the gym-always did a fighter break when he came in with the T-34. I understand Lovell has Alzheimer's now. Frank factored back too-he went from his P-51 to a SIAI Marchetti SM-1019 Turbo Prop, and then to his T-34. When he couldn't climb into it anymore, he bought a Cardinal which didn't last long-Susan had passed and he quit flying shortly thereafter-I think the Cardinal was uninspiring for him. Again, these guys were hard chargers and a whole different caliber.

Hello Juan. I could not agree more! After 52 years and just over 20000 hours, I have decided to give up flying. At 70 years old, insurance became an issue with me flying corporate. As well, I started making silly mistakes, the likes of which I had never done before. You might have attributed it to our regular Asia to the US and Eurpoe flights with no proper crew rest and a punishing schedule (Part 91). However, I could see the writing on the wall, one day a silly mistake could become a disaster. When you get a chance, please look at the subject of inflight crew rest in Corporate Aviation. It basically is non-existent, and we now have aircraft capable of 16 plus hour flights. Keep up the great work, cheers, Tony Bird.

@nickmaguire4914

12 күн бұрын

Good on you mate, such a prudent and responsible decision.

I must say “Harvey” is one beautiful aircraft.

"Always fly with another qualified pilot" seems like good advice in general, for any age.

Bill Anders was a different breed of human. I think they called them "Test Pilots" and nobody is going to tell Bill Anders what to do in an aircraft. R.I.P. Bill, you will be missed and we Honor your heroic service to our country

The pilots I've always admired most were the ones that knew when it was time to close their log book. A qualified pilot in the right seat is good insurance. Worked for me for 27 years of flying a Baron and until I retired and decided to go do other things after 40+ years of flying. There are plenty of days I miss it but I want to enjjoy living to a ripe old age too.

@zorbakaput8537

12 күн бұрын

You decision is fine except for the the last sentence. Closing the book doesn't ensure a ripe old age only that you "MIGHT NOT" die piloting an aircraft that you total. Plenty of other risks left to kill you early.

@oneninerniner3427

11 күн бұрын

​@@zorbakaput8537 ???

@branchandfoundry560

8 күн бұрын

@@oneninerniner3427 For real. This guy's a barrel of fun, eh. Let's be sure to invite him to our next party. Sheesh.

It still beats passing away in a nursing home not knowing which way is up.

@nickmaguire4914

12 күн бұрын

Yeah sure, until you stall spin into a nursing home and kill a hundred other older people. What a stupid comment

@branchandfoundry560

8 күн бұрын

Amen. That's how my dad went. He didn't talk his last several months, and he was a chatty guy! His last two years, he basically just "wasn't dead yet." But he definitely wasn't living. Gave me complete understanding, appreciation and respect for Dr. Kevorkian. We should all be so lucky to end it with a too low aerobatic maneuver at 90 yrs old. No tragedy at all from my perspective.

@davidf6326

5 күн бұрын

Sure, so long as you don't take out someone else with you.

@branchandfoundry560

5 күн бұрын

@@davidf6326 Right. He was flying alone.

@davidf6326

4 күн бұрын

@@branchandfoundry560 I know that, but there were people on the ground. I hope I will have the good sense and consideration for others to stop driving when I'm of a certain age. I know it's not easy, but aging drivers (and flyers) are putting other peoples' safety and lives at risk.

My friend who is 97 quit flying his Turbo Commander 690B a couple of months ago and now just drives his Ferrari everywhere

@neuropilot7310

13 күн бұрын

One of my friends father is 93, flies two seat jet trainers 7Gs+, drives a Tesla, not sure how often he drives a Ferrari, Porsche occasionally 😅 Most of his aircraft minor mishaps have involved pilots under half his age with G-LOC related injuries, and a rear seat emergency landing. His only car accidents have been people hitting him, that had nothing to do with his driving. The most serious, he was in the back seat of a Model X, when a truck hit them from behind

@johnypitman2368

13 күн бұрын

Life is rough

@dks13827

13 күн бұрын

how fast ? :)

@paulholmes672

13 күн бұрын

The Turbo Commandos are a lot of airplane, but Bob Hoover made it work for him as well. Juan, as usual has it right on the nose, always fly with a copilot when you are "gettin' up there", and your loved ones will appreciate it, and you can continue to slip the surly bonds of earth!!

@nancychace8619

13 күн бұрын

Oh good grief.

My mentor just turned 93. He has a 1st class medical (after a quadruple by pass no less). He has over 16k hours. Former wing/base commander, fighter pilot, astronaut and graduate of the US Air Force test pilot school. He has experience in many different high performance aircraft types. He does not fly alone anymore on orders from his wife. With all his experience, I can see things that are slowing down mentally. The mental decline is subtle, but noticeable. The FAA medical process does not and cannot measure this.

@BrandyBalloon

12 күн бұрын

In what way is the FAA unable to measure it? Do you mean legally or do they not have the resources? Here in New Zealand, peope over 75 require a medical that includes a cognitive assessment to renew their driver license. Every two years if over 80. Not sure about pilots but I assumed the bar would be higher if anything. Does the medical for driving in the US require a cognitive assessment for seniors? If so, it shouldn't be too hard to extend that to pilot licensing.

@dpeasehead

12 күн бұрын

@@BrandyBalloon Speaking from the US I think that New Zealand and Australia and other parts of the English speaking diaspora seem to have a more balanced approach to dealing with individual freedom and the good of the whole than the US has.

@nickmaguire4914

12 күн бұрын

​@@dpeasehead isn't the US the English speaking diaspora?

@blogengeezer4507

12 күн бұрын

@@dpeasehead "For the Common Good".. yes, proven since the initial O2 creating Stromotolites on planet earth, that it works as engineered. Ant, bee, insect, coral, even fungus colonies have it perfected.. Now consider Megladon, and today's basically minor changed descendants, Far more... invigorating. ;]

@EXROBOWIDOW

11 күн бұрын

@@BrandyBalloon Government agencies are unable to assess individual quirks and microabilities. When my family member underwent psychological testing ordered by his physician, the psychologist repeatedly asked me if I'd noticed any changes. At that time, I had not. It just seemed to me that his "usual self" was more difficult, maybe. Another family member, who does not live with us but sees us about once a week, noticed things, and mentioned that others were noticing things, which led to getting my family member to a doctor for evaluation. Even a doctor does not usually know the patient's everyday behavior, but can perform objective testing. It had already been two years since my family member's employer noticed his declining performance, and terminated his employment. End result of privately conducted testing was a diagnosis, and loss of driving privilege for medical reasons after the doctor sent a report to the DMV. My point is, we are complicated beings. Different people notice different things about other people, in different environments. If I hadn't ridden with a certain student driver on the freeway, I never would have noticed that his driving performance was negatively affected when he listened to baseball games on the radio. Otherwise, his driving was fine, reflexes and responses were all good. A DMV driver test employee would never have noticed, because the radio would have been off. Besides, our local tests do not include freeway driving. Our government is wise to rely on local observers to intervene when things are going off the rails. It is not the job of government to micromanage people.

My dad was a mechanical engineer, B-24 bombardier and WWII POW in the European theater. He drove until his early 80s, until the day he returned home from a solo shopping trip with a crease in the right side of his nearly new Honda Odyssey. “They were telling me to stop” in the supermarket parking lot, he told me that day. At my mom’s urging, I suggested that he give up driving. It couldn’t have been easier: he immediately agreed. (“He did that because he knew you would be driving him around and he would get to see you more often,” my mom told me.) About that time the Honda had to be towed from my parents’ house to the dealership for a repair. I was there when the tow truck arrived. It had been raining and the driver complained about getting wet hooking up the Odyssey. Then he saw the Former POW license plate. “Is that you?” He asked me. “No,” I said, nodding toward the house. “My dad. Nine months, World War II. Parachuted out of a shot-up B-24.” The driver was silent for a bit, then said softly, “I guess I don’t have anything to complain about.” My dad died at age 87 in 2012.

When I was but a young CFI one of my regulars was an 80 year old gentleman. He would never go anywhere without a safety pilot (usually me) even though he owned his own plane. I talked my boss into not charging full rate for my services and Les always bought lunch! He knew his limits.

@branchandfoundry560

8 күн бұрын

Sounds like a good guy!

My Navy fighter pilot father stopped flying alone when he was about 75. He came back from flying his Bonanza and discovered he had left the baggage compartment keys hanging from the door lock and concluded he just wasn't sharp enough to continue. Senior pilots need to have enough insight to realize when they no longer "sharp enough". Now as I follow in his flying footsteps, I hope I too will have that insight or perhaps humbleness.

My 78 year old pilot wife always flys with another pilot.

@robertborchert932

13 күн бұрын

I see what you did there, hehe.

@ProctorsGamble

13 күн бұрын

👍

It took three totaled cars in 6 months to finally convince Dad to give up the car keys. Thankfully he quit flying before that happened...

@Blowinshiddup

12 күн бұрын

My uncle had to come to the same reality last week when he nearly hit two cars, and my dad may be headed there... It's hard for them to relinquish that sense of freedom, but the consequences can be devastating. Peace, brother!

@jimf4492

12 күн бұрын

@@Blowinshiddup Fortunately no one was hurt in any of the wrecks. He had quit flying years before because it was too expensive - when money was involved, he always had good judgement!

My grandpa who just died a couple weeks ago at age 98 bought a new Honda Accord two years ago. He was a more astute and aware driver at that age than I've ever been in my 56 years. He drove up until he died.

@zorbakaput8537

12 күн бұрын

That is the nice exception which proves the rule - there are many other examples here of people who needed to stop what they were doing much earlier in life.

@YouTuberenderingnotswearingAsa

8 күн бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂 everyone here is 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@gringoloco8576

2 күн бұрын

What did he eat?

I asked Bob Hoover when He was going to give up His Keys and His response was " When they are throwing Dirt on Me." Meaning when He had passed away. Standard answer from Bob. LOL RIP Bob. 🙂

@MrShobar

13 күн бұрын

Bob had his medical invalidated and squawked loudly and publicly about it. The revocation was based on the diagnosis of a "significant cognitive deficit and evidence of cerebral pathology".

@czoom51

13 күн бұрын

He did stop flying though, 9 years before he passed away.

@jimmckinnon7148

8 күн бұрын

I was at the Reno Air races and he was amazing!

Your friend Bill was a smart man to fly with another rated pilot.

Unfortunately, air show accidents happen to pilots of all ages. When you mention Harvey and Jimmy Stewart. Back in the early 70's, I would wash airplanes at Burbank and Whiteman airports. One time I approached a gentleman about washing his Piper Super Cub. It was Jimmy Stewart. He said no, but I could help him dry the plane. His drying method was flying the pattern, with a couple of touch and goes. I remember that flight vividly all these years later.

My grandma passed in her sleep at the age of 95 still as sharp as a tack, she gave up her car keys aged 85 when grandad passed, for the simple reason that she was scared that if she had a heart attack when she was alone then she'd drive her car into someone and do them harm.

@jimw1615

13 күн бұрын

Your grandmother was a responsible person, first. That is a trait which is missing in a number of humans, unfortunately.

100 % agree with you. I am a former airline pilot age 65, I have hust retired from the industry. Thanks for sharing this video. Fly safe.

Coral Gables 🌴🇺🇸 Hehe. Former Military and Air Lines Iam now 80 but have ALWAYS flown with a safety pilot since 70. Safety 1 st. 🏄

Age is just a number; but so is altitude. 🤷‍♂️

@davidkavanagh189

13 күн бұрын

It isn't just a number. There is demonstrable cognitive decline and drastically increased likelihood of incapacitation as age advances. Different for each individual and some indeed remain sharp into their 90s but they are the minority. Take a safety pilot. Flying alone is boring anyway.

@Pepesilvia267

13 күн бұрын

Age is just a number but there’s literally no 90 year olds that are physically or mentally better a 20 year old. Difference between one 80 year old and another can be drastic but different between a 90 year old and a 40 year old is still significant. Age is just a number that can give us a general idea of your abilities and capabilities.

@nickmaguire4914

12 күн бұрын

​@@davidkavanagh189point missed

@nickmaguire4914

12 күн бұрын

​@@Pepesilvia267point missed

@davidkavanagh189

12 күн бұрын

@@nickmaguire4914 Vague meaningless point missed?

Just say it, he was performing aerobatics at a dangerously low level. He had no business executing a loop or split S at 1000 agl

@traumamed9449

3 күн бұрын

No one will ever know what truly happened in the mind of Gen Anders, but don't be dismissive of the possibility that he knew that and did it anyway. It is even possible he achieved his desired outcome on his own terms. It could also have been a completely unintentional lapse in judgment. No investigation will ever be able to make that determination.

My dad, who flew B-24's in WWll, came to me at 86 and told me he didn't need to drive anymore, even though he lived in a very small town. The next day, literally, he had a stroke and passed away 30 days later. He knew. My mom on the other hand let me know she wasn't going to stop driving even though she drove her car through the garage door at the same age! It wasn't an easy thing to take her keys away even after she totaled her car in the driveway! RIP Gen. Anders

@scotabot7826

13 күн бұрын

Yes, very difficult thing with our parents. "Totaled her car in the driveway" Thanks for that. I sure needed that laugh!! Good one.

@EXROBOWIDOW

12 күн бұрын

I've had family members who lost or gave up their driving privilege for medical reasons. In California, doctors are legally required to report drivers to the DMV if they have medical issues that may impact their driving. Yet I have a friend whose dad should not have been driving, and the family couldn't get his license revoked.

@mikefougere

9 күн бұрын

He did know....respect.

I'm glad someone finally brought that up gracefully.

I have 50 years as a rated commercial pilot with multiple rating experience. Beginning in the Air Force in 1972, aviation has been my life. I turn 70 in 2 months and it’s time to put the flight bag in the closet. That’s painful. The Anders crash, your observation on age, my skill degradation from fewer flights, plus viewer comments convinced me. Keep up the good work. By the way, love Harvey. My first twin flight was in a 310B.

Thanks you for telling us the story about Harvey and the tail artwork. Regarding older pilots, in a similar situation, my dad drove into his 90s but macular degeneration was progressing and he quietly admitted that he couldn't see well. He (with some encouragement by me) finally gave up his car and I sold it for him.

No matter what your age is if you tell an airplane to kill you it will blindly follow orders.

@cjc1103

13 күн бұрын

Or to put it another way, an airplane doesn't care how old you are.

@somealias-zs1bw

13 күн бұрын

If you can get a medical, you can fly, end of story. Age is not a disqualifying condition so there will be no "taking grandpa's keys" away lmao.

@williampotter2098

13 күн бұрын

You missed the point

@michaelsimpson9779

12 күн бұрын

Gravity is very patient. Ladders, airplanes... whatever. Gotta be very very careful. Looked to me that his entry altitude was to low.

@lindaschad9734

12 күн бұрын

The old fool blithely told an interviewer that he would be flying as long as he could still CRAWL into the airplane. How fortunate that he didn't kill a passenger or anyone on the ground.

When I was a boy, our local pizza parlor had an autographed photo of a Gemini astronaut on the wall, holding a model of the Gemini docking mission he flew. It was there for decades. It was Bill Anders. Godspeed.

@marksingleton2739

13 күн бұрын

Anders only spaceflight was Apollo 8.

@dks13827

13 күн бұрын

good........ Note that Bill only flew once... Apollo 8

@LLH7202

13 күн бұрын

Bill Anders didn't fly a Gemini mission. Apollo 8 was his rookie and only flight. He was Back up with Neil Armstrong on Gemini 11. Pete Conrad and Dick Gordon prime.

Excellent advice from a young whipper snapper.

If I'm still flying at 90 I'll have switched to flying with a CFI long before then. Idk... I see it as, I don't "have" to fly. I like to fly so I do.

I fly with a big rabbit but nobody else can see it.

@jimmckinnon7148

8 күн бұрын

Pookie...

I had the pleasure of flying with WWII pilot Scotty McGregor for several years in his Pitts S2B because he was wise enough to bring a CFI along in his old age. I learned so much from him and will cherish those flights forever so I plan to reciprocate to a young CFI when my wife says I’m too old to fly alone.

You nailed that subject matter on the head! No one at his age should ever fly alone, or better yet without another pilot beside them.

@bobh6728

13 күн бұрын

There are a lot of younger pilots that shouldn’t be flying alone.

@ManulTransmission

13 күн бұрын

@@bobh6728 That's very obviously true but when you're 90, you especially should not. It doesn't matter how great of a pilot you were, physical and mental limitations are much higher at that age

@bobh6728

13 күн бұрын

@@ManulTransmission You can’t just base it on age. Of course he would not be as good at 90 as he was at 30. There is a video of him at about 84 and he was in better shape mentally and physically then, than a lot of 50 year olds that are flying. Is Juan ready to hang up his wings because he is not as sharp as he was 20 years ago?

@ManulTransmission

13 күн бұрын

@@bobh6728 that's what this video is about. Maybe having this conversation about age and flying ability was needed because now he's gone

@Dogwalkingmom22

12 күн бұрын

@@bobh6728he was attempting aerobatics? It’s lucky he didn’t kill anyone on the ground. A safety pilot should be required after a certain age.

I guess that admonition by Toby Keith to “Don’t leave the old man in” is taken too seriously by some who just can’t figure out where all the time went, and life still needs living. I’m nowhere near 90, but last last year I went to a local flying school and “rented” an CFII to go fly with me. I told him I didn’t want instruction and to just sit and watch me fly stalls, TO & Landings, slo flight…..etc.

@NATES84

13 күн бұрын

the song goes don't LET the Old Man in ,not don't leave the old man in.

@thomthumbe

13 күн бұрын

@@NATES84 - Yup….you are correct! I didn’t look it up! Sorry!

I no longer fly because of cost reasons, but I do own and ride a Triumph 800 XRX motorcycle. I just turned 70 back in May, and I'm seriously considering giving up riding it, mainly because I don't ride it enough to be proficient. Sometimes a person has to make a decision on what they love more, an activity or their family and friends.

@jimw1615

13 күн бұрын

Good decision.

Thank you for covering this. This is SO far from a tragedy! The guy went out, at FREAKING 90, doling what he LOVED! We should all be so lucky...

It's hard to say without knowing more, but an old man pushing the limits of aerobatics, alone and over water, knowing that an accident might cost him 5 years of life but not much more... I think I understand that.

When I worked at Hangar ONE in Chattanooga in the late 70's, Mr Harry Porter was still flying in his 90s. He was the previous owner of the FBO before it was purchased by the Hulse Family. I enjoy these videos! Thanks!

I'm pushing 80 ,started flying at 18 with a career at united flew Connie 440,s and dc-6 . I fly twice a month with a cfii usually an hour or so concentrating on commercial maneuvers . Not to add ratings or even to stay current . It challenges me and I can relive a bit of my youth without freaking out my family . Love your channel sad to see a avoidable loss of life and aircraft .

My neighbor is 95 and quit flying a few years ago still drives everywhere

@SailOnFlyBy

13 күн бұрын

Goals! 🤞🏼

Between 1996 and 2000, I flew with an, um, 'more mature' pilot. How mature? early B-26 missions over Europe and the Pacific. I think he was about 90. The guy was freaking excellent in the air. Real humble. Made gusty crosswind landings in a taildragger look like he was on rails. He died mowing a slope on his riding mower when he rolled it. Moral of the story: when it is your time to go, it is your time.

Thanks Juan for the common sense about safe PIC for us old pilots. I'm 68 and can't get a medical anymore; so I only fly with another CFI. It doesn't matter what you could do at age 24 but it does matter to know when to hang it up!!

Split-S at 700 AGL was suicide. Just glad he didn't kill anyone else.

@fat_biker

13 күн бұрын

It might have been suicide, it might have been a terrible misjudgement. And that ambiguity might have been very _well_ judged...

One of the saddest things I’ve ever had to do was to tell my mother she couldn’t drive anymore. It was her freedom of movement, I couldn’t always be there when she wanted to go somewhere. We don’t live in an area with the greatest public transportation. I still feel sad about it even though I know when she was driving she could be endangering other people and herself. I hope when the time comes I will hand over the keys and not guilt my kids into making the decision for me.

@maxium4x4

13 күн бұрын

Had the same conversation with my Mother, it was tough. Remember, Our day will come.

@ninjalectualx

13 күн бұрын

Vote for left-leaning politicians who will get you better public transportation

@RLTtizME

13 күн бұрын

I took the keys out of my Mother's purse and she didn't realize it for 5 days. She was very mad at me.

@craigstevens9351

12 күн бұрын

@@ninjalectualx dont vote left leaning anything if you want something done right or cost effectively. just look at all the democratic led cities that are dumpster fires

@blogengeezer4507

12 күн бұрын

@@ninjalectualx While 'They themselves have at their disposal, 'other' ;] resources..

Absolutely great commentary Juan…. I was wondering that myself as well. Thank you so much for letting everybody else know. I remember the movie Harvey. Thank you, carry-on

Great video. This is a very nice story about your 310, Sky King version. ( I often like to brag I got an Autograph Photo of Sky King at a local Fair & Circus in Alamogordo NM in 1963, I was one of those kids who loved that show ). Great info on older pilots enjoying their airplanes and flying for as long as they can. I admire these older pilots and have talked to plenty of pilots who although can't fly (by themselves) still maintaining their aircraft and hanging around the airport. I just talked to a man with a Cessna 195 that was in good shape but showed it's age. He showed me what he was working on and explained how he hoped to take her up one more time after the inspection. I understood what he meant by his physical limitations, but I could also tell how emotional he was about that next last flight.

Most situations have simple answers that will work. I met a pilot who would never fly if there were clouds; it was his personal rule.

My sister in Hawaii has a friend that is 101 years YO. He still flies a private plane. He used to fly bombing missions during WWII.

Friend of mine asked to help him annual a plane, flat tires on purpose, owner had dementia and tried to take off. Family asked to have the plane disappear.

Correct! No matter how well you think you’re doing at 90 you absolutely without question have diminished capacity in a number of crucial areas compared with your younger self. This is unavoidable and no one at 90 should be going it alone like that. It’s just stupid and dangerous. Thank goodness he didn’t kill anyone on the ground. This is equally true for driving and is borne out by the statistics. Nothing wrong with owning the truth about old age. And yes I’m considered old now and won’t fly alone and even driving is significantly curtailed (no nighttime etc).

Excellent point and very true. I am nowhere near 90 and in the 15 years I owned a Maule 235 I was fortunate to have a friend and also a seasoned Maule pilot fly with me a lot. I always learned something new and was a better pilot for his experience.

90 is too old for most people to drive, much less fly. Sure, some get away with it but the chances of having an accident at that age skyrocket. The thought of flying as a passenger with a 90 year old pilot would scare the crap out of me.

@smal1393

13 күн бұрын

That may be true, but 'most people' are not retired astronauts.

@Dogwalkingmom22

12 күн бұрын

Why was he doing aerobatics?

@user-cn6cw6os3s

12 күн бұрын

@@Dogwalkingmom22 You hit the nail on the head here! Hot airplane, aerobatics, and a 90 year old body is not a good mix. Should've stuck to Skyhawks or 150s.

@eccchief1

9 күн бұрын

Not if you leatn how to fly.

@eccchief1

9 күн бұрын

Learn

A reasonable and responsible approach to safer GA flying. This is the best way to assure those who love flying in their golden years are safe as well as those on the ground and in the airspace around them are also safer.

Whether it’s keys to a car or keys to a Cessna, it’s the same conundrum.

I'm 68. I feel as and maybe more capable as anytime in my career piloting, driving or riding my motorcycles. Yes, great to have a qualified co pilot at all times. Be smart, live to enjoy life as long as you can. The moment you say I missed that and your co pilot takes control you are the passenger. It's time.

Sadly I've had family in similar situations. The mental decline can be very subtle. Their risk taking tends to increase well before their motor control decreases. Also it can hit fast. Went from normal to not knowing where she was in 6 months. What makes it hard is most people don't know what the early signs are. And most don't want to be the bad guy and take away their license, resulting in tragic outcomes.

Well done as usual Juan!!! My very FIRST airplane trip was in a 1959 C310-C! Totally fell in love with that plane. Still miss it, LOVE Harvey, and watching you fly it.!!!!!

One of my favourite sayings is "One day you'll walk out to your aircraft either knowing that it's going to be your last flight, or not knowing.

California DMV will start making you take your driver's test again at 65 years old. Get a ticket or get into an accident, and it's also an automatic behind the wheel test. Officers that interact with elderly, or other dangerous drivers, can also submit a form to DMV requiring a retest. There are a lot of 90+ year olds that definitely shouldn't be driving, but if they pass the driving tests...they still do. But, at least they are getting some form of check ride, which should be required in a more strenuous situation like flying a plane. Just the perception/reaction time degradation alone at that age.

@X737_

13 күн бұрын

No one that old should be allowed to drive anything above other people

@AraCarrano

13 күн бұрын

I hope failure to dim High/Full beams, or Driving with High/Full beams because one Low beam bulb is out. Qualifies.

@ddurkof

13 күн бұрын

My late mother-in-law quit driving several years before her passing. She volunteered to stop driving because she knew her reaction time was slowing down and her vision wasn't as good as it used to be. Luckily she had a great support group to transport her when she needed to go somewhere. She told me her biggest concern was hurting someone else when driving. That might be a good way approaching an older flyer. No one I know wants to intentionally hurt someone else.

@TimHayward

13 күн бұрын

When you can do an airshow in a strike with engines off you are old enough to get your license.

@roythird5141

13 күн бұрын

O the politicians who think they can solve problems by passing more laws! FYI one thing about geezers is, the older they get the less they give a crap about what the law is. (And I am just about there.) (But not a pilot.)

The most difficult physical is for Fighter pilots and many have to transition to transports and/or a desk before twenty years of service. Included are simulator and evaluation checks. For GA pilots, like drivers, unless they come to the attention of the FAA, they can keep on flying.

@LLH7202

13 күн бұрын

Yeah, Tom Cruise as Maverick flying an F-18 at age 60 is pure fiction.

At an advanced age but nowhere near 90 I am starting to struggle to keep up with my ham radio equipment despite having had it for several years and previously knowing it inside out. The complex glass in a up to date plane would be similarly difficult for me.Just saying.

This could generate a great conversation about flying your family period. It has always made good sense to have another rated pilot aboard. A good friend of mine married a wife substantially younger than himself and she wasn't a rated pilot. That to me put that family at unnecessary risk.

@williammoreno2378

13 күн бұрын

How many GA reports out there where the entire family killed for various reasons? Ego, mechanical, get-homeitis, weather, etc. It is so heartbreaking and, in some cases, avoidable.

Juan, don’t ever paint over those rabbits! Beautiful. Smiled seeing KSPK on your cap, I moved from your neck of the woods (KGOO) to Utah two years ago. Hehe. Catch you on Patreon!

I love Harvey ! ❤. Such a cool airplane

Thank you, Juan, for those words or wisdom.

I just want to take a second to say that is one beautiful 310. That model with the tip tanks and straight tail is something to behold. I can't imagine how expensive to own, maintain, and operate a 310 today is but thank you for keeping that plane in the condition it deserves to be😮

I was a small child when Sky King show was on.

@dks13827

13 күн бұрын

they sold that plane and it crashed... 1 dead. a Cessna factory pilot flew all the tv scenes !!!!!!!!!

@tomsamuelson8512

13 күн бұрын

Sky King and his niece Penny seem to always fly together in the "Song Bird" The 310 and the Bamboo Bomber...

@MrShobar

13 күн бұрын

"Brought to you by...Nabisco!..."

This was in my neck of the woods. I was definitely shocked, so I'm definitely interested in hearing your thoughts, Juan! ✌🏽

What's that joke? "I'm going to pass away quietly, not yelling and screaming like those in the back!"

Just great advice as usual. I have always listened to your channel as I knew you are the voice of reason.

I’m way older than you, Juan. But you’ll never take MY keys away, because a 7AC doesn’t have any 😂

@Kevin_747

12 күн бұрын

Same here. I'm 20 years older than Juan. I fly my Champ alone almost 100% of the time. If I have a pax its a licensed pilot.

Thanks for the story behind the rabbits! I'm happy to know you're keeping the legacy.

Thanks Juan. My sister and I are struggling w/ our 82 y.o. father and his “keys.” He sold the Skyhawk … but what a stubborn mule!

Thank you Juan for covering this touchy subject with reason. I'd commented that Bill Anders, being 90, had me concerned given the reduction in mental acuity that is inevitable with advancing age, but I left some room for the fact that some 90 year old's are pretty darn healthy both physically and mentally. Flying with a second pilot would seem to lessen the risks, but flying acrobatically is always going to be riskier than a point-to-point flight. When flying low to the ground the margin of safety and time is drastically reduced even for the younger and fitter pilots. Still, let's remember Bill as a fighter pilot and NASA astronaut that happened to take one of the most important pictures in film history with "Earthrise". Regardless of how he ended he devoted his life to the nation and advanced our place on the planet.

@maybehuman4

13 күн бұрын

Unfortunately the way he died was irresponsible and selfish. At his age, every time he got into a plane, he put other people's lives at risk. People should understand the limits of their bodies and age responsibly.

@fat_biker

13 күн бұрын

Yes, but I think if you are 90, & you get to the point, medically or otherwise, where you feel life might be about to stop being fun & start slowing down to a miserable & painful crawl to an inevitable ignominious end, you _might_ decide to hop into your bought & paid for plane, go find a remote lake & start doing all those super high risk fun-if-you-live-through-them low level aerobatics that you've always known were a stupid risk to take. Which makes it also a good time _not_ to take up a 2nd pilot with you.

@Raptorman0909

13 күн бұрын

@@maybehuman4 We face this problem with elderly car drivers and it's not an easy thing to resolve. If there was a hard age limit the public, most of them, would be outraged so we don't have a hard age cutoff from driving. As I said, I don't know what Bill's mental and physical condition were and there are some people at that age that are quick as a whip so generalizing isn't warranted. At least he didn't take anyone else with him.

@R760-E2

13 күн бұрын

@@maybehuman4 He hurt no one else

@dks13827

13 күн бұрын

@@fat_biker I thought the same thing

I read his obituary in the Washington Post today. Very sad, this man had an amazing career and contributed much to our nation's history.

An FAA Inspector (Division Mgr) Chuck Sicotte, (retired) who covered that area, (Island County, WA) once described flying to me as , “ A self regulating sport.”

Thanks for a thoughtful discussion about a difficult topic.

smart, I love the dual pilot idea on the upper ages

I am 83 with a private, single engine, land license. I am not current. I recently flow a Warhawk at an airshow, then went to a local trainer to fly a current plane check into getting current. Thought about doing the work to get current. When active my wife had the training to fly right seat and land. She can't now. After some thought I decided it would not be good to fly as the only pilot at my age. My flying now is XPlane and really enjoyable.

For most pilots, insurance becomes an issue at some point.

@michaelsamson3276

13 күн бұрын

I kind of doubt that you can get insurance at 90.

@davidpeterson7197

13 күн бұрын

Uninsured motorists are bad enough, but uninsured pilots?!

@darrellhay

13 күн бұрын

No requirement to have insurance for an aircraft

@petepeterson5337

13 күн бұрын

@@darrellhay I believe you are correct, and for the wealthy I can see where insurance doesn't really protect the pilot's assets. It is common for airports to require tenant aircraft owners to have insurance.

@jcheck6

10 күн бұрын

I'm 75 and insurance only went up $150.

My former USAF squadron commander, who flew RF-86’s over Russia in the 1950’s-he have a presentation about it at EAA a few years ago-passed away at age 86 from congestive heart failure. He was president of the local aero club and had just purchased a biplane certified for aerobatics so he could teach younger pilots in the club acro. He was also an FAA Master Pilot and was the best pilot I ever knew. Still over a certain age, Juan’s advice about flying with another pilot is ‘spot-on’.

Glad to hear that good people realize that a second qualified pilot is a great idea to have on board...

Always sound commentary. Thank you so much from Amsterdam.

great story behind the art on the plane!

I actually butted in on the discussion about "flying while being geriatric" recently. In my heyday I was an aggressive ambulance pilot in Iceland, and survived it. I spent my last 2 decades of aviation in a safe airline environment, but never forgot my roots. I am now 74, still flying privately (off-field in the West Fjords of Iceland in a H-295 Helio Super Courier), but have become noticeably timid in recent years. Finally, a sign of maturity? Bottom line: I'm still fairly competent, I am still medically sound (knock on wood) but the big question remains: Will I be able to recognize just WHEN to call it a day? My father is 96, and he had the sense to stop flying privately decades ago - and he also quit driving 2 years ago, all by himself! At his age, he had to have a medical exam and renew his driving license annually, and he had the good sense to quit in time (In his driving career he only had one minor fender-bender, indicating good judgement). I hope I will manage to quit while still ahead...

As always like the way you put things Juan !

Those rabbits are about the cutest thing I've ever seen!

I think Juan made the point with class and dignity . Respects to the family and friends of this extraordinary individual .

Same with the drivers licence although no dual controls of course. It's sn independence thing. RIP General Anders. Fly high.

I agree with your wisdom Juan. Thanks for all your episodes. Water surface and depth perception can be illusive.

My step father had the same year and model C-310 and he also had a V-Tail Bonanza. I guess he liked Sky King more than I did.

Good advice! And for elderly driver's too. My mom and dad were quite the team. Mom didn't know where she was, but could still operate a car, and dad's vision was bad but he could still see well enough to navigate. They managed to drive around like that for quite a while without incident. Scared the rest of us to death!

Very sound advice. I am 75 years old and would not fly without a second pilot.

Nice point well made, thanks Juan,,,