What I hope to accomplish through this Web Site is to reflect on events as they happen in my life. The topics will vary from Life in General, Current Events, Recreation / Fitness, and the many branches and disciplines of Aviation… We’ll see where life takes us!
A little Bio about myself:
I am David Conrad and I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a 52 year old, husband and father. We have been married 30 years and have two grown daughters.
A professional corporate pilot with 12,000 plus hours in various aircraft, I am currently involved in ballooning, gliding, and powered paragliders… all for sport and pleasure. I have dabbled in hang gliding, paragliders (free-flight / no motor), ultra lights, & aerobatics. Someday I’d like to get a helicopter rating. I am a member of AOPA (Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association), EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), USHPA (United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association), SSA (Soaring Society of America), BFA (Balloon Federation of America), The 1-26 Association (a class of glider), and The Europa Club (British based club of people building & flying Europa Aircraft). Each of these organizations puts out a magazine or newsletter. I also receive “Kitplanes”, “Aviation International News”, “Professional Pilot”, and “Outside. I always have something to read.
Although we are not currently working on it, we have a Europa homebuilt airplane / motor glider project in the works. We also are restoring a 30 ft Islander Sailboat, and own a Hunter 26’ trailer-sailer.
A runner since 2000, I have completed 9 marathons, numerous other races, and started doing triathlons in 2006. Health and fitness are becoming increasingly important as we contemplate retirement. We belong to a “Galloway” running group. This involves using the run-walk method of long distance running. As a result we receive more magazines: “Runner’s World”, “Inside Triathlon”, & “Triathlete”.
We live in a modified A frame house on several acres with a 40’ X 48’ shop / storage building for the projects. My family has a mountain cabin near Ouray, Colorado. We try to go there each summer. It seems as if there are constant architectural projects, maintenance & improvements.
FAA Licenses and Ratings:
·Airline Transport Pilot: Airplane Multiengine Land; Canadair Challenger, G-II, G-III, G-IV, G-V (550)
·Commercial Privileges: Airplane Single Engine Land & Sea; Airplane Multiengine Sea; Glider; Lighter-Than-Air Free Balloon (Limited to Hot Air Balloons with Airborne Heater)
·Flight Instructor: Airplane Single & Multiengine; Instrument Airplane; Glider
As you can see, my interests are varied. It is safe to say, I’m rarely bored. I look forward to the journey ahead. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are mine alone and are not to be used as “flight instruction” or fact. Get in person and professional instruction on all aviation matters. This goes for everything on this web page. Use any information presented here at your own risk. You are on your own. Also, please bear in mind that English was not a strong subject for me. Grammatical & spelling errors are just that, errors. Get over it.
