If there's a specific aircraft that got you interested in aviation, what was it?
For me it's the CH-47 Chinook, C-5 Galaxy, and 747-400
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Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
The Boeing 747-400.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
747, 777, 767, 757 and dc10
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- GalaxyFlyer
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Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Cessna 195 on floats—I had the “bug” earlier, but a couple of flights at 11 sealed the deal. Solo’d before I had driver’s license on my 16th birthday. The planes that taught me flying were the F-100 and Citation I & II. if you didn’t fly the Hun every moment, it could and would bite back. The Citation taught everyday instruments in all weather, all conditions. Flew thru the PATCO strike in corporate/charter, one had to resourceful and flexible. A-10 built on F-100 hand flying and visual navigation skills. Plus gunnery and bombing. The C-5, I told LTs, is an awful plane to learn anything about flying. Too much straight & level, no hand flying, no formation, ILS all the time.
Never much interested in Braybrook’s (writer at Air International) “tubular extrusions”.
Never much interested in Braybrook’s (writer at Air International) “tubular extrusions”.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Hard to tell. When I was a kid I had different card games and it was mostly the four engined jets, that I loved the most, meaning B747, A340, Il-86, DC-8 etc.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Definitely the 747-400. I grew up traveling in them around the world and have an immense amount of nostalgia associated with the aircraft, especially with UA, LH, CX, and BA.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
747. Was quite afraid of flying and was moving coast to coast of Australia which had 4 flights involved. First flight was Dash 8, and I lived rurally that was all I knew a plane to be. I was nervous the whole first flight but got over it and thought it wasn't too bad. Next flight was a 767, and I'd never seen a jet plane before, the sound was different and loud, and the plane go stuck in a holding pattern so was banking left and right and I got nauseous and never wanted to fly again.
For the next leg, it was a 747 and when I saw the plane I panicked, I didn't think something that big could get into the air. But when mum dragged me on, we were in business class on the top deck, and it was my birthday so I was treated well with lots of orange juice in champagne glasses. I used the in seat phone to dial to my dad who had already moved, watched lots of Spongebob on the IFE and loved everything about it. Plus it helped that there was a 3 hour time difference, so I got a 27 hour birthday. I thought it was the best day ever.
The next flight was on a BAe-146/Avroliner and I was so enthusiastic for it, and excited. Everybody on the plane could not believe that someone could be so excited to go to Port Hedland.
The Antonov An-124 was another one. One landed once at PHE and we just called over to the pilot as he walking across the tarmac. He let us through the gate and gave me and my brother a tour of the plane.
For the next leg, it was a 747 and when I saw the plane I panicked, I didn't think something that big could get into the air. But when mum dragged me on, we were in business class on the top deck, and it was my birthday so I was treated well with lots of orange juice in champagne glasses. I used the in seat phone to dial to my dad who had already moved, watched lots of Spongebob on the IFE and loved everything about it. Plus it helped that there was a 3 hour time difference, so I got a 27 hour birthday. I thought it was the best day ever.
The next flight was on a BAe-146/Avroliner and I was so enthusiastic for it, and excited. Everybody on the plane could not believe that someone could be so excited to go to Port Hedland.
The Antonov An-124 was another one. One landed once at PHE and we just called over to the pilot as he walking across the tarmac. He let us through the gate and gave me and my brother a tour of the plane.
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- WesternDC6B
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Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
I always had a "thing" for aviation, but, I think that flight from SLC to LAX at night back in 1955 did it for me. I was all of 6 years old, and the DC6B had me captivated!
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
I'm dating myself.........the Boeing Stratocruiser! Pan American. Big PAA letters on the tail and everyone of them named "Clipper......
1957 on Guam. I was a military brat and we lived on the Naval Air Station which is now Guam International Airport. My Dad's unit supported the commercial air ops at the base so he knew a bunch of the Pan Am and Transocean people which helped me get access to the ramp and airplane tours. I was starstruck the first time I saw a Strat. It was nothing like the USNavy C-118 (DC-6) my Mom and I had flown on to Guam and add in my first look at a "hostess" and I was in love. Over time, I snagged tours of any airplane I could weasel myself on board. I enjoyed a box lunch from Transocean "dining" on a DC-4 before it departed for Wake Island, a PA Strat several times sitting in the downstairs lounge and always managed to get a handful of some items from the plane. It was heaven on earth for a kid, and my future in aviation was sealed. I was on Guam when PA began 707 service and was there for the Open House on "Clipper Liberty Bell" N715PA. My favorite Strat was "Clipper Golden Gate" as my first love, but never got to fly it or any Strat.
My Dad pulled 2 tours of duty on Guam totaling 6 years and my 2nd flight back in 1962 was on a Flying Tigers 1049H Constellation as a military charter. My Dad had arrived ahead of us and simply knew we were on a "MATS" flight. He was furious when he saw that Connie taxi in because it was known more as "Falling Tigers" due to accidents and freaked to think we had flown it from Travis AFB. I loved it. Nice seats and stewardesses that were attractive, friendly and gave kids access to the cockpit and we'd help them pass out the box lunches!
A life experience that helped inspire my future.
1957 on Guam. I was a military brat and we lived on the Naval Air Station which is now Guam International Airport. My Dad's unit supported the commercial air ops at the base so he knew a bunch of the Pan Am and Transocean people which helped me get access to the ramp and airplane tours. I was starstruck the first time I saw a Strat. It was nothing like the USNavy C-118 (DC-6) my Mom and I had flown on to Guam and add in my first look at a "hostess" and I was in love. Over time, I snagged tours of any airplane I could weasel myself on board. I enjoyed a box lunch from Transocean "dining" on a DC-4 before it departed for Wake Island, a PA Strat several times sitting in the downstairs lounge and always managed to get a handful of some items from the plane. It was heaven on earth for a kid, and my future in aviation was sealed. I was on Guam when PA began 707 service and was there for the Open House on "Clipper Liberty Bell" N715PA. My favorite Strat was "Clipper Golden Gate" as my first love, but never got to fly it or any Strat.
My Dad pulled 2 tours of duty on Guam totaling 6 years and my 2nd flight back in 1962 was on a Flying Tigers 1049H Constellation as a military charter. My Dad had arrived ahead of us and simply knew we were on a "MATS" flight. He was furious when he saw that Connie taxi in because it was known more as "Falling Tigers" due to accidents and freaked to think we had flown it from Travis AFB. I loved it. Nice seats and stewardesses that were attractive, friendly and gave kids access to the cockpit and we'd help them pass out the box lunches!
A life experience that helped inspire my future.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
747, DC-9, DC-10, A320
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- Boeing757100
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Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
GalaxyFlyer wrote:Cessna 195 on floats—I had the “bug” earlier, but a couple of flights at 11 sealed the deal. Solo’d before I had driver’s license on my 16th birthday..
Wish I could've soloed on my 16th, but COVID conveniently makes it so I only get to start training AFTER I turned 16. Oh well...
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- GalaxyFlyer
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Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Boeing757100 wrote:GalaxyFlyer wrote:Cessna 195 on floats—I had the “bug” earlier, but a couple of flights at 11 sealed the deal. Solo’d before I had driver’s license on my 16th birthday..
Wish I could've soloed on my 16th, but COVID conveniently makes it so I only get to start training AFTER I turned 16. Oh well...
Funny thing is, a couple years later in college, I worked as a line boy at the same airport (KDXR), just different FBO. My CFI, who solo’d me, had moved there. Dave got me thru Commercial and Instrument while I worked weekends and summers. Employees got a discount on rentals. I did that for three years—immense education, lots of hour building opportunities, learned from pilots like the TWA 707 fleet manager and chief pilot. I reacquainted with one last fall. Probably not a path any longer. Being a marina dock boy didn’t hurt.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
L1011.
Flew from YVR to DUS via LHR on an AC L1011 when I was a young lad - went up front, sat down in the captains chair and was hooked.
Funny thing is a few years prior, I was out shopping with my mom and had to get a beach towel. I really, really wanted a Star Wars towel but my mom said no, she picked up this one with a BA DC10 and Concorde on it and asked if I liked it, I said no, I don't like airplanes. She ended it up buying it for me anyways and later became my favourite aviation related item I had.
Flew from YVR to DUS via LHR on an AC L1011 when I was a young lad - went up front, sat down in the captains chair and was hooked.
Funny thing is a few years prior, I was out shopping with my mom and had to get a beach towel. I really, really wanted a Star Wars towel but my mom said no, she picked up this one with a BA DC10 and Concorde on it and asked if I liked it, I said no, I don't like airplanes. She ended it up buying it for me anyways and later became my favourite aviation related item I had.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Boeing 727 and Boeing 747.
I remember a trip to Taiwan. Flew a CO 727 AUS-LAX, then a Singapore 747 LAX-TPE. It was my first trip where I was aware of the aircraft type I was flying on. On every flight I took since that trip, I noted the aircraft type I was flying.
I remember a trip to Taiwan. Flew a CO 727 AUS-LAX, then a Singapore 747 LAX-TPE. It was my first trip where I was aware of the aircraft type I was flying on. On every flight I took since that trip, I noted the aircraft type I was flying.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Austin787 wrote:Boeing 727 and Boeing 747.
I remember a trip to Taiwan. Flew a CO 727 AUS-LAX, then a Singapore 747 LAX-TPE. It was my first trip where I was aware of the aircraft type I was flying on. On every flight I took since that trip, I noted the aircraft type I was flying.
Ahh the good ol' days of CO 727s at AUS, I was just a pre-teen when I flew on one to IAH from Mueller in '97 or '98. Really wished I would've known to check the N-number but as is life. My father was an AA ramper at Mueller and those occasional DC10s and 767s from DFW in the early 90s were his favorite to work. He'd take me to work with him when I was a kid and I'd say those DC10s are what got me into aviation. That #2 engine tripped me out as a kid!
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Boeing 747 and then everything else. Honorable mentions to the 757, 767, 737, Concorde and L1011. But really, the 747.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
For me it wasn’t a specific airline or aircraft. My love of aviation started, when as a kid, I was able to get up close and personal with aircraft on the viewing terrace at Caracas airport. This video shows exactly I mean. This was back in the days when AF Concorde made a tech stop in CCS on its way to GIG.
https://youtu.be/rWbU-FYP6ZY
https://youtu.be/rWbU-FYP6ZY
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Pan Am 707 in 1968 from Detroit to Istanbul, via Boston, London, Frankfurt (something like that). First flight ever at 5. I drew a plane on a chalkboard in kindegarten as part of 'show and tell'. And then became obsessed with Braniff's 727's and DC8's.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
The MD80. Sitting right by those engines…
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
727-200, DC-10, MD-80, 747
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- BoeingERJ1000
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Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
The aircraft I flew on most at an early age were the MD-80, A320, E190, and CRJ-1000, so I guess those were the most infulential for me. The Avro RJ100 also made an impact on me, even though I've only flown on 2.
I also remember watching a lot of planespotting videos back in the day, and nowadays I can't think of the word "planespotting" without thinking of the 747-400.
I also remember watching a lot of planespotting videos back in the day, and nowadays I can't think of the word "planespotting" without thinking of the 747-400.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
American Airlines Boeing 727-200.
My mom left a highly stressful job at a bank to become an American Airlines flight attendant in March 2001. It should be 22 years ago to this day (mid-March) that she, my late grandfather, late aunt, stepdad and I walked through concourse C at MSY to watch her board the classic AA jet. 6:20am CT—I just remember my grandfather being so excited watching the ground crew remove the blocks from the nose gear, as the tug proceeded to set the trijet in motion. I was a gifted sixth-grader at the time, still obsessed with the Space Shuttle Program. But this would mark a new chapter. The control surfaces swayed back and forth during their checks as I stared in awe at the two giant letter "As" on the tail. The "silver bird" taxied and vanished, reappearing soon after, barreling down runway 2 on flight 2014 to DFW. Two months later, I would take my very first airplane flight—same flight number, same time, same aircraft and possibly the same tail number—to watch her graduate.
She was furloughed after 9/11, a month shy of her probation, only to get on at WN (her first choice) six months later. She started out at MCO, and is now working out of HOU to this day. And I'm 33 years old taking routine flights on various airlines and various aircraft, sharing it on YouTube and making more people aware of the avgeek community, and what a liberating hobby this is.
My mom left a highly stressful job at a bank to become an American Airlines flight attendant in March 2001. It should be 22 years ago to this day (mid-March) that she, my late grandfather, late aunt, stepdad and I walked through concourse C at MSY to watch her board the classic AA jet. 6:20am CT—I just remember my grandfather being so excited watching the ground crew remove the blocks from the nose gear, as the tug proceeded to set the trijet in motion. I was a gifted sixth-grader at the time, still obsessed with the Space Shuttle Program. But this would mark a new chapter. The control surfaces swayed back and forth during their checks as I stared in awe at the two giant letter "As" on the tail. The "silver bird" taxied and vanished, reappearing soon after, barreling down runway 2 on flight 2014 to DFW. Two months later, I would take my very first airplane flight—same flight number, same time, same aircraft and possibly the same tail number—to watch her graduate.
She was furloughed after 9/11, a month shy of her probation, only to get on at WN (her first choice) six months later. She started out at MCO, and is now working out of HOU to this day. And I'm 33 years old taking routine flights on various airlines and various aircraft, sharing it on YouTube and making more people aware of the avgeek community, and what a liberating hobby this is.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
The jumbo jet 747-200B.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
As per my username, the Saab 340. It was the plane we would fly to get to/from my hometown, and as a family we lived part-time overseas for my parents' work so we flew a decent amount. I just loved everything about it- the spinning props, the shifting sound pitch as we taxied, the noise and vibration as we took off, the feel and smell of the leather seats mixed with the slight undercurrent of coffee and fuel to make that peculiar 'old plane smell', the turbulence that made us feel like we were really flying. Plus, due to there only being 1 F/A and a generally more laid back feeling, they always doted on the little aviation geek and gave me plastic wings, cockpit visits, etc. One even let me give a PA address! I always thought the big planes like the 747, DC-10, etc were cool but they never seemed to have that same magic to me as the Saabs. Until my first flying lesson they were the smallest planes I had been on, and felt the most like 'real' flying.
To this day, I kick myself for not taking a ride on Silver Airways' Saabs before they were retired. One of these days I need to go to Vancouver and check out Pacific Coastal's, or Seaborne's down in the Caribbean, before those are gone too.
To this day, I kick myself for not taking a ride on Silver Airways' Saabs before they were retired. One of these days I need to go to Vancouver and check out Pacific Coastal's, or Seaborne's down in the Caribbean, before those are gone too.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Definitely the Ansett 727s that used to visit Darwin in the Early to mid 90s. Australian/Qantas had already retired their 727s by then. I started school just down the road from the threshold of Runway 29 and remember them disrupting class and sometimes assembly every morning. Also my father and grandmother were very loyal AN flyers and I often went to the airport to see them off on what was usually a 727. In 1994 my parents flew me down to ADL as a UM to visit family down there and I was given the choice of either Ansett or Qantas. Even as a 6 year old I knew Ansett was the go because they flew a 727 on the route and Qantas flew a 737-300. I ended flying down on 727-200LR* VH-ANA even disembarking by the rear ventral airstairs! I remember being disappointed it was in the brand new at the time skymark livery and not the Australian flag livery that I was used to, but came back on an unknown AN 737-300 that was in the Australian flag livery on what was my last ever flight on AN. I have a picture of me in front of the 727 before I boarded but I can’t find it at the moment.
Even if Australian flag livery in use from 1990-1994 was the worst livery AN used especially on T-tails where the Union Jack was cut in half, it still holds a lot of nostalgic value for me.
My grandmother also used to take me to the airport to see the planes as an outing even if we weren’t meeting someone that was travelling.
* 727-200LR was an internal designation used by AN for their -200 Adv. with an Aux tank, higher MTOW, and JT8D-17R (I believe if not -15) engines.
Also on the military front the B-52. My parents took me to an aviation museum in Darwin where there was an old B-52G jammed into a hangar, it was the centrepiece absolutely dwarfing all the other exhibits. The scale of the thing was mind blowing to a kid I wondered how something that big was able to fly.
Even if Australian flag livery in use from 1990-1994 was the worst livery AN used especially on T-tails where the Union Jack was cut in half, it still holds a lot of nostalgic value for me.
My grandmother also used to take me to the airport to see the planes as an outing even if we weren’t meeting someone that was travelling.
* 727-200LR was an internal designation used by AN for their -200 Adv. with an Aux tank, higher MTOW, and JT8D-17R (I believe if not -15) engines.
Also on the military front the B-52. My parents took me to an aviation museum in Darwin where there was an old B-52G jammed into a hangar, it was the centrepiece absolutely dwarfing all the other exhibits. The scale of the thing was mind blowing to a kid I wondered how something that big was able to fly.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
This beautiful machine
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Conair (of Scandinavia) Airbus A300 on a charter flight from CPH to somewhere in Greece, presumably Rhodes, is my earliest memory. Greatly aided by the fact that the cockpit door was open and kids (and their dads, you know "to keep an eye on the kids" 
) were invited up to have a look. The look out over the top of an overcast cloudy landscape was absolutely mesmerizing.
) were invited up to have a look. The look out over the top of an overcast cloudy landscape was absolutely mesmerizing.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
For me the Boeing 707 …. and the DC 8… ahh, and the L 1011… not to forget the Bac 1-11, talking about British aircraft: the HS 121… the mighty 727 … well, even the 737-200, the 747…
In other words: I love them all…
But I guess two aircraft had the most attraction for me: the 707 and the DC 8. When I started planespotting they were very common second hand aircraft, since all major airlines phased them out. There were so many operators flying these second hand aircraft. I clearly remember one day where I noted three new 707 operators in my logbook, on a single day (Buffalo Airways, Okado and I forgot the third one ..). Great times.
In other words: I love them all…
But I guess two aircraft had the most attraction for me: the 707 and the DC 8. When I started planespotting they were very common second hand aircraft, since all major airlines phased them out. There were so many operators flying these second hand aircraft. I clearly remember one day where I noted three new 707 operators in my logbook, on a single day (Buffalo Airways, Okado and I forgot the third one ..). Great times.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
vhqpa wrote:I have a picture of me in front of the 727 before I boarded but I can’t find it at the moment.
Just found the image
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- PlymSpotter
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Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
For me it was two aircraft types at the extremes of aviation
As a toddler, my nursery was located right up against the perimeter fence at PLH - so I grew up watching Dash 7s skip past and into the sky and have always loved the type. Many years later I was fortunate enough to track down and fly a couple of the exact frames I'd watched as a child, still flying in Asia.
Then at the other end of the aviation spectrum, my childhood bedtime was signaled by BA 004 returning from JFK at around 10pm each night - the boom would ring out across the South West of England. Never did fly on Concorde, my one and only regret in life was turning down the opportunity.
As a toddler, my nursery was located right up against the perimeter fence at PLH - so I grew up watching Dash 7s skip past and into the sky and have always loved the type. Many years later I was fortunate enough to track down and fly a couple of the exact frames I'd watched as a child, still flying in Asia.
Then at the other end of the aviation spectrum, my childhood bedtime was signaled by BA 004 returning from JFK at around 10pm each night - the boom would ring out across the South West of England. Never did fly on Concorde, my one and only regret in life was turning down the opportunity.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Living under 10L as a kid on the LHR approach.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
As far back as I can remember I was fascinated by airplanes, partly because my dad traveled frequently in his job. I loved going to the airport and watching the planes when we'd drop him off. My first flight was on an AA 707 in August of 1967 from ORD to LAX, but the aircraft that really lit the fire was of course the mighty 747. It was just SO MUCH larger than anything else in the sky that it seemed to just float there as if by magic. Thus began a lifelong obsession with large flying things 
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
PlymSpotter wrote:my childhood bedtime was signaled by BA 004 returning from JFK at around 10pm each night.
Well, in my case it wasn’t bedtime but a signal that the day was almost over: at 5pm a BCAL Bac 1-11 would take off from Frankfurt and fly over our apartment building. About one hour later, every day a C5A would take off.
Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
The 747, nothing else like it and it was the inspiration to become an airline pilot
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- Boeing757100
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Re: Specific aircraft that got you into aviation
Max Q wrote:The 747, nothing else like it and it was the inspiration to become an airline pilot
Agreed 100%. The 747-400 was the first aircraft that I even knew how to differentiate. All hail the queen of the skies!
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