I've been flying since 1991. I have about 1300 flight hours and over 1300 take-offs and landings. That sounds like a lot but actually makes me a relatively low-time private pilot.

I have a private pilot's certificate for single-engine and multi-engine land-based aircraft. I also hold an instrument rating which lets me fly in the clouds.

The plane below on the right is a Cessna 172, similar to those in which I did most of my training. I also have experience in each of the following airplanes:

Beech Bonanza A36 Beech Baron 58P (twin) Cessna 150 Cessna 152 Cessna 172 Columbia 300 Evektor SportStar Jabiru J250-SP Piper Warrior Piper Archer Piper Arrow Piper Apache (twin) Stinson 108 (seaplane)

While all my training was done here in Iowa, I've rented planes and flown in San Jose (Reid-Hillview airport), Palm Springs, and Tuscon. I also have about an hour in a seaplane based in Seattle, Washington.

With the purchase of my own plane I've been able to extend my range significantly. I've flown to San Jose, Seattle, San Antonio, and Orlando from Iowa.

In June 2001 I purchased a 1974 Beech Bonanza A36. The A36 seats 6 (including the pilot) and cruises at about 180 knots (true airspeed) or about 205 MPH.

In April 2004 I sold the Bonanza and bought a 1980 Beech Baron 58P. The picture above was taken on the one day when I owned two airplanes. :-) Like the Bonanza, the Baron seats six people. The 58P is pressurized and is certified for flight in known icing conditions, making it a very reliable mode of business transportation.

In April 2007 I bought a Jabiru J250-SP Light Sport Airplane (above) with my dad, who is working on his Sport Pilot certificate. The Jabiru seats two people and cruises at 115 KTAS.

Instrument Panel. Click for larger image

Interior. Click for larger image

In May 2007 I sold the Baron. I haven't decided whether or not to replace it. I have access to some very nice rentals (a Columbia 300 and a Baron 55) which reduces the need to actually own one.

Columbia 300