Photo Gallery

Aircraft Types Flown

This album is a collection of the various aircraft types I’ve flown and instructed in throughout my career. It is not comprehensive, as I do not have photos of every type I’ve flown, much less every individual aircraft. However, wherever possible, I’ve used photos of specific examples of the type which I actually flew. As of the end of 2024, I’ve flown 140 aircraft types (but am always looking to add more to further expand my knowledge and experience). I’ll keep adding photos here as my time allows until I (eventually) have a fairly complete list (I hope).

Click on any image below to see a larger version, including a descriptive caption.

Cessna 150 & 152 Series

N50292 was the Cessna 150 I used for my Private Pilot checkride in Feb. 1990. I'd also used it for much of my training in the fall & winter of 1989. It was still in its original paint at the time. I did my first solo in a different C-150 (same model though). Both 1968 models. I flew all sorts of variations of the C-150 (100hp), including the C-152 (110hp), C-152-150 (150 hp), and the Aerobat (an aerobatic version) throughout my Private Pilot training. I would eventually teach in all of them, as well.

Piper Cherokee Series

The Piper Cherokee Cruiser was the first low wing aircraft I checked out in (5 days after my Private Pilot checkride). I used them to build some of my cross-country time toward my Commercial Certificate and eventually did a lot of teaching in them, as well. I've flown several sub-models of the original Hershey-Bar wing Cherokee lineup, such as the Cherokee 140, 150, 160 and Cherokee Cruiser.

Bellanca Citabria

Within a couple weeks of becoming a Private Pilot, I took my first tailwheel and aerobatic lesson, flying a Bellanca Citabria (7GCAA) in March 1990. I've flown as many taildraggers as I can get my hands on as often as I can since then.

Piper Warrior

I first checked out in the Warrior I (150hp) and Warrior II (160hp) in the Spring of 1990. I flew them throughout my instrument training and earned my instrument rating in one. I would eventually instruct in them for hundreds of hours. The Warrior grew from the Cherokee, but had a much longer and tapered wing and was a superb aircraft to both learn and teach in.

Piper Tri-Pacer

I first flew the PA-22 Tri-Pacer in the Summer of 1990 and used one to build time in that summer. Piper's "Milkstool" might not be the prettiest airplane ever built, but they are fine aircraft and remain a great value to this day.

Cessna Skyhawk

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the most produced aircraft type in history. I first flew one in the Fall of 1990 and would later use one throughout my Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) training. Thereafter, I would teach in them for hundreds of hours and fly so many versions and sub-models of them that I lost track.

Piper Tomahawk

I first flew a PA-38 in the fall of 1990 (just once). When I began flight instructing actively in 1993, they were the first planes I provided dual-instruction in (including the first time I soloed a primary student). I taught in both the Tomahawk I & II versions (including the very one pictured here).

Cessna Cutlass

In the Spring of 1991 I began training for my Commercial Certificate in the Cessna 172RG Cutlass. It was my first complex aircraft type. As you can see, Cessna's high-wing singles had very unique gear retraction systems. I took both my Commercial and initial Certified Flight Instructor checkrides in the Cutlass and later taught in them, as well.

Cessna 140

In the Summer of 1991 I flew a C-140 for the first time. It would be 30 years before I flew another one (this one, in 2021), but enjoy them very much. Great little runabouts and tailwheel trainers.

Schweizer 2-33

In the Summer of 1992 I earned my glider rating in this Schweizer 2-33. I did my first glider flight and first glider solo in her, as well. Far from high-performance gliders, the 2-33 is a classic and proven glider trainer, nonetheless.

Schweizer 1-26

After soloing in the 2-33 glider trainer (in the Summer of 1992), I began flying the single-seat 1-26 model to log solo flights towards my glider rating. These were pretty sporty little gliders. This was my first takeoff in one, just as I started to roll on the single main wheel, being towed behind a Piper Pawnee.

Piper Aztec

In Jan. 1993, I began training for my multi-engine rating in a PA-23-250T (turbo-charged B-model) Aztec. I would soon take both my Multi-Engine (Commercial) and Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) checkrides in that plane. Soon after, I would begin teaching in it, as well as a later (normally aspirated) F-model Aztec. Their nickname "AzTruck" is fair, given their big size, heavy handling, and load hauling capabilities.

Piper Arrow

I first flew a PA-28R-201 Arrow while a senior at Indiana State University, in 1993. However, I flew them extensively while instructing for the University of North Dakota in 1996-97, such as in this photo taken at Denver Centennial Airport (APA) while teaching a week-long instrument cross country course to these two students (from Grand Forks, ND to Phoenix, AZ and back). I taught in both Arrow II & III models.

Cessna Cardinal

While flight instructing independently around my hometown in Indiana in 1994-96, I began flying Cardinals regularly. I taught primary and instrument students in the C-177, C-177A, and C-177B models. The Cardinal II (177B) pictured here is one I logged many hours in, including on this flight with my soon-to-be wife (summer 1996). I experienced my first true emergency in this plane, as well (detailed in "A Dark, Stormy Night" in the Published Works article achieves).

Beechcraft D-35 (V-Tail) Bonanza

The first model of the famous V-Tail Bonanza I flew was a D35 model in 1994. The early V-Tails are still some of the loveliest handing aircraft ever built and were incredibly efficient for their time. Don't be fooled though, this one has a much larger 3rd side window than was originally available on the D-model.

Schleicher ASK-21

The ASK-21 was my introduction to high performance gliders and I was first flew them out of the National Soaring Center (Harris Hill) in upstate NY in May, 1994.

Beechcraft Musketeer

N7923L (an A23-19 model) is the only Musketeer I've flown, but I flew it a lot between 1994 and 2004. I provided primary and instrument instruction to its owners, as well as recurrent training. Roomy, rugged, and honest, but certainly no speed demon.

Mooney Executive 21

The M-20F was the first Mooney model I ever flew. In late 1994, I checked out in one and did some corporate flying in it. The Executive 21 was a well appointed version of the short-body M-20. I love Mooney's for their efficiency and speed, but do not fine them comfortable at all.

Cessna Turbo Centurion

The C-T210 was the first large cabin (6-seat) single-engine aircraft I'd flown and first did so in late 1994, when I was an independent CFI in Indiana.

Bellanca Super Decathlon

In April, 1995 I checked out in the 8KCAB model (aka: Super Decathlon) that was nearly identical to this one. I used it to really refine my (up to that point) limited tailwheel and aerobatic skills. Soon, I was also teaching in it, offering introductory tailwheel and aerobatic lessons to my clients. In 1996-97, I was teaching the aerobatic course at the Univ. of North Dakota in these. They are fantastic aircraft for that purpose and a blast to fly.

Piper J-3 Cub

In the summer of 1995, I began teaching in the most universally recognized small aircraft ever built: Piper's J-3 Cub. I was flying mainly an early 1940 model with the original 65hp engine, teaching tailwheel endorsement courses. I've flown and taught in them occasionally over the years.

Socata Rallye 235

The Rallye 235 (earlier known as the Gabier) is a rare aircraft in the U.S., but I had the opportunity to fly one in Indiana (or all places), during my time as an independent CFI there in 1995. Its one of the most interesting and unique single engine aircraft I've ever flown with its aerodynamically controlled leading edge slats, rugged trailing link landing gear, and serious STOL capabilities. It was a lot of fun to fly.

Piper Archer

In the Fall of 1995, I flew an Archer (PA-28-181) regularly. Not giving instruction, as would probably be assumed. Instead, I was flying Fall Foliage Flights for a local FBO over the brilliantly colorful Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana.

Cessna Hawk XP

Cessna's R172K (aka: 172XP) sported a 195hp 6-cylinder engine and constant speed prop. It was meant to fill the void between the C-172 and C-182. Its a highly under-rated aircraft, IMO. I flew this one often during late 1995 & early 1996 (and occasionally until 2001). I was usually teaching its owner, who later bought the first Cirrus I ever flew.

Piper Lance (Straight Tail)

The Lance exists in many quite different versions. I checked out in a PA-32R-300 Lance in early 1996. This is a straight-tail, normally-aspirated, Hershey-Bar wing version.

Cessna Golden Eagle

This C-421B is the first "cabin class" twin I flew. I was hired to fly it in Air Ambulance operation out of New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW). I did so throughout the summer of 1996. The 421 was also the first pressurized and high-altitude capable aircraft I flew and I earned my High Altitude Endorsement in it.

Beechcraft King Air 200

I first flew a King Air 200 while working at the Air Ambulance in New Orleans in the summer of 1996. I have flown them several other time since (usually for something related to my aviation writing activities).

Piper Pacer Conversion

I've owned this PA-22/20 Pacer Conversion since 2023. But, I first flew one in 1996 in North Dakota. The 22/20 is a Tri-Pacer converted to a taildragger (Pacer) configuration. However, they have many significant differences from the original PA-20 Pacer.

Piper Super Cub

I taught in the PA-18 Super Cub while working for UND during the 1996-97 school year. I taught the tailwheel courses and conducted CFI spin training in this one. We flew it into remote crop-duster airstrips and I probably did a few hundred spins in. I have a single instructional flight with 36 landings in this plane in my logbook.

Piper Seminole

The PA-44-180 Seminole was the multi-engine trainer during my time at UND (1996-97) and I taught both multi-engine (commercial) and multi-engine instructor (MEI) courses in them. Not as burly as the Aztecs I learned and taught in earlier in my career, but a good training aircraft at a fraction of the operating expense.

Lear 55

My first turbine powered aircraft of any kind was this Lear 55, which I flew for a Fortune 500 company in the fall of 1997. This was an early Straight-55 (which lacked the inverted-V dorsal fins of the later 55A and subsequent).

Lear 35A

I flew the Lear 35 for the same company as the 55, but we did different things with it. In the 35, we did both cargo and passenger charter, but very little corporate flying. I got more hours in the 35 than any other Learjet I flew (mid 1997 through early 1998).

Lear 24D

While flying Lears actively (1997-98), I alternated between the 35A and this 24D frequently. This is likely the highest performance aircraft I'll ever fly. Its straight turbojet engines and light weight gave it incredible acceleration and overall performance. On one flight we took off from Des Moines, IA at Max Gross Weight and leveled off at 43,000 feet only 12 minutes later! Its was both incredibly loud and a gas guzzling beast though.

Beechcraft 1900D Airliner

The Beech Airliner was my introduction to FAR-121 airline flying. I flew it for a bit over 3 years, half of which was as a Captain and Line Check Airman. I logged about 2,500 hours in them in that time (1998-2001). Skyway Airlines (the Midwest Express regional airline affiliate). We flew them hard, usually at least 4 legs a day and sometimes as many as 10! No autopilot, no GPS, and no lavatory on board! Beautiful flying aircraft through and incredibly reliable.