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Mike Council · Oct 5, 2010

Good afternoon,
I am a small land owner (50 acres) used mostly for home site and turf runway-private runway. I have owned a 1982 John Deere 2040 tractor for 12 years with great service. I feel it is time to move up to a Kabota M7040 with cab to save what is left of my sinuses and hearing. I keep about 25 acres cut and with a full time job, it takes me a couple of hours a day just to keep up.
I own a small airplane and am a certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic as well as a pilot. I like to keep my equipment in better than good shape and hope that I can learn from you in these forums.
Mike Council

yooper1 · Oct 5, 2010

Hello and welcome to TBN

jinman · Oct 6, 2010

Hi Mike and :welcome:. In my area of Texas, there are lots of grass runways with housing developments built around them. It's a popular way for people to have their airplanes and a small hangar while the community as a whole contributes to the maintenance of the field. I have one friend who is a retired AA pilot and has his own airfield. They filmed part of an episode of the new TV series, Chase, on his airport and at his house. The program will air next Monday night, Oct. 11th, on NBC.

jgrreed · Oct 6, 2010

Mike Council said:
Good afternoon,
I am a small land owner (50 acres) used mostly for home site and turf runway-private runway. I have owned a 1982 John Deere 2040 tractor for 12 years with great service. I feel it is time to move up to a Kabota M7040 with cab to save what is left of my sinuses and hearing. I keep about 25 acres cut and with a full time job, it takes me a couple of hours a day just to keep up.
I own a small airplane and am a certified Airframe and Powerplant mechanic as well as a pilot. I like to keep my equipment in better than good shape and hope that I can learn from you in these forums.
Mike Council

Welcome Mike. I'm sure we'll learn from you too!! Is Aviation your full time job?

-Jer.

Mike Council · Oct 6, 2010

Thanks for the nice welcome. No, I no longer make a living in the aviation business. It is a unique business where equipment (airplanes) cost in the millions not to mention the cost of maintenance. Unless one manages to find employment with the airlines, the pay is not comenserate with the work. I worked at Mobile Aerospace Engineering mostly on FexEx maintenance for years working shift work and making OK money. Sadly, I gave up flying for a living as well as aviation maintenance. I still own a small airplane and do my own maintenance with the oversite of another inspector. It is always good to have another set of eyes on maintenance.
Again, thanks for the welcome.
Mike