Hi all,
Guess it’s about time I introduced myself, a mere eight years after first signing up… As I neither have a plane nor a pilots licence (yet… German aviation radio operators licence doesn’t count) I always thought there wasn’t anything I could contribute but now I think I should at least be polite and say hi to those whose posts I have enjoyed over the past years.
So here it goes: I’m Matthias, 40 years young, living in the north of Germany somewhere between Hamburg and Bremen.
How did I get here? Long story. Basically my fascination for planes dates back for as long as I can remember and it sort of runs in the family as my uncle used to be a glider instructor and tow pilot.
I built model airplanes, the plastic ones and the flying (and crashing) kind, tried parachuting but didn’t pursue it. After my vocational training as farmer I started my glider licence, then went to university to pursue a Master of Education in English and geography which left me short of time and funds to continue flying. However I have a decent PC setup for some serious flightsimming and hope to get back into actual flying some time in the next years. I am definitely looking forward to the next big step: my siblings gave me a T6 ride for my 40th birthday, I can’t wait for that to come true.
I discovered BeechTalk as a result of having watched a documentary on German TV about a gentleman here who bought a TwinBo in the US and ferried it to Germany where it still flies quite regularly. Googling some background on that story I came across this forum and have been hooked ever since. This is hands down the forum with the most polite, respectful and appreciative tone while at the same time the technical discussions are, as far as I can judge, top notch and highly educational.
So thanks for broadening my aviation horizon to all contributing here, I really enjoy my almost daily visits to BT!

Best regards
Mathias

Matthias, Welcome to BeechTalk!

Thanks Glenn

Ausgezeichnet! You're going to love that. Welcome!

Nice introduction, welcome to Beech Talk!

Thanks Johns

Yes, that T6 flight is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I expect it to be spectacular.
I fear I might enjoy it too much and will want more. But then, there are more birthdays to come

Best
Matthias

My dad was in his 50s when he got his pilots license so it is never too late to live your dream.

Hi David,
That’s the plan. Though life has postponed it repeatedly. Farmwork as a skilled worker but without your own farm pays extremely marginally here. Also general aviation in Europe is extremely expensive, so I went to university, mainly to be able to actually afford the things most dear to me.
Teachers in Germany are paid quite well but there is the student loan to pay back, one meets a girl, gets married, buys a house, we’re expecting our first child in October so dreams get pushed pack over and over again. But it’s the one big thing and I won’t give up on it. Thanks for the encouraging comment!

Best
Matthias

Maybe there is a flying club near you? Dad had a Piper Warrior with 3 other guys for about 15 years. You could use the plane as a trainer until you get your license and the other fellows can help keep the expenses down.

Yes there is and it’s a very nice one as well. Pre-Covid they were offering “pilot for one day” experiences, where I and another person shared a plane plus instructor and got some basic instruction, then I flew the outbound leg to one of the Friesian islands along the German North Sea coast for a little coffee trip, basically the German version of the $100 hamburger. Really great people, enjoyed it immensely and this will probably be the way to go.