So long and thanks for all the fish

Ken Ibold

Ken Ibold

Final Approach
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
5,889
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
Display Name
Display name:
Ken Ibold
After 22 years, 62 models of aircraft flown, five aircraft owned, and something less than 2000 hours of flying, and more than 11 years of being an aviation writer and editor, the end of an era is at hand. The magazine field is decimated, and recovery looks unlikely in the near term -- at least at pay levels that don't take me back 20 years. The cost and hassle of flying finally got the better of me, and I haven't flown PIC since last August. Today I accepted a job with an engineering company doing business development work.

I have a lot of virtual friends here, and for that reason I'll keep visiting from time to time. And maybe someday I'll return to the air as a light sport pilot or something. But at this point in time, I'm an ex-pilot. Boy, that sounds weird. I'm not even sure I have a handle on what it really MEANS.
 
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It has been a pleasure Mr. Ibold, take care and I wish you the best in your new venture.
 
Man, I'm sorry to hear that. I hope to see you in the skies again soon. Keep your toes in by visiting here regularly, and come to some of the get-togethers!
 
Damn, Ken, that stinks. I hope that you enjoy your new job. Please don't disappear. I've always enjoyed your take on aviation related topics (and life topics in general).

Let's not call this "goodbye". Let's call it "see ya later".
 
That sucks, Ken. I know its exciting to move onto newer and better things, but leaving aviation has to be rough (even if it did naturally fall into your lap).

I can sincerely hope that you'll be back in the air again sometime. Remember, you're never an "ex pilot" unless you break the rules. You're a pilot for life :D
 
:yikes:

That is just soooo wrong. Understandable but wrong.

I'm in the same sunk boat right now for assorted reasons. The next flight will likely be in my own plane or the one I get current in just before forking out cash for a plane.
 
Ken~

So you turned the page to a new chapter. Who knows how the plot will develop? I sure have enjoyed your writing and certainly look forward to more of the same if/when that should come.

I suspect you can take the pen out of the hand of the writer but you can't take the writer out of the man.
 
You will be missed, Ken.
Thanks for your contributions, and hope to hear from you in the future or maybe see you at Gaston's etc somehow.
 
Jeez, Ken, that stinks. I hope you return to the fold more swiftly than you anticipate.

I wish you great success in your new endeavors.
 
I said the same thing a year ago...

And look where I am now.
 
Stick around here, Ken. You don't have to be in aviation full time. Engineering is what pays the bills around our place (and my wife's teaching salary), flying is what I do to keep my sanity (and this afternoon, after work, I'll be in the left seat for the first time in 10 months). Don't leave this place just because you can't fly as often as you'd like (and we know you'd like to be flying).
 
Ken,

I understand. Completely. Which is why I've ended up where I am...

Money now that I can fly if I have time (and a plane to boot), but I haven't flown in 3 months. Maybe next weekend....

Stick around here if you've got time, though, even though we're pilots, we're regular folk, too...

best regards,

Bill
 
Ken: I'm very glad you found something! It's really tough out there now.

Hope you do stay here and contribute. I've gone through what you are currently experiencing, but never lost my love for aviation and got back in when I could use/afford it.

I think almost all of us are being challenged right now. Hope it works out for you and you're back in the air quickly.

Best,

Dave
 
There a a LOT of good aviators who work day jobs to pay the bills. Ex pilot? Nonsense!
 
It can be hard to justify at times. I can't justify getting in the air at this exact moment; I can't dedicate myself to be safe, practical, and fly on a regular basis. My job and my wife come first, all other hobbies second.

I get a contact high from you guys... and for now, that's good enough.

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
wsuffa said:
Ken,

I understand. Completely. Which is why I've ended up where I am...

Money now that I can fly if I have time (and a plane to boot), but I haven't flown in 3 months. Maybe next weekend....

Stick around here if you've got time, though, even though we're pilots, we're regular folk, too...

best regards,

Bill
Click to expand...

You better fly next weekend and I know just the destination... it's a short hop up to wings for the Flybq!!!!!!:blowingkisses:

Love to see you agian!
 
astanley said:
It can be hard to justify at times. I can't justify getting in the air at this exact moment; I can't dedicate myself to be safe, practical, and fly on a regular basis. My job and my wife come first, all other hobbies second.

I get a contact high from you guys... and for now, that's good enough.

Cheers,

-Andrew
Click to expand...

Yes, but on what other web board can you be traveling for the day job, jump on the board, give your location and get asked out for dinner or gasp better yet a sight seeing trip! (That's how I got that landing logged way out in Washington)
 
Missa said:
Yes, but on what other web board can you be traveling for the day job, jump on the board, give your location and get asked out for dinner or gasp better yet a sight seeing trip! (That's how I got that landing logged way out in Washington)
Click to expand...

Of course! That's why I stay here -- the people are a part of the contact high!

Cheers,

-Andrew
 
Ken, sorry to hear that. Don't leave though, you're still a part of our community! I haven't flown in ages and I'm still here (to the chagrin of some, no doubt... :) )
 
Ken Ibold said:
The cost and hassle of flying finally got the better of me, and I haven't flown PIC since last August. Today I accepted a job with an engineering company doing business development work.

I have a lot of virtual friends here, and for that reason I'll keep visiting from time to time. And maybe someday I'll return to the air as a light sport pilot or something. But at this point in time, I'm an ex-pilot. Boy, that sounds weird. I'm not even sure I have a handle on what it really MEANS.
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Ken:

I haven't flown PIC in at least 20 years - and hadn't flown an airplane at all for several years until just a few years ago. Just never made the time while raising the kids and going back to school even though I did have the resources - but always consider myself a pilot, though. I fly because Greg flies and I enjoy flying with him but I'm not one to fly just to go out and do it by myself- but still consider myself a pilot - hope you continue to think the same.
 
wby0nder said:
There a a LOT of good aviators who work day jobs to pay the bills. Ex pilot? Nonsense!
Click to expand...

+2. Hope the new gig can get you the funds you need to get in the air again. I feel your pain and wish you much luck and happieness in the new job!
 
Ken Ibold said:
I have a lot of virtual friends here, and for that reason I'll keep visiting from time to time. And maybe someday I'll return to the air as a light sport pilot or something. But at this point in time, I'm an ex-pilot. Boy, that sounds weird. I'm not even sure I have a handle on what it really MEANS.
Click to expand...

Ken:

Hope you continue to stay in touch - always remember the time at Oshkosh during the fly-in a few years ago - when you had the privilege of having a cart to drive around on the grounds - and you gave Greg and I a ride after the trams stopped running to get us across the airport to our airplane.

Hope to see you at one of the get-togethers or maybe even at Oshkosh again sometime. Maybe you can catch a ride with someone who is coming to Gaston's sometime too. That's a place where you can definitely get a chance to fly around with some fellow pilots.

The changes and uncertainty of the times are getting the best of most of us in some respect or other if we care to admit it - with airlines being so volatile all the time and especially now...it is definitely on the forefront of our minds here right now. God's peace!
 
Ken,

Glad to hear of your new position, but sad to hear you will not be flying. However, at some point I may be joining you. The financial pressures, and gotchas with sole ownership are significant and can be justified less and less.

Its still hard though especially for us with 100LL in our veins.
 
Missa said:
Yes, but on what other web board can you be traveling for the day job, jump on the board, give your location and get asked out for dinner or gasp better yet a sight seeing trip! (That's how I got that landing logged way out in Washington)
Click to expand...

And here I was thinking it was exceptional bladder control.

But back to the topic - near as I can tell they let old has-been's keep posting here - no need to leave even if you don't fly every day.
 
So Ken, with your first paycheck, buy a ticket on SWA to STL for AM arrival on June 13, returning on June 14 in the afternoon. Meet me at Beech. The room at Gaston- I already have it.

Have some fun.
:)
 
That Doctor Bruce, he never stops healing, does he? ;-)

---

Ken, you'll be flying.
 
Hang in there, Ken - the thing about things is that they're always changing! :yes:

Yer still a pilot, but I reckon you know that by now, huh? :D
 
There are worse things than a day job that pays well and allows you to have fun at the airport.
 
bbchien said:
So Ken, with your first paycheck, buy a ticket on SWA to STL for AM arrival on June 13, returning on June 14 in the afternoon. Meet me at Beech. The room at Gaston- I already have it.

Have some fun.
:)
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Sounds like a good idea, Ken. I hope you take Bruce up on his offer. :) I was hoping you'd take me flying in the Citabria again. :yes:

Is there such a thing as an 'ex-pilot'? I don't think so. :) Perhaps when the dust settles you can get back into it when the mood hits you.

You don't have to leave here, ya know. ;)

When are your books going to be available???? I would like signed copies when they are available to buy. :)

BTW, congratulations on the job.
 
I still dream about flying almost every night. My plane hasn't left the ground in two years, though parts of her have been flying back and forth in cargo planes.
 
Wow! That is sad news. A part of Ken Ibold is with me every time I fly. It's the control lock which he posted to give to the first flyer who could use it, provided that it would not be resold. Well, it fits and it works. Best wishes in your new position, Ken, but do come in to visit the formum.

HR
 
Missa said:
You better fly next weekend and I know just the destination... it's a short hop up to wings for the Flybq!!!!!!:blowingkisses:

Love to see you agian!
Click to expand...

http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showpost.php?p=444607&postcount=217

I'm trying to work it out to attend, but the board meeting and Wings always conflicts. I really need to drive to Winchester, so.... the choice of driving back to get the plane or just driving to Wings from OKV seems to point to just driving.

So... I plan to be there later in the day.
 
Diana said:
Is there such a thing as an 'ex-pilot'? I don't think so.
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IMO the only "ex" pilot is a dead pilot and that's assuming there aren't any nice airplanes in the afterlife. (yeah, I know angels are supposed to be able to fly sans aircraft, but to me that just would't be the same).
 
Ken Ibold said:
After 22 years, 62 models of aircraft flown, five aircraft owned, and something less than 2000 hours of flying, and more than 11 years of being an aviation writer and editor, the end of an era is at hand.
Click to expand...

Only 11 years? I could swear I've been reading Ken Ibold longer than that. Geeeze! You'll be missed, Ken.
 
Ken Ibold said:
But at this point in time, I'm an ex-pilot.
Click to expand...

Ken .. once a pilot .. always a pilot. You may be inactive .. but your
ticket doesn't expire. I've had periods where I didn't fly for a while for
one reason or another .. but always returned to it. I'm currently
selling my experimental (light sport legal) and going to regroup and
try to meet some financial goals for retirement. But more than likely
I'll get something else down the road.

RT
 
wabower said:
There are worse things than a day job that pays well and allows you to have fun at the airport.
Click to expand...

And, that, is how most of us fly.

Hey, I broke 800 posts........
Still a lurker, I suppose.

A hard decision, I know Ken. I had hoped to meet you someday if CSX ever brought me down your way. Might still happen. Never know.

Every time I go to Hartsfield-Jackson-Whatevertheycallitthisweek International to go look at trains, I just think "I'm just glad to have a job."

No Job = No flying of any kind.

Hope you find happiness in your new adventure, but remember, flying cleanses the mind of the mundane.
 
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