The Pig Pen is relocating......

[Flying Pig]

......... to Punta Gorda, FL :clap:

I was hired as a helicopter and airplane pilot for the Sheriffs Office.  Huge move, and a lot to get done in the next two weeks!   When I was there a couple weeks ago I saw a couple CAP planes on the ramp at Charlotte Airport. 

[Fubar]

Hopefully not too personal: why the move from CA?

Congrats on finding the new job!

[SarDragon]

Hopefully not too personal: why the move from CA?

Congrats on finding the new job!

Probably money!

[RRLE]

A lot less taxes! Florida has no income tax.

[Spaceman3750]

Punta Gorda... Is that Lee County? Can I buy you an adult beverage next time I'm in town?

[stillamarine]

Little further south then I normally go. But if you go through Birmingham on your way through give me a shout!

[stillamarine]

And if you need an observer let me know! Although my plan right now when I retire is Disney security!

[Eclipse]

I hope it's a lot of money or a good opportunity, because you're trading relatively stable weather for
jungle humid with occasional sideways rain.

Not to mention the Trenta-sized crazy.

[EMT-83]

At least you'll be able to stay current with your mountain flying skills...

[JK657]

Were you 3 @ 50 at your previous department? How is the retirement at the new department?

[BillB]

Mountain flying skills? In that area of the state, the highest point may be an I-95 overpass.

[Critical AOA]

Congrats and good luck. 

[SarDragon]

Mountain flying skills? In that area of the state, the highest point may be an I-95 overpass.

Actually, much of the Miami skyline is higher than Britton Hill (345 ft), the highest natural point, out in the Panhandle.

Jacksonville also has six buildings higher than Britton Hill.

[RRLE]

you're trading relatively stable weather for
jungle humid with occasional sideways rain.

At least the earth doesn't move under your feet where he is going versus where he is coming from - trading unstable earth for stable earth as it were.

Hurricanes and weather are fairly predictable. Earthquakes are not. You can get out of the way of a hurricane, you can't get out of the way of an earthquake - unless you move to Florida. 

[Flying Pig]

Punta Gorda... Is that Lee County? Can I buy you an adult beverage next time I'm in town?

Charlotte County

[Flying Pig]

Were you 3 @ 50 at your previous department? How is the retirement at the new department?

Yes I am.   I will freeze my 16 years in CA and go into the FRS. When I hit 50 I can start drawing my 16 years in CA, and still keep working in FL. 

[Eclipse]

you're trading relatively stable weather for
jungle humid with occasional sideways rain.

At least the earth doesn't move under your feet where he is going versus where he is coming from - trading unstable earth for stable earth as it were.

Hurricanes and weather are fairly predictable. Earthquakes are not. You can get out of the way of a hurricane, you can't get out of the way of an earthquake - unless you move to Florida. 

Yeah, but you left out the crazy...

[Flying Pig]

Here are some examples....

Im taking a $15,000per year pay cut but taking home about $700 more per month.  Momma wants to live on the beach. Not possible in CA.  This agency has hueys and does fire fighting.  Not something that will happen with my department.  In this new unit I can have the possibility of promoting in the unit. I cant do that where I am now.
As far as mountain flying.......  yeah, those days will be over but i have a few hundred hours flying the Sierra Nevadas.  I will miss it, but life is all a give and take. Mountain flying has made me a much better pilot, maybe I can get back into CAP and pass on some of that knowledge.  Ive never really been concerned about earthquakes. When they do happen, 99% of the time people dont even care.  Ive been in 3 hurricanes, so I know what thats about.

The wife and kids are excited for their reasons and I am selfishly excited because I now get to have a dedicated "UH1H" column in my book.   All around it will be a good change for everyone.   Time for a new adventure!

[Private Investigator]

Were you 3 @ 50 at your previous department? How is the retirement at the new department?

Yes I am.   I will freeze my 16 years in CA and go into the FRS. When I hit 50 I can start drawing my 16 years in CA, and still keep working in FL.

I could not get my medical part until I turned 55. But then my cheap department was not CALPERS.

Congratulations sir   :clap:

[cap235629]

My mom lives in North Port. The next town over  there is a nice Irish Pub at the end of the pier in Punta Gorda

[Flying Pig]

The other pilot I am working with lives in Northport.   I think I went to that pub you are talking about. I really enjoyed the area while we were there for a week.  I know all about the bugs and humidity and all that.  This will be a good move.  Not to mention, as I said, the career aspects. There is a CAP Sq at the airport I am working at, so I will be hitting them up for sure.

Whats the activity like in FL for CAP? 

[Spaceman3750]

The other pilot I am working with lives in Northport.   I think I went to that pub you are talking about. I really enjoyed the area while we were there for a week.  I know all about the bugs and humidity and all that.  This will be a good move.  Not to mention, as I said, the career aspects. There is a CAP Sq at the airport I am working at, so I will be hitting them up for sure.

Whats the activity like in FL for CAP?

There are a couple of cadet squadrons and a composite in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area. I visited the two cadet units last time I was down there, they are both attached to schools.

[Flying Pig]

There is a CAP building at Charlotte County Airport

[Spaceman3750]

There is a CAP building at Charlotte County Airport

As in, they have the whole building? Cool! Don't know anything about them though, will let a local put in their .02.

[Flying Pig]

There is a CAP building at Charlotte County Airport

As in, they have the whole building? Cool! Don't know anything about them though, will let a local put in their .02.

There were 2 or 3 CAP planes and there was a building with the CAP seal on the door.  The building was about the size of a double wide mobile home.  maybe a lite bigger. But it was an actual building.   Looked like something CAP could occupy.

[Grumpy]

I'd get out of here in a heart beat if I could get the wife to move.  $3.93 for regular gas and taxes up the yang yang.  Just left Ft Campbell in Tennessee gas was $3.29 a gallon.  Not to mention how green it is back there.

[SarDragon]

But we would miss your cheery personality out here in Sunny CA! 

[bosshawk]

We would?

[SarDragon]

Well, I can't help it if you're grumpier than Grumpy. 

[Woodsy]

Whats the activity like in FL for CAP?

It's no secret that Florida Wing is the biggest and the best. 

Charlotte County Composite is a big and active Squadron.  There is a pretty high Ops tempo of the types of missions we can't talk about here in that part of the state.  You won't be bored.

The Florida Wing ops tempo as a whole has been a little slow lately.  We started out the fiscal year with 4 REDCAPS (all downed aircraft, all found, no survivors on any) between November and January, but haven't had one since.

We tend to run 2-3 ELT/EPIRB searches a month, give or take. 

We do quite a bit of aerial imagery missions for the state, and a lot of highbird comms repeater stuff. 

[BillB]

That highbird repeater stuff must be in south Florida. Haven't heard a peep from my radio in weeks.

[Woodsy]

That highbird repeater stuff must be in south Florida. Haven't heard a peep from my radio in weeks.

Actually Bill, a lot of it around the NEFL / Blanding area.  It's not a year round mission-  a week or so a few times a year. 

[Private Investigator]

It's no secret that Florida Wing is the biggest and the best. 

I think we ALL knew that in 2004   

[Woodsy]

2004 was before my time.  Obviously, the wing's greatness is attributable to its members.  So now that I'm here....   

[PHall]

Just remember, FLWG also gave us HWSNBN.....

[Flying Pig]

I bet that would be really funny if I knew what that meant!

[BillB]

It refers to Pineda. It started as HEWNWDM  He Whose Name We Don't Mnetion   and morfed from that

[PHall]

It refers to Pineda. It started as HEWNWDM  He Whose Name We Don't Mnetion   and morfed from that

It's also a Happy Potter movie reference which is where those of us who were here on this board at the time seemed to pick it up from.

[Private Investigator]

I bet that would be really funny if I knew what that meant!

IT IS! Just think South American Dictator with all the regalia that goes with it. Just think how big 39-1 could have been !!! 

[Eclipse]

It refers to Pineda. It started as HEWNWDM  He Whose Name We Don't Mnetion   and morfed from that

It's also a Happy Potter movie reference which is where those of us who were here on this board at the time seemed to pick it up from.

The proper term is "He Who Shall Remain Nameless" - HWSRN, and had nothing to Harry Potter.
It appears it was coined by jimmydeano.

[PHall]

It refers to Pineda. It started as HEWNWDM  He Whose Name We Don't Mnetion   and morfed from that

It's also a Happy Potter movie reference which is where those of us who were here on this board at the time seemed to pick it up from.

The proper term is "He Who Shall Remain Nameless" - HWSRN, and had nothing to Harry Potter.
It appears it was coined by jimmydeano.

Used in Harry Potter movies to refer to Lord Valdemort.

[Eclipse]

I am embarrassed for both of us that you know that...

[BillB]

Eclipse and PHall make mistakes. Why is it I'm the only one on this board that is perfect. I never make mistakes. I thought I made a mistake last week, but I was mistaken.

[Eclipse]

Eclipse and PHall make mistakes. Why is it I'm the only one on this board that is perfect. I never make mistakes. I thought I made a mistake last week, but I was mistaken.

Cite please!

[Garibaldi]

Ugh...inner geek coming out. He Who Shall Not Be Named.

[blackrain]

Seeing as how this thread has a broad scope of discussion... ....Does Florida Wing still do the "Sunset Flights"?

i.e. looking for stranded boaters as it starts getting dark?

[Woodsy]

Seeing as how this thread has a broad scope of discussion... ....Does Florida Wing still do the "Sunset Flights"?

i.e. looking for stranded boaters as it starts getting dark?

I am not aware of any regularly-scheduled sunset patrols at this time.  Those were local MOU missions, and local budgets have dried up as much as the state/federal budgets. 

There are occasional sunset patrols during high-traffic times like holiday weekends. 

[stillamarine]

Right now the Eglin fire patrol is still probably the biggest continuous mission nationwide.

[Woodsy]

Right now the Eglin fire patrol is still probably the biggest continuous mission nationwide.

Yep.  Those aircrews rack up some serious hours. 

[Flying Pig]

Right now the Eglin fire patrol is still probably the biggest continuous mission nationwide.

Yep.  Those aircrews rack up some serious hours.

I cannot imagine the nausiating boredom that must come with those hours!!!

[PHall]

Right now the Eglin fire patrol is still probably the biggest continuous mission nationwide.

Yep.  Those aircrews rack up some serious hours.

I cannot imagine the nausiating boredom that must come with those hours!!!

In that case, boredom is good!

[stillamarine]

Right now the Eglin fire patrol is still probably the biggest continuous mission nationwide.

Yep.  Those aircrews rack up some serious hours.

When I left they had 3 A/C assigned technically to Grp 1 (but in all reality to Emerald Coast Senior, which oversees the mission) and I heard recently they have 5 assigned now. They fly some serious hours. I was able to get through my MS and MO qualifications in a matter of a couple months and rack up 30 or 40 mission hours as an MO before I moved to AL.

[Woodsy]

Right now the Eglin fire patrol is still probably the biggest continuous mission nationwide.

Yep.  Those aircrews rack up some serious hours.

When I left they had 3 A/C assigned technically to Grp 1 (but in all reality to Emerald Coast Senior, which oversees the mission) and I heard recently they have 5 assigned now. They fly some serious hours. I was able to get through my MS and MO qualifications in a matter of a couple months and rack up 30 or 40 mission hours as an MO before I moved to AL.

For someone looking to rack up free flight hours, it's the absolute best place for a CAP pilot to live.  A couple hundred a year is reasonable. 

[stillamarine]

Interestingly enough I see that Walton Co SO in the panhandle is hiring a deputy/pilot.

[Flying Pig]

The Aviation Unit is not a full-time active unit and is on a call-out only basis. When not flying missions or training, the unit members are assigned to other specialty units within the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
SALARY/BENEFITS
$33,588.00 - $58,000.00 (Base Salary)

No thanks....... Ill take my 6 helicopters and 1 Skymaster over their 1 part time helicopter!

[Private Investigator]

The Aviation Unit is not a full-time active unit and is on a call-out only basis. When not flying missions or training, the unit members are assigned to other specialty units within the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
SALARY/BENEFITS
$33,588.00 - $58,000.00 (Base Salary)

No thanks....... Ill take my 6 helicopters and 1 Skymaster over their 1 part time helicopter!

It is still a foot in the door for most cops who want to fly.   

[stillamarine]

The Aviation Unit is not a full-time active unit and is on a call-out only basis. When not flying missions or training, the unit members are assigned to other specialty units within the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
SALARY/BENEFITS
$33,588.00 - $58,000.00 (Base Salary)

No thanks....... Ill take my 6 helicopters and 1 Skymaster over their 1 part time helicopter!

It is still a foot in the door for most cops who want to fly.   

Yup! Now is I just had a license and 500 hours!

[Flying Pig]

I looked at Walton SO. Thats what they told me.  I was actually looking to move to FL starting about a year ago so I started calling around to different agencies.  They said they would bring me on as a Deputy and then when the helicopter was needed, I would get called in.  The helicopter is an OH58 and flew less than 40hrs per year.  At the time I called they werent even flying it because of budgets.  In my case, I was looking for a full time pilot spot.  2000hrs helicopter is pretty much the minimum to be marketable, so If some cop was looking to build time, WSO would not be the place to do it.  If a guy was a pilot looking to settle in that area and stay, then it could be the best of both worlds.  Everyone has their own reality thats for sure.  The chance to get into Hueys and fight fires was like dangling a loaded heroin syringe in front of a hype!

[stillamarine]

Yeah having no license now and no prior military flying the chances of me getting enough hours to fly for a dept before I retire are slim to none lol.

[Flying Pig]

When I talked to them, if  recall they had a couple of ex-Army pilots who were deputies who flew.   I called back there and they didnt really have a budget and were relying completely on military surplus parts and had a couple mechanics who donated their time.
Vastly different than what I am used to.

[FlyTiger77]

I am not sure I would be comfortable flying a helicopter operated on such a shoestring budget. Of course, in the Army we overmaintained our helicopters.

Congratulations on your new gig!

[PHall]

I am not sure I would be comfortable flying a helicopter operated on such a shoestring budget. Of course, in the Army we overmaintained our helicopters.

Congratulations on your new gig!

There is no such thing as "overmaintaining" a helicopter.

[DBlair]

Mountain flying skills? In that area of the state, the highest point may be an I-95 overpass.

LOL... so true.

......... to Punta Gorda, FL :clap:

I was hired as a helicopter and airplane pilot for the Sheriffs Office.  Huge move, and a lot to get done in the next two weeks!   When I was there a couple weeks ago I saw a couple CAP planes on the ramp at Charlotte Airport.

Welcome to FLWG! Perhaps I'll run into you at some point, I'm north of you in Tampa.

[jimmydeanno]

It refers to Pineda. It started as HEWNWDM  He Whose Name We Don't Mnetion   and morfed from that

It's also a Happy Potter movie reference which is where those of us who were here on this board at the time seemed to pick it up from.

The proper term is "He Who Shall Remain Nameless" - HWSRN, and had nothing to Harry Potter.
It appears it was coined by jimmydeano.

Finally famous!  I think I did that because I had recently read something about Castro and how people refer to him by stroking their chin (in reference to his beard) so that they don't have to say his name.  At the time, the dictator thing seemed appropriate.

[Flying Pig]

Currently staged in Southern CA.  Prepping the troops and restocking supplies. Commanders intent is to assault east into Arizona tomorrow afternoon.  Stand by for further.

[stillamarine]

Safe travels, brother. I would offer y'all a port in Birmingham but I live in an apartment. 

[blackrain]

Currently staged in Southern CA.  Prepping the troops and restocking supplies. Commanders intent is to assault east into Arizona tomorrow afternoon.  Stand by for further.

Wish I was there to see you pass Phase Line "Sooner"

[NIN]

Currently staged in Southern CA.  Prepping the troops and restocking supplies. Commanders intent is to assault east into Arizona tomorrow afternoon.  Stand by for further.

Weaksauce. I expected an amphibious assault into Florida.

[Private Investigator]

Yeah having no license now and no prior military flying the chances of me getting enough hours to fly for a dept before I retire are slim to none lol.

Exactly. The exception is "observer" but that requires a good political connection. Of course back in the 1980s every sheriff and chief with an Air Bureau wanted to have the first female helicopter pilot. Google that and you'll have some interesting reading. Who thought the GOBN existed outside of CAP? 

[Private Investigator]

Currently staged in Southern CA.  Prepping the troops and restocking supplies. Commanders intent is to assault east into Arizona tomorrow afternoon.  Stand by for further.

You are clear, proceed without delay ..

Stay safe my friend   

[Flying Pig]

The Pig has landed....... I say again, the Pig has landed

[PHall]

The Pig has landed....... I say again, the Pig has landed

Florida Law Enforcement will never know what hit it!

[spaatzmom]

Welcome to Florida.  I hope you and your family find all you desire in your relocation.

[blackrain]

The Pig has landed....... I say again, the Pig has landed

So is your new duty uniform a Hawaiian shirt and flip flops with Jimmy Buffett as you're co-pilot?

[PHall]

The Pig has landed....... I say again, the Pig has landed

So is your new duty uniform a Hawaiian shirt and flip flops with Jimmy Buffett as you're co-pilot?

That would be Key West PD!

[Woodsy]

The Pig has landed....... I say again, the Pig has landed

So is your new duty uniform a Hawaiian shirt and flip flops with Jimmy Buffett as you're co-pilot?

That would be Key West PD!

Or any "social" after a wing staff meeting.  Heck, we rarely change out of the swim trunks! 

[Flying Pig]

Been here 2 weeks.... not to bad at all.  And only 2 mosquito bites so far   I work right across the street from a the CAP building.  Ill need to head over and say hello.  Anyone here in the Punta Gorda unit?