Pilot   R. “Hoot“ Hooten

Hub:  Southeast

Home:   Phoenix, Arizona

I am a long time Flightsim fan, but have only in the past few weeks become curious about the V-AIRLINES.  I have checked out many, but I want the sim to be fun and don't want to work for a high powered airline who think that I need to be a ATP rated captain flying a 747.  Guess that is what caught my eye about your airline........FUN!!  I have a passion for the  old  aircraft, to see, feel and touch them, and the chance to fly, if only in the sim.

I am 57, retired deputy sheriff, turned truck driver, and now a dispatcher for a major commercial carrier in the country.  I work nights so have had the time to surf the net looking at Sim-Airlines.  I was a deputy sheriff for 20 years in Nevada, but after retiring returned to my roots in Arizona.

I grew up on a working cattle ranch in Southeastern Arizona, hard work, but looking back  at that time and wish I could go back. LOL  When I was gowning up my uncle owned a Piper Cub, so that was the beginning of my love of planes and flying.  At 10 I could reach the controls and begin to fly, was hooked for life.  I did not get a license, and never flew solo.  I joined the Navy at 17, was trained as an Aviation Machinist Mate.  (ADJ)  After A school I went to air crewman school then reported to VP-19 at NAS Moffett Field, south of San Francisco.  When I got there the squadron was changing from the PV2-7 to the P3-A.  I was there two years and did a deployment to Adak, AK, a place I did not ever miss after leaving.  As was the custom with the Navy back then after two years, in 1964 I was transferred, not to a P-3 squadron but to a Helo outfit.  HC-2., where I would spent the rest of my time in the Navy.  I became a crew chief, and door gunner on a SH-3, flying many combat SAR missions during 3 tours in Nam.

After the Navy in 1969 I became a deputy sheriff, and then I began my dream of becoming a pilot.  I took lessons in a Cessna 172.  I did my solo at 11 hours, I will never forget that day.  LOL.  In 1970 I was able to buy a 1958 Champion, it was old and slow but it was all mine.  I logged many fun hours in my plane.  I sold it when I moved back to Arizona, in 1984. Haven't flown since, so my license is out of date.  During my flying I logged time in the following aircraft, Cessna 172, 185, 205, 210, Piper 140, 160, 180.  Twin rated in a Beech Queen Air.  I was lucky in that I have flown, but not solo, in a P-51. I ended up with 600 hours of logged time, and many unlogged hours.  LOL

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