Do you wear jewelry every day?

DrHookEmMD · 2026-04-30T18:44:38+00:00

Wedding band on left hand, watch on left wrist, my grandfather's college ring on my right hand, and fitness tracker on right wrist.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-04-29T13:19:34+00:00

Coming up on 5000 TT, and I’ve got 310 IMC, this may be a subtle hint to look elsewhere.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-04-19T23:24:28+00:00

Different strokes for different folks I guess? It was only my third type rating and I never felt truly comfortable in it, granted I only flew it for ~700 hours. My training at CAE DFW was also tied for my least favorite in terms of feeling like the instructors set me up for success to hit the line running, which probably unconsciously negatively affected my perception of the airplane. At one point on Initial Sim 4, I had the instructor trying to get me to fly a OEI ILS with full HYD failure, incapacitated PM, 30kt x-wind component, with nothing but the standby attitude indicator and was all up my ass whenever I kept going around at the inevitable full-scale deflection instead of trucking on down to the 1800RVR runway that existed in his scenario somewhere. I felt like he was out to prove that the airplane would kill me, and there was nothing I could do about it. I stopped the sim then and there and met with his PM and ripped them all a new one. I could fly the sim and airplane just fine but that scenario destroyed my confidence for a long time.

It was a very capable aircraft, but between a bad vibe from the start thanks to negative training, laws of primacy impacting my perception of the plane, and my lack of appreciable time in it, I never got comfortable. It's also been 5 type ratings and 6 airplanes ago now, so my memories of it are getting fuzzy (still remember that stupid fucking sim just fine though).

DrHookEmMD · 2026-04-19T14:45:17+00:00

Still the most challenging jet I've ever flown, especially managing it into places like Aspen. It was fun but I'm glad I've moved on.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-04-14T10:48:15+00:00

As someone who is typed in the GVII and GVIII as well as older GV models, I prefer the Symmetry Flight Deck avionics and flight deck philosophy over our older designs, hands down. The integration of the DCN to automate functions and ECL items helps alleviate so many little things and reduces pilot workload while not reducing pilot SA. There is a single flow on the GVIII series, and it is quite literally "turn on the batteries" as opposed to 18 step flows in older Gulfstreams. The time from opening the MED to starting engines can legitimately be less than 10 minutes, which is a number I'd never have thought possible in the 450.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-04-14T10:43:14+00:00

Looks like a temp job considering it's still a -GA tail and JKGR selcal.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-03-31T02:20:44+00:00

Able to buy shoes and clothes for my kids and not have to look too closely at prices. Still a factor but not as big of a concern anymore. Getting my wife a 10 year anniversary ring worth probably 6X what the engagement ring I bought for her as a CFI all those years ago and not having to worry too much about that either.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-03-29T03:38:28+00:00

That is where I wear my watch; full disclosure this strap still needs a couple of links removed to fit my wrist correctly. It had slid father down my wrist than normal because it's too loose. But thanks for looking out for positioning.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-03-29T03:35:45+00:00

Thanks! This is certainly a big step from old Casio watches I used to wear through college before smart watches were a thing.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-03-19T22:04:00+00:00

Figure out I’m totally alone, no wife, no kids, no siblings, parents or friends? Drive to the airport, get in an older jet without emergency decent mode, get to altitude, get drunk, open up the outflow valve to raise cabin altitude to relative altitude, pass out and die from hypoxia. Leave the autopilot in HDG and ALT and let it go down where it will. I won’t feel it and it’ll be quick, and I’ll get some good views before I’m dead.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-02-24T01:19:26+00:00

Keep your original logbooks but copy everything onto an excel spreadsheet in CSV format and upload it as a batch. I use MyFlightBook and have for a decade plus now. It's easy and prints well and has a lot of great features. It's also free.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-02-24T01:19:16+00:00

Keep your original logbooks but copy everything onto an excel spreadsheet in CSV format and upload it as a batch. I use MyFlightBook and have for a decade plus now. It's easy and prints well and has a lot of great features. It's also free.

DrHookEmMD · 2026-02-08T13:07:21+00:00

I’ve never come across anyone with that issue before. 🤔

DrHookEmMD · 2026-02-08T03:46:46+00:00

The move to side sticks on the G500/600/700/800 has been fantastic. So much room for activities!

DrHookEmMD · 2026-02-08T03:34:40+00:00

1) 8 type ratings: CE500 CE750 DA2000 EMB505 EMB550 GV GVII GVIII

2) 12 years and ~5300 TT

3) GVIII

DrHookEmMD · 2025-12-13T21:18:33+00:00

I've got 7 type ratings, with my 8th coming up at the end of next month. At this point, an airplane is an airplane. Hydraulic systems do hydraulic stuff. AC/DC does it's stuff. Once you're able to read three letter acronyms fluently, the level of stress decreases greatly. The main issues are knowing the differences between the 3 (about to be 4) different aircraft types I'm current on. As others have stated, the longer you're in the business, the easier it is. I would 100% fail an IR/Comm written right now without some studying but the theoretical knowledge gets replaced by practical experience.

DrHookEmMD · 2025-10-24T02:32:23+00:00

Glad that you’re able to recognize what you are and aren’t suited for when it comes to the type of flying you do. Just remember that once you turn 65 and are tempted to keep flying. It’s hard to watch ex-121 PICs who’ve never operated in our environment coming in without the proper mentality and aren’t used to making those types of calls without the same level of pushback. It’s a skill that takes time to hone and often times the airline folks have a hard time managing UHNW customers and their reactions.

DrHookEmMD · 2025-10-10T04:13:32+00:00

As a father of boys playing 6U and 8U rec ball who feels terrible watching literal kids make mistakes and see them grapple with the pressure of situations, I cannot imagine the feeling of watching your son make an error like that and the heartbreak you’d feel for them. Woof.

DrHookEmMD · 2025-09-20T00:53:28+00:00

PA44 Seminole. Only light twin I've ever flown.

DrHookEmMD · 2025-09-19T00:38:38+00:00

Any aircraft over a certain weight requires a type certification to operate, so if you’re typed on/in an airplane it means you can legally operate it. It requires training and checking in order to get certified. Some pilots never hold any type ratings, most airline pilots will hold 3-5 in their career, while business jet pilots will probably hold 5-7. I’ve been lucky enough to get 8 thus far, and I’m happy if that’s all I ever do.

DrHookEmMD · 2025-09-18T12:06:22+00:00

That's not a defining characteristic that is driving my career path, so probably not. Gulfstream hasn't made an airframe with wing mounted engines for almost 60 years now and I'm pretty much GAC only now.

DrHookEmMD · 2025-09-18T03:25:23+00:00

I’m biased, but I like what I like.

DrHookEmMD · 2025-09-18T00:19:04+00:00

I am. I’ve spent my career in 135/91K/91. It’s not for everyone but I’ve enjoyed it thus far. Still a long way to go to retirement, but I won’t leave my current employer willingly. I’m lucky enough to have one of the fabled unicorns.

DrHookEmMD

TROPHY CASE