I earned my private pilot's certificate at 40.5 hours on Sept. 10, 1997,
learning to fly in the sardine can known as a Cessna 152.
I earned a complex endorsement in a Piper Arrow, and a high-performance
endorsement in a Bonanza.
That was followed by a tailwheel endorsement, which has become an addiction!
From 1999-2002 in Chicagoland I flew a '77 Decathlon --
150 HP with inverted fuel/oil system.
Naturally I became an aerobatic pilot.
None of my more "adventurous" passengers has yet thrown up, I'm proud to say.
Not really interested in competition;
theorists just don't get up that early in the morning.
I've got about 300 hours now, almost 200 in the Decathlon, and about
30 hours of aerobatic time.
Not doing any flying in Germany -- too bloody expensive!
I usually rent a Diamond Katana when back in the U.S., to stay proficient.
One of these days I'll build an
RV-8.
It's probably the best all-around plane: sport/aerobatics, cross-country,
short/soft-field, and maximual FUN!
But my first plane will probably be something small and cheaper.
Perhaps a Piper J-5 Cub?
Just take the door off, skim the grass on a summer day and leave the
worries of life behind for the afternoon...