Let me say a belated WELCOME to everyone who has joined us 
Even after such a short time (a few weeks) EuroGA has exceeded our wildest expectations, in terms of both the level of activity and in the great quality of the contributions.
I have enjoyed this forum and I am glad yourself and David set it up.
Anonymity seems to be a interesting topic at the moment, and I did consider using my real name on here, but I kinda like the PiperArcher name tag, which I also use elsewhere. It is nice to be able to post with semi-anonymity and if someone stumbles across my post it is viewed just for what it is. I dont work in aviation, I am a mere IT manager in one of those nasty Investment Banks, so besides that I dont have anything to hide lol.
Simon Jenkins
Well, I've just joined, and largely because I love aviation and am hoping to have found a forum that isn't full of egotistical pilots or stirring refugees from other forums. I really hope this site does what it says on the tin.
We've had that long Introductions thread, so how about what people here do for a living?
It always seemed to me that IT, particularly programming, was strongly represented among GA pilots.
I have a business designing and making industrial interfaces (RS232, 422, etc). Nothing exciting but pays for 2 x kids, 1 x ex wife, 2 x house, 1 x plane, and flying
I'm a partner in a small accountancy practice.
My day involves mainly accounts, auditing and tax work along side some general consulting and advice.
Mechanical Engineer currently working for a steel company, finding cost and weight reduction potential on wide range of auto structures and components. 18 years a Noise and Vibration refinement engineer before that.
IT indeed: Free-lance Unix sysadmin, Solaris specialty (but liking Solaris less and less).
"DAR" means "Design Approval Representative", which is about the Canadian equivalent of the better known FAA "DER". I am self employed, and hired by clients to test and evaluated proposed modifications to small planes, helicopters, and piston engines for the purpose of obtaining STC approval. I've been a DAR since 2001, though have been doing this work since 1985. Most of my work is in the realm of survey modifications, and engine and undercarriage changes to airplanes. I also manufacture some of the modifications myself.
To keep life in balance, I have also been a volunteer firefighter for 21 years.
More important than those two occupations, my wife and I have set three great kids upon the unsuspecting world, and have the fourth kid well on her way.
When those duties are complete, I fly either of my two planes from home.
I think I am a serial entrepreneur. I have commercial property, business centres, scotch whisky company, health clubs, lecture at a University Business School, consult for a large Government agency, specifically in Strategic Foresight and Corporate Distress and Recovery.
Like most, am struggling in these harsh economic times, but, onward and upward.
1x lovely wife, 2 lovely kids, but flying is my real joy, and stress reliever.
Would really love to spend my entire life in aviation, but not much money I am afraid.
I am an IT Manager for a German Investment bank in London, and have been for about 15 years. I used to specialise in Microsoft technologies and security, and still run a small Windows 20008 Server network at home to keep my hand in, but now I am into Identity Management product management. I generally work in Frankfurt 2 or 3 days a month, and would absolutely love to fly there courtesy of my PA28, instead of a Lufthansa :-)
I do have an 'invention' which is going through the patent system. Aligned with my University studies, I am pre-planning a business launch so if in a year or so my patent is granted, I would like to focus on that. The bank salary isnt so bad, but I dream of owning a nice shiny Saratoga with built in oxygen / pressurisation, anti-icing and a decent radio stack (not necessarily full glass) and the luxury of a non 9 to 5 job where I can train for an IR and go places and enjoy flying to the max.
