The Vintage Pilot School

Thomas Cruysberghs•thomascruysberghs.podbean.com

Join Thomas as he learns to fly an aeroplane from scratch - using a 1940s self-study textbook for prospective RAF fighter pilots. A most foolish, yet exciting plan! The journey will take you from Thomas's living room to a flight academy near Valencia, Spain - with plenty of stopovers along the way, providing room for verbal digression.

Last refreshed: August 18th, 2025 at 11:05 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Airspace and Seedless Watermelons

In this episode, we discuss airspace classes and we marvel at the wonders of seedless watermelons. Music by the Computer Music All-stars (May the Chords Be with You) and the Sílvia Tomàs Trio (Ja passat el temps).

Jul 07, 2019•11 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Space travel and Bryan Flossthing

This episode covers the latest in human spaceflight, aviation safety, and a popular movie starring Bryan Flossthing. Link to a video of a successful rocket booster landing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0-pfzKbh2k Music by the Computer Music All-stars (May the Chords Be with You) and the Sílvia Tomàs Trio (Ja passat el temps).

Apr 18, 2019•12 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Pilot lingo and Brexit

In this episode of the Vintage Pilot School Podcast, Thomas discusses pilot lingo and the future of flying after Brexit. Music by the Computer Music All-stars (May the Chords Be with You) and the Sílvia Tomàs Trio (Ja passat el temps).

Feb 06, 2019•9 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Solos and Spanish children

This episode covers Thomas's first solo flight, the labeling of bone fractures, and why Spanish children are the worst in Europe. Music by the Computer Music All-stars (May the Chords Be with You).

Dec 27, 2018•17 min•Season 1Ep. 5

First take-off

In the fourth episode of Thomas's aeronautical adventure, he talks about his visit to the Analclinic - yes, that needs further explanation -, the difficulty of finding a suitable crash landing ground, and the inability of Spanish people to be on time with anything.

Oct 22, 2018•14 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Intermezzo

In this episode, you can join Thomas as he finally makes his move to Valencia to learn to fly.

Sep 28, 2018•12 min

A trip to Kiev

In this second episode of Thomas' aeronautical adventure, he visits the State Aviation Museum in Kiev. He also discovers that instrument panels have evolved quite substantially since the 1940s...

Sep 11, 2018•11 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Joyriding planes in the forties

This is the pilot episode of Thomas' aeronautical adventure, as he tries to teach himself to fly a small plane - using a 1940s textbook for prospective RAF pilots. In this first episode, you will find out how this unusual idea came about and what joyriding was like in the forties.

Sep 02, 2018•15 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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