Why is having aviation mentors so important? We tell tales of mentors saving the day, how to be mentored, and the importance of never missing an opportunity to shut up. Listeners Bruce and Neil give feedback about last week's discussion of flying in heat. Mentioned on the show: * Cape Girardeau airport, Missouri: https://www.airnav.com/airport/CGI * Seguin Texas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seguin,_Texas * Robinson R22: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson_R22 * Becki and Chris flying th...
Aug 20, 2024•59 min•Ep 89•Transcript available on Metacast How does flying in the heat affect you? Do you know when to say when? We talk about the trials of flying in summer heat, things we think about to keep safe, Ben's ride in an L39, and more! Mentioned on the show: - Larry Lee flying his L39 (this is who flew Ben): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46BWO26mNpE - FlightChops, flying aerobatics with his daughter for the first time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OApcRojO0Oc - Brian Shul's SR71 speed check story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Aug 13, 2024•55 min•Ep 88•Transcript available on Metacast Friend of the show AJ joins the podcast to recap a masterful flight that Ben and 1dullgeek took with careful routing through thunderstorms. AJ's work with controllers was instructive for Ben. AJ also joined the Chock Club with Ben. Mentioned on the show: * BUKHD3 arrival: https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2407/00469BUKHD.PDF * Eagleville Soaring club: https://eaglevillesoaring.org/ * Mishpachah: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mishpachah * T82 - Fredericksburg Texas: https://www.airna...
Aug 06, 2024•52 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast We are joined by Mark, aka 1DullGeek, to debrief the alternator loss on an instrument approach while returning from Osh Kosh. We discuss how the near-emergency was handled, how flying with a second pilot worked, and how Instrument training can only prepare you for so much. Mentioned on the show: * Flying Midwest Podcast - Information Foxtrot with Ben and Ted plus OB's AG and RH: https://lnns.co/Eno4ag0P8fG * Opposing Bases - live at Airventure: https://opposingbases.libsyn.com/ob342-live-fro...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast Which hazardous attitudes do we find ourselves falling into sometimes? Are some of the classic 5 hazardous attitudes more or less common in midlife pilots? We talk them all through from our point of view. Mentioned on the show: - Aeronautical Decision Making AC with the Hazardous Attitudes, AC 60-22: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_60-22.pdf - BWG - Bowling Green Airport: http://www.bgwcairport.com/ - The Vegas Bravo Buster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUSUXnr4...
Jul 24, 2024•59 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast RH of Opposing Bases joins Ben, Brian, and Ted to offer some midlife radio tips. What's the perfect flight following call? Does it matter? Should you call "in the blind"? What does a controller hear when they're listening to multiple frequencies? OB will be at Airventure in Oshkosh, recording a show Saturday, July 27 2024 at 10am. Mentioned on the show: * Opposing Bases: https://www.opposingbases.com/ * Learn by listening to LiveATC (especially deltas or smaller charlies with g...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ben, Brian, and Ted compare perspectives from what it's like to have 100 hours vs. the point of view from 500 hours - and the pursuit of mastery. - People Places & Adventures with Dee and Vee: https://www.youtube.com/@planeplaces/videos - RHP - Andrews North Carolina: https://www.airnav.com/airport/RHP - SSI - St Simons Island: https://www.airnav.com/airport/SSI - Tail of the Dragon: https://tailofthedragon.com/how-to-ride/ - Chris C, Rebuilding Confidence and Proficiency: https://www.yo...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast Ben, Ted, and Brian catch up, then Ben talks with Chris C about his flight simulator use. The community shares opinions and suggestions, then Ted shares a clip from Chris C's recent video talking about having "jitters" after not flying for a while. Mentioned on the show: * Chris C, Flying Past 50, Rebuilding Confidence and Proficiency: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a9eZQsle8Y * Flight sim discord thread: https://discord.com/channels/1016100180325564418/1257478939371114616 * Flig...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast Join Ben, Brian, and Ted discussing a potpourri of topics, including Ted's trip that was 4x as fast as driving, Josh's Cirrus emergency, 1dullgeek's rant on hangars, and Brian landing Lucy on grass. Mentioned on the show: - Buzzfeed: How Nashville Became One Big Bachelorette Party: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annehelenpetersen/how-nashville-became-one-big-bachelorette-party - Patreon Member Bonus, KZK #1: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-member-1-106886247 - Washington ...
Jun 26, 2024•58 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast We are joined by CFII and friend Nathan Ballard to talk about checkride failures. Several cases are discussed and the learnings from them. * Nathan's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBallardSaferFlying/videos * Brian Siskind's new (two hour) video, "the LONGEST most UNWATCHABLE flying video in HISTORY and also mountain flying" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSy16zVeWU0 * Luke's Landing: https://www.youtube.com/@lukeslanding2230/videos * 24A Jackson County: https://w...
Jun 19, 2024•59 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast Airplane partnerships are often the best way for us midlifers to enjoy flying, and while there is good, there is sometimes the bad, or even the ugly. Several unique examples are given, plus a anonymous horror story from a listener. Mentioned on the show: * OG Chris Moran on the news: https://www.wdtv.com/2024/03/21/first-4-forum-chris-moran/ * Brian's "Gravel Parking Lot" video was actually the 2022 Fly-In: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAjPnyxtrSM * EP77 - Before hour zero, star...
Jun 12, 2024•59 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast Ben is away for this week, so Brian and Ted are joined by OG host and OG Midlife Pilot Chris Moran! They catch up with Chris, talking about how it's okay to not fly, how proficiency is affected with time, flying clubs, airport authorities, anxiety, carb heat, Super Deltas, cargo cults, West Wing, and more. Mentioned on the show: * Ted's Copalis beach landing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MgeG_ZtRbw * Fairmont flying club: https://fairmontflyingclub.com/ * Fairmont Airport Autho...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast Ben, Brian, and Ted are joined by prospective pilot Laura to talk about things to think about before starting flight training. Even before starting, what's the mindset? What can you be doing even when you can't take your first lesson yet? Mentioned on the show: * Ted's "subcultures" video: https://youtu.be/979RVlzZ_3s * The 99s: https://www.ninety-nines.org/ * Airplane Academy's "become a pilot before it's too late" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a...
May 29, 2024•54 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast Join Ben, Brian, and Ted while they discuss what to do when you have a few hours to fly. Other topics include hyperbole, flying in Sweden, (engine) infant mortality, and a musical Bag o' Words. * Nashville Ninety-Nines: https://nashville99s.org/ * XNX Music City Executive: https://www.musiccityexecutiveairport.com/ * Mt. St. Helens eruption: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_eruption_of_Mount_St._Helens * Skovde airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sk%C3%B6vde_Airport * Skovde airport vie...
May 21, 2024•58 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast Join Ben, Brian, and Ted as they talk about the pitfalls of comparison and envy in training, airplanes, and in flight. It might be the missing hazardous attitude. Mentioned on the show: * Brian's "Comparison is a Thief" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4UoyWk6_Mk * PDK Good Neighbor Day Air Show: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/airport/good-neighbor-day-air-show * Angel Flight (at PDK DeKalb Peachtree): https://www.angelflightsoars.org/ * EP70 - The art of tailwheel flying: w...
May 14, 2024•58 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast Ben and Ted host while Brian is attending to house issues, but the pod must go on! The two discuss external pressures, from low-visibility rain during training to choosing to not fly to the Bahamas. Community feedback rounds out the topic. Ben is doing tailwheel training soon. Ted also shares a combination Bag o' Words and mistake while flying, and rants about his annual. Mentioned on the show: * Ben's video on expanding your minimums: https://youtu.be/H9cvl1LJV1Y * Ted's "lawn ...
May 09, 2024•54 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast We recap the Nashville Fly In, talk about the importance of the aviation community, newts, chinchillas, and many more insights from our gathering of podcast friends. Mentioned on the show: * Blairsville, Georgia: https://www.airnav.com/airport/DZJ * Published Vertical Guidance approaches: https://www.ifr-magazine.com/system/gps-alphabet-soup/ * OG Midlife Pilot Chris Moran's student pilot landings video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPCna9-gtPA * Limited edition "Newts and Chinchilla...
May 01, 2024•58 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast We preview the Nashville Fly-In, which is later this week - and are joined by BNA Nashville ATC controller Scott Wexler, who talks flight following, crossing the BNA arrivals and departures corridor, and makes a special offer of help for a possible Saturday adventure. The hosts talk through plans and weather possibilities. Show mentions: * Previous episode (EP48) with Scott and Shelley Weckler: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP48---Nashville-ATC--Controllers...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast We are joined by Erica Gilbert (Gilbert Aviation, Aerosafe), and her 9 year old son to talk about the things you need to think about when flying with children, the joy of making special memories with them while they are young. Patreon members also chime in with their tips, tricks, and questions. * Gilbert Aviation: https://www.gilbertaviation.com/ * Aerosafe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AeroSafe/videos * FAA's SAFETY passenger briefing (PDF): https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/lib...
Apr 17, 2024•51 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast We are joined by "Tailwheel Ben" Lehman, a CFI in Nashville who instructs in his Cessna 140A. Ben gives us great insights on learning the art of tailwheel flying, the ground loop monster, and much more! Brian learned tailwheel with Ben, so you can hear how Brian really did straight from the source. * Ben Lehman, Nashville tailwheel CFI: https://flywithben.com/ * Ben's 1950 Cessna 140A: https://flywithben.com/journal/my-1950-cessna-140a * Ben's "flying tailwheel" start...
Apr 10, 2024•52 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast We take a break from topics and planning to catch up, chat with the livestream audience, listen to a checkride debrief clip, and hear from 1dullgeek for a fantastic rant on Zulu time. The NASHVILLE FLY-IN is coming up at the end of the month, learn more, RSVP, and get one of the remaining hotel rooms: https://www.midlifepilotpodcast.com Discussed on the show: * Natty Light: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Light * Union City TN FBO: https://www.estewartregionalairport.us/ * UCY: https://www...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast We talk though a great list of things our Patreon community would have done differently in their training and flying - and add a few of our own. Also we talk Nashville fly in details - be sure to fill out our pre-event survey! Ted also shares a Bag o' Words from a recent flight with a fellow Patron. * Midlife Pilot Podcast fly-in final survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TEqGe59ISGfRaqNuHlwyFE4zSV44P4bAOgZklxCUg90 * Nashville Fly-In info page: https://midlifepilotnashville.mystrikingly....
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast On this episode: Nathan Ballard's upcoming NAFI presentation, Ted's epic West Coast loop, and then discuss how to pace your aviation training. What's different about midlifers compared to young career-oriented pilots? What do the hosts and the community prioritize in their training and goals? * Sign up and watch CFII Nathan Ballard's NAFI MentorLIVE presentation, Wednesday March 20 2024, at 5pm west/8pm east: https://mentorlive.site/program/78.html (the presentation can be watche...
Mar 20, 2024•57 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast Night flying is surreal, beautiful, and presents its own challenges and dangers. We read your feedback on sport piloting episode, talk night flying, and we get a glorious rant from 1DullGeek on ACRONYMS. * Signature Aviation at Mobile Downtown: https://www.signatureaviation.com/locations/BFM * Tempest video game gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMto2HJJSSA#t=58s * Dauphin Island airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_Denton_Airport * Ted's "boring" video: https://...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ted talks about all things sport pilot. What are the limitations? How can a private pilot understand it? The crew talks about LSA planes, MOSAIC, and if Ted would want to fly night or IFR. Ben is out of town, so Mark (aka 1dullgeek) is the third host! Mentioned on the show: * MOSAIC NPRM: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/07/24/2023-14425/modernization-of-special-airworthiness-certification * EAA's summary of the MOSAIC changes: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publications/eaa-...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Join Ben, Brian, and Ted as they talk knowledge gaps, being aware of them, and what to do about areas of weakness as a pilot. Feedback has us on a rant about IFR traffic expecting VFR traffic to be psychic, and sorting confusion around midfield crosswind entries in the pattern. Mentioned on the show: Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 8, "enter on a midfield crosswind at pattern altitude": https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_h...
Feb 28, 2024•48 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast After having to do a go around with episode 63 due to tech gremlins, we re-recorded the episode and are now back in the pattern! We talk about the problem with the term "mission", our quests for the perfect plane for what we do, and some thoughts on how you can go about your quest for the right airplane. 1DullGeek chimes in with a glorious rant, and his tale of finding his Cherokee 235. Mentioned on the show: * Frequency Change Aviation: https://frequencychangeaviation.com/ * RIP Brian...
Feb 26, 2024•54 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast Ben, Brian, and Ted talk about combating complacency as a private pilot. They also celebrate podcast supporters who have passed checkrides recently! The new midlife pilot podcast website: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/ * EP37 - Looking for a flying purpose? Join the Freedom Aviation Network: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP37---Looking-for-a-flying-purpose--Join-the-Freedom-Aviation-Network-e25oshp * Freedom Aviation Network: https://www.freedomaviationne...
Feb 14, 2024•59 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast Ben, Brian, and Ted talk about gaining confidence as a new pilot. The team also reads feedback from Mike Alpha Golf about the importance of having friends in aviation- for one thing, they keep you safe. MAG mentions Mike Patey's seminar, and Ted talks about it in the show as well. That's "Stop Hurting my Pilot Friends" from Experimental Aircraft Channel with Bryan Wahlstrom (Experimental Aircraft Channel), Mike Patey, Juan Browne (Blancolirio), and Josh Flowers (Aviation 101). ...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast We are joined by CFII Erica Gilbert of AeroSafe - she makes weather more fun! Erica speaks to her work as a CFII, the art of weather briefings, expanding your minimums, and how she came to sharing her knowledge through frequent weather breakdowns on her awesome new YouTube channel. Don’t forget to make or update your RSVP for the Nashville Fly-In, April 26-28: https://midlifepilotnashville.mystrikingly.com/ * Erica’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AeroSafe * Midlife Pilot Podcast’s ne...
Jan 31, 2024•51 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast 
