After a year-long aviation hiatus, the legend himself returns! Chris Moran, the original midlife pilot who started it all, is back in the cockpit and spilling the raw truth about what happens when life pulls you away from flying. In this emotional reunion episode, Chris delivers the reality check every pilot needs to hear: "I want this to be a joy bringer to my life, not a stress bringer" - and why taking breaks doesn't make you less of an aviator. But that's not all! Brian goes full caveman on two broken car AC systems, proving that sometimes the best maintenance philosophy is "maybe if you just whack it with a hammer a few times, maybe it'll revive itself." Ben reveals why dawn patrol flights are aviation's best-kept secret after his Savannah adventure, while Ted breaks down the engineering marvel that keeps "the egg" cool in scorching heat.
Chris also teases his upcoming instrument rating series and shares hard-won wisdom about creating content without burning out. Whether you're struggling with aviation guilt, wondering if it's normal to step away, or just want to hear grown men solve problems with percussive maintenance, this episode delivers the perfect blend of inspiration, practical advice, and pure entertainment. As the live chat perfectly summed up: "never let it be said that violence can't solve problems!"
Mentioned on the show:
* Erica Gilbert talking about heat: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wSfaeJ229m2KmIkA4CaK3
* Ted's new video, "feral cat flying and finding community": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq3qlPkBBQY
* Johnny Cash, "my song is sung": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGa3zFRqDn4#t=2m50s
* Converting R12 to R134a: https://www.techtownforum.com/knowledge-base/article/equipment-appliances/hvac/r12-to-r134a-conversion-chart-formula/
* Happy Days - The Fonz hitting the jukebox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP1cZ3rbkRg#t=15s
* HEF - Manassas Airport, Va: https://www.airnav.com/airport/HEF
* Fairmont Flying Club: https://fairmontflyingclub.com/
* 4G7 - Fairmont Airport, W. Va: https://www.airnav.com/airport/4G7
* Friendly Skies Film youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FriendlySkiesFilm/videos
* Open Source GA youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenSourceGA/videos
* BDR - Bridgeport/Sikorsky, Conn: https://www.airnav.com/airport/BDR
* Ted Stryker sweating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs3zHbQDVlA#t=2m
* THV - York, Penn: https://www.airnav.com/airport/THV
* Kool Scoop window vent: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/koolscoop.php
Links:
In this Information Whiskey session, Ben achieves peak midlife status by straining his back loading golf clubs into his airplane, proving that "we are the joke." Meanwhile, Brian gets voice recognized at an FBO after some night flying adventure, and Ted successfully converts his partner from "scrambling for handholds" to enjoying turbulence on flights to Seattle. The crew dives into listener feedback from Chris J's comprehensive aircraft toolkit wisdom, Johnny L's inspiring F-16 crew chief to student pilot journey in Finland, and advice for midlife aviation career changes. Plus, community celebrations including Wendy's IFR checkride victory, Barry's San Francisco adventure sans Golden Gate Bridge, and a heartfelt message for Texas flood victims. Whether you're 45 and contemplating CFI life or just trying to figure out how so many excruciating aviation tasks always take exactly one hour, this episode covers the full spectrum of midlife flying challenges and triumphs.
Links Mentioned on the Show:
Midlife Pilot Podcast:
Watch Live on YouTube - Mondays 8PM Eastern
Email: midlifepilotpodcast@gmail.com
Special Mention:
Oshkosh Discussion with ATC Controller - July 9th, 9PM for Patreon members
Additional Resources:
Time for a heat dome intervention. Weather expert and certified mensch/CFII/CSIP Erica Gilbert returns to explain why we're all flying around in "the most expensive tin can you could sit in" and why Brian's brilliant idea of turning a boneyard 152 into a backyard sauna might actually be profitable. Learn why high temperatures make us all like moms telling kids to "get off of me," discover why Erica confidently wears long sleeves in 100-degree heat, and how even Ted's fancy liquid-cooled engine can't escape the tyranny of thermodynamics. Plus, why Ben's mighty beast has to humble itself to a mere 750 fpm climb, and Nathan's astute observation that density altitude performance issues are basically the aviation equivalent of being in midlife.Mentioned on the Show:
Erica Gilbert / Gilbert Aviation:
Midlife Pilot Podcast:
Additional Resources:
The crew welcomes Dev Cannon, who exemplifies the CAF mission by going from aviation newcomer to Music City Wing Commander in just a few years, leading 70 volunteers in preserving warbird history. Dev explains how the CAF's 19,000 international members keep aviation heritage alive through everything from flyovers at memorial services to introducing kids to aviation, proving that "if you show up at an event and say, how can I participate? Like you're in." The organization welcomes everyone—pilots, mechanics, historians, and aviation enthusiasts—because as Dev notes, they "can use all the hands they can get." The episode highlights their PT-19 "Miss Cornelia," named after local aviation pioneer Cornelia Fort, and how these living history lessons help veterans and families share stories that might otherwise be lost. Ben discovers breakfast so good at Guntersville that he's "considering buying a junker and donating it to the airport," while celebrating his landing redemption with the signature "kid rock arrival." Ted's camping plans crater with three shredded tubes, Brian defends "Bachelorette Super Charlie" terminology, and everyone agrees that whether you want to maintain aircraft, research history, or just "ring wars" to draw crowds, the CAF provides meaningful ways to give back to aviation while connecting with our flying heritage.
Mentioned on the show:
Support the Podcast:Join our amazing Patreon community for just $1/month and get access to exclusive content, check ride debriefs, and the best pilot community on the internet. Find our Patreon link at midlifepilotpodcast.com
Connect with us:
A portion of proceeds supports Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts.
The guys tackle the inevitable reality of breaking down away from home - and yeah, "you did it to yourself by choosing to take on flying in midlife." They get real about emergency prep: "have a leatherman, have zip ties, have tape" and for the love of all that's holy, "cash is options, cash is flexibility." Brian drops wisdom about proactive maintenance ("we all do deferred maintenance") while Ted swears by Savvy Aviation as "AAA for aviation" after his windshield cracked mid-flight. Ben reminds everyone that mechanics are surprisingly helpful - "don't worry about it" seems to be their universal response to weekend pilot problems. The crew's advice boils down to: plan your route around services, know your call-out numbers, stay "calm and systematic" when things go sideways, and sometimes, if it's safe. just "put some duct tape on it" and "send it." Their six-point survival plan covers everything from building your network before you need it to knowing "when to walk away"—because "small town A&P's seem to be more available than you would expect."
Mentioned on the show:
Support the Podcast:Join our amazing Patreon community for just $1/month and get access to exclusive content, check ride debriefs, and the best pilot community on the internet: https://www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast
Connect with us:
A portion of proceeds supports Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts.
Ben raves about Garmin Smart Charts as a potential ForeFlight killer, while the gang shares their biggest radio pet peeves - from the dreaded "with you" to "fish finder." Brian explains why his ignition wires "date back to when Jimi Hendrix was an unknown rising guitarist," and they dive into listener feedback about check ride prep (spoiler: don't get "tuned up" the day before). Plus, discussions of "meat missiles" falling from the sky at skydiving operations, whether Florida counts as the Southeast, and why we all struggle with remembering which runway we just landed on.
Mentioned on the show:
* "Polish doctor" with a CTLS, video 1, pilot hypoxic at 25k feet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xym_ADvX_2o:
* "Polish doctor" video 2, SP-SMED gets banned from airspace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lToh07ov5hQ
* Checkmate Aviation, passenger briefing: https://www.checkmateaviation.com/products/checkmate-crew-and-passenger-briefing-card
* Is pitot heat required to fly IFR? https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/100892/is-pitot-heat-required-for-ifr
* Happy Fun Ball disclaimers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmqeZl8OI2M
* Angel Flight Southeast: https://angelflightse.org/
* Garmin Pilot Smart Charts: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/garminpilot/smartcharts/
* Aviation101 promoting Smart Charts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKoEfHCn9ZA
* PilotEdge: https://www.pilotedge.net/
* VATSIM: https://vatsim.net/
* LiveATC: https://www.liveatc.net/
* Bill Dance (fishing): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Dance_(television_host)
* CMD - Cullman, Alabama: https://www.airnav.com/airport/CMD
* Dublin, Georgia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin,_Georgia
* Dublin's Redneck Games: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck_Games
* Vidalia Georgia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidalia,_Georgia
* Woodstock movie (1970): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_(film)
Support Midlife Pilot Podcast on Patreon, get merch, join our Discord community, and more at www.midlifepilotpodcast.com
The crew tackles long cross-country cockpit organization after Ted's epic 5,400-mile journey reveals that going "pants-free" provides a "4% gain" in performance (wheel pants, people!). From the critical importance of blue shop towels to strategic snack placement and lumbar support, Ben, Brian, and Ted share hard-earned tips for setting up your cockpit for extended flights. Ben also achieves peak self-awareness by making "the quantum leap of berating myself behind my own back" on frequency, proving that even our radio calls need better cockpit organization.
Mentioned on the show:
Airports Mentioned:
Equipment Mentioned:
10% of our monthly Patreon pledge total goes directly to support the Freedom Aviation Network
In the compelling conclusion to their check ride series, the Midlife Pilot crew explores instrument rating experiences drawn from their Patreon community. From developing the perfect instrument scan to battling temperamental autopilots and partial-panel approaches, this episode reveals the unique challenges—and profound rewards—of becoming an instrument-rated pilot. Ben, Brian, and Ted unpack essential advice on training aircraft, instructor selection, and those magical moments of breaking through cloud layers at minimums. With candid discussions about instrument currency and the perishable nature of these skills, this episode serves as both inspiration and practical roadmap for pilots at any stage of their IFR journey. As one debrief contributor put it, "I think every private pilot should get their instrument rating. I'm a much better pilot than I was before."
Join our Patreon for access to all the debriefs, Discord, and much more: www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcastMentioned on the show:
* RYY - McCollum Field: https://www.airnav.com/airport/RYY
* London Kentucky tornado: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_outbreak_sequence_of_May_15%E2%80%9316,_2025
* Opposing Bases: https://opposingbases.com/
* Flight Insight: https://www.youtube.com/@flightinsight9111
* Nokia Snake game: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_(1998_video_game)
* Konami Code: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konami_Code
* Victor airways: https://www.boldmethod.com/blog/lists/2024/10/7-things-pilots-should-know-about-victor-airways/
* Flying DME arcs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-caYr6Lr9U
In this first installment of their two-part check ride series, the Midlife Pilot Podcast crew mines gold from their community's private pilot exam experiences through intimate Patreon debriefs. Ben, Brian, and Ted tackle everything from the anxiety-inducing oral exam (which Ben likens to "walking into the delivery room") to those heart-stopping landing attempts on check ride day. The hosts share candid stories of forgotten keys, unexpected teaching moments, and the surprising feeling when a DPE says "you ought to know you passed." Whether you're contemplating your first lesson or preparing for your own check ride, this episode offers both practical wisdom and the reassurance that even type-A personalities sometimes "completely forget how to land" - and still earn their wings.
Join our Patreon for access to all the debriefs, Discord, and much more: www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcastMentioned on the show:
* Ted's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@flysport_tedder
* GGG - Longview, Texas: https://www.airnav.com/airport/GGG
Join the Midlife Pilot Podcast crew as they return from their epic Texas fly-in adventure with tales of triumph, near-misses, and one unfortunate set of wheel pants. Ted recounts his 28.3-hour post-fly-in journey that somehow went east instead of west ("Look, you can only chase tailwinds for so long"), while Brian shares his VFR limits revelation ("I have now taken VFR flying as far as one can take it"). Ben confesses to "two bounces and a skip" on one of his worst landings in recent memory, and the guys discuss the wisdom of testing boundaries safely: "Go up and have a look, but be fully prepared to land again." Featuring an impossibly flowery listener message that has Brian nearly falling out of his chair, frequent tangents, and what the hosts themselves describe as "an episode that is apparently all appetizers."
The Midlife Pilot Podcast hosts the Big Texas Send fly in at T82 in Fredericksburg, TX and lands with a thud (but "didn't dent the runway") at the gorgeous TAC Aero hangar. Ben, Brian, and Ted swap harrowing journey tales involving everything from Brian's "measured scud running" to Ted mysteriously ascending to 15,000 feet in a light sport ("Try a German-engineered plane built in Ukraine!"). While celebrating their adrenaline-junkie passenger Hope flying with Ted and losing a bird-strike battle with Ted's wheel pants ("Suicidal Sparrow would be a good band name"), the crew raises their glasses to those who made the toughest decision of all—not flying. As Brian says about the fly-in pressure, "We never actually have to fly anywhere, ever...except for this Sunday because we don't have hotels anymore." Between "advanced VFR flying" (which apparently means "leave the day before") and zip-tie engineering miracles, episode 127 captures why aviation friendships are "like meeting family for the first time, except you like them."
Locations Mentioned:
TAC Aero - Tail wheel training academy at T82 in Fredericksburg, TX ("This is heaven, this is Tail Wheel Academy")
Hangar Hotel - Aviation-themed hotel at T82
Fredericksburg Brewery - Meetup location for the group
Cooper's Barbecue - Lunch spot in Llano
Lockhart BBQ - Another BBQ destination visited by attendees
Aviation Resources:
Checkmate Aviation - Custom checklists offered by Barry (including the upside-down emergency checklist)
Freedom Aviation Network - Anti-human trafficking organization supported by the podcast
Thanks To:
Chris and the TAC Aero team
Hope from the Hangar Hotel (the adrenaline junkie who survived Ted's wheel pants departure)
Erica Gilbert for her weather briefings
Richard (Yankee 88) for his safe no-go decision ("congratulations on not flying here")
Mike (Alpha Golf) for his safe no-go decision
Louis for his safe aircraft choice (opting for A/C over his shiny new Carbon Cub)
Get Connected:
Midlife Pilot Podcast Patreon - Join for $1/month or $12/year ("Friends with Benefits program")
Email: midlifepilotpodcast@gmail.com
Website: midlifepilotpodcast.com
Live on YouTube Mondays at 8PM Eastern (or "sometimes in Texas at weird times")
Words of Wisdom: "Real pilots use the rudder. Tail wheel pilots worship it."
The Midlife Pilot crew prepares for their "Big Texas Send" fly-in at T82 while navigating spring weather challenges. Brian celebrates returning to flying after a 42-day maintenance hiatus, sharing stories of tower tours and smoke-signaling air tractors. Ted plans his epic 1800-mile cross-country journey in his LSA, which Brian dubs "Oregon Trail without dysentery," while guest weather expert and CFII Erica Gilbert offers forecasting wisdom. The show celebrates both those making the journey and those making smart no-go decisions. As all the best GA adventures play out, "This is not going as planned, and it's awesome."
Mentioned on the show:
* CMD - Cullman Airport, Alabama: https://www.airnav.com/airport/KCMD
* Trent Palmer's smoke system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ4ZDpx2ysM
* Manifest, 2018 TV series: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifest_(TV_series)
When your CFI asks for your name and you respond with "standby" – you're experiencing what pilots call a helmet fire. In this episode, Ben, Brian, and Ted dive into the phenomenon of task saturation that affects pilots at every level, from Ben's instrument approach adventures where he made what sounded like "Charlie Brown's teacher" over the radio, to Ted's coastal flight where turning back was the smartest option.
The crew shares practical strategies for extinguishing these cognitive infernos: slowing down both mentally and physically, asking for delay vectors, and constantly thinking ahead by asking "what are the next two things?" They discuss how flying with other pilots can increase pressure, why preparation is critical, and how everyone from students to seasoned pilots can recover when they fall behind the airplane.
Plus, updates on the upcoming T82 fly-in (80 attendees, 39 aircraft!), community milestone celebrations, and a reminder that, as Wendell Geek says, "helmet fires are like exercise – they suck in the moment, but in the long run they make you stronger."Mentioned on the show:
* VLD - Valdosta Georgia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valdosta_Regional_Airport
* The Underbelly Project: https://viralart.vandalog.com/read/chapter/the-underbelly-project/
* The Towering Inferno: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Towering_Inferno
* M02 - Dickson County Airport, Tenn: https://www.airnav.com/airport/M02
* the Dixie Dregs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_Dregs
* L.P. Hartley, The Go-Between, "The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there": https://rylandscollections.com/2015/09/19/the-past-is-a-foreign-country-l-p-hartleys-the-go-between/
Join the Midlife Pilot Podcast crew as they tackle the surprisingly complex world of airport parking that flight schools never teach you. Between Brian's maintenance woes with Lucy, Ted's triumphant return of "the egg" from annual, and preparations for their upcoming Texas fly-in, the hosts share hilarious stories about confusing marshaling signals ("like dance move diagrams"), territorial tie-down spots, and why you should always keep "brakes off." As Ben perfectly summarizes: "The moment I get cocky and say I can fit in that spot... it's just a matter of time before I mess up." From diaper oil-change hacks to avoiding insurance adjusters' scrutiny, this episode proves that even the most mundane aspects of aviation can leave you both wiser and broke for a lifetime.
Mentioned on the show:
* Using a diaper for oil changes: https://vansairforce.net/threads/tip-changing-oil-with-a-diaper.123286/
* DNL - Daniel Field, Augusta, Georgia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Field
* 4S2 - Ken Jernstedt Airfield, Hood River, Oregon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Jernstedt_Airfield
* 1L8 - Gen. Dick Stout Field, Hurricane, Utah: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Municipal_Airport
In this episode, Ben, Brian, and Ted dive into the challenges of finding and maintaining hangar space, or not having one. From ratchet straps (BAD) and tornado warnings (ALSO BAD) to the joys of electricity and the sorrows of cold starts, the guys discuss how far they'd travel for a good hangar and why sometimes your plane becomes 'an outdoor pet.' Plus, updates on Ben's annual maintenance adventures and a reminder about the upcoming Big Texas Send meetup at T82.
Mentioned on the show:
* Big Texas Send: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/rsvpt82
* VPC - Cartersville Ga: https://www.airnav.com/airport/VPC
* Tyler S's personal minimums tool: https://personal-minimums.web.app/
* Example of Tyler's minimums: https://personal-minimums.web.app/profile/8DgOuxvxgxdfiZRpW2W8BMGUJO32
* SISKIND - Life is what happens to you... (the plane that flipped): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EejbxBWsfo
* Gust front: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outflow_boundary
* Wind gradient: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_gradient
* Ted's ShockStrap tiedowns: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/shock13-20708.php
* Switcheon remote power switch: https://switcheon.com/product/switcheon_remote_power_switch/
* Zen and the art of Knolling: https://makezine.com/article/workshop/zen-and-the-art-of-knolling/
Join us for special guest Erica Gilbert, a CFII and TBM pilot who brings her expertise on cross-country planning and adult learning to the show. While Ben mourns his grounded "Beast" waiting on engine work, and Mark celebrates his impressive 693-nautical-mile nonstop flight in his upgraded Cherokee 235, Erica shares her refreshing approach to flight planning: "I plan my stops around food." The discussion reveals how midlife pilots bring unique strengths to aviation training—they're more motivated, committed, and arrive prepared despite memory challenges that come with age.
Erica breaks down her framework for learning complex aircraft systems into four simple parts (function, components, limitations/failures, and operation), offers weather briefing insights, and introduces her new IFR course designed to bridge the gap between online learning and practical application. The episode delivers aviation wisdom for pilots of all levels while tackling the question of how to maintain confidence as a newly certificated pilot.
Mentioned on the show:
* Diamond DA40NG: https://www.diamondaircraft.com/en/private-owners/aircraft/da40/overview/
* Erica's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AeroSafe/videos
* One of Erica's weather vids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BFXShZFVGs
* LEX Lexington Ky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/LEX
* LOZ London Ky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/LOZ
* Capitol Drive airport, Wisc: https://www.airnav.com/airport/02C
* UES Waukesha County Airport, Wisc: https://www.airnav.com/airport/WAU
* ERAU paper- Student Engagement in Aviation Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): https://commons.erau.edu/publication/2285/
* Beech Baron 55: https://www.aviationconsumer.com/used-aircraft-guide/beech-baron-55-2/
* Erica's IFR ground school begins Apr 15: https://www.gilbertaviation.com/ifr
* Mark practicing PPL maneuvers after having his PPL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsb6YPyWCQk
Join Ben, Brian, and Ted for hangar talk about the joys (and pains) of annual inspections in this episode of the Midlife Pilot Podcast. The guys commiserate over their planes being simultaneously grounded, with Ben's Beast down to five cylinders and showing remarkable "patience" (or is it numbness?). Brian dishes on his new book of aviation essays "Make Small Corrections," while Ted smugly reminds everyone his oil-free belly never needs scrubbing. The fellas debate what aircraft they'd come back as in the next life, swap formation flying stories, and remind everyone about the upcoming Texas meetup. Pull up a chair in the hangar and settle in for another episode that'll make you feel right at home in the best pilot community around.
Mentioned on the show:
* Ernest Goes To Jail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Goes_to_Jail
* The Green Mile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Mile_(film)
* Nashville prison: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_State_Prison
* Paul Craig episode 120: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP120---Descending-from-Mount-Stupid-with-Paul-Craig-e30b2sb
* Cessna 195: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_195
* Stinson v77: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinson_Reliant
* Lockheed AC130: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_AC-130
* Continental IO520: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_IO-520
* Georgia Tech Wreck Racing: https://wreckracing.gatech.edu/
* RMG Rome airport: https://www.airnav.com/airport/RMG
* Sam's Burger and Deli: https://www.samsburgerdeli.com/
* XNX Music City Executive: https://www.airnav.com/airport/XNX
* "Cessna 140 Ben": https://flywithben.com/
* Centerline Aviation: https://centerlineair.com/
* Cessna 337 Skymaster: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_Skymaster
* TomAir's Cessna 337: https://www.youtube.com/@tomairtv
* The Green Machine: https://www.retroist.com/p/the-green-machine
* Brian's book, "Make Small Corrections": https://amazon.com/dp/B0DZWQKGJX
* Original Kindle with a keyboard: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Amazon_Kindle_(original_version)
For this very special episode we welcome Paul Craig, author of "The Killing Zone," "Be a Better Pilot," and numerous other aviation books including his memoir "Flight Times: Stories from the Second Best Instructor." In this episode, we explore how aviation has evolved since Paul's last book edition, from the rise of electronic flight bags to the Wednesday before Thanksgiving being statistically the most dangerous flying day. As Paul notes about his writing approach, "I just sit down at the computer and have a conversation with the keyboard. It's just you and me talking on a Saturday afternoon at the hangar."
Paul shares stories from his memoir, including the time his instructor Bill Kirshner yelled "CLEAR PROP!" after 23 spins while still inside the aircraft, and when his student's first solo flight had Air Force One on approach behind him.
Mentioned on the show:
* Ted's new video, "I don't feel heard": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3D4bXBSMiw
* Invisible Hulk piano intro, 1978: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9MysTXM_P4
* CHA - Chattanooga Airport: https://www.airnav.com/airport/CHA
* EP40 - introducing Ben and Ted: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP40---The-Podcast-Handoff---a-very-special-crossover-episode-e29965s
* Cornelia Fort Airfield: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelia_Fort_Airpark
* Cornelia Fort herself: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelia_Fort
* Patsy Clilne was headed to Cornelia Fort: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1963_Camden_PA-24_crash
* Paul Craig, "Be A Better Pilot": https://amazon.com/dp/0830620478/
* Paul Craig, "Killing Zone, Second Edition": https://amazon.com/dp/0071798404/
Join Ben, Ted, and special guest Mark (aka 1DullGeek) as they talk Flysto, the flight-tracking app that brutally reveals they're better and worse pilots than they thought. Geek out over landing scores, wind data, and traffic playback that "takes the emotional component out of the debrief" – perfect for analyzing that crosswind landing you swore was perfect (spoiler: it wasn't).
Come for the flight data analysis, stay for Ben's parting wisdom: "Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright until they speak."
(Special thanks to Mark for filling in for Brian last minute)Mentioned on the show:
* Mark aka 1dullgeek: https://www.youtube.com/@1dullgeek/videos
* AID - Anderson Indiana: https://www.airnav.com/airport/AID
* 02C - Capitol Drive Airport, Wisc: https://www.airnav.com/airport/02C
* Seth Lake DPE: https://www.youtube.com/c/SethLakeDPE
* Seth Lake's ACE guide: https://vslaviation.myshopify.com/products/vsl-ace-guide
* Video showing the ACE guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZM-s2EBK7w
* Aviation NewsTalk 365 with Patrick L. of Flysto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7CiwzM7kWE
* Flysto- AOPA, Dave Hirschman: https://aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/september/pilot/first-look-more-than-a-tattletale
* Flysto on EuroGA: https://www.euroga.org/forums/flying/14846-geeking-out-on-post-flight-data-with-flysto-net?page=1
* Bruce Williams showing the flysto overlay on a instrument approach to EAT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7CiwzM7kWE
* Flysto's "supported avionics": https://www.flysto.net/avionics
* VUJ - Stanly County, NC: https://www.airnav.com/airport/VUJ
"Freedom to go broke." The guys dive deep into the bittersweet reality of aircraft ownership—from the freedom it provides to the unique challenges it presents. Brian compares airplane ownership to marriage, Ted discusses his aversion to suction cups, and Ben reveals he's "fully funded on my pro rata share" of an eventual engine overhaul. They discuss the importance of finding a trusted mechanic, the joy of spontaneous lunch flights, and why "squawk and walk" is something renters do, not owners. As Brian puts it, "I'm a visitor in this socioeconomic space," but the rewards are worth the challenges.
Mentioned on the show:
* Ghost Dog: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Dog:_The_Way_of_the_Samurai
* Jim Jarmusch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jarmusch
* Open Source GA- "squawk and walk": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4smAzSqNG4o#t=2m40s
* Coleal interpretation- AOPA: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2023/august/pilot/savvy-maintenance-legal-interpretations
