Backcountry Aviation Radio

Season 4 closes out with a returning guest...Brett Baker of Cleared to Adventure was one of the very first people on this show, back in episodes 4 and 5, and this time we caught up in person on a gravel bar in Alaska. We flew in on the HawkWagon, caught some glacier views along the way, and recorded with actual gunfire in the background from neighbors sighting in rifles nearby. Hard to imagine a b...

Shane Madson runs Mad Custom Cubs out of Westlock, Alberta — and he builds airplanes the way he used to build Harleys, one weld and one custom touch at a time. Before he ever picked up an aircraft-grade torch, he spent years on Alberta drilling rigs and running gas plants, then became a motorcycle mechanic and competitive racer, before a chance conversation with a parts-shop regular convinced him...

Jeff Smith and Matt Axley join the show to talk about Fly Rocky Top — a brand-new backcountry airstrip network in East Tennessee, and the flagship project of the Recreational Aviation Foundation's "Expanding the Map" initiative, announced at Oshkosh this past July. The network runs on a basecamp-and-outpost model. Rockwood Municipal Airport is the basecamp: a 5,000-foot paved runway...

Josh Richling has one of the best seats in competition STOL flying - he's the crew chief behind Steve Henry's Wild West Aircraft Highlander XL builds, the machine that's put up some of the shortest takeoff numbers in the sport. He's also the guy running Tundra Tailwheels day-to-day since Steve Henry took over the company from founder Jim Pekola in 2024, and on top of that, he f...

Ray and Melisa Fowler run Adventure Flying LLC, a CubCrafters Certified Sales Center covering the mid-Atlantic — Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Both are Delta A320 Captains, and both carry warbird résumés that go well beyond the airline job: Melisa is type-rated in the DC-3, C-47, and B-17, with stick time in the back seat of a P-51. Ray is a reti...

CC Pocock has spent over two decades flying in some of the most remote, unimproved terrain in the world, and now runs a one-man flight school in the Nevada desert that's trained more than 950 pilots. He's the author of Bush and Mountain Flying , now in its third edition, and just launched his own podcast and YouTube channel, Bush Air. We get into the real distinction between "bush f...

Darin Hart runs American Legend Aircraft in Sulphur Springs, Texas — the shop keeping the Piper Cub lineage alive, from a stripped-down J3 to the Rotax 916-powered Nomad. We get into how the Nomad came to be (including the Trent Palmer connection that helped put it on the map), the story behind the name, and a full breakdown of the build-assist model versus buying a kit. We also dig into MOSAIC —...

Erin and Paul flew their Bearhawk 5 named "Tina" to Peach State Aerodrome to drop in and record an episode! It was epic, and unfortunately I had to edit out the multiple fly-bys that interrupted the recording...haha.  But in this episode we talk about getting into flying, building an airplane from scratch (proudly with Bearhawk's builder assist program), and flying it to all 50 stat...

Most people know Justin Meaders for the incredible story of returning to flight after the motorcycle accident that left him paraplegic. That story has been told well—including on Pilot to Pilot —so we took a different approach. In this episode, we focus on Justin the competitor: his years in Formula One air racing, his transition into the backcountry community and National STOL, the airplanes he&a...

Season 4 kicks off with a bit of a role reversal...in response to your comments I decided to do a "meet the host" episode" and instead of me just talking to myself, I invited Ryan Dembroski back to the podcast (only 3-time voice on the pod).  Ryan takes a turn at the mic and asks me his toughest questions and we dive into my aviation story and what is coming next for the podcast.  T...

This episode follows up on Dave's recent YouTube video where he chronicles his crash in Hells Canyon last summer.  I recommend starting with Dave's video, then returning here for the background story. We also talk about Spring plans into SUN'n FUN! If you haven't yet listened to Dave's previous episode I also recommend listening to the first go-around.   Watch Part 1 of Da...

Jackie Burch has been a longtime supporter of the podcast and connected me with a lot of the guests I've interviewed.  I finally convinced her to come on the podcast and talk about her aviation story and how she got started.  This is a fun listen that explores new pilot fears and how she handled piloting a Taylorcraft to Alaska as a new tailwheel pilot.  We also talk about her time with CubCr...

This episode is with the voices of National STOL Cam and Ryan.  We talk about what they've been up to since the last episode, the 2026 National STOL calendar, and then dive DEEP into eSTOL.  You'll love this episode because the energy this group brings and the fun along the way.   Get the light-up chart we discuss HERE Follow Ryan on Instagram and YouTube Follow Cam on Instagram Learn mo...

This episode is a really fun look at what the Carbon Cub platform is capable of in extreme cases with a professional aerobatics champion at the controls.  Do NOT try this at home...professional pilot at work.  Luke talks about the models he's flown and about the Red Bull projects he's been a part of since joining Red Bull.  He also talks about getting started in aviation and what it take...

Tanmoy, or Tan, is one of the RAF's state liaisons for Michigan.  He's known as the guy who feeds the crowds of volunteers who show up and work at airstrip work parties.  Many a volunteer has asked if he's bringing the kabobs! Tan's infectious energy brings you quickly into his story and even though his airplane has wheel pants, he gets to those backcountry strips you wouldn&ap...

Dave Wyckoff from Kansas started a YouTube channel to meet backcountry pilots in Kansas and beyond! That endeavor has created a local community that builds local strips, host events, and exports beyond the state.  His proximity to opportunities in Missouri and Arkansas has enabled his community to grow and explore.  This is a fun listen at what it means to build a group around aviation and proves...

This episode is with with Matt Dearden, a UK-based pilot who was featured in the UK TV program titled "Worst Place to be a Pilot" that followed the adventures of UK pilots building flight time with Susie Air in Indonesia. Matt later wrote a book titled "Flying from Shangri-La" that is an amazing read and recap of his time there.  It follows his beginning days in a Cessna Carava...

This episode is pure Arkansas from one of the pilots who knows the network and builds events to highlight the state's backcountry beauty. Rusty Coonfield is an Arkansas pilot that helped build the ArkanSTOL event at Byrd's Adventure Center.  He has unique insight into how the event began and the aspects that went into creating a unique and challenging competition course for the best back...

This episode is with Tres Clinton from Burnet, Texas and C3 Air.  Tres teaches a wide range of aviation students but loves to teach backcountry flying in tailwheel aircraft and float planes.  He has some amazing stories and insight in flying in central Texas and provides some insight into getting prepared for off-airpot operations from training and equipment.  You'll enjoy hearing how Tres ru...

Kicking off Season 3 is my conversation with Anitra Goddard from the Sun'n Fun Team.  She's affectionately known in the community as the STOL Queen.  She's pioneered the Bushwheel Basecamp and has everything to do with STOL events far and wide! This is a very fun talk with her about how she got into all this and she shares some PRO TIPS for attending Sun'n Fun this year in Lake...

This episode is with Cayla McLeod, the editor-in-chief of Plane & Pilot magazine.  We talk about her aviation start with what is now called the Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program, where kids earn flight hours working on vintage aircraft.  We also explore her travels in Idaho and also how she's rebranding a legacy aviation publication.  This is a really fun listen and great opportunity t...

This week I talk to Al Clayton, the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) State Liaison for the State of Alaska, who spearheaded the efforts to create the airstrip at Childs Glacier.  This is an amazing story of how the RAF coordinates efforts from multiple state and federal agencies to create a one-of-a-kind experience for backcountry pilots.  His efforts also aided those same agencies to enhanc...

In this crazy episode I talk to the voices of the National STOL series, Ryan and Cam.  They bring their announcer energy to the podcast world and talk about the events, their favorite aircraft (J-3 or Champ?) and how they got into the announcer gig for the biggest backcountry event series in the country.  I know you'll love hearing about their backgrounds and more from the personalties that m...

This episode is with the Director of Fly Oz, Philip Sneed.  We talk everything that makes up the Fly Oz community from airstrips, social gatherings, and airplane services.  Before you head to Arkansas you'll want to listen to this discussion about all the strips the area has to offer and how to make the most of your time in the Natural State.  Visit Bentonville and make it your home base for...

This week Matt Williams joins the podcast to talk about his bear encounter in Alaska.  After watching his YouTube recap of the bear attack on his Super Cub I knew he'd be a great guest and I wanted to hear more about it.  This is a great story about preparedness in the backcountry and I know you'll enjoy all the details!  Follow Matt on YouTube and Instagram to keep up with his adventure...