Flying Midwest Podcast

The Flying Midwest podcast returns. Catch up with Jim as he addresses the hiatus and shares updates on the future of the show.

As we begin to wind down our special run of Oshkosh episodes, this week’s Flying Midwest Podcast features a conversation you won’t want to miss with warbird aficionado Dan Wotring. With a deep passion for historic aircraft and years of hands-on experience, Dan takes us through his personal flying journey and how he found his way into the unique and tightly knit world of warbirds. From the stories...

It’s that time of year again! The Flying Midwest Podcast proudly presents our annual April Fools’ episode , packed with satirical aviation news, absurd events, and plenty of laughs . We love bringing you these stories every year as a way to kick back, let loose, and celebrate the lighter side of aviation . We also want to take a moment to offer a HUGE thank you to our friend Ted from the Midlife P...

After a short hiatus, Flying Midwest is back — and for good reason. In this episode, Jim sits down for a full, honest debrief of his CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) checkride . What was covered? What surprised him? What was harder than expected? And how did he actually perform when it mattered most? We break down: The oral exam structure and depth FOI (Fundamentals of Instruction) preparation Le...

For more than a century, the Goodyear Blimp has been one of the most recognizable aircraft in the world—quietly floating over sporting events, cities, and historic moments in aviation history. But what’s it really like to fly an airship? In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Hissem, Chief Pilot for the Goodyear Blimp , for a deep dive into the world of modern airships as Goodyear celebrates 100...

In this inspiring live interview from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh , we sit down with two amazing guests from Wings of Hope , the Missouri-based humanitarian aviation nonprofit that’s been changing and saving lives through the power of flight since 1963 . Join us as we explore how Wings of Hope uses general aviation to make a powerful impact — from providing free medical air transportation for patients...

Information SANTA is current. In this holiday edition of the Flying Midwest Podcast, we tune into The Holiday ATIS — where festive NOTAMs, Midwest aviation trivia, and New Year aviation goals all share the same frequency. We talk about the lighter side of aviation during the holidays, including the real ForeFlight holiday Easter eggs pilots have spotted over the years, a Midwest-themed aviation tr...

This week, we’re fully immersed in CFI world. With both Jim and Badger neck-deep in studying, it couldn’t be a better time to bring you an interview that fits right where we are in our flight instructor journeys. Recorded live at AirVenture, we sat down with Sarah and Bob from the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). They walk us through who NAFI is, their long-standing role in the a...

Celebrate a major milestone with us — Episode 100 of the Flying Midwest Podcast . In this special edition, we hand the mic to our listeners, friends, and past guests who share their favorite memories, funniest moments, and the stories that kept them coming back. We reflect on how far this little Midwest aviation show has come, the community that’s grown around it, and the adventures we’ve had alon...

On this episode we sit down with Nate Ehlers , United Airlines pilot, Air Force Reserve C-17 veteran, and creator of Backseat Pilot — an innovative platform designed to help flight instructor candidates elevate their training experience. Nate takes us through his aviation journey to the airlines, and his time flying C-17s in the Air Force Reserve, Along the way, he shares the inspiration behind Ba...

When most people think about aviation, they imagine travel, adventure, or innovation — but for some families, aviation means something much more personal: hope. In this episode of the Flying Midwest Podcast , we sit down with Ben , founder of Uphaven , a nonprofit dedicated to helping families reach critical medical care through free volunteer flights. Born out of personal loss and a desire to kee...

In this special AirVenture episode, we sit down with Gayle, the proud owner of a stunning Beechcraft Staggerwing with a remarkable family story. This beautiful vintage aircraft has been passed down through generations, and Gayle and her family have been bringing it to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for more than 50 years . Gayle shares what it’s like to fly such an iconic classic, gives us a glimpse into...

Inside the Pirate Party – AirVenture’s Legendary North 40 Tradition 📅 Recorded Live at AirVenture 2025 – Oshkosh, WI Episode Description: If you’ve ever camped in the North 40 at AirVenture, chances are you’ve heard whispers (or maybe laughter) about the Pirate Party . It’s not on the official schedule, but it’s one of the most unforgettable traditions of Oshkosh—a gathering of aviators, friends,...

Episode Show Notes We’re back with another AirVenture ’25 packed episode! This week we sit down with professional pilot and aviation photographer Brian Uretsky , who shares his journey from working in IT to flying cargo on the Boeing 767. Brian talks about his path through general aviation, the leap into professional flying, and how aviation photography became such a big part of his story. His per...

It’s the moment our listeners have been waiting for! In this special AirVenture 2025 episode, we sit down with Ritchie , the culinary mastermind behind the Cheese Curd Taco —the unofficial fuel (and obsession) of the Flying Midwest Podcast. We dive deep into the origin story of this legendary creation: how it came to be, the inspiration behind combining Wisconsin cheese curds with a taco, and the...

📅 Recorded Live at AirVenture 2025 – Oshkosh, WI Episode Description: In this special live episode from EAA AirVenture 2025, we sit down with Mary Latimer , a trailblazing aviator, educator, and advocate for women in aviation. Mary’s career spans from her first solo in 1972 to earning her ATP, A&P, IA, and CFI, to serving 26 years as an air traffic controller, and becoming a Designated Pilot...

We’re live from AirVenture 2025 with a stunning conversation you won’t want to miss. We timed this one to release after their Saturday Night Production at Osh. So after you take in the show, you can hear how it all comes together. We sits down with Matt Quinn , CEO and founder of Starlight Aerial Productions , the company behind the jaw-dropping drone light shows lighting up skies across the count...

Another wonderful day at Airventure, another mini-sode of Touch and Go! We are through day 5 of the show and have knocked out over a dozen interviews for you all. Jim and Badger will recap their interviews with Goodyear, Starlight Aerial Productions who put on the incredible night shows, and a group of fun volunteers who keep coming back year after year. Don't forget, tomorrow, July 26th we ar...

With Madi and "Madi's Dad" departing, Jim and Badger found some riff raff to tag along on this mini-episode. We catch up with a few of our most loyal listeners and supporters, and recap the Wednesday Night Airshow. Jim also talks about a post-Night Show skill challenge and how he will push those limits even further at the Saturday Night Show. We also chat about our interviews today w...

Day Three, the Night Air Show, and we bid Madi farewell. Believe it or not, Jim has done the entire audio edit, changed the thumbnail, and published this episode and is STILL in the parking lot waiting to leave. All jokes aside, we had another productive day. We offer you this quick wrap up as we watched tonights air show. Be sure to say hello if you see us at the show. We have plenty of stickers...

Day Two is in the books and what a day it was! Today's Touch and Go was recorded live at the North 40 Pirate Party. A great people, great food, great vibe. We are joined by Nick Smith of the Part-Time Pilot podcast, who is spending some time with us at the Flying Midwest Crash Pad, and Badger rejoins us after flying in after the airshow today. Be sure to say hello if you see us at the show. We...

We are Back At OSH! Welcome back to the best week of the entire year, EAA Airventure. We are so excited to bring back our daily Touch N' Go series of mini-episodes, where we give you a recap of our day and what we will be up to tomorrow. In this mini-episode, we talk about our trips to the show, how we spent our first day on the grounds, and the introduction of the Flying Midwest Podcast Crash Pad...

Welcome to our Fourth Annual Airventure Call-in Extravaganza, Spectacular, Extraodinare, Run-Up Episode. This is one of our favorite episodes to record each year. In this episode, we take some call-ins from you our listeners. We will talk about what people are excited for at the show, who they hope to connect with, and some tips for those who have yet to partake in the greatest show in aviation. W...

Another Airventure is upon us! We are getting pumped up for yet another exciting year at Airventure. We are joined once again by EAA's Director of Communicaitons, Dick Knapinski. We talk about all that EAA has in store for this year's big show. From new camping and parking areas, to aircraft like the U2 and Goodyear Blimps on the grounds, there is something for everyone. Plus an announceme...

On this episode, we sit down with our own Madi to hear the story of her into the right seat of a corporate jet. Madi pulls back the curtain on what her first few weeks in a Part 135 corporate flying gig has been like. We will pepper her with all the questions you are dying to know the answers to...including snack service. Our Other Content: Badger Pilot on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube...