Midlife Pilot Podcast

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.youtub...

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: h...

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.c...

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 Air...

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://...

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...

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 * Fl...

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 -...

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 *...

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 a...

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/...

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 Academ...

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...

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...

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...

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 land...

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: ht...

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/@Ae...

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 140...

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.or...

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/1TEqGe59ISGfRaqNuH...

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...

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:...

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-certifi...

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"...