The PIREP

Michael Lapp retired from Boeing as an aerospace engineer to pursue his dream of flying. He holds ATP MEL, commercial SEL, and private SES privileges. He has flown Part 135 in Bethel, Part 121 for Horizon, and Part 91 as a Cirrus test pilot. We discuss his experience in Alaska, his career change, and the FAA's failure to allow innovation in general aviation.

Ellen Falterman is a commercial airplane MEL and SEL pilot as well as a CFI. She recently retired from being a “Dirty Fly Pilot” to pursue a career in the US. We discuss the ins and outs of flying the new world screw worm fly in Central America, her life as an instructor, and her passion for long-distance rowing. For more information on the Sterile Insect Technique, check out this video by the won...

Famous among seasoned Alaska pilots for his friendliness and approachability, Larry is a air traffic controller for Anchorage Center (ZAN). We discuss the hiring process for controllers, personalities that excel in ATC, and the darker sides of a career in air traffic control.

Theo Chesley holds an ATP MEL and commercial SEL with a tailwheel endorsement. He owns Precision Air and is the go-to guy for questions about flying Piper Navajos and is one of the most experienced pilots flying the Aleut Peninsula.

David Crain is an ATP MEL pilot, as well as a Commercial MES, SEL, & SES. He also holds CFI, CFII, and MEI instructor ratings. We discuss his unique path into Part 135 flying in Alaska and the lessons he’s learned from over 5000 hours flying the bush.

Evan Rothenbuhler is a Commercial Airplane SEL and MEL pilot. In this episode we discuss life as an instructor, Evan’s rise from instructor to single-pilot King Air captain, and the challenges of flying big planes onto short, gravel airstrips.

Kevin Hawkins is an ATP MEL pilot with commercial SEL, and private SES and rotorcraft privileges. We discuss his journey from jets, to bush planes, and back to jets and the valuable lessons he learned along the way.

Ned Fowler is a commercial airplane SEL, SES, and MEL and tailwheel pilot who lives in Port Alsworth. We discuss his experience learning to fly in an Alaskan village, working his way up through the most diverse Part 135 fleet in the US, the vastly different challenges of flying single-engine floats and multi-engine turbines, and more!

Sasha Alsworth is a commercial airplane SEL and SES pilot. He flies several types of bush planes for his family's two businesses: Lake Clark Air and The Farm Lodge. We discuss mentorship in the aviation community, aviation culture, off-airport operations, and more!

Mikayla Taylor is a commercial airplane MEL, and SEL pilot. She is also a CFI and CFII. Currently, she flies the Beech 1900 for Alaska Central Express. We discuss her competitive flight training experience at UND, transitioning to flying big and fast airplanes in Alaska, navigating the power distance in a two-pilot crew, and more!

Kyle Benson is an A&P airplane mechanic and owns a camp on the North Slope with an airstrip. We discuss his training, life in one of the coldest parts of Alaska, and his work on aircraft recovery.

Joel Natwick holds ATP-MEL with a Lear Jet type-rating, commercial SEL, and SES. He is a CFI and a CFII and an A&P with IA. Joel and I discuss his 35 years of flight experience in Alaska, practical tips for pilots from an A&P, and rescuing airplanes from the Arctic. Visit Joel's businesses at the links below!https://tanalianaviation.com/https://alaskasbackcountryinn.com/

Carlon Voran is a commercial airplane SEL, SES, and tailwheel; and private rotorcraft pilot. He works as an administrator and pilot for Lake Clark Air. We discuss his path to aviation, life in an Alaskan village with no access to the road system, and the challenges of flying in an area with little weather reporting infrastructure. To see Carlon's Port Alsworth themed apparel, go to portalswort...

Ryan Padgett is a commercial airplane SEL/MEL, CFI, tailwheel, pilot with all of the accompanying ratings. He is also enlisted in the Air National Guard as a mechanic on drill status. We discuss the challenges of flying out of Bethel, Alaska's most infamous hub, getting stranded in villages, and preparing for the unexpected when flying VFR single-engine over unforgiving tundra.

Captain Grant Fritz is a retired U.S. Army pilot with an ATP MEL certificate and type ratings in the King Air 200 and 300, as well as the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter. Since leaving the army, he flies for Lake Clark Air as a mountain flying instructor for the Army. We discuss his unique experience, risk management in the Army vs. Part 135, and applied techniques of low-level mountain flying in twin-tu...

In this episode, my wife interviews me. I'm a commercial airplane SEL, MEL, SES, and tailwheel pilot with all of the accompanying qualifications. I work for Lake Clark Air as a line pilot and company instructor. We discuss my initial training in Asheville North Carolina, cross-country craziness, and practicing emergency procedures. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o...

Caleb Alsworth is a commercial SEL, SES, and tailwheel pilot. The grandson of aviation legend Glen Alsworth Sr., Caleb grew up steeped in aerial lore. We discuss what life’s like in a small Alaskan village, learning to fly from one of the greats, and his family’s charity: The Alsworth Foundation. The Alsworth Foundation Website This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...

My wifey will be interviewing me for episode 10 on 1/22. Please DM her on Instagram @ cattlepups or comment here with any questions you'd like her to ask by 1/15! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com

Dan Jensen is a commercial airplane single-engine land pilot and a certified flight instructor. This episode was recorded shortly after his second hitch in the infamous Bethel, Alaska. We discuss getting back to basics with weather forecasting, aeronautical decision making in a commercial setting, and dealing with unforeseen icing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o...

Casey Hayward is an ATP MEL-rated pilot with a Beech 1900 type rating. He currently flies the 1900 for Alaska Central Express (ACE) out of Anchorage International. We discuss his transition from flying single-engine piston planes in visual conditions to captaining multi-engine turbines in IFR, the complexity of Anchorage airspace, and the proper attitudes for learning quickly and moving forward in...

Eliam Henderson is a commercial airplane SEL and MEL pilot with an instrument rating. He has flown both single-pilot, single-engine VFR, and two-pilot, multi-engine turbine IFR. We discuss his path through training and professional flying in the Alaskan backcountry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.su...

The quintessential bush pilot, Chris Hartis holds commercial airplane SEL, MEL, SES, and tailwheel qualifications and owns a Part 135 air carrier called Rainbow River Aviation. Though he has thousands of hours in twin turbines, Chris prefers the challenge of flying piston beavers in the demanding Alaskan wilderness. We talk about his hard-charging path to commercial flying, his perspective on pilo...

Described by her company check airman as “the best stick I’ve ever met,” Lilou “Stitch” Bosse is a commercial MEL/SEL pilot and a CFI/CFII. She moved from Las Vegas to fly Navajos for Lake Clark Air. We discuss what it’s like to transition from flying in the States to flying in Alaska, landing on ice, dealing with drunk passengers, and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss t...

Chris Jackson is local Alaskan with the “Bush Pilot Package” of qualifications: commercial SEL, MEL, SES, instrument, and tailwheel. Additionally, Chris built hours as a CFI and CFII. He now operates a Part 135 charter service out of Lake Hood seaplane base. We discuss mountain flying tactics, oceanic seaplane considerations, and Chris’s unique career path. This is a public episode. If you would l...

Joe Taylor is an ATP MEL, CFI, CFII, MEI, and CASES-rated pilot. He flies for Reeve Air Alaska as a line pilot and Lake Clark Air as a company trainer and check airman. In this episode we discuss in-flight icing, the vagaries of Alaska weather products, and his journey in aviation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, v...