The Plaid Pilot Podcast: Aviation Training and More

Send a text Nearly everyone who travels will experience turbulence at some point in their life. For some, it's no big deal, but for nervous flyers it can be incredibly uncomfortable. This week we'll be talking about what causes turbulence, and addressing whether or not it's a dangerous (spoiler alert: it isn't). Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/ L...

Send a text I'm excited to announce Plaid Aviation, your new home for aviation training resources and community. To make sure you are notified when we go live, please sign up for the mailing list at http://www.plaidaviation.com And don't forget to like the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/plaidaviation/ See you over there!

Send a text This week we finish our discussion of the Pilot Qualifications in the Commercial ACS, with a topic that is covered in the Private Pilot and Instrument Rating ACS as well. We discuss the difference in safe and legal, and examine some risk management items associated with unfamiliar airplanes and equipment. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/ Like the Faceboo...

Send a text Beginning our discussion of ground school topics, this week we talk about pilot qualifications for the Commercial Pilot Checkride, and the privileges and limitations around your new certificate. Commercial Pilot ACS: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/acs/commercial_airplane_acs_change_1.pdf eCFR: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I Check out t...

Send a text Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you are getting to finish out the week spending time with loved ones and planning the goals you will set for the coming year. Hope to see you next week! Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/ Like the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theplaidpilot Email Me: todd@theplaidpilot.com Music by Monday Hopes

Send a text On December 20th 1943, the crew of the B-17 known as Ye Olde Pub flew their first combat mission together and almost didn't make it home. Flying on only one fully functional engine, with half a tail, and leaking hydraulics, things looked bleak as Franz Stigler, a German ace, pulled up behind them to finish them off. Instead he made a decision that could have gotten him court marti...

Send a text On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers became the first people to achieve manned, controlled, heavier than air flight. Take away all of the qualifiers, though, and they were far from the first in flight. This week I talk about 5 aviators who beat the Wright Brothers to the sky. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/ Like the Facebook page: https://www.faceb...

Send a text This week we are talking about the incredible story of Jesse Brown, who was the US Navy's first African American fighter pilot, and Thomas Hudner, who received the Medal of Honor after crash landing his own plane behind enemy lines in an attempt to save Jesse's life. Thomas Hudner Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKHh9vnzyUo Follow me on Instagram: https://www.insta...

Send a text Happy Thanksgiving! This week we talk about the 20th century's craziest soft drink (developed by a meat packing company) and the transcontinental flight it inspired. Calbraith Rodgers became the first person to fly coast to coast when he landed in Pasadena, CA in December of 1911 with the Vin Fiz Flyer.  Vin Fiz Revisited:  https://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_t...

Send a text This week, we revisit the history of Veterans Day, a holiday that began with the end of the first World War. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/ Like the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theplaidpilot Email Me: todd@theplaidpilot.com Music by Monday Hopes

Send a text This week we talk about the B-29 Superfortress, the most advanced bomber in the American fleet during WWII. Bell X-1 Drop Launch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5xFJRcHFqU Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/ Like the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theplaidpilot Email Me: todd@theplaidpilot.com Music by Monday Hopes

Send a text For this week’s Halloween special we are revisiting an old episode where I got to talk to Barb Kramer from the haunted Kansas Aviation Museum. We talk about the history of the museum and aviation in Kansas, and Barb shares some ghost stories from her time as Director of Operations. Kansas Aviation Museum Website: https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/ Kansas Aviation Museum Facebook: https:...

Send a text This week I had the honor of sitting down with Bill Weidenhammer, a retired pilot with the US Navy, and B-25 pilot with the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, Ohio. On the show he talks about the history of Champaign Gal, the museum's own B-25, and gives some tips to the aspiring warbird pilot. Sadly, Champaign Gal is currently stranded away from the home airport after experienc...

Send a text This week we mix things up a little and instead of aviation history, I'm sharing a PIREP (that's short for Pilot Report) about a recent flight to Lake Havasu, AZ.  Email me: todd@theplaidpilot.com Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theplaidpilot Threads:  https://www.threads.net/@theplaidpilot Music by Monday Hopes

Send a text This week, Lynne Newton of the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum joins me to talk about the 239 year old history of ballooning from 18th century Versailles to the Balloon Fiesta that takes place in Albuquerque every year. She also gives us some insight into getting into the hobby. Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum website: https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/balloo...

Send a text On September 24, 1929 Jimmy Doolittle made the first flight completely on instruments, so in this episode, we take a look at the history of instruments on the flight deck from the first flight at Kitty Hawk to satellite navigation. Airmail Route Recreated Article: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/omaha-salt-lake-city-without-gps-180973967/ Email me at todd@theplaidpilo...

Send a text I finally passed my instrument checkride on my second attempt! In this episode I talk about my instrument training journey and lessons learned from two attempts at the checkride.  Email me at todd@theplaidpilot.com Instagram: @theplaidpilot

Send a text Thank you guys for all of the support the last five months. The show will be on hiatus starting this week as I get ready for my checkride and start commercial training. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and fluffy landings! Email Me - todd@theplaidpilot.com

Send a text On November 24, 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper hijacked Northwest Orient Flight 305 bound for Seattle from Portland, OR and after receiving $200,000 cash as ransom for the passengers, parachuted into the rainy night never to be seen again. This week I tell his story. Aviatrix of the Week: Alex from KSNA - IG: https://www.instagram.com/pilot_girl_alex/ TikTok: @pilot_girl_alex F...

Send a text Due to technical difficulties, I wasn't able to get this week's episode recorded, but I still wanted to stop in and say Happy Thanksgiving! See you next week!

Send a text On November 17, 1955, a US Air Force C-54 crashed on the way to Area 51 on a mission to support the development of the U-2 spy plane. On this week's episode, I get to talk to Ky Plaskon, author of Silent Heroes of the Cold War, about the story behind the crash. Guest Speaker: Ky Plaskon - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kyplaskon Aviator of the Week: Mitch from KLXT Forest S...

Send a text On this week's episode, I take a break from aviation history and briefly talk about the history of Veterans Day from its World War I origin in 1918 and how the holiday has evolved today. Email me at todd@theplaidpilot.com or DM me on Instagram: @theplaidpilot Aviator of the Week: Rod from KPVG Music by Monday Hopes

Send a text In 1929, Amelia Earhart got together with fellow aviatrixes to form an organization dedicated to promoting aviation, keeping records of women in aviation, and giving women pilots a community to grow with. Over nine decades later, the 99s are a thriving organization. This week I'm joined by Natalie Gramer to talk about the history of women in aviation, and the 99s. Guest Speaker: N...

Send a text For this week’s Halloween special, I get to talk to Barb Kramer from the haunted Kansas Aviation Museum. We talk about the history of the museum and aviation in Kansas, and Barb shares some ghost stories from her time as Director of Operations. Kansas Aviation Museum Website: https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/ Kansas Aviation Museum Facebook: https://facebook.com/kansasaviationmuseum/ E...

Send a text It has been an eventful week, not with all the results I'd hoped for. But catch next week's special Halloween episode where I get to talk with the Director of Operations at a museum where paranormal aviators still walk the halls. Check out the Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/ Email Me - todd@theplaidpilot.com