The Pro-Pilot Playbook Podcast

Some crazy industry news this week involving a jumpseating pilot, Joseph Emerson, that was charged with attempted murder after trying to shut down the engines of an airliner in flight. We also cover the story of an A321 that departed with cabin windows missing, and a Hawker 800 that collided with a Cessna Mustang at the Houston Hobby airport. Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to crash plane...

We're answering two emails this week from Justin and Robert that have questions involving the family life of a pilot, work/life balance, aviation spouses, kids, and emergencies at home while being on the road as a pilot. Living the Dream: https://youtu.be/rNxz2hhSXuY?si=IftcmPgVu4l2oSHT Living the (Pilot's Wife) Dream: https://youtu.be/xpHNOWasFfs?si=Gac2TScjN_bPXtT3 NEW!!! DON'T MISS THIS! Go to...

Karl emailed us a question about a choice he has to make to leave his aerial mapping job to go fly as a co-pilot at a part 135 charter company. After your flight training is complete your next mission is to find that entry level pilot job to reach 1500 hours to get to the airlines. Mike and Sean breakdown the pro and cons of each job and talk about the other flight time building pilot jobs availab...

Jon emailed us wanting know about his concern on the level of math he completed in school, or what math is required to be a pilot. Mike and Sean not only answer Jon's question but also talk about what intelligence is required in general to become a pilot. How to be a Fighter Pilot Episode: https://youtu.be/RCF-qWoggME NEW!!! DON'T MISS THIS! Go to https://www.propilotplaybook.com and enter your em...

If you've ever considered becoming a military pilot this is your episode. Mike and Sean interview Maj. Aaron Werner from the South Dakota Air National Guard. Maj Werner is an F-16 fighter pilot and instructor with over 20 years of military service. Maj Werner outlines the processes, training, and the day-to-day of a military pilot. Including a detailed breakdown of the steps to become a fighter pi...

Karl emailed us asking about purchasing an airplane to complete his flight training instead of paying the very high aircraft rental costs in California. Mike and Sean break the pros, cons, and costs of this method using real world examples. ATP Flight School Episode: https://youtu.be/QNCOPvfjXIU NEW!!! DON'T MISS THIS! Go to https://www.propilotplaybook.com and enter your email to get access to ou...

This week Mike and Sean have a chat with Jahmal whom is currently enrolled at ATP Flight school in Denver. Jahmal has a great story to tell about his journey to become a professional pilot that I'm sure many will resonate with. ATP is the king of the big box accelerated training flight schools and this week we get into the nitty-gritty of how their program works from start to finish. Full financin...

We have a couple of great questions this week from Josh and James concerning corporate pilot hiring minimums, ageism in the aviation industry, and Covid-19 vaccine requirements for pilots. NEW!!! DON'T MISS THIS! Go to https://www.propilotplaybook.com and enter your email to get access to our list of "The Top 10 Flight School Ripoffs" and access to free lesson from our course. If you have a questi...

Delta Airlines, based in Atlanta, GA has had a 'Crappy' week. Just 4 days ago several passengers were injured after a Delta jet encountered turbulance sending 4 pax to the hospital. And yesterday a passenger lost control of their bowels while attempting to reach the lavatory on-board an Airbus 350 (A350) which had just departed ATL on it's way to Madrid Spain. The crew made the decision to divert...

Mike and Sean dive into the unconventional move to fly part 121 freight and bypass the regional airlines. This episode has the potential to be one of our most popular yet! We will be returning to this topic in the near future with an interview from a 23 year old 767 freight pilot and a check airmen at one of these freight operators which are all hurting for pilots. NEW!!! DON'T MISS THIS! Go to ht...

Mike and Sean discuss in detail the many great side benefits to being a professional pilot that will enable you to travel cheaply and easily with your family during the unusual amount of time off from work that you will enjoy from either being an airline or corporate pilot. NEW!!! DON'T MISS THIS! Go to https://www.propilotplaybook.com and enter your email to get access to a valuable video contain...

The amazing story of retired Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Chris Fisher's journey to become a professional pilot using VA GI Bill benefits at the age of 42. Chris is The Guardian in real life! This will surely be one of our most popular episodes, as it contains so much great information on using military benefits to obtain your pilot certificates and ratings. NEW!!! DON'T MISS THIS! Go to https://www...

Mike and Sean provide some professional insight into the recent back to back news stories of Delta Airlines and United Airlines damaging aircraft and injuring passengers from alleged hard landings. Is there any link to these recent incidents and the pilot shortage? Follow this link to get a free lesson and a taste of what the Pro-Pilot Playbook course has to offer: https://www.propilotplaybook.com...

Mike and Sean answer an important question from Cody in this episode. This is critical information for those of you that are concerned about relocating for your dream of being a pilot. Commuting as being both an Airline Pilot and a Corporate Pilot are discussed in detail. Follow this link to get a free lesson and a taste of what the Pro-Pilot Playbook course has to offer: https://www.propilotplayb...

Follower question this week from Tuan about whether home flight simulator games offer any actual help with flight training. With the growing popularity of amazing programs like Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, and DCS World this is a great question that has come a few times the last couple of years. Follow this link to get a free lesson and a taste of what the Pro-Pilot Playbook course has to...

This is the second video in our "Pro-Guest" series and is a follow up to our most popular episode to date. Our good friend Jordan sat down to talk to us and share the details of his career journey. We know you'll find Jordan's story packed with valuable information no matter what phase of flight training you're at. Skipping a job as a CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) is a huge part of getting...

We made this episode to clear up some common confusion around pilot certification, especially for those of you who are just starting out. Mike and Sean discuss pilot certificates, ratings, and type ratings in jets.  We cover every step of your pilot training including the details required to obtain each level of Airplane Pilot Licenses to start your career as a professional pilot. Follow this link...

Our first guest interview episode!  Porsha Lippincott has an amazing story to tell about her journey from being homeless living in a box and garbage dumpster to becoming an A&P aircraft mechanic.  Her story is truely inspiring even if you're not interested in aviation.  We're very greateful Porsha agreed to have a chat with us and we couldn't imagine a better guest to have on the podcast. If you h...

This is one of the most common questions any pilot, professional or not, gets asked. We had fun with this episode telling some of our own real world stories and how we handle answering that question when asked at this point in our careers. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, you can email us at: podcast@propilotplaybook.com If you're thinking about a career as a pilot you're in the rig...

Our 50th episode! We drop the info about what options are available for side work or business you can start with the amount of down time you have as a pilot. With over 50 years of combined experience in aviation, Mike and Sean relay some of the side hustles that they have seen pilots participate in over the years. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, you can email us at: podcast@propilo...

Mike and Sean talk about the good, bad, and ugly of single pilot operation of jet aircraft. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, you can email us at: podcast@propilotplaybook.com If you're thinking about a career as a pilot you're in the right spot! The Pro-Pilot Playbook is committed to enabling people to become professional pilots FASTER and CHEAPER. Whether you are just starting out,...

Mike and Sean have a bit of fun in this episode talking about some of the legitimate and some not so legitimate reasons for someone quitting flight training or not pursuing the career of a professional pilot. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, you can email us at: podcast@propilotplaybook.com If you're thinking about a career as a pilot you're in the right spot! The Pro-Pilot Playbook...

This episode is a bit of a mix of current events and a listener question.  This week's question comes from Zach, whom wants to know the likelyhood of paying back the debt created from flight training if he's not starting this career path till he's 40 years old.  Thank you for the great question Zach! If you have a question you'd like us to answer, you can email us at: podcast@propilotplaybook.com...

This week's question comes from Max, whom wants to know the process for upgrading at a corporate operator. Mike and Sean breakdown the upgrade process (becoming a Captain) at both corporate and airline operators. Thank you for the great question Max! If you have a question you'd like us to answer, you can email us at: podcast@propilotplaybook.com If you're thinking about a career as a pilot you're...

After going through the many emails we get from our listeners we found that a good portion of them involve questions on the topics within this episode. Flow-through at the airlines, college requirements, pilot medical exams, startings training, corporate pilot jobs compared to the airlines, and much more is discussed in this episode. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, you can email us...