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Midlife Pilot Podcast

Midlife Pilot Podcast
Midlife Pilot Podcast
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5 of 134
  • EP135 - Dehydrated to Perfection with Erica Gilbert
    Time for a heat dome intervention. Weather expert and certified mensch/CFII/CSIP Erica Gilbert returns to explain why we're all flying around in "the most expensive tin can you could sit in" and why Brian's brilliant idea of turning a boneyard 152 into a backyard sauna might actually be profitable. Learn why high temperatures make us all like moms telling kids to "get off of me," discover why Erica confidently wears long sleeves in 100-degree heat, and how even Ted's fancy liquid-cooled engine can't escape the tyranny of thermodynamics. Plus, why Ben's mighty beast has to humble itself to a mere 750 fpm climb, and Nathan's astute observation that density altitude performance issues are basically the aviation equivalent of being in midlife.Mentioned on the Show:Erica Gilbert's 4-Week Aviation Weather CourseSISKIND - Flying With Ghosts - Fairchild PT-19 Flight - Miss CorneliaHeat Exhaustion - Mayo ClinicHeatstroke - Mayo ClinicOSHA - Working in Outdoor and Indoor Heat EnvironmentsDelta Airlines Inspects 100 Aircraft for Hail DamageATC Zero - IFR MagazineErica Gilbert / Gilbert Aviation:Gilbert Aviation - InstagramGilbert Aviation - TikTokAeroSafe Newsletter SignupAeroSafe on YouTubeMidlife Pilot Podcast:WebsitePatreon CommunityWatch Live on YouTube - Mondays 8PM EasternEmail: [email protected] CommunityAdditional Resources:FAA Density Altitude InformationAOPA Heat Stress and FlyingAviation Weather Center
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  • EP134 - CAF Adventures, Heat Domes, and Shredded Tubes
    The crew welcomes Dev Cannon, who exemplifies the CAF mission by going from aviation newcomer to Music City Wing Commander in just a few years, leading 70 volunteers in preserving warbird history. Dev explains how the CAF's 19,000 international members keep aviation heritage alive through everything from flyovers at memorial services to introducing kids to aviation, proving that "if you show up at an event and say, how can I participate? Like you're in." The organization welcomes everyone—pilots, mechanics, historians, and aviation enthusiasts—because as Dev notes, they "can use all the hands they can get." The episode highlights their PT-19 "Miss Cornelia," named after local aviation pioneer Cornelia Fort, and how these living history lessons help veterans and families share stories that might otherwise be lost. Ben discovers breakfast so good at Guntersville that he's "considering buying a junker and donating it to the airport," while celebrating his landing redemption with the signature "kid rock arrival." Ted's camping plans crater with three shredded tubes, Brian defends "Bachelorette Super Charlie" terminology, and everyone agrees that whether you want to maintain aircraft, research history, or just "ring wars" to draw crowds, the CAF provides meaningful ways to give back to aviation while connecting with our flying heritage.Mentioned on the show:Ted's video about tire travails: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VsDs_ZVDEQ8A1 - Guntersville Alabama: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guntersville_Municipal_AirportHomecoming & Company, Guntersville Alabama: https://homecomingandco.com/airportcrewcars- Alabama: https://airportcourtesycars.com/alabama/Savannah Georgia airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah/Hilton_Head_International_AirportThe Rehearsal, Vulture interview that discusses Killing Zone: https://archive.ph/Ft43GM54 - Lebanon Airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon_Municipal_Airport_(Tennessee)Commemorative Air Force Music City Wing: https://www.cafmusiccity.org/Fairchild PT-19: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_PT-19CAF Music City's PT-19: https://www.commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft/196Who was Cornelia Fort? https://commemorativeairforce.org/news/cornelia-fort-a-legacy-of-courage-takes-flightSNJ4 (Navy T-6): https://commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft/85CAF Peachtree City: https://airbasegeorgia.org/Support the Podcast:Join our amazing Patreon community for just $1/month and get access to exclusive content, check ride debriefs, and the best pilot community on the internet. Find our Patreon link at midlifepilotpodcast.comConnect with us:Website: https://midlifepilotpodcast.comEmail: [email protected] live: Mondays 8PM Eastern on YouTubeDiscord: Join through our website www.midlifepilotpodcast.comA portion of proceeds supports Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts.
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  • EP133 - Ice Bags in Your Nether Regions: Remote Field Breakdown Survival Guide
    The guys tackle the inevitable reality of breaking down away from home - and yeah, "you did it to yourself by choosing to take on flying in midlife." They get real about emergency prep: "have a leatherman, have zip ties, have tape" and for the love of all that's holy, "cash is options, cash is flexibility." Brian drops wisdom about proactive maintenance ("we all do deferred maintenance") while Ted swears by Savvy Aviation as "AAA for aviation" after his windshield cracked mid-flight. Ben reminds everyone that mechanics are surprisingly helpful - "don't worry about it" seems to be their universal response to weekend pilot problems. The crew's advice boils down to: plan your route around services, know your call-out numbers, stay "calm and systematic" when things go sideways, and sometimes, if it's safe. just "put some duct tape on it" and "send it." Their six-point survival plan covers everything from building your network before you need it to knowing "when to walk away"—because "small town A&P's seem to be more available than you would expect."Mentioned on the show:Volvo 940: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_900_Series#Volvo_940Blackstone Labs (oil analysis): https://www.blackstone-labs.com/Evektor EV97: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evektor_SportStarExample of a 'magnetic tablet cooler': https://amazon.com/dp/B0C7PC3155Savvy Aviation: https://www.savvyaviation.com/plans/AirNav (airport information): https://www.airnav.com/Pain Field (PAE): https://www.airnav.com/airport/KPAERAM Mounts: https://www.rammount.com/Leatherman multi-tools: https://www.leatherman.com/Support the Podcast:Join our amazing Patreon community for just $1/month and get access to exclusive content, check ride debriefs, and the best pilot community on the internet: https://www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcastConnect with us:Website: https://midlifepilotpodcast.comEmail: [email protected] live: Mondays 8PM Eastern on YouTubeDiscord: Join through our websiteA portion of proceeds supports Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts.
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  • EP132 - Information Whiskey: Smart Charts and Fish Finders
    Ben raves about Garmin Smart Charts as a potential ForeFlight killer, while the gang shares their biggest radio pet peeves - from the dreaded "with you" to "fish finder." Brian explains why his ignition wires "date back to when Jimi Hendrix was an unknown rising guitarist," and they dive into listener feedback about check ride prep (spoiler: don't get "tuned up" the day before). Plus, discussions of "meat missiles" falling from the sky at skydiving operations, whether Florida counts as the Southeast, and why we all struggle with remembering which runway we just landed on.Mentioned on the show:* "Polish doctor" with a CTLS, video 1, pilot hypoxic at 25k feet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xym_ADvX_2o:* "Polish doctor" video 2, SP-SMED gets banned from airspace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lToh07ov5hQ* Checkmate Aviation, passenger briefing: https://www.checkmateaviation.com/products/checkmate-crew-and-passenger-briefing-card* Is pitot heat required to fly IFR? https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/100892/is-pitot-heat-required-for-ifr* Happy Fun Ball disclaimers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmqeZl8OI2M* Angel Flight Southeast: https://angelflightse.org/* Garmin Pilot Smart Charts: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/garminpilot/smartcharts/* Aviation101 promoting Smart Charts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKoEfHCn9ZA* PilotEdge: https://www.pilotedge.net/* VATSIM: https://vatsim.net/* LiveATC: https://www.liveatc.net/* Bill Dance (fishing): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Dance_(television_host)* CMD - Cullman, Alabama: https://www.airnav.com/airport/CMD* Dublin, Georgia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin,_Georgia* Dublin's Redneck Games: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck_Games* Vidalia Georgia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidalia,_Georgia* Woodstock movie (1970): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_(film)Support Midlife Pilot Podcast on Patreon, get merch, join our Discord community, and more at www.midlifepilotpodcast.com
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  • EP131 - 4% Gain to Go Pants Less - Cross Country Cockpit Organization
    The crew tackles long cross-country cockpit organization after Ted's epic 5,400-mile journey reveals that going "pants-free" provides a "4% gain" in performance (wheel pants, people!). From the critical importance of blue shop towels to strategic snack placement and lumbar support, Ben, Brian, and Ted share hard-earned tips for setting up your cockpit for extended flights. Ben also achieves peak self-awareness by making "the quantum leap of berating myself behind my own back" on frequency, proving that even our radio calls need better cockpit organization.Mentioned on the show:Midlife Pilot Podcast: https://midlifepilotpodcast.comSupport the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcastWatch live on YouTube: Mondays 8 PM Eastern - https://youtube.com/@MidlifePilotPodcastManzanita Oregon: https://visittheoregoncoast.com/cities/manzanita/PlanePlaces' second T82 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVlRgni9ynwWilhelm scream: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_screamOWB - Owensboro Kentucky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/OWBGarmin 430, yellow "NO GPS" warning: https://vansairforce.net/threads/garmin-430-message-no-gps.49119/Twin Oaks airpark, Oregon: https://www.flytwinoaks.com/Chris Moran, Midlife Pilot, "I'm Back" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIDq2sCmxsUEP100, live in West Virginia with OG Chris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc5acX35DKEGeorge Costanza's wallet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TYuGe7JaX4Checkmate Aviation (Barry's custom checklists): https://checkmateav.comFlying Eyes Eyewear (discount code: SISKIND): https://flyingeyes.comTed's 3D printed holder/flying eyes organizer: https://www.printables.com/model/1316551-flying-eyes-airplane-organizerBlackstone Labs (oil analysis): https://www.blackstone-labs.com/Bordo sandwiches, Marfa, Texas: https://www.instagram.com/bordo.tx/West Virginia pepperoni rolls: https://wvtourism.com/state-food-pepperoni-roll/Freedom Aviation Network (anti-human trafficking): https://freedomaviation.networkAirports Mentioned:John Tune Airport (JWN) - Nashville, TNOwensboro-Daviess County Airport (OWB) - Owensboro, KYIndependence State Airport (S36) - Independence, ORTwin Oaks Airpark (7S3) - Hillsboro, ORFairmont Regional Airport (4G7) - Fairmont, WVT82 (Gillespie County Airport) - Fredericksburg, TXEquipment Mentioned:Garmin 530 GPSGoPro camerasFlight Design CTLS aircraftCessna 180/182 aircraftCherokee 180 aircraft10% of our monthly Patreon pledge total goes directly to support the Freedom Aviation Network
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About Midlife Pilot Podcast

Welcome to the Midlife Pilot Podcast, where we share the experiences and the challenges of flying in midlife. Whether you're a seasoned pilot, training for private or instrument ratings, or just thinking about getting started in aviation, we like to think of the podcast as your aviation companion, and your weekly dose of aviation inspiration. Hosted by the dynamic trio of Ben, Brian, and Ted - the show is not instruction - it's all about sharing real stories, personal insights, and the pure joy of spreading your wings in midlife.
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