Pattern predicament! Discord member Dom shares audio and flysto.net data from a close call at an untowered airport—100 feet of separation, spotty ADS-B, garbled radio calls, and the eternal question: turn right to avoid or stay predictable in the pattern? The non-CFI crew looks at 14 CFR 91.113, Wild West untowered airports, and why sometimes you just need to GTFO. Plus: Thaden Invasion updates, icing on the vegetables origin story, and why "show your belly" might not be the best advice.
Mentioned on the Show:
Episode 44 with Bryan of Just Plane Silly - Icing on the vegetables origin
Flysto.net - Track log visualization and analysis (FREE!)
Flying the Overhead Break - AOPA technique
14 CFR 91.113 - Right-of-way rules
BWG - Bowling Green-Warren County Airport, Kentucky - Brian's pattern work airport
M54 - Lebanon Municipal Airport, Tennessee - "Wild West" untowered field
GCC - Gillette-Campbell County Airport, Wyoming - Steve Schofield's home base
Support the Show:
Patreon.com/MidlifePilotPodcast - Discord access & exclusive content
Special thanks to our 5 longest supporters!: 1DullGeek, Biff B, Chris C, Josh M, and Aero Grizzly!
MidlifePilotPodcast.com - Merch, feedback, Thaden Invasion RSVP
Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts!
youtube.com/@midlifepilotpodcast - Live Mondays 8PM ET
10% of Patreon proceeds support Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts
Closing wisdom: "Common sense is like deodorant. The people who need it most never use it."
Send us your pattern predicaments, close calls, or confessions to midlifepilotpodcast@gmail.com - we'll keep you anonymous if you want!
🎯 THE THADEN INVASION: March 13-15, 2026 | VBT | Bentonville, Arkansas
Airplane down! Not a crash—just 65 days and counting of repair purgatory. Special guest 1DullGeek (Mark) joins to talk about what happens when your plane is out of service for months, Keith C's emotional feedback about avoiding aviation altogether, and the reality of airplane ownership. Plus: Brian's IFR long cross-country with C-130s and blown approaches, Ben's icing adventure to Cincinnati, and the Cherokee 235 that "totally spoiled" Mark's wife. The Thaden Invasion details keep rolling in!
Mentioned on the Show:
VBT - Thaden Field - March 2026 fly-in location
Gaston's White River Resort - Arkansas fly-in fishing destination
LUK - Lunken Airport - Cincinnati
Fort Campbell - Brian's airport hopping area
PAH - Barkley Regional Airport - Paducah, KY
IPJ - Lincoln County Airport - North Carolina (Mark's home base)
VUJ - Stanly County Airport - Where Mark's plane was in annual
Josh's Sling TSI Build Playlist - Aviation 101
Midwest Panel Builders YouTube - Avionics videos
Support the Show:
Patreon.com/MidlifePilotPodcast - 1DullGeek & Son checkride debrief NOW AVAILABLE!
MidlifePilotPodcast.com - Merch, feedback, RSVP for Thaden Invasion
Leave us a 5-star review and get a sticker!
youtube.com/@midlifepilotpodcast - Live Mondays 8PM ET
10% of Patreon proceeds support Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts
New Patreon Members: Rich H and James S at the Hershey Bar level - Welcome!
Closing wisdom: "Sometimes it's best to remain silent and look stupid, rather than opening your mouth and removing all doubt." - Drew
Special thanks to Keith C for the honest feedback about stepping away and coming back. We're not taking attendance—this community is here when you need it.
🎯 THE THADEN INVASION: March 13-15, 2026 | VBT | Bentonville, Arkansas
Information Whiskey strikes again!
BIG NEWS: The Thaden Invasion is official—March 13-15, 2026 in Bentonville, Arkansas! Brian confesses his Sheppard Air conversion after weeks of IFR written torture ("The FAA told you to look at figure 71, but you have to memorize it's actually figure 24"), his wife solves compass errors in 8 seconds ("Here, idiot"), and Ted's fuel gauge crisis leads to the ultimate "It's Always Fuel" moment. Plus: Ben kills another twin, navigating without flight following during the shutdown, and why flying different planes makes you better.
In this episode:
Safety talk that actually matters:
Weather nerdery from Erica Gilbert:
Listener feedback gold:
Fly-in essentials:
Mentioned on the Show:
Support the Show:
New Patreon Members: Andy & Babs, Sierra Tango, Patrick L, Michael R, Michael W - Welcome aboard!
("One Fifty Two") Ted celebrates Mosaic Day by breaking free from the "walled garden" of light sport aviation and "soloing" both a purple lightning-bolt Cessna 152 and a 172.
As our friend Dominic eloquently writes, sport pilots are now "loose upon the natural wilds of general aviation," discovering that some planes "require you to hold the yoke one-third to the right just to fly straight and level. It's a feature."
Ted's conclusion: "I buttered almost every landing...they're so easy to land compared to the egg." The bad news? He keeps forgetting carb heat exists.
Ben logs his "maybe second best landing ever" (wife-verified!) at the Gainesville fly-in and surprises her with a short field takeoff. Brian gets Nashville Approach's fastest "stay outta the Class Charlie" dismissal ever, attends a stellar Commemorative Air Force hangar dance, and reminds us that filing IFR doesn't guarantee instant gratification when controllers are slammed.
The crew tackles listener feedback from newly-minted MOSAIC pilots navigating "airframe chaos" (G1000s, steam gauges, and seats "smushed flat" so you "can hardly see over the firewall"), motion sickness solutions featuring Chick-fil-A minis and relief bands, and why even Bob Hoover dealt with air sickness.
Plus community shoutouts including a 60-year-old nailing his commercial checkride with a power-off 180 in 15-gusting-25, and Xyla Foxlin getting her plane back after losing her medical.
Mentioned on the show:
Join the Midlife Pilot Podcast community, support the show on Patreon, and get merch at www.midlifepilotpodcast.com
Listener Chris T. writes in with a powerful story about his WWII pilot grandfather, a 25-year-old discovery flight that ended in motion sickness, and the question: Is it too late to try again at 46? The crew tackles motion sickness remedies, finding the right CFI as a midlifer, and realistic training schedules for busy adults.
Plus: Ben celebrates 28 years of marriage ("She's said 'You Are Right' twice—that's now a thing"), Ted does his first Special VFR, and the fly-in location may be shifting to Bentonville, Arkansas.
In this episode:
Great wisdom:
Fly-in update: Tango 82 is looking tough - considering Bentonville, Arkansas (VBT) with Fly Oz backcountry, grass strip, Frank Lloyd Wright house, and James Beard Award-winning chefs!
Mentioned on the Show:
Support the Show:
10% of Patreon proceeds support Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts
Closing wisdom: "Simulated engine failures: The only time your instructor smiles and you don't."
Have motion sickness tips or CFI insights? Send us feedback at MidlifePilotPodcast.com
Episode 150! Ben has a hilarious ATC mix-up flying into Nashville at night ("The other controller told me it was two zero...I could hear him laughing in the background"), Ted gets stuck at an abandoned airport for five hours, and the crew dives deep into avionics upgrades. From hoarding Garmin 430s like Beanie Babies to debating engine monitors, this is real talk about the joys (and financial pains) of panel upgrades.
In this episode:
Listener feedback: Louis R. makes the case for getting Mike Busch on the podcast.
Mentioned on the Show:
Support the Show:
10% supports Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts
It's Information Whiskey time - the crew's monthly no-format format where they "chew the fat" and see what happens. Brian accidentally became a Cherokee salesman at an air show ("I turn around, there's basically a queue forming"), Ben's on a night-flying mission to 1,500 hours, and Ted's been landing on Oregon beaches and flying 4,000 feet in ground effect. The guys also get serious about planning the Spring 2026 fly-in.
In this episode:
Flying wisdom:
Important announcement: If you have fly-in location suggestions, send them NOW. Brian's sounding the alarm.
Mentioned on the Show:
Support the Show:
10% of Patreon proceeds support Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts
Listener Chris C sparked this week's conversation with a thoughtful question about infrequent flying: "I have to think there's a whole class of pilots out there like me who just don't get up in the air very often... how I'll probably be camping on Mount Stupid for years at my current rate of flying." The crew dives deep into proficiency, imposter syndrome, and why flying once a month doesn't make you any less of a pilot.
In this episode:
Bonus wisdom: "VFR flying is like break dancing. IFR flying is like cotillion."
Also: Don't write "oops, landed wrong runway" in your logbook.
Thanks to Chris C for the episode inspiration and for reminding us that thoughtful, safety-conscious flying matters way more than your Hobbs meter.
Mentioned on the Show:
The in person (online) guided IFR course Brian is taking is from our friend of the show CFII Erica Gilbert, and you can sign up here: https://www.gilbertaviation.com/ifr
Support the Show:
10% of Patreon proceeds support Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts
www.freedomaviationnetwork.org
The crew tackles the midlife aviation dilemma: wanting that next rating but lacking time for full commitment. The hosts share Brian's "Trip Fall Succeed method" - making progress through small steps instead of diving headfirst into training.
Ben returns from Europe unable to eat American pasta again and explains how multi-engine training feels like "standing in front of a cliff" until it becomes "a little bit of a slope." His dedication includes yoga training just to reach emergency gear handles: "I'm surprised I haven't thrown my back out yet."
Brian shares his instrument training breakthrough on flying holds: "just draw the heading inbound to the fix and make the least insane turn" - apparently the secret nobody teaches. Ted discovers rental planes lack coffee makers while relearning carburetor heat exists.
The key message: you don't need full commitment to make progress. "Point yourself in that direction and start chipping away" through reading, finding safety pilots, or just "planting seedlings of learning" in your brain during downtime.
As friend of the show ATP CFII Nathan Ballard proves: "It took me 27 years to go from commercial to CFI. We are all on our own pace."
Plus the debut of Midlife Pilot Confessional featuring anonymous "avionics errors."
"Steam gauges because sometimes your best friend is a needle with a twitch."
Mentioned on the show:
* Moontown Airport Alabama: https://www.moontownairport.com/
* CFII Ben Lehman, Drift Aviation: https://www.driftaviation.com/
* Sandwich Illinois private airport: https://www.airnav.com/airport/IS65
* The Dunning-Kreuger effect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
* Ted's Alvord Desert video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKIK0CiVnrM
* CNI Cherokee County, Canton Georgia: https://www.airnav.com/airport/CNI
* Triple Tree fly-in, Sep 22-28, SC00 Spartanburg, SC: https://tta.aero/ttfi/
* Music City STOL, Oct 10-11, XNX Gallatin Tenn: https://nationalstol.com/musiccity/
* Swift fly-in, Oct 1-5, MMI Athens Tenn: https://swiftmuseumfoundation.org/2025-swift-national-fly-in-october-1st-5th-preregistration-form/
* Atlanta Mayors' 5k on an ATL runway: https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/GA/CollegePark/Mayors5Konthe5thRunway
* Atlanta airport cemetery (on the runway): https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/flat-rock-and-hart-cemeteries
* Erica's IFR ground school class: https://www.gilbertaviation.com/ifr
* dwhonan's aviation photography: https://www.instagram.com/dwhonan/
Join the Midlife Pilot Podcast community, get merch, and more at www.midlifepilotpodcast.com
1DullGeek takes the hot seat to defend his controversial lean-of-peak flying technique that left Brian "smiling and nodding while trying to keep up." Using full throttle and mixture control for power management breaks more than just Lord Alpha Juliet's brain - it challenges decades of conventional wisdom.
The crew dives deep into the psychology of finding and keeping good A&Ps, from owner-assisted annuals to the art of setting ground rules before work begins. Ted shares desert camping adventures complete with ground effect experimentation, Brian celebrates his first successful tailwheel flight review, and everyone agrees that partnerships come with built-in mechanics (the real MVP move).
Mentioned on the show:
* EP100 in West Virginia with OG Chris: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/blog/remembering-episode-100-a-very-special-non-event
* Mike Busch, Time and Materials: https://www.savvyaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Savvy_2023-12_time-and-materials.pdf
* Ask the A&Ps: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/podcasts/podcasts/ask-the-a-and-ps
* Savvy Aviation: https://www.savvyaviation.com/
Support the Show: Join the best midlife pilot community and support the podcast on Patreon, browse our aviation merch collection, send us your feedback, and connect with fellow pilots at https://midlifepilotpodcast.com. We're grateful for your support in making this the positive aviation community we all love to be part of.
Episode 145 brings you "information whiskey" - the crew's loose, conversational format where they step back from their "really tightly wound formatted structure" to catch up on life, flying, and everything in between.
Ben confesses to being a "plane jinx" after his multi-engine training gets derailed by yet another 100-hour inspection, while Brian plans an epic desert trip from Nashville to New Orleans to Marfa because "if I don't have something on the horizon to look forward to, I'm just a shell of a human being." Ted shares his Palouse flying video and recalls his motorcycling adventures from "above the Arctic circle" to "below the equator."
The highlight of the episode is Brian's glowing review of Wendell Geek's masterful Fisk arrival video, calling it "the first thing I've seen where it actually made me want to fly Fisk" and praising its non-linear storytelling approach. Mark reveals he accidentally rendered over his original footage and had to rebuild the entire video from scratch.
The conversation meanders through STOL competitions ("if I had your plane, I would be doing that"), insurance implications of MOSAIC rules, and the crew's ongoing battle with aging aircraft and cars. Ben gets his thrills with a massive forward slip through Atlanta's Delta airspace, while Brian contemplates whether anyone wants to rebuild a 4AGE motor in a 1985 Toyota MR2.
As Ted notes about midlife priorities: "We chose this not because it was easy, but because we thought it was easy" - the same mindset that drives both flying and life decisions at this stage.
Ben's wisdom: "Cleared for the approach means it's time to make math panic look graceful."
Mentioned on the show:
1DullGeek drops the bombshell that building beats bureaucracy, while keeping his aircraft shortlist more classified than Area 51 (spoiler: Ted's in on the secret). Brian discovers that flying tailwheel means surrendering all control to achieve actual control, and that Cherokee muscle memory doesn't translate to delicate Cessna 140s. Ben's multi-engine journey continues with nose-diving revelations and the humbling realization that "dead foot, dead engine" logic fails spectacularly under pressure.
The crew dives deep into Mosaic's game-changing LSRI certification that's about to turn every EAA chapter into inspection central, while insurance companies lurk in the shadows as aviation's true overlords. Plus, why builder-assist programs range from "comprehensive education" to "glorified observation," and Ted casually flexes 45 nautical miles per gallon because apparently his egg runs on good intentions and Pacific Northwest vibes.
Mentioned on the show:
Support the Show:Join the best midlife pilot community and support the podcast on Patreon, browse our aviation merch collection, send us your feedback, and connect with fellow pilots at https://midlifepilotpodcast.com. We're grateful for your support in making this the positive aviation community we all love to be part of.
What happens when four pilots discuss IFR ground school and nobody really knows what they're talking about? Episode 143 delivers a chaotic journey through aviation acronyms that'll make you question everything.
Ben admits he's "a little nervous" before diving into MOCAs vs ROCAs. Brian, suffering through IFR ground school, says his brain "goes cross-eyed" with acronyms like "M-A-A-M-C-A-M-D-A-M-E-A." Ted drops wisdom about aviation's three knowledge levels: "pass the test, throw away that knowledge."
The conversation careens from NDB approaches to Shepherd Air debates, with Wendell Geek explaining the gap between training IFR and actual IFR: "you spend most of your time trying to avoid that."
Brian perfectly captures the episode: "This is gonna be the worst episode that we've ever done, because we have nobody that knows what they're talking about." He later calls it "a false glide slope" metaphorically.
Join the gang for aviation education that's equal parts informative and terrifying, where approach plates are more confusing than figuring out who actually knows what they're talking about.
Ben's wisdom: "It's not real IFR until the sweat soaks your checklist."
"This has not been sponsored by the FAA."
Mentioned on the show:
Welcome back to the aviation playground where three guys who "have a podcast and don't know what we're talking about" dive deeper into MOSAIC regulations! After Ted's fan-favorite first episode on the topic, the gang returns to explore what these new rules actually mean for us midlifers - from couch potatoes thinking about learning to fly, to seasoned pilots with 5,000 hours looking to "slow down a little bit."
Brian channels his inner skeptic wondering if this will be another case of "big promise, reality chips away at the dream," while Ben ponders the demand vs. supply problem that might keep us all flying antiques forever. Meanwhile, Ted continues to be our "sport pilot extraordinaire" and resident MOSAIC expert, explaining everything from the magic wand theory of medical downgrades to why there are only 75 recreational pilots in America.
Plus: Ted makes his debut on VASAviation (and it's not for getting a number to copy!), Brian contemplates bachelorette tunnels vs. airspace tunnels, and we discover that declaring yourself a sport pilot is easier than Michael Scott declaring bankruptcy.
Show Notes & Links:
Mentioned on the show:
Community Updates:
Key MOSAIC Takeaways:
Connect With Us:
Disclaimer: We openly admit we "have a podcast and don't know what we're talking about," so always consult proper sources for regulatory guidance!
When Tim "Banjo Pilot" Lien's CFI's wife called his sectional chart maps "ugly," he didn't get mad - he got creative. The result? MyAeroGlass - stunning aviation art that actually makes spouses happy (imagine that!). It also is tech-enabled to show us the current weather, because we love VFR green.
Tim joins the crew to explore why midlife pilots are secretly makers and artists. From banjo picking to CNC machining, we dive into the creative minds of aviators who "glom onto things and take them way too far." Plus, discover how aviation's discipline actually enhances creativity, and why every pilot is creative whether they realize it or not.
As the crew discovers: "We chose this not because it was easy, but because we thought it was easy" - the same mindset that drives both flying and creating.
Mentioned on the show:
Community shoutouts: New Patreon supporters Anthony C, Jeff S, Justin G
Midlife Pilot Podcast:
Tonight's wisdom: "Flying IFR - where you trade scenery for stress."
Welcome to another Information Whiskey post-maintenance flight where apparently we need more whiskey. Ben's out here doing multi-engine training in a Beechcraft Duchess and discovering that single-engine work is basically "leg day" for pilots.
Meanwhile, Brian's back in the air after a month-long hiatus (because life gets in the way when you're a midlife pilot) and Ted's just casually racked up 58 hours flying from Wisconsin to Oregon... by way of Indiana. Because that's totally how geography works.
Ben's living his best pleasantly primitive life at flight school, complete with actual answering machines (beep!), carbon copy receipts, and instructors who write everything out by hand.
Brian shares his mid-flight training technique: practicing wing-raising with rudder while just "bopping around doing kind of nothing" at 3000 feet, while Ted's been in a quasi-serious relationship with "the egg" for the last 90 days.
Community celebrations include our new Hershey Bar level Patreon members Greg T, William S, Joel R, Echo Kilo, Zach R, Matthew P, and Aaron G (thank you!), plus Scott and Mountain Rat Mat crushing their long solo cross-countries.
MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:
• Northwest Aeronaut aka "Oregon CFI Sam", Dutch rolls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxUwSb40LD4
• Spirit aircraft's SE-1: https://flyer.co.uk/spirit-launches-se-1-at-oshkosh-after-ten-years-of-secrecy/
• Spirit aircraft website: https://spiriteng.com/se-1-aircraft/
• My Cousin Vinny: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Cousin_Vinny
• Mike Busch, Ask the A&Ps, on post-maintenance flights: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-one-way-to-flat-spot-a-tire/id1527442466?i=1000717363376
• Ben's Beechcraft Duchess Multi-Engine Training
• Ted's Epic Oshkosh Return Journey (with Chicago skyline detour)
• Brian's Mid-Flight Rudder Training Techniques
• Community Wins and New Patreon Family
MIDLIFE PILOT PODCAST:
• Website: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com
• Patreon Community: https://patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast
• Watch Live on YouTube - Mondays 8PM Eastern: https://www.youtube.com/@midlifepilot
• Email: midlifepilotpodcast@gmail.com
• Merch Store: https://store.midlifepilotpodcast.com
The aviation world just got flipped upside down! At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, the FAA dropped the MOSAIC bomb—the biggest shake-up to general aviation since 2004. Sport pilots can now fly aircraft with stall speeds up to 59 knots, and now have access to four-seat aircraft. But this isn't just about sport pilots—MOSAIC fundamentally reshapes the landscape for ALL pilots.
Our friend Ted, who sits on the ASTM committee and apparently has nothing better to do than read 700-page regulatory documents while camping in 100-degree heat, spent a week at Oshkosh decoding this mess so the rest of us could keep flying instead of drowning in federal paperwork. Fresh from his "undisclosed location in the canned pumpkin capital," Ted breaks down everything you need to know about the most significant expansion of pilot privileges in decades.
What You'll Learn:
Disclaimer: We're pilots and podcasters, not FAA officials or aviation lawyers. Always consult official sources and qualified professionals for regulatory guidance.
Show Notes & Links:
Airports & Aircraft Mentioned:
Blue Ridge Airport (MTV):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Airport
Beechcraft Duchess BE76:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_Duchess
DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeKalb%E2%80%93Peachtree_Airport
Piper Comanche:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_PA-24_Comanche
Official MOSAIC Resources:
MOSAIC Final Rule (FAA):https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2023-1377-1381
FAA Official Announcement:https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-announces-improvements-recreational-aviation
EAA MOSAIC Information:https://www.eaa.org/eaa/advocacy/top-issues/mosaic-aircraft-certificate
EAA "MOSAIC Is Done!" Article:https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publications/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/2025-07-22-mosaic-is-done
Industry Analysis & News:
General Aviation News MOSAIC Coverage:https://generalaviationnews.com/2025/07/23/long-awaited-mosaic-final-rule-released/
AOPA Light Sport Rules Expansion:https://aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2025/july/22/light-sport-rules-expand-dramatically
Kitplanes MOSAIC for Homebuilts:https://www.kitplanes.com/mosaic-is-here-what-it-means-for-homebuilts/
Flying Magazine MOSAIC Coverage:https://www.flyingmag.com/faa-finalizes-major-overhaul-of-light-sport-aircraft-rules/
Flight Insight Training Impact Analysis:https://www.flight-insight.com/post/faa-releases-final-mosaic-rule
Piper Flyer MOSAIC Forum Discussion:https://piperflyer.com/forum/unicom/1219-breaking-news-mosaic-final-rule-and-your-piper.html
Training & Maintenance:
Rainbow Aviation LSRM Courses:https://rainbowaviation.com/15-day-light-sport-repairman-maintenance-course/
Rainbow Aviation LSA Repairman Info:https://rainbowaviation.com/the-lsa-repairman-maintenance-or-inspection-rating/
Infinity Aero Club LSRM Training:https://infinityaeroclub.org/light-sport-repairman-maintenance-lsrm/
Kitplanes Light Sport Repairman Guide:https://www.kitplanes.com/light-sport-repairman-maintenance/
Connect With Us:
Website:https://midlifepilotpodcast.com
Email:midlifepilotpodcast@gmail.com
Patreon Community:https://www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast
YouTube Live Mondays 8 PM Eastern:https://www.youtube.com/@midlifepilotpodcast
The crew tackles listener Zach R's dilemma about "feeding our souls and starving our wallets" when it comes to aviation passion. Ted broadcasts live from under his airplane wing at Oshkosh (complete with random interruptions from Captain Jeff and the A&P crew), while Ben, Brian, and special guest Nathan Ballard brainstorm creative ways to make flying more affordable and fulfilling.
From discovering that online aviation communities are full of CFIs that are "perfectly willing to be its best friend for the low, low rate of 60 to $70 an hour" to discussing whether being an "airport bum" is actually sound career advice, this episode is packed with practical tips for the budget-conscious pilot.
The gang explores everything from airport socializing and grass strip adventures to the reality that a Piper Dakota is "a lot of plane" for soul-searching flights. Plus, Nathan shares insights from his transition to professional flying, Ted dodges media interviews while podcasting, and Brian mourns his recently deceased MR2 (RIP).
Show Links:
Nathan Ballard YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBallardSaferFlying
Midlife Pilot Podcast:
Organizations & Resources:
Flight Planning & Apps:
Aircraft Manufacturers:
Events:
Airports Mentioned:
After a year-long aviation hiatus, the legend himself returns! Chris Moran, the original midlife pilot who started it all, is back in the cockpit and spilling the raw truth about what happens when life pulls you away from flying. In this emotional reunion episode, Chris delivers the reality check every pilot needs to hear: "I want this to be a joy bringer to my life, not a stress bringer" - and why taking breaks doesn't make you less of an aviator. But that's not all! Brian goes full caveman on two broken car AC systems, proving that sometimes the best maintenance philosophy is "maybe if you just whack it with a hammer a few times, maybe it'll revive itself." Ben reveals why dawn patrol flights are aviation's best-kept secret after his Savannah adventure, while Ted breaks down the engineering marvel that keeps "the egg" cool in scorching heat.
Chris also teases his upcoming instrument rating series and shares hard-won wisdom about creating content without burning out. Whether you're struggling with aviation guilt, wondering if it's normal to step away, or just want to hear grown men solve problems with percussive maintenance, this episode delivers the perfect blend of inspiration, practical advice, and pure entertainment. As the live chat perfectly summed up: "never let it be said that violence can't solve problems!"
Mentioned on the show:
* Erica Gilbert talking about heat: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wSfaeJ229m2KmIkA4CaK3
* Ted's new video, "feral cat flying and finding community": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq3qlPkBBQY
* Johnny Cash, "my song is sung": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGa3zFRqDn4#t=2m50s
* Converting R12 to R134a: https://www.techtownforum.com/knowledge-base/article/equipment-appliances/hvac/r12-to-r134a-conversion-chart-formula/
* Happy Days - The Fonz hitting the jukebox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP1cZ3rbkRg#t=15s
* HEF - Manassas Airport, Va: https://www.airnav.com/airport/HEF
* Fairmont Flying Club: https://fairmontflyingclub.com/
* 4G7 - Fairmont Airport, W. Va: https://www.airnav.com/airport/4G7
* Friendly Skies Film youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FriendlySkiesFilm/videos
* Open Source GA youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenSourceGA/videos
* BDR - Bridgeport/Sikorsky, Conn: https://www.airnav.com/airport/BDR
* Ted Stryker sweating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs3zHbQDVlA#t=2m
* THV - York, Penn: https://www.airnav.com/airport/THV
* Kool Scoop window vent: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/koolscoop.php
Links:
In this Information Whiskey session, Ben achieves peak midlife status by straining his back loading golf clubs into his airplane, proving that "we are the joke." Meanwhile, Brian gets voice recognized at an FBO after some night flying adventure, and Ted successfully converts his partner from "scrambling for handholds" to enjoying turbulence on flights to Seattle. The crew dives into listener feedback from Chris J's comprehensive aircraft toolkit wisdom, Johnny L's inspiring F-16 crew chief to student pilot journey in Finland, and advice for midlife aviation career changes. Plus, community celebrations including Wendy's IFR checkride victory, Barry's San Francisco adventure sans Golden Gate Bridge, and a heartfelt message for Texas flood victims. Whether you're 45 and contemplating CFI life or just trying to figure out how so many excruciating aviation tasks always take exactly one hour, this episode covers the full spectrum of midlife flying challenges and triumphs.
Links Mentioned on the Show:
Midlife Pilot Podcast:
Watch Live on YouTube - Mondays 8PM Eastern
Email: midlifepilotpodcast@gmail.com
Special Mention:
Oshkosh Discussion with ATC Controller - July 9th, 9PM for Patreon members
Additional Resources:
