In this episode of the Flight Club Podcast, host Jason Middleton sits down with Chris Kunkle, a passionate bush pilot and aviation entrepreneur. Chris discusses his unique experiences as a bush pilot in California, an area not traditionally known for such activities, and the tight-knit aviation community in San Ynez. He touches on his family's deep-rooted aviation legacy, including his grandfather, a World War II fighter pilot, and his father, an aviation entrepreneur. Chris also delves into the importance of assessing landing spots, the technique of water skiing with airplanes, and the vital rescue missions carried out by local aviators during natural disasters. This episode is packed with fascinating stories of aviation, family legacy, and the thriving aviation business in California.
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This is a Kilo Bravo Media production produced by Rainbow Creative with Kate Middleton, Jason Middleton, and Matthew Jones as Executive Producers, Jeremiah Schutlz as Video and Audio Editor, Evan Weidenkeller as Director of Photography, Christian Ojala - FPV drone footage (Instagram @christian.ojala), Ethan O’Rourke - B Roll (Instagram: @pdzzy) Malcolm Perry as Social Media Manager, and Adam Chabiniak as Marketing Director.
00:00 Emergency Landing Over a Lake
00:18 Introduction to the Flight Club Podcast
00:21 Meet Chris Kunkle: A Legacy in Aviation
01:22 The Life of a Bush Pilot in California
01:59 Challenges and Secrets of Bush Flying
03:24 Community and Camaraderie Among Pilots
05:23 Assessing Landing Spots and Risk Management
11:29 Adventures and Preparedness in Bush Flying
17:28 Learning from Aviation Experiences
19:55 The Impact of Social Media on Aviation
24:38 Balancing Business and Creativity in Aviation
27:51 Aviation Beyond Airlines
28:34 Family Legacy in Aviation
29:18 Grandfather's War Stories
32:54 Father's Contributions to Aviation
38:00 Taking Over the Family Business
39:31 Future Plans and Community Impact
43:56 Aviation Community Support
47:25 Sky Angels: A Story of Resilience
48:57 Conclusion and Farewell