Midlife Pilot Podcast

When your ETA increases by 30 minutes while on final approach, you know you're in for a story. In Episode 106, Ben's "one-day-feels-like-multi-day" adventure sets the stage for a lively discussion about planning extended flying trips. Between battling 60-knot headwinds, debating the merits of various approaches, and discovering why a credit card might be your most important safety equipment (unless you have a parachute), the hosts share practical wisdom wrapped in aviation humor. From Brian's "chase the tailwinds" philosophy to Ted's daylight-deprived Portland perspective, learn the art of multi-day trip planning – and why someone might drive three hours just to retrieve a tail tie-down strap. * LZU Gwinnett, Lawrenceville Ga: https://www.airnav.com/airport/LZU * OLV Olive Branch, Miss: https://www.airnav.com/airport/kolv * Windy weather app: https://www.windy.com/ * Windy's meteogram: https://community.windy.com/topic/14827/how-to-read-meteogram * Erica Gilbert's Aerosafe: https://www.youtube.com/@AeroSafe Support the show, get merch, and send us your feedback! www.midlifepilotpodcast.com

Join the crew as they plan their spring fly-in while debating the merits of ignorance-is-bliss flying versus obsessing over engine monitors. Ted confesses to having saggy flaps (on his plane, of course), Brian explains why Super 8 footage isn't just an Instagram filter, and Ben discovers that dad hats might be the aerodynamic solution for the follicly challenged pilot. The gang explores potential meetup locations while dreaming of their own private air park, complete with BBQ pits and hangout huts. Plus, find out how one listener became an "astronaut" thanks to a NASA letter in the mail, and why logging zero hours might be worth celebrating after all. Mentioned on the show: * Brian's "Dad's flight bag" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ma6pvmwxM * Ted's new pattern work and geese video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyjwzXh4q6I * T82 Fredericksburg: https://www.airnav.com/airport/T82 * Hangar Hotel at T82: https://www.hangarhotel.com/ * 09J Jekyll Island: https://www.airnav.com/airport/09J * I73 Moraine, Dayton Ohio: https://www.airnav.com/airport/I73 * GPT Gulfport: https://www.airnav.com/airport/GPT * Rough River Kentucky: https://parks.ky.gov/parks/find-a-park/rough-river-dam-state-resort-park-7800#lodging * Brian's new video, "How to Read the ATC Room": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq8xywGS4HE * Brian's new video, "The Art of NOT Flying": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGb9WqflFWs

The crew dives into the delicate art of vetting your cockpit companions - from evaluating potential co-pilots to dodging those who claim '8000 simulator hours.' Listen in as Ben recounts literally flying with 'a stranger from the internet' (it turned out fine!). Between tales of night landing adventures, atmospheric rivers, and accidental wrong-runway taxi slip ups, the gang shares practical wisdom on building safe flying partnerships while keeping their usual mix of aviation insights and midlife humor. Plus, learn why a 'plane full of pilots' might be more dangerous than you think - and why Ben still won't let Brian fly from the front seat! Mentioned on the show: * Josh and Chelsea talking about vetting pilots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SkqxChkYW0 * Brian's new video, "Dialog with the Sky: My Journey to 600 Hours": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHGva4LIn3A * TTD Troutdale Airport: https://www.airnav.com/airport/TTD * LBE Arnold Palmer Regional Airport: https://www.airnav.com/airport/LBE * EP23: Pilots Flying with Pilots (the good and the bad) https://open.spotify.com/episode/6l31UC5GSLuAjlxs4zRMA0 * Nathan Ballard, how to survive a pilot locked up on the controls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv0NNjQOCkI * Ted flying with his partner: https://youtube.com/watch?v=DZbYM25PYsc * CheckMate Aviation checklists: https://www.checkmateaviation.com/ * Blancolirio, Catalina crash with many pilots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPsnL-S58EU * Pilot Debrief, father/daughter, both pilots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTSUtpXRMT0

Need more time to fly but life keeps getting in the way? The Midlife Pilot crew tackles aviation's eternal struggle - finding time to get airborne while juggling work, family, and that ever-growing honey-do list. From strategic calendar blocking to creative "errands" (like Ben's suspiciously convenient forgotten jacket that required a flight to retrieve), discover how these pilots squeeze more cockpit time into packed schedules. Whether you're a student trying to stay consistent with training or a licensed pilot keeping current, this episode offers practical tips, humorous workarounds, and reassurance that you're not alone in the quest to find that elusive balance between life on the ground and time in the sky. mentioned on the show: * RMG Rome Georgia: http://www.airnav.com/airport/RMG * Sam's Burger Deli, Rome Georgia: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1021640145/sams-burger-deli/ * EP48 - Nashville ATC! Controllers, pilots, realtors Scott and Shelley Weckler: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wAvZ85qtTEh5CDcDObrr4 * EGKR Redhill Aerodrome: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redhill_Aerodrome