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Midlife Pilot Podcast

Midlife Pilot Podcast
Midlife Pilot Podcast
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  • EP137 - OG Chris Returns! Taking Aviation Breaks Without Guilt
    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.phpLinks:Midlife Pilot Podcast: https://midlifepilotpodcast.comMerch & More: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/merchSupport on Patreon: https://patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcastOG Chris Moran's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@midlifepilot
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  • EP136 - Information Whiskey: The Tool in the Plane is Us
    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:George Carlin on GolfSSI - St. Simons Island AirportEVV - Evansville Indiana AirportSpiders on LSD StudyDwight, Michael, Sorry I Annoyed You With My FriendshipLuke Air Force BaseOsan Air Base, KoreaCarl Valeri - Expert AviatorStuck Mic AvcastCAF Music City's T-6Operation Airdrop for Texas Flood ReliefMidlife Pilot Podcast:WebsitePatreon CommunityWatch Live on YouTube - Mondays 8PM EasternEmail: [email protected] CommunitySpecial Mention:Oshkosh Discussion with ATC Controller - July 9th, 9PM for Patreon membersAdditional Resources:FAA Career InformationAOPA Career CenterAviation Career Resources
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  • 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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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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