The Malibu Guru

What does the future hold for PMOPA, and what will it take to make the PA-46 community safer, stronger, and better connected?
Recorded live before an audience at the 2026 PMOPA Convention, Joe sits down with incoming PMOPA President Tom Arnold to discuss leadership, aviation safety, and the organization's future. Tom shares his aviation journey, from his first flight in a Piper Comanche to becoming a Piper Meridian owner with more than 1,200 hours in the aircraft. He also discusses how his professional background in safety and risk management shapes his leadership approach and his vision for PMOPA.
Together, Joe and Tom explore some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the PA-46 community, including using flight data to improve safety, the importance of standardized training, rising insurance and maintenance costs, parts availability, and strengthening relationships with Piper, instructors, and industry partners.
They also discuss the future of programs like PMOPA's Elevate and Master Aviator initiatives, the importance of member involvement, and how the organization can continue advocating for aircraft owners while building a stronger aviation community.
Beyond the challenges, Tom shares why preserving the adventure, friendships, and freedom that come with flying is just as important as improving safety and training.
Join PMOPA Today! https://www.pmopa.com
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What started as a bold idea to add more horsepower to turboprops has grown into an aviation success story, and now Blackhawk is bringing a major new safety upgrade to the Piper Meridian!
In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe Casey sits down with Jim Allmon, Founding Partner of The Blackhawk Group, to talk about the company’s beginnings, the risks that shaped its success, and how Blackhawk transformed turboprop performance.
Jim shares stories from his remarkable aviation career, including flying with Patrick Swayze, building Blackhawk from the ground up, and developing engine upgrades that changed the industry.
The conversation also covers Blackhawk’s new heated elevator anti-ice system for the Piper Meridian, now available and designed to prevent dangerous ice bridging, along with the PT6A-135A engine conversion, which offers better efficiency, range, and performance.
From Blackhawk’s history to the latest upgrades for Meridian owners, this episode is packed with great stories, insights, and exciting news.
The Piper M500 Heated Anti-Ice System is available now! Learn more here:
https://blackhawkgroup.aero/upgrade/piper-m500-heated-anti-ice-system/

Registration is now open for Fall 2026 M-Class!
Join us November 12–13 for two days of training, connection, and everything PA-46.
Reserve your spot today: https://flycasey.com/m-class/

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.
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Can you really get your FAA Second Class Medical back after a heart attack? Joe Casey did, and now he's sharing how.
In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe is joined by his Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), Dr. Carlton Lewis, for an honest conversation about his heart attack, the challenges of regaining his FAA medical, and the road back to flying.
From navigating the FAA's medical certification process to dealing with atrial fibrillation (AFib), Joe shares the setbacks, lessons learned, and steps that ultimately led to getting his 2nd Class Medical back.
Dr. Lewis offers an AME's perspective on what pilots should know about their health, how to prepare for a medical exam, and how to navigate the FAA after a major medical event.
Whether you're facing a medical challenge or simply want to protect your ability to keep flying, every pilot should hear this episode.
Registration is now open for Fall 2026 M-Class!
Join us November 12–13 for two days of training, connection, and everything PA-46.
Reserve your spot today: https://flycasey.com/m-class/

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.
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- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

From flying supersonic fighter jets to navigating the remote Alaskan wilderness, what keeps a pilot coming back for more after 45 years in the cockpit?
In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with Don Watrous, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, test pilot, and current Alaska bush pilot with an extraordinary aviation career. From flying F-15s, F-16s, and F-18s to operating a turbine-powered de Havilland Otter on floats in Alaska, Don has experienced nearly every side of aviation. 
Joe and Don discuss his remarkable career, the challenges of flying in Alaska's unpredictable weather, and the incredible experiences that come with exploring some of the most remote places on Earth.
But beyond the aircraft and adventures, Don shares a perspective that every pilot can appreciate: it's not about how high or fast you fly; it's about the love of flying itself.
Learn more about Emerald Air Service: https://www.emeraldairservice.com
Registration is now open for Fall 2026 M-Class!
Join us November 12–13 for two days of training, connection, and everything PA-46.
Reserve your spot today: https://flycasey.com/m-class/

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.
🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

What happens when a $500,000 engine overhaul costs nearly as much as the airplane itself? Is the PA-46 community about to change the way we think about TBO?
The culture of aircraft ownership plays a major role in how we fly, maintain, buy, and sell our airplanes. But as more Piper Meridians and JetPROPs approach engine TBO, that culture may be on the verge of a major shift.
In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe Casey sits down with Matt Courtney to discuss the evolving culture of PA-46 ownership and the decisions facing turbine owners as engine times climb and overhaul costs continue to rise.
Should owners overhaul their PT6 engines at the manufacturer's recommended TBO, or can proper maintenance, trend monitoring, and engine condition justify flying beyond it? And perhaps more importantly, how will these decisions affect aircraft values and the future PA-46 market?
Joe and Matt explore the differences between the King Air and PA-46 communities, engine maintenance programs, the economics of high-time engines, and why today's ownership decisions could reshape the market for years to come.
As the PA-46 fleet continues to age, one thing is certain: the culture we establish today will help determine how these airplanes are valued and operated tomorrow.
Registration is now open for Fall 2026 M-Class!
Join us November 12–13 for two days of training, connection, and everything PA-46.
Reserve your spot today: https://flycasey.com/m-class/

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.
🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com