Aviation LO Down

Ever since I was a kid, I've played flight simulators. The earliest versions of them that I remember were 256-color simulations that ran on your desktop computer, and if you're like most people who grew up in the 90s, this meant your family's only computer was completely occupied so you could fly your Cessna out of Meigs Field in Chicago. In 2019, this is no longer the case. In fact, many families don't even have desktop computers anymore. And Meigs Field is gone (for now).

Today, more and more people are accessing nearly everything online via mobile devices. From communications and entertainment, to education and tools, it seems everything today is available on your smartphone or tablet.

But what about flight simulation?

Infinite Flight is a flight simulation app that runs on the mobile platforms. And yes, it is incredible. From detailed flight models, to breathtaking scenery and realism, not to mention multiplayer experiences, playing Infinite Flight is truly something that must be experienced for anyone with any level of interest in aviation.

Today, I sit down with Laura Laban, CEO and Co-Founder of Infinite Flight. We talk about the story of Infinite Flight: how it started, what went into it's development, what unique challenges and engineering went into it, and how it's constantly evolving. 

We also discuss the Infinite Flight Community, which is one of the most interactive simulation communities today.

Finally, we talk about the future of Infinite Flight, and some ideas that could perhaps eventually come down the airway....and of course, we discuss Laura's favorite plane.

Infinite Flight has shown the world that mobile devices don't just offer games, they offer entire experiences. 

You don't want to be miss this episode. 

InfiniteFlight.com

As a man dedicated to not only taking to the skies, but keeping himself and others in awesome shape, Fernando Contreras, a.k.a. @fitaviatorsclub, knows a thing or two about balancing different passions in life. As someone who I would consider to be 'pretty freakin' ripped', Fernando talks to me, LO, about his theory and practice of keeping healthy and fit, despite the notoriously unhealthy lifestyles that are sometimes associated with people who are constantly traveling. From what to do when first arriving at your hotel room, to how to prep for days on the road, anyone can learn from this episode, pilot or not. For more information, visit @fitaviatorsclub on Instagram, or check out his website at http://www.fitaviatorsclub.com. Sure, you're flying a plane, and that's cool, but why not be in the best shape of your life while doing it? Fernando can help you get there. Follow him today! @fitaviatorsclub

Hello all! It's been a while since I have posted a new episode of Aviation LO Down because I recently moved! I also was just in San Diego, and had quite the interesting flying experience during that trip. In this episode, I'll explain to you what happened to me on that trip, and invite you to share your opinions of modern airline travel. From delays, to cancellations, to weather, what is an airline actually responsible for? Stay tuned, as Aviation LO Down is FINALLY back to it's normally scheduled episodes! More to come later this week! 

After a few weeks off, I'm back! Today I sit down with my friends Matt and Rob who run the aviation podcast Spread Aviation! As they put it, 'find out what happens when you cross a talk-show format with in-flight pilot training and a hefty dose of irreverence for practically everything, including gravitational forces.' I have known Matt and Rob for quite some time, and this episode features us discussing out time at SUN 'n FUN, aviation safety, what it's like to be an instructor and student duo, marketing in the modern social-media driven world, and why going to flight school in Florida might not be the worst idea. You don't want to miss this one!

Today, I sit down with one of my best friends, @newyorkskypirate. Learn about his love of aviation from an early age, how he found a mentor, and what his life is like today. We also share stories of him being a musician, making prank phone calls, and one of the most famous diners in Upstate NY. @newyorkskypirate is one of the most passionate people I have ever met in aviation, and since the early days of our teenage years plane spotting and playing in bands, he also happens to be one of my best friends. You don't want to miss this episode.

Computers can calculate huge amounts of data much more efficiently than a human brain. But, can they make decisions? Are they intelligent? Are they creative? Perhaps most intriguing, do they have a conscious? With the recent crashes of the two Boeing 737 MAX airliners, the discussion of whether or not industries like aviation have become too automated and complex has once again resurfaced. With President Donald Trump tweeting that airplanes have "become far too complex to fly" a very real debate has re-energized: is automation and complex software changing the industry for the better, or for the worse? Join me, LO, as I explore some of the basics behind why some people feel that computers and software lie at the heart of the two recent 737 MAX crashes, among others. I will also dive in to difficult, almost existential questions, such as, at what point does a computer go from being a programmable logic machine, to one that has a conscious, and is able to be aware of itself; to make intuitive decisions? While this discussion can quickly get way out of the scope of The Aviation LO Down/ATC Memes, Books such as Gödel, Escher, Bach have attempted to tie it all together, with the idea being that systems of consciousness and recursion can emerge from seemingly meaningless components, and I encourage anyone interested in chewing on the idea of real artificial intelligence to explore that book.  I'll also dive into some of the people from the past who have also echoed their concerns on automation and machines; some of them may surprise you! From Karl Marx, to Will Smith, to Donald Trump, this episode will get your thinking caps on, and your autopilot systems off.

Radar technology has been the foundation of air traffic control for more than 80 years. However, newer technology, such as ADS-B, promises to change that. In this episode, I take a break from the interviews to expand upon a 'Instagram Live' discussion that occurred last week on @atcmemes. I talk about a brief history of radar systems, how GPS was made available to the public, and what ADS-B means for pilots. I also talk about some potential security issues related to the newer technologies, such as ADS-B. What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinion on some of these topics. E-mail me at [email protected]!

From photos of Athens, Greece, to photos of the 737 Max flight deck, the Instagram account of Madina K (@madinkaclairec) is hard to ignore. As a skilled tennis player originally from Moscow, Russia and now studying in the United States, Madina takes the time to explain what it's like being obsessed with aviation in both the United States and in Russia. Join us on episode 6 of the Aviation LO Down as we discuss a cheering A380, being stuck on a plane for 20 hours, what it's like flying in aircraft with a glass nose, and how Sully wasn't really the first person to land an airliner on a river. We also discuss Russian vodka, and how you should never walk down Bourbon St, New Orleans, without beads around your head.

With an Instagram following of over 30,000 fans and growing, @pilotemilie inspires and motivates her followers from both the flight deck as well as from the gym. As a Canadian pilot with an unmistakable smile, Emilie has an eclectic taste for fitness, colorful Instagram photos, and setting her goals high, in both aviation and in life! Join me, LO, as I talk to Emilie about how she got into aviation, what challenges it presents for her fitness goals, and how being occasionally uncertain of what life has to offer can sometimes be a good thing. She also goes into some details of how Canada differs from the United States when it comes to social media and filming the flight deck. From taking her career from that of a massage therapist to one as a pilot flying in Africa, then back to Canada, Emilie is someone who sets her goals high, and makes them happen.

As a pilot well known for his detailed, informative, and friendly aviation videos, steveo1kinevo has cultivated a loyal following of over a quarter million subscribers on YouTube. From his intricate flying lessons to his gorgeous videos of flights in Florida, The Bahamas, and beyond, Steve's unique 'POV' style transports the viewer into an experience that few pilots on YouTube have been able to recreate. Join me, LO, on episode 4 of the Aviation LO Down as we get to know the man behind the steveo1kinevo name, explore what inspired him to make his channel, and hear some downright legendary stories involving flying in our heavily social media based world; many of which have never been heard before.