Dave Wyckoff from Kansas started a YouTube channel to meet backcountry pilots in Kansas and beyond! That endeavor has created a local community that builds local strips, host events, and exports beyond the state.  His proximity to opportunities in Missouri and Arkansas has enabled his community to grow and explore.  This is a fun listen at what it means to build a group around aviation and proves that you don't need extreme backcountry or high-end equipment to be backcountry pilots.  

Follow Dave on YouTube

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This episode is with with Matt Dearden, a UK-based pilot who was featured in the UK TV program titled "Worst Place to be a Pilot" that followed the adventures of UK pilots building flight time with Susie Air in Indonesia. Matt later wrote a book titled "Flying from Shangri-La" that is an amazing read and recap of his time there.  It follows his beginning days in a Cessna Caravan and later in the Pilatus Porter.  We talk a lot about those experiences and some not mentioned in the book.  I wanted to know how Matt's experiences relate to every pilot in the backcountry, regardless of where in the world the airstrip happens to be located.  

Get Matt's book on Amazon

Follow Matt on Instagram

Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Shop HERE to get the gear.

This episode is pure Arkansas from one of the pilots who knows the network and builds events to highlight the state's backcountry beauty. Rusty Coonfield is an Arkansas pilot that helped build the ArkanSTOL event at Byrd's Adventure Center.  He has unique insight into how the event began and the aspects that went into creating a unique and challenging competition course for the best backcountry pilots.  He also shares some of his favorite Fly Oz destinations and helps me pick a few to hit in a progression.  This is a fun look at Arkansas flying that you won't want to miss prior to visiting. 

Follow Rusty on Instagram

Follow his SeaBee on Instagram

A great map from Fly Oz for context HERE 

Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Shop HERE to get the gear.

This episode is with Tres Clinton from Burnet, Texas and C3 Air.  Tres teaches a wide range of aviation students but loves to teach backcountry flying in tailwheel aircraft and float planes.  He has some amazing stories and insight in flying in central Texas and provides some insight into getting prepared for off-airpot operations from training and equipment.  You'll enjoy hearing how Tres runs things in his operation and will certainly be looking him up when passing through central Texas!

C3 Air LINK

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Kicking off Season 3 is my conversation with Anitra Goddard from the Sun'n Fun Team.  She's affectionately known in the community as the STOL Queen.  She's pioneered the Bushwheel Basecamp and has everything to do with STOL events far and wide! This is a very fun talk with her about how she got into all this and she shares some PRO TIPS for attending Sun'n Fun this year in Lakeland, Florida! 

Bushwheel Basecamp LINK

Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Shop HERE to get the gear.

This episode is with Cayla McLeod, the editor-in-chief of Plane & Pilot magazine.  We talk about her aviation start with what is now called the Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program, where kids earn flight hours working on vintage aircraft.  We also explore her travels in Idaho and also how she's rebranding a legacy aviation publication.  This is a really fun listen and great opportunity to hear from one of the young voices in aviation! 

Learn more about the Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program HERE and donate!

Subscribe to Plane & Pilot HERE

Follow Cayla on Instagram

Watch Cayla's Tribute to Ron Alexander HERE

Get Galen Hanselman's Book HERE  Fly Idaho! A Guide to Adventure in the Idaho Backcountry

Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Shop HERE to get the gear.

This week I talk to Al Clayton, the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) State Liaison for the State of Alaska, who spearheaded the efforts to create the airstrip at Childs Glacier.  This is an amazing story of how the RAF coordinates efforts from multiple state and federal agencies to create a one-of-a-kind experience for backcountry pilots.  His efforts also aided those same agencies to enhance their missions in the Copper River Basin.  You certainly need to start off by going to google maps and searching for this location before you listen.  It will set the stage for this discussion.  Huge thanks to the RAF for making this airstrip a reality and definitely add it to your bucket list!

Support the RAF HERE

Read more about Childs Glacier Airstrip HERE and HERE

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In this crazy episode I talk to the voices of the National STOL series, Ryan and Cam.  They bring their announcer energy to the podcast world and talk about the events, their favorite aircraft (J-3 or Champ?) and how they got into the announcer gig for the biggest backcountry event series in the country.  I know you'll love hearing about their backgrounds and more from the personalties that make the events entertaining, educational, and of course, memorable.  

Follow Ryan on Instagram and YouTube

Follow Cam on Instagram

Learn more about the National STOL Series HERE

Watch the Mo-Air Interview with Ryan HERE

Watch Ryan interview Cam on SuperAero Live HERE

Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Shop HERE to get the gear.

This episode is with the Director of Fly Oz, Philip Sneed.  We talk everything that makes up the Fly Oz community from airstrips, social gatherings, and airplane services.  Before you head to Arkansas you'll want to listen to this discussion about all the strips the area has to offer and how to make the most of your time in the Natural State.  Visit Bentonville and make it your home base for tackling the 70+ strips the area has to offer.

Learn more at Fly Oz 

Download the Fly Oz content pack for ForeFlight here

Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Shop HERE to get the gear.

This week Matt Williams joins the podcast to talk about his bear encounter in Alaska.  After watching his YouTube recap of the bear attack on his Super Cub I knew he'd be a great guest and I wanted to hear more about it.  This is a great story about preparedness in the backcountry and I know you'll enjoy all the details!  Follow Matt on YouTube and Instagram to keep up with his adventures!

Matt on Instagram Chaos Cub

Matt on YouTube

We talked about the Alaska Survival website in this episode.  It's linked here

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