Flight Tales

Step onto the grass strip and into the cockpit with Shannon Elliott—better known as “Mr. Rockin’ on the Runway!” In this episode of Flight Tales, we dive deep into Shannon’s lifelong passion for aviation, from his first flight lessons to building a legendary fleet of vintage warbirds, hosting epic airshows, and creating one of the most unique private runways in Louisiana.What you’ll hear in this episode:How Shannon got hooked on flying and started collecting classic planesThe wild story behind “Rockin’ on the Runway”—the annual aviation party that draws thousandsWhat it’s really like to own and operate a grass strip at homeTales of restoring military jeeps, hosting legendary skywriting events, and flying everything from Bonanzas to P-51 MustangsReal talk about pilot training, old-school instruction, and what makes grassroots aviation specialThe joy of introducing kids and families to the magic of flightWhether you’re a pilot, an aviation fan, or just love a great Louisiana story, this episode is for you.✈️ Don’t forget to subscribe for more true stories from the world of flight!👇 Tell us your favorite moment or share your own flight tale in the comments!Owens Flight Training is a flight school based in Lafayette, Louisiana.www.owensflighttraining.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/owensflighttrainingInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/owensflighttraining

What’s life really like for a pilot at 1,900 hours? In this episode of Flight Tales, Brennan spills the unfiltered truth about climbing the aviation ladder, surviving King Air sim emergencies, and making the leap to charter and corporate flying.You’ll hear:The 1,900-Hour Reality: Why hitting the magic number isn’t always a straight shot to your dream job (and how networking changes everything)King Air Sim Training: Wild simulator emergencies, system failures, and what happens when instructors decide to “turn up the chaos”Charter Pilot Life: The difference between flying people and flying chickens, and why Part 91 vs. 135 isn’t just about paperworkChecklist Confessions & Tech Tales: When automation is your best friend… until it isn’tPressurization Nightmares, Sim Mishaps, and Honest Lessons for every pilot working toward the next levelIf you want real-world insight, behind-the-scenes training stories, and the laughs (and struggles) that come with leveling up as a pilot, this episode is for you.Owens Flight Training is a flight school based in Lafayette, Louisiana.www.owensflighttraining.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/owensflighttrainingInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/owensflighttraining

What does it take to go from chasing rides at a rural airport to performing jaw-dropping formation aerobatics with the Titan Aerobatic Team? Meet Bryan Regan—right wing #2, longtime Stearman pilot, and veteran of some of the wildest, most demanding airshow circuits in America.

In this episode of Flight Tales, Bryan sits down with us to share his incredible aviation journey—from humble beginnings without a family aviation connection, to finding his way into the world of crop dusters, barnstorming with the Red Baron Squadron, and ultimately joining the elite Titan Aerobatic Team.

You’ll hear:

• How Bryan got hooked on flying (and nearly spent his college money chasing it)

• Life behind the scenes of the Red Baron and Titan teams—including intense training, flying 80-year-old Stearmans, and racking up 1,200+ formation rides a year

• What it’s really like to perform precision aerobatics inches from your teammates… sometimes in the dark!

• Hair-raising stories of cross-country trips, Gulf crossings, and close calls

• Inside advice for anyone dreaming of a career in airshows or aerobatics—including where to get started, what it really takes, and why muscle memory (and nerves of steel) are the name of the game

In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with Greg Trahan—riverboat captain, military veteran, scuba instructor, and now a proud private pilot—to talk about chasing dreams, overcoming setbacks, and flying for the love of it.Greg shares:Growing up in small-town Louisiana and seeing his first flying ad in the 80sWhy his pilot dreams had to wait until adulthood (and how a Discovery Flight changed everything)30 years as a captain on the Mississippi and Gulf Coast, and the wild similarities between boats and planesTraining struggles: balancing a demanding river schedule, family, and learning to fly after 40The hilarious perils of retractable gear (including a real gear-up accident story!)How “shiny object syndrome” led to his own Cessna Cutlass—and what it’s really like to buy, upgrade, and fly your own planeWhy he flies for fun, not for work, and the joy of sharing that journey with his familyPlus: Greg’s candid take on aviation learning curves, what boat driving does and doesn’t teach you about flying, and advice for anyone thinking it’s “too late” to start flight training.Whether you’re a student pilot, seasoned pro, or just love a good Louisiana story, you’ll love this one!Owens Flight Training is a flight school based in Lafayette, Louisiana.www.owensflighttraining.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/owensflighttrainingInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/owensflighttraining

Meet Austin Fontenot—a small-town Louisiana kid who went from racing dirt bikes down gravel roads to flying turbine-powered crop dusters across America. In this episode of Flight Tales, Austin shares the unfiltered truth about becoming an ag pilot: the training, the tight tree runs, the bird strikes, the fertilizer loads, and the weird-shaped fields that make every job different.

He talks about:

• Why vet school wasn’t in the cards

• Learning to fly in high school

• Tailwheel and swath training in Bastrop

• Working fields from Louisiana to Minnesota

• Flying just 10-15 feet off the crops

• Hitting birds, dodging power lines, and landing on grass strips

• The real cost of flight training and what he wishes he did differently

• Tips for anyone dreaming of getting into agricultural aviation

If you’ve ever seen a crop duster and thought, “What the heck is going on up there?”—this one’s for you.

Thinking about taking your ATP CTP course? Wondering what it's actually like to sit in the big boy sims and stare down crash reports from real airline disasters? In this Flight Tales episode, we talk about what really goes down during ATP CTP training at ATP Jets in Dallas. From high-altitude stalls and full motion simulators to CRM lessons and that wild Sully Hudson River landing, we unpack the week-long course that gets you one step closer to your airline transport pilot certificate.

We cover:

• What ATP CTP is and why you need it

• The real reason crash videos are part of the course

• Why CRM can literally save lives

• What it's like to recover from a 140° bank

• The truth about flying jets at 51,000 ft

• And why one guy in class just couldn't stay awake

Whether you're gearing up for your ATP or just love hearing behind-the-scenes aviation stories, this episode has it all — humor, real talk, and a few simulated crashes for good measure.

✈️ Learn more about flight training: https://owensflighttraining.com
📺 Subscribe for more aviation content: @OwensFlightTraining
👇 Drop your questions in the comments — we love hearing from you!

From ROADS to RUAC to "Fast COCOA," we're diving deep into the world of acronyms and this episode of Flight Tales, Ryan and our resident DPE, Peyton break down:

Acronyms for FOI and the checkride
What makes (or breaks) a stabilized approach
Real stories of checklist failures, long landings, and go-around decisions
Why scenario-based training actually works
How true airspeed at high elevation can ruin your day if you’re not ready

Whether you’re prepping for your CFI checkride or just want to sharpen your flying skills, this episode is packed with lessons, laughs, and some uncomfortable truths.

Got a question for Peyton? Drop it in the comments – your topic might be next.

What do air traffic controllers really think about lasers, weather avoidance, and student pilots doing steep turns five miles off the departure end? In this wild ride of an episode, the team from Owens Flight Training sits down with local controller, and frequent guest, Jake, to talk about everything from outdated tower equipment to the eternal mystery of vacuum tubes, radar outages, and yes... aliens.Topics we cover:Why closing your IFR flight plan actually mattersWhat happens when your ADS-B doesn't match your eyeballsWeather radar intensity levels and what controllers can and can't seeThe ongoing mystery of the vacuum tube (and how Skittles might save the day)Alien sightings, Disney conspiracies, and parking lot pizzaThis is Flight Tales — real talk with the folks who keep you safe in the sky.Leave a comment with your wildest pilot-controller moment or the weirdest thing you've seen from the cockpit.Owens Flight Training is a flight school based in Lafayette, Louisiana.www.owensflighttraining.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/owensflighttrainingInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/owensflighttraining

Ever wonder what air traffic controllers really think when a student pilot keys up and nervously says, "Uhh, I think I wanna... land?" In this episode of Flight Tales, Alexandra Ross—a controller and local NATCA president—joins us for a hilarious, honest, and super insightful look into pilot-controller miscommunication, radio anxiety, and why the phrase “just say yes or no” matters more than you think.We talk about:The awkward truth behind chewing on the mic (gross).Why students get scared to talk on the radio.What controllers wish pilots would say.And yes, what happens when someone accidentally files “heading 390.”Plus: reality TV, union fundraisers, snacks in the tower, and what it’s like working with student controllers and pilots alike. This one’s part comedy, part crash course in communication—and full of personality.Owens Flight Training is a flight school based in Lafayette, Louisiana.www.owensflighttraining.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/owensflighttrainingInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/owensflighttraining

Want to become a pilot FAST? In this episode of Flight Tales, we break down how Owens Flight Training helps students go from zero to CFI in as little as 8 months—on your schedule, with support, flexibility, and thousands in savings.

We cover:

How our timeline compares to ATP and Lift Academy

Why we don’t want your money up front

What makes our training flexible and affordable

How some students go from discovery flight to CFI in under a year

The real cost comparison: ATP vs Owens Flight Training

Why flying with us means you’re not just a number

If you're googling “how fast can I become a pilot?” — this is the video you actually need to watch.

Owens Flight Training is a flight school based in Lafayette, Louisiana.www.owensflighttraining.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/owensflighttrainingInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/owensflighttraining