For more than a century, the Goodyear Blimp has been one of the most recognizable aircraft in the world—quietly floating over sporting events, cities, and historic moments in aviation history. But what’s it really like to fly an airship?

In this episode, we sit down with Jerry Hissem, Chief Pilot for the Goodyear Blimp, for a deep dive into the world of modern airships as Goodyear celebrates 100 years of blimp operations. Jerry shares what makes flying a blimp unlike any other form of aviation, how today’s airships differ from the classics of the past, and what it actually takes to earn your Goodyear Blimp pilot wings.

We explore:

• The history of the Goodyear Blimp and how it evolved over the last 100 years

• What it’s really like to fly an airship—from handling and performance to day-to-day operations

• The unique training and experience required to become a Goodyear Blimp pilot

• How modern Goodyear airships blend heritage with advanced technology

• Why blimps continue to play a unique role in aviation today

Whether you’re an aviation history fan, a pilot curious about unconventional aircraft, or just fascinated by one of aviation’s most iconic symbols, this episode offers rare insight from someone who flies the blimp for a living.

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In this inspiring live interview from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, we sit down with two amazing guests from Wings of Hope, the Missouri-based humanitarian aviation nonprofit that’s been changing and saving lives through the power of flight since 1963.

Join us as we explore how Wings of Hope uses general aviation to make a powerful impact — from providing free medical air transportation for patients who need specialized care, to connecting remote communities with vital resources both in the U.S. and around the world.

We dig into:

• ✈️ Who Wings of Hope is — a global humanitarian aviation nonprofit headquartered at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, Missouri with a mission to change and save lives through aviation.

• 🚑 Medical Relief & Air Transport (MAT) — how they fly patients and caregivers free of charge across states to access specialty medical care — often removing financial and logistical barriers that can be life-changing.

• 🌍 Global impact — the organization’s partnerships with community groups in multiple countries to aid health care delivery and humanitarian support.

• 👩‍🔧 SOAR into STEM — their hands-on education program designed to inspire and equip the next generation of aviators, engineers, and STEM leaders.

Whether you’re passionate about aviation, nonprofit impact, or the intersection of flight and community service, this conversation highlights how general aviation can literally lift people up — physically and emotionally.

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AeroExploration Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Information SANTA is current.

In this holiday edition of the Flying Midwest Podcast, we tune into The Holiday ATIS — where festive NOTAMs, Midwest aviation trivia, and New Year aviation goals all share the same frequency.

We talk about the lighter side of aviation during the holidays, including the real ForeFlight holiday Easter eggs pilots have spotted over the years, a Midwest-themed aviation trivia challenge, and how pilots can actually stick to their aviation resolutions instead of abandoning them by February.

From Santa’s sleigh wake turbulence to setting realistic flying goals for 2026, this episode blends pilot humor with practical advice — because aviation should be fun, but never careless.

Stick around for our Midwest Holiday Trivia, and submit your answers for a chance to win the new “Tear Drop Entries Make Airports Cry” Flying Midwest Podcast shirt.

Whether you’re scrolling ForeFlight by the fireplace, listening on a road trip, or planning your next rating, this episode is your seasonal briefing before the new year.

• ForeFlight holiday Easter eggs pilots have reported seeing in decoded weather displays

• Why these festive messages are not FAA NOTAMs — and where they actually appear

• Santa’s sleigh, wake turbulence jokes, and classic pilot holiday humor

• Midwest-themed aviation trivia questions featured in this episode

• Submit your answers for a chance to win the “Tear Drop Entries Make Airports Cry” FMP shirt

• How and where to submit your responses (covered in the episode)

• Why “fly more” isn’t a real goal — and how to do better

• Breaking aviation goals into achievable, measurable steps

• Tips for sticking with flying goals through 2026

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Our Other Content:

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AeroExploration Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/65meVcZcfPDxZJ4qmwRWOB?si=72ff543240214550 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This week, we’re fully immersed in CFI world. With both Jim and Badger neck-deep in studying, it couldn’t be a better time to bring you an interview that fits right where we are in our flight instructor journeys.

Recorded live at AirVenture, we sat down with Sarah and Bob from the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). They walk us through who NAFI is, their long-standing role in the aviation community, and how their programs support instructors in becoming safer, more effective, and more professional educators. From their mission and history to modern initiatives designed to elevate flight instruction, this conversation offers insight that any current or aspiring CFI will appreciate.

We also share some updates and CFI-study talk in our intro and wrap up the episode with our usual banter after the interview.

Learn more about NAFI and their programs here: https://nafimentor.org/

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Our Other Content:

Badger Pilot on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thebadgerpilot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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AeroExploration Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Celebrate a major milestone with us — Episode 100 of the Flying Midwest Podcast.
In this special edition, we hand the mic to our listeners, friends, and past guests who share their favorite memories, funniest moments, and the stories that kept them coming back. We reflect on how far this little Midwest aviation show has come, the community that’s grown around it, and the adventures we’ve had along the way.

And to cap it all off? The world’s longest “See Ya.”
Thanks for flying with us for 100 episodes — here’s to the next hundred. ✈️

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Our Other Content:

Badger Pilot on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thebadgerpilot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/65meVcZcfPDxZJ4qmwRWOB?si=72ff543240214550 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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On this episode we sit down with Nate Ehlers, United Airlines pilot, Air Force Reserve C-17 veteran, and creator of Backseat Pilot — an innovative platform designed to help flight instructor candidates elevate their training experience.

Nate takes us through his aviation journey to the airlines, and his time flying C-17s in the Air Force Reserve, Along the way, he shares the inspiration behind Backseat Pilot, the challenges of balancing dual aviation careers, and his philosophy on what makes effective flight training.

We’ll also pull back the curtain on his lesson plan discuss the pros and cons of using pre-made resources versus creating your own. It’s an inside look at both the cockpit and the classroom from a pilot who’s lived both worlds.

Check out Backseat Pilot Here: www.thebackseatpilot.com

EPISODE 100 IS COMING SOON!!!

Calling all fans, for the 100th episode, we would love to hear from you! Please send us an audio note or a message that tells us what your favorite moments of the show have been.

We'd also love to have your "SEEYA" for the end of the episode.

You can send your contribution to: [email protected]

Get Your Cold Weather Merch Today!

Winter is coming, and so is our brand-new merch lineup! Stay warm and rep your love for aviation with cozy long sleeve tees, hoodies, and beanies. Gear up now and head into the season in style!

Our Other Content:

Badger Pilot on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thebadgerpilot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/65meVcZcfPDxZJ4qmwRWOB?si=72ff543240214550 ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe and Follow:

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• Grab some chart-inspired apparel: Check out the new Midwest.Three design and Badger Gear at our merchstore.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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• Lightspeed Aviation: Discover premium pilot headsets.

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When most people think about aviation, they imagine travel, adventure, or innovation — but for some families, aviation means something much more personal: hope.

In this episode of the Flying Midwest Podcast, we sit down with Ben, founder of Uphaven, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families reach critical medical care through free volunteer flights. Born out of personal loss and a desire to keep families together, Uphaven is reimagining what aviation can do for those in need.

We talk about how Uphaven got its start, the challenges of launching a flight-based charity, and the emotional and logistical realities behind each mission. Ben also shares how pilots, supporters, and aviation enthusiasts can get involved to help Uphaven’s mission take flight.

Whether you’re a pilot looking for purpose beyond the pattern, or someone who believes in the good aviation can do, this conversation will leave you inspired to see the skies a little differently.

✈️ Learn more or get involved: flyuphaven.org

EPISODE 100 IS COMING SOON!!!

Calling all fans, for the 100th episode, we would love to hear from you! Please send us an audio note or a message that tells us what your favorite moments of the show have been.

We'd also love to have your "SEEYA" for the end of the episode.

You can send your contribution to: [email protected]

Get Your Cold Weather Merch Today!

Winter is coming, and so is our brand-new merch lineup! Stay warm and rep your love for aviation with cozy long sleeve tees, hoodies, and beanies. For a limited time, you can score 20% off your order with code Cold20—but hurry, this offer only lasts until October 1st. Gear up now and head into the season in style!

Our Other Content:

Badger Pilot on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thebadgerpilot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/65meVcZcfPDxZJ4qmwRWOB?si=72ff543240214550 ⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe and Follow:

Don’t miss an episode—subscribe to the Flying Midwest Podcast on your favorite platform and follow us on social media for the latest aviation news and podcast updates.

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• Grab some chart-inspired apparel: Check out the new Midwest.Three design and Badger Gear at our merchstore.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Join our Patreon community for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and links to LIVE episode recordings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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• Affiliate links & discounts:

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/FLYINGMIDWEST10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Lightspeed Aviation: Discover premium pilot headsets.

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In this special AirVenture episode, we sit down with Gayle, the proud owner of a stunning Beechcraft Staggerwing with a remarkable family story. This beautiful vintage aircraft has been passed down through generations, and Gayle and her family have been bringing it to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for more than 50 years.

Gayle shares what it’s like to fly such an iconic classic, gives us a glimpse into the history of their Staggerwing, and reflects on what it means to keep a family tradition alive at the world’s greatest aviation celebration.

Whether you’re a vintage aircraft enthusiast, a fan of AirVenture, or just love hearing the passion behind aviation stories, this episode is packed with history, heart, and a whole lot of Oshkosh magic.

EPISODE 100 IS COMING SOON!!!

Calling all fans, for the 100th episode, we would love to hear from you! Please send us an audio note or a message that tells us what your favorite moments of the show have been.

We'd also love to have your "SEEYA" for the end of the episode.

You can send your contribution to: [email protected]

Get Your Cold Weather Merch Today!

Winter is coming, and so is our brand-new merch lineup! Stay warm and rep your love for aviation with cozy long sleeve tees, hoodies, and beanies. For a limited time, you can score 20% off your order with code Cold20—but hurry, this offer only lasts until October 1st. Gear up now and head into the season in style!

Our Other Content:

Badger Pilot on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thebadgerpilot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/65meVcZcfPDxZJ4qmwRWOB?si=72ff543240214550 ⁠⁠

Subscribe and Follow:

Don’t miss an episode—subscribe to the Flying Midwest Podcast on your favorite platform and follow us on social media for the latest aviation news and podcast updates.

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• Grab some chart-inspired apparel: Check out the new Midwest.Three design and Badger Gear at our merchstore.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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• Affiliate links & discounts:

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• Lightspeed Aviation: Discover premium pilot headsets.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Inside the Pirate Party – AirVenture’s Legendary North 40 Tradition

📅 Recorded Live at AirVenture 2025 – Oshkosh, WI

Episode Description:
If you’ve ever camped in the North 40 at AirVenture, chances are you’ve heard whispers (or maybe laughter) about the Pirate Party. It’s not on the official schedule, but it’s one of the most unforgettable traditions of Oshkosh—a gathering of aviators, friends, and newcomers who come together for food, drinks, and fellowship under the banner of “The Pirates.”

In this episode, we sit down with one of the founding Pirates to hear the origin story: how this grassroots community got started, what it takes to keep the party alive year after year, and why they keep a storage locker in Oshkosh stocked with the essentials for hosting hundreds of pilots who drop by.

From impromptu feasts and storytelling to the camaraderie that keeps aviators coming back, this is your inside look at a tradition that captures the true spirit of AirVenture.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How the Pirate Party first began in the North 40

• The logistics (and legends) of throwing a massive grassroots party at Oshkosh

• Why a storage locker in Oshkosh is the Pirates’ secret weapon

• Stories from years of campfires, friendships, and unforgettable nights

• Why the Pirate Party embodies the heart of aviation community

EPISODE 100 IS COMING SOON!!!

Calling all fans, for the 100th episode, we would love to hear from you! Please send us an audio note or a message that tells us what your favorite moments of the show have been.

We'd also love to have your "SEEYA" for the end of the episode.

You can send your contribution to: [email protected]

Our Other Content:

Badger Pilot on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thebadgerpilot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/65meVcZcfPDxZJ4qmwRWOB?si=72ff543240214550 ⁠

Subscribe and Follow:

Don’t miss an episode—subscribe to the Flying Midwest Podcast on your favorite platform and follow us on social media for the latest aviation news and podcast updates.

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Your support helps us keep bringing you high-quality aviation content!

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Join our Patreon community for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and links to LIVE episode recordings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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• Lightspeed Aviation: Discover premium pilot headsets.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Engage with Us:Connect with us on social media or drop us an email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected].

Episode Show Notes

We’re back with another AirVenture ’25 packed episode! This week we sit down with professional pilot and aviation photographer Brian Uretsky, who shares his journey from working in IT to flying cargo on the Boeing 767. Brian talks about his path through general aviation, the leap into professional flying, and how aviation photography became such a big part of his story. His perspective offers inspiration for anyone chasing the dream of turning a passion for aviation into a career.

We also catch up with Jim and Madi to hear about their latest flying adventures. And since no summer would be complete without it, we dive into some State Fair food talk—unable to avoid another Midwest food review.

Whether you’re here for the pilot stories, the flying fun, or just the fairground flavors, this episode has something for you.

Connect with Brian Uretsky:

• Website: brianuretsky.com

• Instagram: @uretskyaviation

• Threads: @uretskyaviation

  
  

Our Other Content:

Badger Pilot on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thebadgerpilot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AeroExploration Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://open.spotify.com/show/65meVcZcfPDxZJ4qmwRWOB?si=72ff543240214550

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