In this episode, a perfectionist's quest for the perfect checklist leads to an unexpected business acquisition. Barry explains how his journey from "maybe I should get my pilot certificate" turned into owning Checkmate Aviation after his DIY checklist started peeling apart.

Between Ben's tales of impressing passengers with instrument approaches and Brian's near-purchase of a globe-trotting Swift, the crew dives into the art of flows versus checklists, and joke about creating a "midlife version" with extra-large text.

Barry M, who owns Checkmate Aviation, talked about checklists and flows: https://checkmateaviation.com/

Mentioned on the show:

* Erica Gilbert - Aerosafe: https://www.youtube.com/@AeroSafe/videos

* TMA - Tifton GA: https://www.airnav.com/airport/TMA

* MMI - Athens TN: https://www.airnav.com/airport/MMI

* Swift museum: https://swiftmuseumfoundation.org/

* ICARUS view-limiting device: https://www.icarusdevices.com/

* Arthur Schopenhauer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Schopenhauer

* Checkmate Aviation: https://checkmateaviation.com/

* TTD - Troutdale Oregon: https://www.airnav.com/airport/TTD

* Checklist Manifesto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Checklist_Manifesto

Come for the "sleep-deprived Ballyhoo," stay for the "bowling ball collectors who fly Cherokee 235s." In this episode, the crew reveals their "Ultimate Official Airplane of..." Guide where your aircraft choice might expose you as someone who "lectures about stick and rudder at parties" or "plans flights around Whole Foods locations." Plus, tales of an overenthusiastic ATC requesting a "60-mile left downwind," and why raising a puppy is just like raising a child, except "you only have to feed the dog twice a day." Featuring special guest appearances by a green-primered 737 and Ted's dirty belly (on his plane, that is).

* Nathan Ballard's first "learning from the military" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka_5m69KCKs

* Ted's new video, "return from friday harbor with my favorite passenger", with the dirty belly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwBmh8KX22A#t=3m55s

* "Official airplane of" list on the MPP blog: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/blog/the-ultimate-official-airplane-of-guide

* MPP Aviation Apps Guide: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/blog/comprehensive-ish-aviation-apps-guide

* Bunyan's in Muscle Shoals: https://www.bunyansbarbeque.com/

* Nathan Ballard's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBallardSaferFlying

* Nathan's first military flying video: "What happens when a SMALL PLANE flies through MILITARY AIRSPACE?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka_5m69KCKs

* WDR - Barrow County Airport, Winder Georgia: https://www.airnav.com/airport/WDR

* Sheppard Air Force Base: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheppard_Air_Force_Base

* Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program: https://www.sheppard.af.mil/Library/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/367537/euro-nato-joint-jet-pilot-training-program-enjjpt/

* T-38 Talon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_T-38_Talon

* AOPA Air Safety Institute: Accident Case Study: Final Approach: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning/accident-case-studies/final-approach

"Well honey, the engine's about to stop running..." is NOT a conversation you want to have at 5,000 feet. In this episode full of real-talk about fuel management, our midlife pilots share their close calls and lessons learned. From Ben's accidental "skywriting" performance (thanks to one loose screw) to his sweaty-palms moments watching those notoriously unreliable Cessna fuel gauges, the crew digs into why "it's always fuel" became their go-to accident theory. As the old aviation wisdom goes: there's only one time you can have too much fuel - when you're on fire!

Mentioned on the show:

- Brian's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian.siskind/

- M20 Leitchfield Kentucky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/M20

- Stinson Voyager: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinson_Voyager

- Minimum fuel, emergency fuel, reserve fuel (PDF): https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-11/INFO_08004.pdf

- Twin Hornet heater: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/aircraftheaters_08-12217.php

- MentorLive with Nathan Ballard, Jan 22: https://www.nafinet.org/mentorlive

Become a Patreon supporter of the show!

www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast

Join us for a special Appy Hour episode! We talk aviation apps and tools we love, and some we even know how to use. From the "suspiciously good and free" flight analysis tools that'll keep you up until 4 AM, to website tools that look straight out of the "Angel Fire website" era (rotating fire GIFs not included), we're diving into the digital tools that keep us flying.

Learn why calling that old-school weather briefing number might connect you with someone doing their best late-night talk show host impression, and why Ben calls ATC radio "soothing" when there's nothing else to listen to. Whether you're tracking your landings, checking weather, or just trying to figure out if it's okay to brush snow off someone else's plane (spoiler: maybe don't), we've got you covered in this episode. Plus, hear why our Big Texas Send Fly In event in May 2025 is already making us ask "What have we done?" Your weekly dose of aviation inspiration, now with 100% more app recommendations.

Join the crew as they announce their epic 2025 fly-in at the retro-cool Hangar Hotel in Fredericksburg, Texas! Between planning cross-country routes and debating who gets "shotgun" in Erica's TBM, the hosts share hilarious stories and valuable pilot wisdom. Featuring gems like "I can't tell if I'm being insulted or not" and "What if we just keep flying around until Oshkosh?" Plus, 1DullGeek bravely shares his tale of wing-meets-pole. From ceramic-coated planes to accidental aircraft relocations, Episode 109 serves up aviation camaraderie with a side of Texas-sized ambition. See you in May! RSVP!

Mentioned on the show:

* Join us at the 2025 Big Texas Send! Hangar Hotel, T82 Fredericksburg TX, May 2-4. Info, RSVP form, and directions for the hotel room block: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/rsvpt82

* CPP Green County GA: https://www.airnav.com/airport/CPP

* Ted's new video, "friday harbor with my favorite passenger": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFMPlhNvS5M

* EP46, Flying With Your Spouse: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP46---Flying-With-Your-Spouse-e2b1cpn

* Erica, Aerosafe: https://www.youtube.com/@AeroSafe

* Hangar Hotel video from Just Plane Silly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58d85X1R5G4

* Hangar Hotel, FunPlacesToFly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nryylfueJJE

* Tac Aero video from Charlie Gasmire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyVoRExoBUI

Get all the fly in info, support the podcast on Patreon and join the community:

https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/

Mentioned on the show:

* Brian's new video, "Loss of Power IS Power": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF9tF7rY8ZE

* EP84, RH of Opposing Bases, "reading the room": https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP84---Midlife-radio-tips-with-RH---reading-the-room-e2m4ite/a-abehav7

* CFIIMunden's reaction video to Brian's "The Art of NOT Flying" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olq89uQsP68

* EVB New Smyrna Beach airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Smyrna_Beach_Municipal_Airport

* LOU Bowman Field airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowman_Field_(Kentucky)

* Ted, "behind the power curve on a go-around": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8lVTNWf6gI

* Brian's "forgot what airport I just left" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm-dsPSgk5g#t=73m40s

Ben, Brian, and Ted dive into why perfection might actually be holding you back in the cockpit! Between Brian's obsession with landing "THE MIDDLE of the centerline stripe" and Ben's tales of learning to embrace "sexy indifference" in the pattern, these midlife pilots share why being "just adequate" isn't always a bad thing. Plus, find out why "low VFR" apparently means there's "icing on the vegetables" and why sometimes you just need to "turn off that dang autopilot" and embrace the wobble! 🛩️

Mentioned on the show:

* Brian's Flying Eyes discount code is "SISKIND": https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=TIWCnBYqpOn8uA

* Barnstormers Grill: https://exploregeorgia.org/griffin/arts-culture/museums/barnstormers-grill

* Bunyan's Hot Dogs, Muscle Shoals on Luke's Landing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYPGV1egrdk

* EP14 with Kerry Mcauley, "What They Don't Teach You In Flight School": https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP14---What-They-Dont-Teach-You-In-Flight-School-e1ifqqs/a-a7tvbcp

* Smartless podcast, "sexy indifference": https://www.smartless.com/

When your ETA increases by 30 minutes while on final approach, you know you're in for a story. In Episode 106, Ben's "one-day-feels-like-multi-day" adventure sets the stage for a lively discussion about planning extended flying trips. Between battling 60-knot headwinds, debating the merits of various approaches, and discovering why a credit card might be your most important safety equipment (unless you have a parachute), the hosts share practical wisdom wrapped in aviation humor. From Brian's "chase the tailwinds" philosophy to Ted's daylight-deprived Portland perspective, learn the art of multi-day trip planning – and why someone might drive three hours just to retrieve a tail tie-down strap.

* LZU Gwinnett, Lawrenceville Ga: https://www.airnav.com/airport/LZU

* OLV Olive Branch, Miss: https://www.airnav.com/airport/kolv

* Windy weather app: https://www.windy.com/

* Windy's meteogram: https://community.windy.com/topic/14827/how-to-read-meteogram

* Erica Gilbert's Aerosafe: https://www.youtube.com/@AeroSafe

Support the show, get merch, and send us your feedback!

www.midlifepilotpodcast.com

Join the crew as they plan their spring fly-in while debating the merits of ignorance-is-bliss flying versus obsessing over engine monitors. Ted confesses to having saggy flaps (on his plane, of course), Brian explains why Super 8 footage isn't just an Instagram filter, and Ben discovers that dad hats might be the aerodynamic solution for the follicly challenged pilot. The gang explores potential meetup locations while dreaming of their own private air park, complete with BBQ pits and hangout huts. Plus, find out how one listener became an "astronaut" thanks to a NASA letter in the mail, and why logging zero hours might be worth celebrating after all.

Mentioned on the show:

* Brian's "Dad's flight bag" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ma6pvmwxM

* Ted's new pattern work and geese video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyjwzXh4q6I

* T82 Fredericksburg: https://www.airnav.com/airport/T82

* Hangar Hotel at T82: https://www.hangarhotel.com/

* 09J Jekyll Island: https://www.airnav.com/airport/09J

* I73 Moraine, Dayton Ohio: https://www.airnav.com/airport/I73

* GPT Gulfport: https://www.airnav.com/airport/GPT

* Rough River Kentucky: https://parks.ky.gov/parks/find-a-park/rough-river-dam-state-resort-park-7800#lodging

* Brian's new video, "How to Read the ATC Room": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq8xywGS4HE

* Brian's new video, "The Art of NOT Flying": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGb9WqflFWs