Midlife Pilot Podcast

Need more time to fly but life keeps getting in the way? The Midlife Pilot crew tackles aviation's eternal struggle - finding time to get airborne while juggling work, family, and that ever-growing honey-do list. From strategic calendar blocking to creative "errands" (like Ben's suspiciously convenient forgotten jacket that required a flight to retrieve), discover how these pilots squeeze more cockpit time into packed schedules. Whether you're a student trying to stay consistent with training or a licensed pilot keeping current, this episode offers practical tips, humorous workarounds, and reassurance that you're not alone in the quest to find that elusive balance between life on the ground and time in the sky.

* RMG Rome Georgia: http://www.airnav.com/airport/RMG

* Sam's Burger Deli, Rome Georgia: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1021640145/sams-burger-deli/

* EP48 - Nashville ATC! Controllers, pilots, realtors Scott and Shelley Weckler: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wAvZ85qtTEh5CDcDObrr4

* EGKR Redhill Aerodrome: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redhill_Aerodrome

Ben, Brian, and Ted tackle the art of fiscally responsible flying in this lively episode. From owner-assisted annuals to strategic fuel planning, discover practical ways to keep your aviation passion aloft without completely emptying your wallet. Plus, hear special insights from "Cheapskate" Nate on smart budgeting, and learn why slower flying might actually be the way to go. Warning: No actual guarantee of cheap flying provided, but plenty of wallet-wise wisdom shared! Featuring night IMC adventures, tales of impressive landings (now with notarized proof), and the eternal debate over whether paying less for fuel is actually saving you money.

* DNL Daniel Field Airport, Augusta Ga: https://www.airnav.com/airport/DNL

* RyanK's I Learned About Flying From That, ep81, on being in IMC with a failing vacuum pump: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mGlSB4dmGlHfFzsDdsiiu

* 21Five Podcast, ep 143, Light Sport training for pilot track pilots, "what ever happened to the skycatcher? I wonder why it didn't catch on." https://open.spotify.com/episode/4lFXM8DaRwpNC529IDX9TJ?si=mw9FY-o6Q7mgEWXuJkP4hQ

* PlanePlaces's video showing carb ice happening in cruise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm6IWqkAqjg

* Brian's ep100 video: "Headset Problems and Hot Dogs": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV10VDMaIh0

* Ted's ep100 video: "the journey is half the adventure": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfPdlg_mkr8

Ben, Brian, and Ted share stories and adventures from their recent non-event gathering in West Virginia, including Ben's memorable "seven-mile base" skywriting approach with a fuel leak, Brian's encounters at unique mountain airports, and various flying experiences in challenging terrain. The hosts discuss their stops at small airports like Logan County (6L4) where they discovered classic cars and met fascinating local aviation enthusiasts. Ted provides audio clips of memorable radio exchanges from the trip.

Hear your listener feedback about getting back into flying after breaks, chair flying techniques used by the Blue Angels, and the growing international reach of their aviation community. The hosts also tease plans for a future spring meetup while reflecting on how their impromptu airport visits often lead to the most memorable experiences in aviation.

* pepperoni rolls from Country Club Bakery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepperoni_roll

* Woody's Hot Dogs: https://wvhotdogblog.blogspot.com/2019/07/fairmont-hdj-review-woodys.html

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

* 4G7, Fairmont WV, great airport (with difficulty) to learn at: https://www.airnav.com/airport/4G7

* SJS, Big Sandy, Prestonburg, Kentucky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/SJS

* 6L4, Logan County Airport, WV: https://www.airnav.com/airport/6L4

* C130 assault landing strips near 6L4: https://bit.ly/3Cf6CX5

* Luke's Landing, epic segment on on hot dogs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYPGV1egrdk

Broadcasting from a cold hangar at Fairmont Airport, the gang unites in-person for their 100th episode spectacular non-event!

Join the original "Chairman Emeritus" Chris Moran (who now prefers conducting symphonies to podcasts), Brian (who claims learning to land with only lap belts builds character), Ben (inventor of the "emergency fuel-venting seven-mile left base"), Ted (representing the "other" coast that apparently exists), and Mark "One Dull/Wendell" Geek (master of conflating tail numbers into entirely new aircraft types) for a night of hangar-based chaos. Even Luke "It's Just One Landing" makes a special appearance to document the questionable decision-making.

Featuring questionable radio calls that would make any controller weep, special notes from CFI Nate Ballard, Badger, and RH - and Luke's casual observation from the backseat about "skywriting" fuel. Plus, hear an epic phonetic alphabet rant about "Tree-Fower-Fife," and Chris's totally spontaneous (wink) sales pitch for his Cherokee 235.

Come for the celebration, stay for the camaraderie. As they say in West Virginia: if you can learn to land here, you can land anywhere!

Warning: May contain excessive references to pepperoni rolls, PBR, and Ben's limpy microphone stand

* Luke's Landing, great aviation videos, watch "best hot dog": https://www.youtube.com/@lukeslanding2230

* West Virginia's Babydog: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babydog

As they approach their 100th episode, the crew digs through their logbooks to share stories from their 100th flight hour and 100th landing. From Ben's adorably redundant "power-on stalls and recovery" logbook entry (yes, he survived to tell the tale) to a theatrical listener letter from Lord Alpha Juliet, the crew reminisces about their aviation milestones. Joined by special guest Mark (Wendell Geek), they swap stories and preview their upcoming 100th episode - broadcasting live from Fairmont Airport with promises of pepperoni rolls, PBR, and the whole crew together for the first time.

* DKX Knoxville Downtown Island Airport, Tenn: https://www.airnav.com/airport/DKX

* HKY Hickory Airport, NC: https://www.airnav.com/airport/HKY

* PYP Centre Airport, Ala: https://www.airnav.com/airport/PYP

* HAI Three Rivers Airport, Mich: https://www.airnav.com/airport/HAI

* CSG Columbus Airport, Ga: https://www.airnav.com/airport/CSG

* 1A7 Jackson County Airport, Tenn: https://www.airnav.com/airport/1A7

* SAV Savannah/Hilton Head Airport, Ga: https://www.airnav.com/airport/SAV

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

* 7S3 Twin Oaks Airport, Ore: https://www.airnav.com/airport/7S3

* DME arc to ILS approach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJtaURhaTIM

* BWG Bowling Green: https://www.airnav.com/airport/BWG

* Anyway, here's Wonderwall: https://www.voicemag.uk/blog/10355/anyway-heres-wonderwall

From landing woes to pre-checkride jitters, Episode 98 of the Midlife Pilot Podcast dives into those dreaded training plateaus that make every pilot wonder if they've forgotten how to fly. The crew shares their personal stories of getting stuck (Brian's memorable "ugly landing" phase included), while offering hope and humor for pushing through the frustration. Featuring sage advice like "embrace the plateau" and "sometimes you just need a nap," plus a healthy dose of pilot camaraderie. The gang also gets pumped about their upcoming 100th episode shindig in West Virginia - complete with bourbon and pizza rolls, because nothing says milestone celebration quite like comfort food and good friends!

Mentioned on the show:

* Kid Rock's middle finger jet: https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11000114

* Reba McEntire's helipad: https://archive.is/3Tm7c

* Smiley face forest: https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2020/12/who-planted-a-giant-smiley-face-of-trees.html

* Double bubble gum: https://www.tootsie.com/candy/dubble-bubble/dubble-bubble-twist-gum

* Defragging hard drives: https://eclecticlight.co/2024/10/05/a-brief-history-of-defragging/

* Facebook: Student Pilots over 50: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4762601340449954/

* EP52 - Checkride Binders: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP52---Checkride-binders--Fritos-on-fire--and-Nashville-Meetup-announcement-e2ct34k

* "Sleep and the Time Course of Motor School Learning": https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC202318

* "Organizational Capacity and Progress Plateaus in the Flight Training Environment": https://commons.erau.edu/jaaer/vol19/iss2/5/

Join Ben, Brian, and Ted as they explore the wild world of pilot superstitions. Brian admits to thanking his plane after flights, while Ben confesses to repositioning his dashboard hula girl based on landing quality. Ted reveals his habit of wearing outlandish socks during training flights. The chat chimes in with their own quirks, like bringing stuffed animal co-pilots. Brian recounts his thrilling experience at a STOL competition, and hundreds of spectators judging his landing. The guys debate whether announcing checkride dates jinxes the outcome, and Ben explains his obsessive attachment to his beat-up kneeboard. Plus, hear about new podcast merch and their upcoming 100th episode celebration at Fairmont airport.

The 100th episode is coming up! Oct 28, at 4G7 Fairmont West Virginia. Not an official meetup, RSVP is required (on discord or [email protected]) if you're planning to attend.

mentioned on the show:

* Music City STOL: https://nationalstol.com/musiccity/

* XNX Music City Executive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_City_Executive_Airport

* 5-hour Music City STOL competition video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtKlqQsl54o

* Master CFI Nathan "Mallard"'s bird video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrN15HLL0AQ

* UAO Aurora: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_State_Airport

* Origins of knocking on wood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocking_on_wood

* Folklore of mirrors as windows to the soul: https://leanbhpearson.com/2023/02/02/mirror-folklore/

* Master CFI Nathan Ballard hosting NAFI mentorLIVE: https://www.mentorlive.site/program/85.html

* Jason Miller, The Finer Points Podcast, When It All Goes Down: crashing a plane, Garmin Inreach: https://www.learnthefinerpoints.com/podcast

* Aviation Newstalk 352, interviewing Hurricane Helene volunteer helicopter pilot: https://aviationnewstalk.com/podcast/352-r44-helicopter-pilot-stories-delivering-supplies-after-hurricane-helene/

* Opposing Bases 353, Hurricane Reponse: All Hands on Deck: https://opposingbases.libsyn.com/ob353-hurricane-response-all-hands-on-deck

Buckle up for a hilarious journey through aviation's most annoying quirks! In this episode, we're dishing out our top flying pet peeves, from unnecessary "with you" radio calls to those infuriating C-17 patterns flown by Cessnas. Listen in as Brian confesses his frustration with people who can't handle airplane doors gently, and stick around for Ben's passionate rant about ancient aviation tech.

* Opposing Bases 352: https://opposingbases.libsyn.com/ob352-general-aviations-natural-disaster-response

* Aviation NewsTalk 351: https://aviationnewstalk.com/podcast/351-pilots-to-the-rescue-your-stories-of-hurricane-helene-relief-missions/

Mentioned on the show:

* 100th episode is coming up! Oct 28, 4G7 Fairmont West Virginia. Not an official meetup, RSVP on Discord is required if you're planning to attend.

* West Virginia pepperoni rolls: https://wvtourism.com/state-food-pepperoni-roll/

* Sally Struthers ("for only 70 cents per day"): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePENcrE_xcQ#t=80s

* Lees-McRae College: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lees%E2%80%93McRae_College

* EP84 - Midlife radio tips with RH - reading the room: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP84---Midlife-radio-tips-with-RH---reading-the-room-e2m4ite

* @CorporatePilotLife, showing good CRM: https://www.youtube.com/@CorporatePilotLife/videos

In this episode, our hosts stumble through tales of spontaneous flights and radio call blunders, while a listener steals the show with a perfect flight following call. We explore the art of forgetting your own location, nailing instrument approaches, and more. Join us for a mix of triumphs, facepalms, and the occasional moment of midlife pilot brilliance.

Mentioned on the show:

* 100th episode is coming up! Oct 28, 4G7 Fairmont West Virginia. Not an official meetup, RSVP is required if you're planning to attend.

* VGs on a Piper: https://piperowner.org/are-vortex-generators-worth-it-the-consensus-seems-to-be-yes/

* EP84 - Midlife radio tips with RH - reading the room: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP84---Midlife-radio-tips-with-RH---reading-the-room-e2m4ite

* History of Marfa Texas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marfa,_Texas#History

* GVT Majors Airport - Greenville Texas: https://www.airnav.com/airport/GVT

* N7777F, Malibu Mirage JetProp: https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1076678

* JetProp conversion: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2015/august/pilot/t_ql

Join Ben, Brian, and Ted as they explore unique flying adventure ideas that go beyond the typical "$100 hamburger" flight. From discovering hidden gems like Alabama's Ave Maria Grotto to planning hobby-based trips (like flying for 25 cent blackberries), the guys share inspiration for memorable flights.

Amidst the hangar talk, you'll hear tales of airport fence jumping, "information whiskey" style tangents, and Ted's inability to pronounce "fly fly fly fishing." Brian also resurrects his dream to visit Tangier Island before it's underwater.