Midlife Pilot Podcast

The guys swap tales of dodging clouds, diverting around storms, and wrestling with an ancient audio panel that picked the worst possible time to conk out (IFR over Atlanta - yikes!) Ben, Brian and Ted dish on what it's like to fly with a pilot you haven't shared a cockpit with before. Is your flying buddy all good? - or a hazardous attitude waiting to happen?

Tune in for some hangar flying gold, including tips for handling your first big weather diversion and the scoop on Ben's long-overdue avionics upgrade. And stick around for a teaser about the big 100th episode extravaganza!

Links to things mentioned on the show:

Show Outline

1. Introduction

- Episode 90 of the Midlife Pilot Podcast

- Hosts: Ben, Brian, and Ted

2. Recent Flying Experiences

- Brian: Navigating challenging weather conditions with a passenger

- Ted: Diverting due to thunderstorms near Seattle

- Ben: Dealing with audio panel failure over Atlanta's airspace

3. Discussion Topics

- Handling communication failures in different flight conditions

- Weather assessment and decision-making

- Using tools like Windy for weather forecasting

4. Community Engagement

- Patreon membership and benefits

- Discord community and inside programming

- Upcoming check ride debrief session

5. Avionics Upgrade Discussion

- Ben's plans for updating his aircraft's audio panel

- Potential benefits of modern avionics

6. Quick Topic: Deciding to Fly with Someone

- Assessing personalities and hazardous attitudes

- Considering comfort levels and introversion

7. Wrap-up

- Upcoming Episode 91: Top 10 tips for student pilots

- Teaser for Episode 100

Why is having aviation mentors so important? We tell tales of mentors saving the day, how to be mentored, and the importance of never missing an opportunity to shut up.

Listeners Bruce and Neil give feedback about last week's discussion of flying in heat.

Mentioned on the show:

* Cape Girardeau airport, Missouri: https://www.airnav.com/airport/CGI

* Seguin Texas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seguin,_Texas

* Robinson R22: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson_R22

* Becki and Chris flying their R44 across the USA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f05KoULTdfY

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

* Cairo Missouri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo,_Missouri

* Cairo Georgia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo,_Georgia

* National car rental Emerald Club FBO program: https://legacy.nationalcar.com/en_US/car-rental/business-programs/general-aviation.html

* TVI airport, both runways closed: https://www.airnav.com/airport/TVI

* Tifton Georgia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tifton,_Georgia

* Ocracoke trip, Ben got the nickname 'Sage': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP9b2EbNko4

* Master ('Sensei') CFI Nathan Ballard: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBallardSaferFlying

* Stick and Rudder book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/stick-and-rudder-an-explanation-of-the-art-of-flying-wolfgang-langewiesche/8077844

* 1dullgeek, #dammit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXIOV4Wv_uM

* Lloyd Dobler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEgu7jdc_fs#t=28s

* Easy Flight, Flight Instructor vs Coach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLNZj-4YRBw

How does flying in the heat affect you? Do you know when to say when? We talk about the trials of flying in summer heat, things we think about to keep safe, Ben's ride in an L39, and more!

Mentioned on the show:

- Larry Lee flying his L39 (this is who flew Ben): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46BWO26mNpE

- FlightChops, flying aerobatics with his daughter for the first time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OApcRojO0Oc

- Brian Shul's SR71 speed check story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AyHH9G9et0

- Brian Siskind, NOBODY CARES, gravel parking lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAjPnyxtrSM

- Sling USA's TSi air conditioning system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRsb1-o4wGA#t=5m48s

- Evan Brunye's Sling TSi air conditioning system: https://www.kitplanes.com/air-conditioning-now-available-for-sling-tsi/

- Adam R's J3 Cub videos in Florida: https://www.youtube.com/@AdamRichArt/videos

- IcyBreeze air conditioning cooler: https://www.icybreeze.com/

- Nathan Ballard is now a Master CFI! https://nafi.memberclicks.net/assets/Master/BALLARD%20MCFI%20PR.pdf

- Nathan Ballard- protecting your health, including sunscreen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvnamts-aC0

- Safer Flying with Nathan Ballard patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nathanballardsaferflying/about

- Erica/Aerosafe's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AeroSafe

- Flight Insight "Can you take off from Death Valley?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X2RD14HRa0

- Boldmethod "Does Departing In The Morning With Lower Density Altitude Really Help?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N49MmxX4ibA

Friend of the show AJ joins the podcast to recap a masterful flight that Ben and 1dullgeek took with careful routing through thunderstorms. AJ's work with controllers was instructive for Ben. AJ also joined the Chock Club with Ben.

Mentioned on the show:

* BUKHD3 arrival: https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2407/00469BUKHD.PDF

* Eagleville Soaring club: https://eaglevillesoaring.org/

* Mishpachah: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mishpachah

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

* 20V - Kremmling Colorado: https://www.airnav.com/airport/20V

* Nathan Ballard CFIIIII patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nathanballardsaferflying/about

We are joined by Mark, aka 1DullGeek, to debrief the alternator loss on an instrument approach while returning from Osh Kosh. We discuss how the near-emergency was handled, how flying with a second pilot worked, and how Instrument training can only prepare you for so much.

Mentioned on the show:

* Flying Midwest Podcast - Information Foxtrot with Ben and Ted plus OB's AG and RH: https://lnns.co/Eno4ag0P8fG

* Opposing Bases - live at Airventure: https://opposingbases.libsyn.com/ob342-live-from-eaa-airventure-oshkosh-2024

* Ask the A&Ps: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/podcasts/podcasts/ask-the-a-and-ps

* IFR with only an ipad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMxsdEeEzFM

* OWB Owensboro Kentucky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/OWB

* Spotted Cow beer: https://newglarusbrewing.com/pages/year-round-beers

* PTAC (PDF): https://www.aopa.org/-/media/Files/AOPA/Home/Training-and-Safety/Air-Safety/ASI-BeyondPro-IFR_StableApproach_SampleProfile.pdf

* Seth Lake - DPE: https://vsl.aero/dpe.html

Which hazardous attitudes do we find ourselves falling into sometimes? Are some of the classic 5 hazardous attitudes more or less common in midlife pilots? We talk them all through from our point of view.

RH of Opposing Bases joins Ben, Brian, and Ted to offer some midlife radio tips. What's the perfect flight following call? Does it matter? Should you call "in the blind"? What does a controller hear when they're listening to multiple frequencies?

OB will be at Airventure in Oshkosh, recording a show Saturday, July 27 2024 at 10am.

Mentioned on the show:

* Opposing Bases: https://www.opposingbases.com/

* Learn by listening to LiveATC (especially deltas or smaller charlies with good radio coverage): https://www.liveatc.net/

* Luke's Landing (was flying with Brian): https://www.youtube.com/@lukeslanding2230

* Wiehl commercial checkride debrief for Patreon supporters: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-member-108148160

Ben, Brian, and Ted compare perspectives from what it's like to have 100 hours vs. the point of view from 500 hours - and the pursuit of mastery.

- People Places & Adventures with Dee and Vee: https://www.youtube.com/@planeplaces/videos

- RHP - Andrews North Carolina: https://www.airnav.com/airport/RHP

- SSI - St Simons Island: https://www.airnav.com/airport/SSI

- Tail of the Dragon: https://tailofthedragon.com/how-to-ride/

- Chris C, Rebuilding Confidence and Proficiency: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a9eZQsle8Y

- Brian's first solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ma6pvmwxM

- MPP EP14, What They Don't Teach You In Flight School (with Kerry Mccauley)

- Aviation Newstalk 336, Seattle Cirrus parachute pull: https://aviationnewstalk.com/podcast/336-cirrus-sr22t-caps-parachute-pull-over-seattle-with-jim-simon-ga-news/

- Pilots to Pilots 309, Josh Flowers of Aviation 101: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e309-josh-flowers-aviation101/id1208147571?i=1000659632737

- Canard Boulevard, wearing shoulder harnesses properly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg5RkHJRqmQ

- Nathan Ballard, how to survive a crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G2xUfKl0lY

Ben, Ted, and Brian catch up, then Ben talks with Chris C about his flight simulator use. The community shares opinions and suggestions, then Ted shares a clip from Chris C's recent video talking about having "jitters" after not flying for a while.

Mentioned on the show:

* Chris C, Flying Past 50, Rebuilding Confidence and Proficiency: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a9eZQsle8Y

* Flight sim discord thread: https://discord.com/channels/1016100180325564418/1257478939371114616

* Flight sim saves 5.5 hours of training: https://generalaviationnews.com/2024/05/29/study-confirms-flight-simulation-benefits-pilot-training/

* Full report: https://flightsimassociation.com/report

* FlightChops, multi-engine IFR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSjDEQ5E6xQ

* Freedom Aviation Network: https://www.freedomaviationnetwork.org/

* MPP EP37 - Looking for a flying purpose? Join the Freedom Aviation Network: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP37---Looking-for-a-flying-purpose--Join-the-Freedom-Aviation-Network-e25oshp

* ABY, Albany Georgia: https://www.airnav.com/airport/ABY

* Eagles of America FBO, Albany Georgia: https://www.eaglesfbo.com/

* FlyVolar's scale P38 replica: https://www.flyvolar.com/ttp38

* Meigs Field in MSFS: https://fsnews.eu/simcident-report-massacre-at-meigs-field-the-ill-fated-fight-to-save-flight-sims-most-famous-airport/#:~:text=The%20airport%20served%20as%20Microsoft,Field%20and%20the%20downtown%20area.&text=Meigs%20made%20perfect%20sense%20as%20a%20default%20starting%20location.

* MS Flight Simulator v1.0, which ran on the Osborne computer: https://www.mobygames.com/game/4003/microsoft-flight-simulator-v10/screenshots/pc-booter/779935/

* Erica Gilbert, Aerosafe, recurrent training in the TBM: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tbm-recurrent-106988865

* Riddle paper, "Transfer of Training from Flight Training Devices to Flight for Ab-Initio Pilots": https://commons.erau.edu/publication/149/

* "flight sims save 5.5 hours in training" survey: https://generalaviationnews.com/2024/05/29/study-confirms-flight-simulation-benefits-pilot-training/

* full report of the survey: https://flightsimassociation.com/report

Flight sim add on links:

* https://navigraph.com/

* https://www.simbrief.com/home/

* https://hifisimtech.com/asfs/

* https://www.sayintentions.ai/

* https://www.spadnext.com/home.html

* https://gameglass.gg/

* https://www.siminnovations.com/

* https://www.pilotedge.net/

* https://www.trackir.com/

* https://gaming.tobii.com/product/eye-tracker-5/

* https://smoothtrack.app/

Join Ben, Brian, and Ted discussing a potpourri of topics, including Ted's trip that was 4x as fast as driving, Josh's Cirrus emergency, 1dullgeek's rant on hangars, and Brian landing Lucy on grass.

Mentioned on the show:

- Buzzfeed: How Nashville Became One Big Bachelorette Party: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annehelenpetersen/how-nashville-became-one-big-bachelorette-party

- Patreon Member Bonus, KZK #1: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-member-1-106886247

- Washington Pilots Association: https://www.wpaflys.org/

- Friday Harbor Airport: https://www.portfridayharbor.org/airport/

- GA provisions in the FAA reauthorization: https://download.aopa.org/advocacy/2024/FAA_Reauthorization_2024_GA_Title_Summary.pdf

- Mailbox lasagna: https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-06-23-mailbox-lasagna-tennessee-weatherman-suggests-bizarre-recipe-amid-heatwave/

- THA Tullahoma: https://www.airnav.com/airport/THA

- SYI Shelbyville: https://www.airnav.com/airport/SYI

- GA2 Peach State Aerodrome: https://www.airnav.com/airport/GA2

- Jason Miller, The Finer Points, swinging from vine to vine like a monkey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMvTEdbnFnM#t=12m25s

- Shelley + Scott Weckler, Property Pilots: https://www.instagram.com/propertypilots/