Midlife Pilot Podcast

Welcome to another Information Whiskey post-maintenance flight where apparently we need more whiskey. Ben's out here doing multi-engine training in a Beechcraft Duchess and discovering that single-engine work is basically "leg day" for pilots.

Meanwhile, Brian's back in the air after a month-long hiatus (because life gets in the way when you're a midlife pilot) and Ted's just casually racked up 58 hours flying from Wisconsin to Oregon... by way of Indiana. Because that's totally how geography works.

Ben's living his best pleasantly primitive life at flight school, complete with actual answering machines (beep!), carbon copy receipts, and instructors who write everything out by hand.

Brian shares his mid-flight training technique: practicing wing-raising with rudder while just "bopping around doing kind of nothing" at 3000 feet, while Ted's been in a quasi-serious relationship with "the egg" for the last 90 days.

Community celebrations include our new Hershey Bar level Patreon members Greg T, William S, Joel R, Echo Kilo, Zach R, Matthew P, and Aaron G (thank you!), plus Scott and Mountain Rat Mat crushing their long solo cross-countries.

MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

• Northwest Aeronaut aka "Oregon CFI Sam", Dutch rolls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxUwSb40LD4

• Spirit aircraft's SE-1: https://flyer.co.uk/spirit-launches-se-1-at-oshkosh-after-ten-years-of-secrecy/

• Spirit aircraft website: https://spiriteng.com/se-1-aircraft/

• My Cousin Vinny: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Cousin_Vinny

• Mike Busch, Ask the A&Ps, on post-maintenance flights: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thats-one-way-to-flat-spot-a-tire/id1527442466?i=1000717363376

• Ben's Beechcraft Duchess Multi-Engine Training

• Ted's Epic Oshkosh Return Journey (with Chicago skyline detour)

• Brian's Mid-Flight Rudder Training Techniques

• Community Wins and New Patreon Family

MIDLIFE PILOT PODCAST:

• Website: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com

• Patreon Community: https://patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast

• Watch Live on YouTube - Mondays 8PM Eastern: https://www.youtube.com/@midlifepilot

• Email: [email protected]

• Merch Store: https://store.midlifepilotpodcast.com

The aviation world just got flipped upside down! At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, the FAA dropped the MOSAIC bomb—the biggest shake-up to general aviation since 2004. Sport pilots can now fly aircraft with stall speeds up to 59 knots, and now have access to four-seat aircraft. But this isn't just about sport pilots—MOSAIC fundamentally reshapes the landscape for ALL pilots.

Our friend Ted, who sits on the ASTM committee and apparently has nothing better to do than read 700-page regulatory documents while camping in 100-degree heat, spent a week at Oshkosh decoding this mess so the rest of us could keep flying instead of drowning in federal paperwork. Fresh from his "undisclosed location in the canned pumpkin capital," Ted breaks down everything you need to know about the most significant expansion of pilot privileges in decades.

What You'll Learn:

• Why sport pilots can now fly Ben's Cessna 182 "Beast" (and thousands of other aircraft)
• How the 1,320-pound weight limit disappeared and what replaced it
• The maintenance revolution that lets experimental aircraft owners perform their own inspections with just 16 hours of training

• What this means for flight training costs and aircraft availability
• How manufacturers like Van's and Sling are ready to start building completed aircraft instead of just kits
• The hilarious story of how the official FAA announcement got the details completely wrong

Disclaimer: We're pilots and podcasters, not FAA officials or aviation lawyers. Always consult official sources and qualified professionals for regulatory guidance.

Show Notes & Links:

Airports & Aircraft Mentioned:

Blue Ridge Airport (MTV): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Airport

Beechcraft Duchess BE76: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_Duchess

DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeKalb%E2%80%93Peachtree_Airport

Piper Comanche: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_PA-24_Comanche

Official MOSAIC Resources:

MOSAIC Final Rule (FAA): https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2023-1377-1381

FAA Official Announcement: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-announces-improvements-recreational-aviation

EAA MOSAIC Information: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/advocacy/top-issues/mosaic-aircraft-certificate

EAA "MOSAIC Is Done!" Article: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publications/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/2025-07-22-mosaic-is-done

Industry Analysis & News:

General Aviation News MOSAIC Coverage: https://generalaviationnews.com/2025/07/23/long-awaited-mosaic-final-rule-released/

AOPA Light Sport Rules Expansion: https://aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2025/july/22/light-sport-rules-expand-dramatically

Kitplanes MOSAIC for Homebuilts: https://www.kitplanes.com/mosaic-is-here-what-it-means-for-homebuilts/

Flying Magazine MOSAIC Coverage: https://www.flyingmag.com/faa-finalizes-major-overhaul-of-light-sport-aircraft-rules/

Flight Insight Training Impact Analysis: https://www.flight-insight.com/post/faa-releases-final-mosaic-rule

Piper Flyer MOSAIC Forum Discussion: https://piperflyer.com/forum/unicom/1219-breaking-news-mosaic-final-rule-and-your-piper.html

Training & Maintenance:

Rainbow Aviation LSRM Courses: https://rainbowaviation.com/15-day-light-sport-repairman-maintenance-course/

Rainbow Aviation LSA Repairman Info: https://rainbowaviation.com/the-lsa-repairman-maintenance-or-inspection-rating/

Infinity Aero Club LSRM Training: https://infinityaeroclub.org/light-sport-repairman-maintenance-lsrm/

Kitplanes Light Sport Repairman Guide: https://www.kitplanes.com/light-sport-repairman-maintenance/

Connect With Us:

Website: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com

Email: [email protected]

Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast

YouTube Live Mondays 8 PM Eastern: https://www.youtube.com/@midlifepilotpodcast

The crew tackles listener Zach R's dilemma about "feeding our souls and starving our wallets" when it comes to aviation passion. Ted broadcasts live from under his airplane wing at Oshkosh (complete with random interruptions from Captain Jeff and the APG crew), while Ben, Brian, and special guest Nathan Ballard brainstorm creative ways to make flying more affordable and fulfilling.

From discovering that online aviation communities are full of CFIs that are "perfectly willing to be its best friend for the low, low rate of 60 to $70 an hour" to discussing whether being an "airport bum" is actually sound career advice, this episode is packed with practical tips for the budget-conscious pilot.

The gang explores everything from airport socializing and grass strip adventures to the reality that a Piper Dakota is "a lot of plane" for soul-searching flights. Plus, Nathan shares insights from his transition to professional flying, Ted dodges media interviews while podcasting, and Brian mourns his recently deceased MR2 (RIP).

Show Links:

Nathan Ballard YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBallardSaferFlying

Midlife Pilot Podcast:

• Website: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast

• Email: [email protected]
• Merch: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/merch

Organizations & Resources:

• NAFI (National Association of Flight Instructors): https://nafinet.org
• EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association): https://www.eaa.org
• Civil Air Patrol: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com
• AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association): https://www.aopa.org
• Freedom Aviation Network: https://freedomaviationnetwork.org

Flight Planning & Apps:

• ForeFlight: https://foreflight.com
• Garmin Pilot: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/115856

Aircraft Manufacturers:

• Flight Design (CTLS): https://flightdesignusa.com
• Piper Aircraft (Dakota): https://www.piper.com

Events:

• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: https://www.eaa.org/airventure

Airports Mentioned:

• Peachtree DeKalb (PDK): https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/airports
• John Tune Airport (JWN): https://www.flynashville.com/john-c-tune-airport

After a year-long aviation hiatus, the legend himself returns! Chris Moran, the original midlife pilot who started it all, is back in the cockpit and spilling the raw truth about what happens when life pulls you away from flying. In this emotional reunion episode, Chris delivers the reality check every pilot needs to hear: "I want this to be a joy bringer to my life, not a stress bringer" - and why taking breaks doesn't make you less of an aviator. But that's not all! Brian goes full caveman on two broken car AC systems, proving that sometimes the best maintenance philosophy is "maybe if you just whack it with a hammer a few times, maybe it'll revive itself." Ben reveals why dawn patrol flights are aviation's best-kept secret after his Savannah adventure, while Ted breaks down the engineering marvel that keeps "the egg" cool in scorching heat.

Chris also teases his upcoming instrument rating series and shares hard-won wisdom about creating content without burning out. Whether you're struggling with aviation guilt, wondering if it's normal to step away, or just want to hear grown men solve problems with percussive maintenance, this episode delivers the perfect blend of inspiration, practical advice, and pure entertainment. As the live chat perfectly summed up: "never let it be said that violence can't solve problems!"

Mentioned on the show:

* Erica Gilbert talking about heat: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wSfaeJ229m2KmIkA4CaK3

* Ted's new video, "feral cat flying and finding community": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq3qlPkBBQY

* Johnny Cash, "my song is sung": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGa3zFRqDn4#t=2m50s

* Converting R12 to R134a: https://www.techtownforum.com/knowledge-base/article/equipment-appliances/hvac/r12-to-r134a-conversion-chart-formula/

* Happy Days - The Fonz hitting the jukebox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP1cZ3rbkRg#t=15s

* HEF - Manassas Airport, Va: https://www.airnav.com/airport/HEF

* Fairmont Flying Club: https://fairmontflyingclub.com/

* 4G7 - Fairmont Airport, W. Va: https://www.airnav.com/airport/4G7

* Friendly Skies Film youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@FriendlySkiesFilm/videos

* Open Source GA youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenSourceGA/videos

* BDR - Bridgeport/Sikorsky, Conn: https://www.airnav.com/airport/BDR

* Ted Stryker sweating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs3zHbQDVlA#t=2m

* THV - York, Penn: https://www.airnav.com/airport/THV

* Kool Scoop window vent: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/koolscoop.php

Links:

• Midlife Pilot Podcast: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com
• Merch & More: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/merch
• Support on Patreon: https://patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast
• OG Chris Moran's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@midlifepilot

In this Information Whiskey session, Ben achieves peak midlife status by straining his back loading golf clubs into his airplane, proving that "we are the joke." Meanwhile, Brian gets voice recognized at an FBO after some night flying adventure, and Ted successfully converts his partner from "scrambling for handholds" to enjoying turbulence on flights to Seattle. The crew dives into listener feedback from Chris J's comprehensive aircraft toolkit wisdom, Johnny L's inspiring F-16 crew chief to student pilot journey in Finland, and advice for midlife aviation career changes. Plus, community celebrations including Wendy's IFR checkride victory, Barry's San Francisco adventure sans Golden Gate Bridge, and a heartfelt message for Texas flood victims. Whether you're 45 and contemplating CFI life or just trying to figure out how so many excruciating aviation tasks always take exactly one hour, this episode covers the full spectrum of midlife flying challenges and triumphs.

Links Mentioned on the Show:

• George Carlin on Golf

• SSI - St. Simons Island Airport

• EVV - Evansville Indiana Airport

• Spiders on LSD Study

• Dwight, Michael, Sorry I Annoyed You With My Friendship

• Luke Air Force Base

• Osan Air Base, Korea

• Carl Valeri - Expert Aviator

• Stuck Mic Avcast

• CAF Music City's T-6

• Operation Airdrop for Texas Flood Relief

Midlife Pilot Podcast:

• Website

• Patreon Community

• Watch Live on YouTube - Mondays 8PM Eastern

• Email: [email protected]

• Discord Community

Special Mention:

• Oshkosh Discussion with ATC Controller - July 9th, 9PM for Patreon members

Additional Resources:

• FAA Career Information

• AOPA Career Center

• Aviation Career Resources

Time for a heat dome intervention. Weather expert and certified mensch/CFII/CSIP Erica Gilbert returns to explain why we're all flying around in "the most expensive tin can you could sit in" and why Brian's brilliant idea of turning a boneyard 152 into a backyard sauna might actually be profitable. Learn why high temperatures make us all like moms telling kids to "get off of me," discover why Erica confidently wears long sleeves in 100-degree heat, and how even Ted's fancy liquid-cooled engine can't escape the tyranny of thermodynamics. Plus, why Ben's mighty beast has to humble itself to a mere 750 fpm climb, and Nathan's astute observation that density altitude performance issues are basically the aviation equivalent of being in midlife.

Mentioned on the Show:

• Erica Gilbert's 4-Week Aviation Weather Course
• SISKIND - Flying With Ghosts - Fairchild PT-19 Flight - Miss Cornelia
• Heat Exhaustion - Mayo Clinic
• Heatstroke - Mayo Clinic
• OSHA - Working in Outdoor and Indoor Heat Environments
• Delta Airlines Inspects 100 Aircraft for Hail Damage
• ATC Zero - IFR Magazine

Erica Gilbert / Gilbert Aviation:

• Gilbert Aviation - Instagram
• Gilbert Aviation - TikTok
• AeroSafe Newsletter Signup
• AeroSafe on YouTube

Midlife Pilot Podcast:

• Website
• Patreon Community
• Watch Live on YouTube - Mondays 8PM Eastern
• Email: [email protected]
• Discord Community

Additional Resources:

• FAA Density Altitude Information
• AOPA Heat Stress and Flying
• Aviation Weather Center

The crew welcomes Dev Cannon, who exemplifies the CAF mission by going from aviation newcomer to Music City Wing Commander in just a few years, leading 70 volunteers in preserving warbird history. Dev explains how the CAF's 19,000 international members keep aviation heritage alive through everything from flyovers at memorial services to introducing kids to aviation, proving that "if you show up at an event and say, how can I participate? Like you're in." The organization welcomes everyone—pilots, mechanics, historians, and aviation enthusiasts—because as Dev notes, they "can use all the hands they can get." The episode highlights their PT-19 "Miss Cornelia," named after local aviation pioneer Cornelia Fort, and how these living history lessons help veterans and families share stories that might otherwise be lost. Ben discovers breakfast so good at Guntersville that he's "considering buying a junker and donating it to the airport," while celebrating his landing redemption with the signature "kid rock arrival." Ted's camping plans crater with three shredded tubes, Brian defends "Bachelorette Super Charlie" terminology, and everyone agrees that whether you want to maintain aircraft, research history, or just "ring wars" to draw crowds, the CAF provides meaningful ways to give back to aviation while connecting with our flying heritage.

Mentioned on the show:

• Ted's video about tire travails: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VsDs_ZVDEQ
• 8A1 - Guntersville Alabama: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guntersville_Municipal_Airport
• Homecoming & Company, Guntersville Alabama: https://homecomingandco.com/
• airportcrewcars- Alabama: https://airportcourtesycars.com/alabama/
• Savannah Georgia airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah/Hilton_Head_International_Airport
• The Rehearsal, Vulture interview that discusses Killing Zone: https://archive.ph/Ft43G
• M54 - Lebanon Airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon_Municipal_Airport_(Tennessee)
• Commemorative Air Force Music City Wing: https://www.cafmusiccity.org/
• Fairchild PT-19: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_PT-19
• CAF Music City's PT-19: https://www.commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft/196
• Who was Cornelia Fort? https://commemorativeairforce.org/news/cornelia-fort-a-legacy-of-courage-takes-flight
• SNJ4 (Navy T-6): https://commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft/85
• CAF Peachtree City: https://airbasegeorgia.org/

Support the Podcast:Join our amazing Patreon community for just $1/month and get access to exclusive content, check ride debriefs, and the best pilot community on the internet. Find our Patreon link at midlifepilotpodcast.com

Connect with us:

• Website: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Watch live: Mondays 8PM Eastern on YouTube
• Discord: Join through our website www.midlifepilotpodcast.com

A portion of proceeds supports Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts.

The guys tackle the inevitable reality of breaking down away from home - and yeah, "you did it to yourself by choosing to take on flying in midlife." They get real about emergency prep: "have a leatherman, have zip ties, have tape" and for the love of all that's holy, "cash is options, cash is flexibility." Brian drops wisdom about proactive maintenance ("we all do deferred maintenance") while Ted swears by Savvy Aviation as "AAA for aviation" after his windshield cracked mid-flight. Ben reminds everyone that mechanics are surprisingly helpful - "don't worry about it" seems to be their universal response to weekend pilot problems. The crew's advice boils down to: plan your route around services, know your call-out numbers, stay "calm and systematic" when things go sideways, and sometimes, if it's safe. just "put some duct tape on it" and "send it." Their six-point survival plan covers everything from building your network before you need it to knowing "when to walk away"—because "small town A&P's seem to be more available than you would expect."

Mentioned on the show:

• Volvo 940: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_900_Series#Volvo_940
• Blackstone Labs (oil analysis): https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
• Evektor EV97: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evektor_SportStar
• Example of a 'magnetic tablet cooler': https://amazon.com/dp/B0C7PC3155
• Savvy Aviation: https://www.savvyaviation.com/plans/
• AirNav (airport information): https://www.airnav.com/
• Pain Field (PAE): https://www.airnav.com/airport/KPAE
• RAM Mounts: https://www.rammount.com/
• Leatherman multi-tools: https://www.leatherman.com/

Support the Podcast:Join our amazing Patreon community for just $1/month and get access to exclusive content, check ride debriefs, and the best pilot community on the internet: https://www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast

Connect with us:

• Website: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Watch live: Mondays 8PM Eastern on YouTube
• Discord: Join through our website

A portion of proceeds supports Freedom Aviation Network's anti-human trafficking efforts.

Ben raves about Garmin Smart Charts as a potential ForeFlight killer, while the gang shares their biggest radio pet peeves - from the dreaded "with you" to "fish finder." Brian explains why his ignition wires "date back to when Jimi Hendrix was an unknown rising guitarist," and they dive into listener feedback about check ride prep (spoiler: don't get "tuned up" the day before). Plus, discussions of "meat missiles" falling from the sky at skydiving operations, whether Florida counts as the Southeast, and why we all struggle with remembering which runway we just landed on.

Mentioned on the show:

* "Polish doctor" with a CTLS, video 1, pilot hypoxic at 25k feet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xym_ADvX_2o:

* "Polish doctor" video 2, SP-SMED gets banned from airspace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lToh07ov5hQ

* Checkmate Aviation, passenger briefing: https://www.checkmateaviation.com/products/checkmate-crew-and-passenger-briefing-card

* Is pitot heat required to fly IFR? https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/100892/is-pitot-heat-required-for-ifr

* Happy Fun Ball disclaimers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmqeZl8OI2M

* Angel Flight Southeast: https://angelflightse.org/

* Garmin Pilot Smart Charts: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/garminpilot/smartcharts/

* Aviation101 promoting Smart Charts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKoEfHCn9ZA

* PilotEdge: https://www.pilotedge.net/

* VATSIM: https://vatsim.net/

* LiveATC: https://www.liveatc.net/

* Bill Dance (fishing): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Dance_(television_host)

* CMD - Cullman, Alabama: https://www.airnav.com/airport/CMD

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

* Dublin's Redneck Games: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck_Games

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

* Woodstock movie (1970): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_(film)

Support Midlife Pilot Podcast on Patreon, get merch, join our Discord community, and more at www.midlifepilotpodcast.com

The crew tackles long cross-country cockpit organization after Ted's epic 5,400-mile journey reveals that going "pants-free" provides a "4% gain" in performance (wheel pants, people!). From the critical importance of blue shop towels to strategic snack placement and lumbar support, Ben, Brian, and Ted share hard-earned tips for setting up your cockpit for extended flights. Ben also achieves peak self-awareness by making "the quantum leap of berating myself behind my own back" on frequency, proving that even our radio calls need better cockpit organization.

Mentioned on the show:

• Midlife Pilot Podcast: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com
• Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast
• Watch live on YouTube: Mondays 8 PM Eastern - https://youtube.com/@MidlifePilotPodcast
• Manzanita Oregon: https://visittheoregoncoast.com/cities/manzanita/
• PlanePlaces' second T82 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVlRgni9ynw
• Wilhelm scream: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_scream
• OWB - Owensboro Kentucky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/OWB
• Garmin 430, yellow "NO GPS" warning: https://vansairforce.net/threads/garmin-430-message-no-gps.49119/
• Twin Oaks airpark, Oregon: https://www.flytwinoaks.com/
• Chris Moran, Midlife Pilot, "I'm Back" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIDq2sCmxsU
• EP100, live in West Virginia with OG Chris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc5acX35DKE
• George Costanza's wallet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TYuGe7JaX4
• Checkmate Aviation (Barry's custom checklists): https://checkmateav.com
• Flying Eyes Eyewear (discount code: SISKIND): https://flyingeyes.com
• Ted's 3D printed holder/flying eyes organizer: https://www.printables.com/model/1316551-flying-eyes-airplane-organizer
• Blackstone Labs (oil analysis): https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
• Bordo sandwiches, Marfa, Texas: https://www.instagram.com/bordo.tx/
• West Virginia pepperoni rolls: https://wvtourism.com/state-food-pepperoni-roll/

• Freedom Aviation Network (anti-human trafficking): https://freedomaviation.network

Airports Mentioned:

• John Tune Airport (JWN) - Nashville, TN
• Owensboro-Daviess County Airport (OWB) - Owensboro, KY
• Independence State Airport (S36) - Independence, OR
• Twin Oaks Airpark (7S3) - Hillsboro, OR
• Fairmont Regional Airport (4G7) - Fairmont, WV
• T82 (Gillespie County Airport) - Fredericksburg, TX

Equipment Mentioned:

• Garmin 530 GPS
• GoPro cameras
• Flight Design CTLS aircraft
• Cessna 180/182 aircraft
• Cherokee 180 aircraft

10% of our monthly Patreon pledge total goes directly to support the Freedom Aviation Network