Aviation insurance is a confusing and sometimes complex subject.  Whether your looking to acquire insurance, or "use" it after an incident, aligning yourself with good people is critical to successfully navigating the path ahead of you.

Join us this week, as we speak with Ryan Konrath of Wings Insurance (www.wingsinsurance.com), who not only acts as an aviation insurance broker, but brings with him the experience of being a GA pilot, as well as a member of a "121" flight crew.  His path from pilot to broker, was not what one would expect, including himself.

Listen in as Ryan takes us through the path he followed, and helps us all to understand the players, roles, and process associated with obtaining and using (gulp) your insurance coverage.  The SimpleFlight crew found it educational and relevant.  We know you will too.

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​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Please subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes or your favorite broadcast source, and rate, review, and let us know what you think!
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​​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

Last week, we talked about the small world we live in and Marc had a couple of proof points that demonstrated the concept.  As it turns out, the small world theme continues.... only not in a positive way.

So we ask again... WHAT ARE THE ODDS.  What are the odds that during an oil change, you'll get a call from the maintenance shop that they accidently had a prop strike with your plane?  That's what happened to Marc's plane, as the mechanic taxied the SR-22 to the maintenance hangar.  The prop actually hit a "traffic cone", which damaged the prop and now calls for an engine teardown for an inspection.  The inspection is being scheduled some 6 weeks out, so the story doesn't get much better.  Tune in and listen to hear first hand how the whole thing happened and the resulting actions and decisions that come into play.  Bring your Kleenex!!!  ;-)

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​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Please subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes or your favorite broadcast source, and rate, review, and let us know what you think!
​
​​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

What are the odds?  That's the question Marc was asking a lot this week.  For instance, what are the odds that he would sit down to dinner in a hotel ballroom in Oshkosh and talk to a table mate that is a neighbor of Marc's CEO on the other side of the world?  And what are the odds that Marc would receive two unrelated calls on one morning from pilots vising the U.S from "across the pond" to meet him at the same time at the same hangar on the same day. 

The odds of Rhonda bumping into someone (literally) in Hawaii that is one of a few pilots that can fly a helicopter and then hang from the skids to trim trees and run high wires is probably in the same ballpark as Marc's.  Indeed, this was a magical week.  Let's just call it Oshkosh.  Listen in as you hear about these chance events, as well as some of the goings on at Osh18.  We know you'll echo Rhonda and Marc's sentiments about this show being a "fun one"

This was also a special date in SimpleFlight history.  6 years ago, SimpleFlight Radio was born.  We are so excited about our 7th year, but are sad to see Rhonda step back from her "full-time" role.  Our sincere thanks to her for the last 18 months and we look forward to her "part-time" involvement in the future. 

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​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Please subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes or your favorite broadcast source, and rate, review, and let us know what you think!
​
​​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

With Rhonda's and Marc's Atchison, KS trip being canceled, Marc had our good friend Tim Rylko stop by Hangar 5 to talk Oshkosh and all things aviation.  

Topics included the unusual experiences Marc encountered with his Saturday flying with low ceilings and high traffic volume heading to KOSH, causing a disruption to the normal weekend flying processes.  In the end, it's a learning opportunity.  The bottom line is it's OSHKOSH week, and that makes us happy.

The show was recorded just prior to Marc grabbing the back seat in one of his pilot buddy's SR-22, to enjoy the ride to Fond du Lac, WI (KFLD).  He'll have plenty to talk about next week.

Of special note, today is the 6th anniversary of SimpleFlight.  Thanks for making it possible.

   
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​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Please subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes or your favorite broadcast source, and rate, review, and let us know what you think!
​
​​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

Whether it's stated or not, getting to log a flight to KOSH during Airventure is a dream for many GA pilots.  With some 14,000 pilots making it happen every year, the proof is there that it is not an unreachable dream.

Kent Shook (of Pilotcast fame) joined the SimpleFlight crew to discuss best practices, tips, tricks, and the nuances of making the trek.  Marc also joined in the conversation as he speaks yearly with pilots about the keys to a successful experience.  

So listen in and get your questions answered and learn a few tips and tricks along the way.  OSH18 - Let the goosebumps begin!!!

Find the 2018 Airventure NOTAM here =>  https://www.eaa.org/~/media/files/airventure/flyingin/2018-notam.pdf

Marc talked about a "cheat sheet' he uses for his trip from KPWK to KOSH.  You will find it at www.simpleflight.net/podcast in the show notes.  Feel free to use it as a template for your own planning and flying checklist.  It is shown as an example and not meant to replace proper planning and familiarization required for a safe and enjoyable flight.

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​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Please subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes or your favorite broadcast source, and rate, review, and let us know what you think!
​
​​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

When tonight's guest called in sick, Marc and Rhonda took the opportunity to discuss what was fresh on their minds.... that being risk assessment, risk profiles, and mentor roles.  It turned into an hour conversation that we all can identify with. 

Does your risk profile change as you get older?  Does it change with aviation experience?  Whom do you trust as your advisor and how much will you let it affect your decision making?

These are the questions we all deal with in the course of applying aeronautical decision making to real life scenarios.  The stakes are high, but the return in the form of becoming a better, safer pilot is there for the taking.  We'd love to hear your thoughts about this topic.  Use the contact us form on the radio page and Rhonda and Marc will discuss on next week's show.  Until then,

Blue Skies and Tailwinds!!!

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We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Please subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes or your favorite broadcast source, and rate, review, and let us know what you think!

With Rhonda nursing an illness, Marc joined with Joby to discuss a topic that is near and dear to his heart... the pilot/controller relationship.

Just like a marriage, business partnership, or a friendship, the path to an effective partnership is through open and direct communication.  But that's only half the puzzle.  It also needs to be built on a foundation of knowledge that comes from focused training on both situational awareness and an understanding of the other person's point of view.  That sounds relatively straight forward, but now add an environment with ATC trainees and student pilots, as well as a diverse set of aircraft types and speeds, and you find yourself  with a mixed bag of inputs and outputs that can change quickly with potentially catastrophic results.

Listen in as Marc discusses his experience and thoughts live from Hangar 5.  We know you'll enjoy it.  Send us your thoughts on the CONTACT FORM found on the Radio page of the SimpleFlight Web site (www.simpleflight.net/radio)

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​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Please subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes or your favorite broadcast source, and rate, review, and let us know what you think!
​
​​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

The SimpleFlight crew has learned a lot over the last 5 plus years.  One of those items is that our listeners match our guests when it comes to interesting stories and experiences in general aviation.

This week's guest is no exception.  Michael Baraz owns a Mooney Rocket 305 and loves to use the plane to explore many destinations.  His recent trip to Canada sparked interest for Marc and Rhonda on how to navigate the border crossing.  Not just the flight itself, but the paperwork and process necessary to make it a stress free flight.

So that's where the conversation started, but soon dovetailed into a great conversation about some of the great airports Michael has been able to add to his log book.  Sounds like Catalina ought to be on everyone's bucket list.

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​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Please subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes or your favorite broadcast source, and rate, review, and let us know what you think!
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​​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

When SimpleFlight Radio was founded, it was based on the wonderful things happening in General Aviation.  We always felt that things were "looking up" for GA.  Tonight, that description couldn't be more appropriate.

With so much energy and innovation in the industry, we are constantly amazed with the enabling technology that is being brought into the cockpit.  The ease and sophistication of flying has changed significantly in the last few years. The glass cockpit proved to be a disruptive technology, as the industry moved away from "steam gauges".  Now comes the next generation of aviation: The Heads Up Display (HUD). The benefits of flying with a HUD is similar to the revolution in improved Situational Awareness (SA) that came with flying an aircraft with a “glass" cockpit.

Ray Bracy, VP of Sales and Marketing for Epic Optix (www.epicoptix.com) joins the SimpleFlight crew this week to discuss their GA HUD solution, "The Epic Eagle".  It provides visually enhanced flight information without forcing you to bring your eyes down into the cockpit; keeping you focused on what really matters. It brings the technology of military pilots to general aviation in a cost effective way. The Epic Eagle delivers color at amazing quality and brightness - a unique capability in the marketplace at an affordable price.  

In addition to learning about the Epic Eagle, we know you'll enjoy hearing about Ray's path from the Navy and Fortune 500 leadership, to being part of this exciting start-up.  

Keep Your Head Up!!!

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​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Please subscribe to the Podcast via iTunes or your favorite broadcast source, and rate, review, and let us know what you think!
​
​​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!