Today’s show was spurred by a listener email that had to do with the pros and cons of flying for fun versus flying for work. There’s a lot of opinions out there on the Internet and aviation forums, some from disgruntled airline pilots, other from passionate aviators looking to fly heavy iron.

Since Carl and Len are both airline pilots and Rick and Victoria fly for pleasure, what not a better group of people to discuss these issues with.

Pre-Flight

Our Stuck Mic AvCast co-host Carl Valeri of ExpertAviator.com, will be attending the Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, FL on January 19th and 20th. The event, which runs January 19th through January 22nd, focuses on Light Sport Aircraft and the Sport Pilot Certificate. Look for Carl in his Stuck Mic AvCast t-shirt armed with his video camera and audio recorder making his rounds at the Expo! He’s super nice and fun to talk planes with so make sure to catch him if you can.

The next announcement today is in conjunction with Women of Aviation Week, the second annual Women Fly It Forward event hosted by our very own Victoria Neuville of Aviation Insurance Resources. The event will be held at KFDK Frederick Municipal Airport, Frederick, MD on March 10th, 2012 and promotes aviation for women. Last year, Women Fly It Forward shared the gift of flight by providing free airplane rides to 185 women of all ages. The only requirement is that it must be your first time in a small plane. There’s also a chance to win a flight award for money and discounts towards flight training. Will you be there?

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of The Week ~

Victoria – Future Flyers Club: Your Online Toy Airplane Superstore

Carl – Aircraft: The Jet As Art display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

Rick – Announcing Microsoft Flight, the reincarnation of Microsoft Flight Simulator with a twist

Len – iFlightPlanner for iPad: A FREE flight planning app

Listen to Episode 17 Below

The post Episode #17 – Flying For Fun Vs Flying Hire appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

First and foremost a Happy New Year to you and yours! From all of us at the Stuck Mic AvCast, we wish you health and prosperity in 2012 and look forward to more episodes together.

Pre-Flight

1. A few episodes back we were proud to announce our state-of-the-art Stuck Mic AvCast mobile app for Android, iPhone, & iPad. That application was FREE for download because it is supported by advertising at the bottom of each page. While we understand that advertising can sometimes take away from the user experience, we’ve released an advertising-removed version of the Stuck Mic AvCast iPhone & iPad application for a reasonable $2.99. Download the ad-free Stuck Mic AvCast iOS App today!

2. The Stuck Mic AvCast is a listener supported aviation podcast. We love publishing and delivering useful content and information for everyone!

If you find our episodes valuable, please show your support! We suggest a pre-set recurring monthly donation in the amount of $2, $5, $10 or $25. Of course there’s no obligation to donate. Either way, we’ll continue to deliver quality aviation entertainment to your ears.

For your support, we have a very special gift for you! Donating a recurring monthly amount of $10 gets you a Stuck Mic AvCast magnet and button. Donate a recurring monthly amount of $25 and you’ll receive the Stuck Mic AvCast magnet and our 11oz coffee mug for FREE!

These FREE gifts are for your continued support and monthly donation which keeps the Stuck Mic AvCast up and running.

The monthly donations will be charged to your credit card automatically each month and you can cancel at anytime, no questions asked.

Thank You, as always, for being our valued listener and supporter!

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of the Week ~

Carl – V1 Aviation Clothing Line at AirspeedJunkie.com

Victoria – myTransponder online aviation social

Rick – DanKam Colorblindness iPhone App

Len – OnTip Smartphone Gloves

Listen to Episode 16 Below

The post Episode #16 – Pilot Eye Health, FAA Vision Tests, & History of Checklists appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Pre-Flight

Carl interviewed Todd Castro about starting and becoming involved with flying clubs. In error, Len mentioned it would be released as Episode #15a. But as timing would have it, the Flying Clubs Explained audio was released ahead of schedule as Episode #14a. Sorry for the confusion!

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of the Week ~

Rick – ForeFlight App Update 4.3

Victoria – Tailwinds Pilot Shop

Len – Training Video: Practical Guide to Winter Flying

Carl – The Airplane Shop

Listen to Episode 15 Below

The post Episode #15 – Flying Couples, Nantucket Traffic Pattern, & Preventing Pilot Fatigue appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

One of the best ways to decrease the cost of flying and increase your time in the air is to join a flying club. Recently I spoke with Todd Castro, former President of The Blue Sky Aviation Association, one of the most successful flying clubs in the United States.

Todd shared many aspects of starting and running a flying club. In this in depth interview you will learn:

Listen To The Interview:

For More Information:

Let’s Go Flying : Flying Clubs

Blue Sky Aviation Association

The post Episode #14a – Flying Clubs Explained appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Pre-Flight

In this episode we interviewed a special guest from Terrafugia Roadable Aircraft, aka the flying car company. Our guest John Telfeyan, Senior Engineering Technician, comes from the high-performance competitive boating industry. He worked his way through a world-renowned sailboat design and fabrication house over the course of a 30 year career developing significant expertise in carbon fiber composite construction techniques.

During this episode, John shares with us not only how he got started working for Terrafugia but also some juicy details about the inner workings of the Terrafugia Roadable Aircraft!

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of the Week ~

Carl – AeroNews Roadable Aircraft news coverage

Rick – Books: A Drive In The Clouds – The Story of the Aerocar and Flying Cars: The Extraordinary History of Cars Designed for Tomorrow’s World

Victoria – Website: Girls With Wings

Len – Stuck Mic AvCast Mobile/Tablet Apps

Listen to Episode 14 Below

The post Episode #14 – Flying Cars, Sport Pilots, & Composite Airplanes appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Mastering the art of flying is a continuos journey along a path towards an elusive and worthy destination. Mastering the art of flying is a worthy goal which has a positive affect on of those who we fly with and those we fly over. Our journey towards mastering the art of flying leads us to our ultimate goal of realizing our individual potential.

The Journey Begins

The most difficult aspects of our journey towards our goal of becoming a better pilot and mastering the art of flying is getting started and maintaining our direction. Dave English through his website “The Inner Art Of Airmanship” is one of the best resources for those who wish to achieve a higher level of achievement as a pilot.

Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Dave about his website and his passion for helping pilots master the art of flying. Dave is a friendly and articulate airline Captain with a background in psychology. I highly recommend “The Inner Art Of Airmanship”. You will be inspired by his stories, entertained by his eloquent prose, and educated through his practical examples.

Listen To The Interview

For More Information:

Inner Art of Airmanship

The post Episode #13a – Video Interview with Dave English, Author of The Inner Art Of Airmanship appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Pre-Flight

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of the Week ~

Rick – OWLE Bubo iPhone Wide Angle Camera and iPhone SLR Adapter

Len – Blog: Things In The Sky by Dan Webb

Victoria – PowderPuffPilot.com for Feminine Flyers

Carl – Website: Inner Art of Airmanship by Dave English

Listen to Episode 13 Below

The post Episode #13 – Mobile Apps, Pilot Shortages, & Magneto Checks appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Only a few years ago the birthplace of scheduled airline service and the home of National Airlines was considered for demolition. Local politicians and a small but powerful group wanted to turn the airport into a park ending the life of this historic and vibrant airfield overlooking Tampa Bay.

The Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society along with local advocates were instrumental in winning the battle to demolish the airport. Through their efforts politicians, local officials, and voters realized the economic and historic significance of the airport, thus voting to sustain Albert Whitted as an airport in perpetuity.

After the battle to preserve the airport was over, one organization continues to shine. The Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society did not sit on its laurels after their victory. AWAPS has evolved from the original focus of preserving the airport to becoming a community advocate and outreach organization. AWAPS focus is on continually promoting the importance of the airport and its contribution to the local community.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Terri Griner at a recent pancake breakfast. Terri was the busiest person at the airport that day with running both a pancake breakfast and providing the beverages at an event the Navy was putting on at the dock next to the airport. As a matter of fact our interview took place on a golf cart while transporting ice because it was the only way I could get time with her.

Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society has three main purposes:

With Terri Griner at the helm of this organization I expect we will see many good things come from her outstanding efforts. Listen to my interview with Terri Griner and you will conclude that although soft spoken, Terri has a passion for what she does which creates a strong voice heard throughout the local community.

Listen To The Interview

For More Information:

Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society

AOPA article St. Petersburg pilots, AOPA savor win in battle over Albert Whitted Airport

The post Episode #12a – Interview: Preserving The Birthplace Of Scheduled Airline Service, Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Pre-Flight

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of the Week ~

Rick – LogTen Pro Electronic Logbook Software

Carl – FreedomsWings.org: Soaring For People With Disabilities

Victoria – 100 Years of Southland Aviation History: Southern California’s transformative aviation upbringing

Len – JetWhine.com Blog: Aviation Buzz and Bold Opinion by Robert Mark

Listen to Episode 12 Below

The post Episode #12 – Haunted Airports, Visiting ATC, & FAROS Airport Lights appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Episode 11 in the house! For those of you have been with us since the very beginning, you’ll recall that Episode 1 was an interview Len conducted with test pilot Mark Jones Jr. We decided if was time to interview another interesting aviator and our special guest during Episode 11 was Patrick Smith of TailwindsOverFrederick.com. Tune in to learn all about getting started in hot air ballooning and what the transition was like from fixed wing to lighter than air!

ANNOUNCEMENT – we now sell Stuck Mic AvCast women’s and mens t-shirts, sweatshirts, magnets, buttons, & coffee mugs! Visit StuckMicAvCast.com/buy to shop for you favorite podcast apparel.

Pre-Flight

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of the Week ~

Victoria – Worlds Scariest Runways

Len – Right Seat Flying blog by Ron Klutts

Rick – iPhone App – Hot Air

Carl – Hot Air Balloon Insurance & NJ Festival of Ballooning

Listen to Episode 11 Below

The post Episode #11 – Official Stuck Mic Gear, AOPA Summit Highlights, & Intro to Hot Air Ballooning appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.