Taking Flight with Michael "Rocket" Blackstone

In this episode, Michael highlights the optimal traits and personality characteristics of  the best  pilots he has had the pleasure of flying with over the last 30 years. There are many similarities between all pilots when it comes to following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), following the checklist, attention to detail, discipline, and honing our flying skills. There are so many ways we pilots get extraordinaryly good at managing our careers and our personal lives. Michael then digs a bit deeper and goes into some of the sacrifices, shortcomings, and deficiencies that become an accomplished  pilot has had on his personal life. For every action (or lack thereof),  there is an equal and opposite reaction, or some  consequences that will be manifested for everything we do. Taking massive action will reap many rewards in this arena, but always be cognizant of the potential ramifications of how your actions or your delivery may be received by others who don't fly for a living. Be kind. Be understanding. Be patient. Life is about striking a balance. Like your aircraft you must find your personal center of gravity and stay within the limits.     

In this episode, Michael reflects back on thousands of flights he took with his father. From the very beginning, starting in his dad's Pitts, Michael learned from one of the best aviators in the business how to safely handle emergencies inflight, on the ground and before they happen.  These are 9 of the most useful tips Michael's father taught him over the last 2 decades that have helped keep him and his tens of thousands of passengers safe for 30,000 hours of accident free flying in the 9 aircraft types he has been qualified in.   

In this episode, Michael takes you along as he flies his 'Twin Beech' for the last time on a 1,911 nm transcon from the West Coast to the East Coast on his final flight as the Captain of his own 1957 Beech E18S - 9600, one of the first true airliners of the 1940s-50s.  This flight represents the end of an era for Michael, as he hands the keys to his vintage pride and joy to the new owners of his award winning 1957 Beech 18, N90TT. The transcon journey took only 14 hours and 18 minutes  over a 3 day epic flght, but this flight represents the culmination of his flying career, letting go of the past to move on to a hopeful future.  Michael clearly loved flying and owning this incredible work of aviation art.  You will surely be able to hear the passion in his voice as he shares the respect he had for this time machine with you as well as his dedication to mastering the art of flying a true legend of the sky - The Beech 18 - Warmly known by those who fly them as simply the "Twin Beech."     

In this episode, Michael shares with you what his first steps were to getting his Private Pilot License, and how much fun it was to achieve this at age 17, when it was more difficult than it is today to locate and learn the required information.  Michael then lays out for you what steps you should take right now to start your adventure of earning your Private Pilot Certificate. Michael believes  that flying is far more accessible, and mare attainable today than ever before due to the massive advancements in technology over the last 20 years. Rocket hopes you will use these modern tools and time saving tips to earn your Private Pilot License much quicker and more efficiently than ever before! Take this challenge and capture your dream of becoming a certified Private Pilot!    

In this episode, Michael walks you through the intricate details of operating his Pitts S-2C. You will learn the major differences between the Pitts models and why Michael chose the Pitts S-2C as his first aircraft to share his love of aviation with the world in.   Get ready learn how  to fly aerobatics in a Pitts S-2C.  Learn how Michael  became 'one with the aircraft' by feeling what its telling you by how it feels in your hand.   Curtis Pitts designed his aircraft to fly aerobatics better and longer than any other in history and to bring the pilots who fly it joy.   He succeeded. 

In this episode, you will hear how Michael "Rocket" Blackstone bought his first aircraft, the 1998 Pitts S-2C, and created SkyThrills! from scratch with almost no money saved and no one helping him financially.  "Rocket" was a 26 year old professional aerobatic pilot flying 10 days per month for the airlines, with around 3,500  hours total time and about 200 hours in his dad's Pitts S-2A!  Michael loves proving that anyone can make their flying dreams happen with enough hard work, a small line of credit, and nerves of steel.  Michael then proceeded to build a fleet 4 stunning aircraft at his aviation company over the next 20 years, nearly single handedly.  Michael has proven over the years that a true aviator, with a dream, heartfelt passion, and a cast iron stomach to keep going when things get tough, can make anything happen in the world of aviation!   

 This episode introduces you to Michael "Rocket" Blackstone and a brief look back over the last 30 years at his colorful history in the aviation world! Michael began flying with his father, Michael "Maverick" Blackstone,  at just 8 years old,  learning to fly aerobatics with his dad's aerobatic Pitts S-2A biplane. Since then, "Rocket" has become a skilled aviator flying Marchetti SF-260 fighter planes and teaching air combat maneuvers like you saw in the Tom Cruise blockbuster TOPGUN  for his father's aviation thrill ride company Air Combat USA for over 20 years. Michael also started his own flying business in 1999, called SkyThrills teaching aerobatics and giving thrill rides in his aerobatic Pitts stunt biplane just for fun.  Michael has also become an airline pilot for a major airline flying the Boeing 737, 757, and 767 flying all over the world.  Michael has safely amassed nearly 30,000 hours of flying time in the air and he has no intention of slowing down any time soon.  Spend some time listening to Michael and ask him any question you may have about flying planes,  learning to fly,  starting a flying business, or about getting into the airline industry, and Michael will surely get right back to you the with the answers you need while motivating you to get excited about taking that next step in aviation! Michael is a incredibly rare resource these days, with his immense passion for flying, and solid knowledge of this often challenging and competitive flying industry, Michael wants to pass his knowledge on to the next generation of aviators, he hopes will one day follow in his footsteps. Michael has dedicated his life to aviation and is now ready to help you get into aviation as a pilot while making flying a way of life, for you as a career not only possible but a reality just like he has done.  Michael shares his incites in this episode of how he got into aviation, why aviation is his passion, and why some people have not been able to get themselves into aviation to learn to fly. Michael also explores his view of the future of aviation in our post Covid-19 world.   Michael concludes this episode with 5 things he feels you should do to begin your journey into aviation right now. So if you are thinking about learning to fly, starting a flying business or are considering become a professional airline pilot, this episode is for you.  Yes, you can do this, and now is the best time to begin.  Michael's passion for flying, knowledge of the business and his aviation flying skills will guide you every step of the way.