Midlife Pilot Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In Episode 91 of the Midlife Pilot Podcast, Ben, Brian, and Ted dive into a treasure trove of wisdom from listener Braeden D. Join us as we navigate through 10 essential tips for new pilots.

We unpack:

1. The money pit: Saving for flight training (spoiler: it's more than you think)
2. Brain training: Why rote memorization won't fly
3. CFI shopping: Finding an instructor who's more than a time-builder
4. Imposter syndrome: Feeling small next to a Global 6000 (we've all been there)
5. ATC etiquette: They're not the enemy, promise!
6. Post-PPL adventures: Why "fly, fly, fly" is the best advice
7. Learning from the veterans: Because some pilots have more than just gray hair
8. The instrument training rollercoaster: Prepare for mind games
9. Back to basics: Why steep turns are still your friends
10. Personal minimums: The art of honest self-assessment

We even touch on the joys of power-off 180s into unfamiliar airports (because why not add a little spice to your cross-country?)

Plus, exciting news about our upcoming 100th episode extravaganza. The 100th episode will be recorded live! Near 4G7, West Virginia, on October 28 2024. Will there be pepperoni rolls? Bourbon? Keg stands? Tune in to find out! (Spoiler: We'll probably be in bed by 11.)

Don't forget to check out midlifepilotpodcast.com for all our links, including our Patreon and merch store. Your support keeps us airborne and makes episodes like this possible! * Brian's first Marfa Texas trip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVrQ0tzicC8 * Flying in Big Bend Texas: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/march/pilot/destinations-big-bend-texas * Greenville airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenville%E2%80%93Spartanburg_International_Airport * Habersham airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habersham_County_Airport * John Tune became towered in 2021: https://flynashville.com/news/air-traffic-control-tower-opens-at-john-c-tune-airport * Opposing Bases: https://www.opposingbases.com/ * EP89 - Aviation Mentors: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/dashboard/episode/e2ndab5 * 1dullgeek, still doing checkride prep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsb6YPyWCQk * EP57 - Personal minimums: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP57---Personal-minimums--Spruce-Goose--and-Ben-does-Portlandia-e2e6urf * Pepperoni rolls: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepperoni_roll

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:

* EP80 - Checkride Fails - A Good Thing? https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP80---Checkride-Fails---a-good-thing-e2l2igq * GA2 - Peach State Aerodrome (grass): https://www.airnav.com/airport/GA2 * Plane Places & Adventures- landing at Peach State Aerodrome (Ben's plane at end): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9EmsLeWhDg * Windy app: https://windy.app/ * Master CFI Nathan Ballard's youtube channel: * https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBallardSaferFlying/videos ---

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

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/

We are joined by CFII and friend Nathan Ballard to talk about checkride failures. Several cases are discussed and the learnings from them.

* Nathan's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBallardSaferFlying/videos

* Brian Siskind's new (two hour) video, "the LONGEST most UNWATCHABLE flying video in HISTORY and also mountain flying" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSy16zVeWU0

* Luke's Landing: https://www.youtube.com/@lukeslanding2230/videos

* 24A Jackson County: https://www.airnav.com/airport/24A

* Instructor video on 24A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVJlEBUbgBQ

* "so you're telling me there's a chance": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFTRwD85AQ4#t=22s

* The spoon theory of energy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoon_theory

* Four stages of competence: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence

* Tammy Barlette's mental performance course: https://tammybarlette.com/mental-performance-course

* Nathan Ballard, "What to do after a failed checkride": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JbjRC29JQ

Airplane partnerships are often the best way for us midlifers to enjoy flying, and while there is good, there is sometimes the bad, or even the ugly. Several unique examples are given, plus a anonymous horror story from a listener.

Mentioned on the show:

* OG Chris Moran on the news: https://www.wdtv.com/2024/03/21/first-4-forum-chris-moran/

* Brian's "Gravel Parking Lot" video was actually the 2022 Fly-In: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAjPnyxtrSM

* EP77 - Before hour zero, starting training: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP77---Before-hour-zero---Beginning-in-aviation-before-you-can-even-begin-e2k8ac8

* Marsh Harbour Airport, The Bahamas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_Harbour_Airport

* HIO Hillsboro Oregon ILS 13, the wrong way that had helicopter traffic while Ted was in The Egg: https://skyvector.com/files/tpp/2405/pdf/05063IL13R.PDF

* Astoria Oregon ILS 26, the wrong way from VFR traffic on 08: https://skyvector.com/files/tpp/2405/pdf/00024I26.PDF

* AOPA: Pilot's Guide To Co-Ownership: https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/buying-an-aircraft/pilots-guide-to-co-ownership

* EP24 - Everything About Flying Clubs: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP24---Everything-About-Flying-Clubs-with-Drew-Myers-from-AOPA-e1ou9h1

* The destroyed plane that led to Brian getting into an airplane partnership: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lWFPPI-BZs

* Complete Walkaround, great intro videos that have airplane costs: https://www.youtube.com/@CompleteWalkaround/videos

Ben is away for this week, so Brian and Ted are joined by OG host and OG Midlife Pilot Chris Moran! They catch up with Chris, talking about how it's okay to not fly, how proficiency is affected with time, flying clubs, airport authorities, anxiety, carb heat, Super Deltas, cargo cults, West Wing, and more.

Mentioned on the show:

* Ted's Copalis beach landing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MgeG_ZtRbw

* Fairmont flying club: https://fairmontflyingclub.com/

* Fairmont Airport Authority: https://fairmontwv.gov/332/Fairmont-Airport-Authority

* Aerosafe's new Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AeroSafe

* Cargo cults: https://www.anthroencyclopedia.com/entry/cargo-cults

* Cargo cult- John Frum: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-john-they-trust-109294882/

* Lost (tv show): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_(2004_TV_series)

* West Wing (tv show): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_West_Wing

* WAY, Waynesburg airport, Pennsylvania: https://www.airnav.com/airport/KWAY

* CKB, Clarksburg airrort (now a superdelta): https://www.airnav.com/airport/KCKB

* Clarksburg delta expansion NPRM: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-28237/p-21

* Chris's video, "stop being a baby!": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fML3CfyO18

Ben, Brian, and Ted are joined by prospective pilot Laura to talk about things to think about before starting flight training. Even before starting, what's the mindset? What can you be doing even when you can't take your first lesson yet?

Mentioned on the show:

* Ted's "subcultures" video: https://youtu.be/979RVlzZ_3s

* The 99s: https://www.ninety-nines.org/

* Airplane Academy's "become a pilot before it's too late" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8t061-H8c8

* AOPA's medical resources: https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/medical-resources

* FlightInsight: https://www.youtube.com/@flightinsight9111/videos

* Brian's channel (see early training videos): https://www.youtube.com/@BrianSiskind/videos

* OG Chris Moran's "Road to Private Pilot" series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlec1CefLyaQIc-0D_sWcgRCOH39Du6gz

* Erica Gilbert- Why I Fly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpSiDBETg8Y&t=3s

* EP71 with Erica Gilbert: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP71---Flying-with-kids--with-Erica-Gilbert-and-her-offspring-e2igulp

* EP42 - How To Get Started With Flying: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP42---How-To-Get-Started-In-Flying---Midlife-Pilot-101-e29saea

Join Ben, Brian, and Ted while they discuss what to do when you have a few hours to fly. Other topics include hyperbole, flying in Sweden, (engine) infant mortality, and a musical Bag o' Words.

* Nashville Ninety-Nines: https://nashville99s.org/

* XNX Music City Executive: https://www.musiccityexecutiveairport.com/

* Mt. St. Helens eruption: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_eruption_of_Mount_St._Helens

* Skovde airport: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sk%C3%B6vde_Airport

* Skovde airport view over the fence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1XuYjflQ9w

* Foamed runway, Dash-8? emergency landing at Skovde: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gH8bxElF5k

* Siskind's Georgia video, AIR THERAPY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKyiiy34qpA

* AOPA mobile app, virtual passport program: https://www.aopa.org/travel/aopa-app

* Google My Maps (often hard to find!): https://www.google.com/maps/d/?hl=en

* Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diners,_Drive-Ins_and_Dives

* Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribhuvan_International_Airport

* Fogo Aerodrome, Newfoundland and Labrador: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fogo_Aerodrome

* EP18, Top Five Bucket List Destinations: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP18---Top-Five-Bucket-List-Destinations-e1kvesk

* EP41 - Ways to Keep Flying Fun - Prevent Pilot Burnout: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP41---Ways-to-Keep-Flying-Fun---Prevent-Pilot-Burnout-e29i24h

* Oregon CFI Sam, "When Student Pilots start making radio calls": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss_mJ8wIx7M

Join Ben, Brian, and Ted as they talk about the pitfalls of comparison and envy in training, airplanes, and in flight. It might be the missing hazardous attitude.

Mentioned on the show:

* Brian's "Comparison is a Thief" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4UoyWk6_Mk

* PDK Good Neighbor Day Air Show: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/airport/good-neighbor-day-air-show

* Angel Flight (at PDK DeKalb Peachtree): https://www.angelflightsoars.org/

* EP70 - The art of tailwheel flying: with CFI Ben Lehman: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/midlifepilotpodcast/episodes/EP70---The-art-of-tailwheel-flying-with-CFI-Ben-Lehman-e2i7k72

* flywithben, Ben Lehman's tailwheel info: https://flywithben.com/

* The airport at Pine Bluff Arkansas, Grider Field: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grider_Field

* Bearhawk Aircraft: https://www.bearhawkaircraft.com/

* MQW: Telfair-Wheeler County Airport, McRae Gorgia: https://www.airnav.com/airport/KMQW

* Garmin GNS 430: The Aviation Consumer, May 2024, has a detailed four-page article about repairing and replacing the 430.

Ben and Ted host while Brian is attending to house issues, but the pod must go on! The two discuss external pressures, from low-visibility rain during training to choosing to not fly to the Bahamas. Community feedback rounds out the topic.

Ben is doing tailwheel training soon. Ted also shares a combination Bag o' Words and mistake while flying, and rants about his annual.

Mentioned on the show:

* Ben's video on expanding your minimums: https://youtu.be/H9cvl1LJV1Y

* Ted's "lawn tour": https://youtu.be/mgBPkH610pI

* Barnstormers/Peach State Aerodrome: https://www.peachstateaero.com/

* Mike Busch's first "owner in command" video: https://youtu.be/GJbX32iW36Y

* Busch's second "owner in command" video, aka "six mistakes": https://www.youtu.be/Vu9n_x_a8KE