The Inspired Pilot Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

What does it take to become a pilot?

Jeff Simon's love of aviation is taking him on a journey well beyond the cockpit. Jeff is a pilot, an aircraft owner, an FAA certified A & P mechanic and inspector, writer, and inventor.

Jeff has spent the last 18 years promoting owner-assisted aircraft maintenance, holds several STCs (Supplemental Type Certificates) for aircraft modification and recently certified the FlexAlert multifunction annunciator to increase flight safety.

Driven by a mission to get people flying more, Jeff is also the creator of SocialFlight.com and the free Social Flight mobile app which maps over 20,000 aviation events, destinations, and hundred dollar hamburgers to support the GA (General Aviation) community in the US and beyond.

Most recently, Jeff and his two teenage boys have begun building a Titan T-51 aircraft kit in the living room of their home.

Join us as Jeff gives us insight into his inspiring pilot journey.

Listen to Jeff’s episode here: https://www.inspiredpilot.com/podcast/jeff-simon-social-flight-faa-ia/

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Jeremy Robertson started flying at age 15 in Canberra, Australia, completing his PPL at the end of high school and gaining his commercial licences via the University of New South Wales Bachelor of Aviation program.

Jeremy has worked as a flying instructor, bush pilot, and an airline pilot. Accumulating 7,500 flying hours across aircraft ranging from ultralights to B747s before a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in 2010 ended his commercial flying career.

Jeremy has recently graduating from The University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery and is currently working as a junior doctor, and aiming for a career in general practice and aerospace medicine.

Now holding an unrestricted Class 2 medical, Jeremy continues to instruct for his local ultralight club, maintains a current Multi-Engine Instrument Rating and will fly anything that is put in front of him.

Visit The Show Notes Page For Patrick’s Episode And For More Recommended Pilot & Aviation Resources here: http://www.inspiredpilot.com/podcast/jeremy-robertson-former-airline-pilot-private-pilot-diabetes-junior-doctor .

Rick Durden started flying in junior high school. He became a flight instructor during his first year of college and helped pay for college and law school by flight instructing and hauling air freight. 

Holding an ATP with type ratings in the Douglas DC-3 and Cessna Citation 500 series. Rick splits his time between practicing aviation law and as an editor of Aviation Consumer magazine and AVweb, the Internet aviation magazine. 

Rick has been a volunteer pilot for LightHawk, a public benefit flying organization that supports conservation efforts in North and Central America for 25 years and is also the author of the book The Thinking Pilot's Flight Manual or, How to Survive Flying Little Airplanes and Have a Ball Doing It, Vol I. Volume 2 will be released shortly.

You can also leave a comment for Rick , just below the show notes for this episode and for the other guests, on their pages at http://www.inspiredpilot.com

Owen Zupp gives us insight into his inspiring pilot journey.

Owen Zupp’s passion for flight began in childhood and now he possesses over 17,000 hours on a wide range of aircraft. 

Owen’s career has included remote region charter flying and flight instruction, international ferry flights, flight testing and the airlines. 

He holds a Masters Degree in Aviation and his writings on the subject have been widely published. 

Beyond the cockpit Owen has also authored four books and the popular website, ‘The Pilot’s Blog’ @ www.thepilotsblog.com

You can also leave a comment for Owen , just below the show notes for this episode and for the other guests, on their pages at http://www.inspiredpilot.com

Rod Rakic shares his inspiring pilot journey.

Rod Rakic is committed to helping aviation work better. He’s a co-founder at OpenAirplane, which makes renting an airplane as easy as renting a car.

Rod’s career spans 20 years of building experiences as tools to enhance and manage brands.

A digital strategist, professional pilot, and user experience nerd with a mission.

Dean Siracusa Shares His Inspiring Pilot Journey.

Dean Siracusa is a 2000hr FAA Single Engine Land and instrument rated   pilot, Inventor and Serial Entrepreneur based in Austin, Texas in the U.S.

In 2006 Dean purchased a rare 1966 Meyers 200D which to this day is still one of the fastest and safest single engine piston aircraft ever built. The Meyer 200D still holds speed records to this day for production aircraft.

Dean is also the President and Founder of Transtock, Inc. which is The leading licensing agency that specializes in transportation imagery and footage.

In 2012 Dean Invented Flying Eyes Sunglasses and in 2014 received a patent with more pending. 

Summer Hawk Optics, Inc. is still the only option for comfortable sunglasses while wearing a headset or helmet and available at www.flyingeyes.biz.

Kathy McCullough shares her inspiring pilot journey.

At the age of age 16 Kathy McCullough Flying career choice, was not wholly supported by her parents.  However by the end of college, Kathy had purchased her first airplane, a Cessna 140 “taildragger”.

Over the next few years a lot of change followed aviation wise for Kathy, including working as a flight attendant on Vickers Viscounts, flying Cessna 206’s to and from Mines and even helping fighting fires in Boise, Idaho.

Kathy joined Northwest Airlines in 1981 which was the start of fantastic 26 year career. Starting on the 727 and DC-10s, Kathy finally retired as a Captain on the prestigious Boeing 747.

Now retired Kathy is following and enjoying her other passion, photography and also does motivational speaking to at-risk kids and school groups.

Mike Lesser gives us insight into his inspiring pilot journey.

Mike Lesser was a frustrated pilot his whole life, but after completing his university degree there was nothing else he wanted to do except fly.

Training full time, within about a year and a half Mike had his commercial license, instrument rating and ATPL subjects completed.

After 8 years of hard work, Mike now has both Australian and New Zealand ATPL licenses and flies internationally as a First Officer on the Boeing 737.

Maria Langer gives us insight into her inspiring pilot journey.

Maria Langer is a commercial helicopter pilot and the owner/operator of Flying M Air, LLC based in Washington State in the United States.

Flying is her third career and she’s been at it now for 15 years.

Maria blogs about flying, building her new home, recovering from an ugly divorce and a variety of other things at www.MariaLanger.com.

Join us as Lauren Richardson gives us insight into her inspiring pilot journey.

Lauren has been flying since she waved goodbye to her teens and is enjoying her fifth season of flying aerobatics along with her third as a display pilot.

Self-funded, Lauren has flying in her blood as she is now living the dream her younger self conjured up.

It’s clear she has talent alongside the passion as she has won many competitions including the British Female Aerobatic Champion of 2012.

Lauren never stops pursuing her dream as she admits she’s still got further to go and is always finding new ways to fall in love with flying every single day.