EP166 - Information Whiskey: Flat Tires and IFR Reality Checks

EP166 - Information Whiskey: Flat Tires and IFR Reality Checks

Time to kick back and catch up with the gang in our first "information whiskey" episode of the year. After starting 2026 with our Ultimate Guide series and that marathon session with Dr. Paul Craig, we're taking a breather to hang out, share some flying stories, and tackle your feedback.

Ben kicks things off with a tale of terrible timing - how a flat nose tire and an MD-88 pilot who was "stuck" (but not really stuck) turned a simple night cross-country into an evening of airport ground operations. Meanwhile, Brian's been surviving Nashville's ice apocalypse while grinding through the final stages of instrument training, complete with shoulder harnesses and a healthy dose of reality about how IFR actually works versus how it's taught.

We dive deep into Brian's theory that instrument flying is "interpretive dance" rather than the precise, procedural flying it's marketed to be. Spoiler alert: holds aren't what you think they are, and ATC doesn't care about your perfect entry technique.

Plus, we celebrate some amazing listener accomplishments - from glider add-ons to ice runway landings to solo cross-countries - and address the burning question: do non-flying spouses actually listen to aviation podcasts? (Spoiler: some do, and we want to hear from them!)

Featuring Thaden Invasion updates, washing machine turbulence scales, and why sometimes the best thing to do is just wait 15 minutes for the weather to change.

Mentioned on the show:

* RYY - Cobb/McCollum Field: https://www.airnav.com/airport/RYY

* FAA WINGS program: https://www.faasafety.gov/

* CCO - Coweta County Georgia: https://www.airnav.com/airport/KCCO

* PUJ - Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport: https://www.airnav.com/airport/KPUJ

* Flight Insight, Going Missed on a Circling Approach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJiEuHWF5B8

* Flight Insight, the VOR Flower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm7XxyzZFh0

* Columbia Cascade 99's winter raffle: https://www.columbiacascade99s.org/store/p/2025-2026-winter-raffle

* IFR6 - accelerated IFR training, Charleston SC: https://ifr6.com/

* TOA - Torrance California: https://www.airnav.com/airport/KOTA

* EP46 - Flying With Your Spouse: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep46-flying-with-your-spouse/id1591463789?i=1000632568750

Visit midlifepilotpodcast.com for more content, merch, and our free Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Midlife Pilot. Support the show and join our community at patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast - 10% of proceeds support Freedom Aviation Network's anti-trafficking efforts.

Jaksot(173)

EP62 - Ways to combat complacency

EP62 - Ways to combat complacency

Ben, Brian, and Ted talk about combating complacency as a private pilot. They also celebrate podcast supporters who have passed checkrides recently! The new midlife pilot podcast website: https://midl...

14 Helmi 202458min

EP61 - Five ways to build confidence as a newer pilot

EP61 - Five ways to build confidence as a newer pilot

Ben, Brian, and Ted talk about gaining confidence as a new pilot. The team also reads feedback from Mike Alpha Golf about the importance of having friends in aviation- for one thing, they keep you sa...

7 Helmi 20241h

EP60 - Weather is fun with CFII Erica Gilbert

EP60 - Weather is fun with CFII Erica Gilbert

We are joined by CFII Erica Gilbert of AeroSafe - she makes weather more fun! Erica speaks to her work as a CFII, the art of weather briefings, expanding your minimums, and how she came to sharing her...

31 Tammi 202451min

EP59 - Debriefing the debrief, memory logbooks, and the Nashville fly-in

EP59 - Debriefing the debrief, memory logbooks, and the Nashville fly-in

After talking about filming flights on the last episode, Ben, Brian, and Ted talk about debriefing flights- using a gopro as a "black box", looking at tracks, or using pen and paper. show mentions: *...

24 Tammi 202451min

EP58 - Record your flights safely, or maybe not at all

EP58 - Record your flights safely, or maybe not at all

Many pilots are recording their flights now, whether to learning, or maybe just for content farming. Ben, Brian, and Ted talk pros and cons of filming your flights, and some ways to do it safer - if a...

17 Tammi 202451min

EP57 - Personal minimums, Spruce Goose, and Ben does Portlandia

EP57 - Personal minimums, Spruce Goose, and Ben does Portlandia

Ted and Ben are in the same city and went on an adventure together, so they podcasted in the same room and talked with Brian about personal minimums: What are minimums? What is included? How to you ex...

10 Tammi 20241h 3min

EP56 - Crosswind landings and Galaga cheat codes

EP56 - Crosswind landings and Galaga cheat codes

Ben, Brian, and Ted share some listener feedback and talk about their experiences with crosswind landings. Brian reads from The Killing Zone, including a story from a pilot in the book. The crew finis...

3 Tammi 202458min

EP55 - Year end spectacular - icing on the vegetables

EP55 - Year end spectacular - icing on the vegetables

Ben, Brian, and Ted host a hilariously chaotic end-of-year episode, with Ben surprising Brian and Ted with snippets from the show. * Brian's "almost Brasher" Charlie vid: https://www.youtube.com/watc...

27 Joulu 20231h 9min

Suosittua kategoriassa Vapaa-aika

nikotellen
antin-matka
sita
the-harlin-show
ihan-oikeesti
unicast
rss-nikotellen
eturivi
rss-naapurissa
tahtitehdas
mutsiputki
kaikkea-hyvaa
terkuin-jenna
oral-sex
himocast
everypodi
mysteeripodcast
junnut-pelissa
kasper-ja-mikko
20-30-40-podcast