EP151 - 2nd Chances at 46: Motion Sickness, Legacy, and Finding the Right CFI

Listener Chris T. writes in with a powerful story about his WWII pilot grandfather, a 25-year-old discovery flight that ended in motion sickness, and the question: Is it too late to try again at 46? The crew tackles motion sickness remedies, finding the right CFI as a midlifer, and realistic training schedules for busy adults.

Plus: Ben celebrates 28 years of marriage ("She's said 'You Are Right' twice—that's now a thing"), Ted does his first Special VFR, and the fly-in location may be shifting to Bentonville, Arkansas.

In this episode:

• Chris T's story: His B-29 grandfather, motion sickness fears, and juggling four kids while chasing the aviation dream
• Motion sickness reality check: "Habituation remains the most effective non-pharmacological method" - it gets better with time
• The secret: "I get motion sickness when the CFI has the controls, but when I have the controls, I don't" - your stomach needs warning
• Finding the right CFI as a midlifer: Why assertiveness levels matter and how to take control of your own training
• Training schedules for busy adults: "Plan on one getting canceled every week" - fly 2-3 times weekly
• Ben's perfect weekend: Multi-engine training, fly fishing, charity golf tournament (came in 2nd!), and 28th anniversary
• Ted's first Special VFR: "Turn out whichever way you want" - getting the entire Delta to yourself
• Brian flies to Alabama, shows his friend how beautiful the state really is (including seaplane runways)
• International Day of the Air Traffic Controller: Community members dropping off donuts and $500 in pizzas

Great wisdom:

• "Don't trust the CFI to guide you along—apply your midlife project management skills to your training"
• "We definitely prefer straight information. My communication style is bullet points and curse words"
• Nathan Ballard on veteran students: "They all want right to the point direct feedback"
• "That's not what we meant by power-off 180" - the compliment sandwich
• Ben's marriage secret: "If you can make each other laugh, that's a big part of it"

Fly-in update: Tango 82 is looking tough - considering Bentonville, Arkansas (VBT) with Fly Oz backcountry, grass strip, Frank Lloyd Wright house, and James Beard Award-winning chefs!

Mentioned on the Show:

• 8A1 - Guntersville Municipal Airport, Alabama - Seaplane base
• VBT - Bentonville Municipal Airport - Proposed fly-in location
• AR05 - Harris Field, Combs, Arkansas - 2,500' grass strip
• PDK - DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, Atlanta
• WDR - Barrow County Airport, Winder, GA
• XNA - Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport - Commercial airport near Bentonville
• Fly Oz - Backcountry flying experiences in Bentonville

• Gilbert Aviation - Erica Gilbert's IFR ground school

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Closing wisdom: "Simulated engine failures: The only time your instructor smiles and you don't."

Have motion sickness tips or CFI insights? Send us feedback at MidlifePilotPodcast.com