EP97 - A Little Stitious: Hula Girls, Lucky Socks, and Cockpit Voodoo

Join Ben, Brian, and Ted as they explore the wild world of pilot superstitions. Brian admits to thanking his plane after flights, while Ben confesses to repositioning his dashboard hula girl based on landing quality. Ted reveals his habit of wearing outlandish socks during training flights. The chat chimes in with their own quirks, like bringing stuffed animal co-pilots. Brian recounts his thrilling experience at a STOL competition, and hundreds of spectators judging his landing. The guys debate whether announcing checkride dates jinxes the outcome, and Ben explains his obsessive attachment to his beat-up kneeboard. Plus, hear about new podcast merch and their upcoming 100th episode celebration at Fairmont airport.

The 100th episode is coming up! Oct 28, at 4G7 Fairmont West Virginia. Not an official meetup, RSVP is required (on discord or midlifepilotpodcast@gmail.com) if you're planning to attend.

mentioned on the show:

* Music City STOL: https://nationalstol.com/musiccity/

* XNX Music City Executive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_City_Executive_Airport

* 5-hour Music City STOL competition video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtKlqQsl54o

* Master CFI Nathan "Mallard"'s bird video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrN15HLL0AQ

* UAO Aurora: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_State_Airport

* Origins of knocking on wood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocking_on_wood

* Folklore of mirrors as windows to the soul: https://leanbhpearson.com/2023/02/02/mirror-folklore/

* Master CFI Nathan Ballard hosting NAFI mentorLIVE: https://www.mentorlive.site/program/85.html

* Jason Miller, The Finer Points Podcast, When It All Goes Down: crashing a plane, Garmin Inreach: https://www.learnthefinerpoints.com/podcast

* Aviation Newstalk 352, interviewing Hurricane Helene volunteer helicopter pilot: https://aviationnewstalk.com/podcast/352-r44-helicopter-pilot-stories-delivering-supplies-after-hurricane-helene/

* Opposing Bases 353, Hurricane Reponse: All Hands on Deck: https://opposingbases.libsyn.com/ob353-hurricane-response-all-hands-on-deck