Midlife Pilot Podcast

• EP114 - "This is a Checklist, Not a Do List" - Hustle and Flow(s)

  In this episode, a perfectionist's quest for the perfect checklist leads to an unexpected business acquisition. Barry explains how his journey from "maybe I should get my pilot certificate" turned into owning Checkmate Aviation after his DIY checklist started peeling apart. Between Ben's tales of impressing passengers with instrument approaches and Brian's near-purchase of a globe-trotting Swift, the crew dives into the art of flows versus checklists, and joke about creating a "midlife version" with extra-large text. Barry M, who owns Checkmate Aviation, talked about checklists and flows: https://checkmateaviation.com/ Mentioned on the show: * Erica Gilbert - Aerosafe: https://www.youtube.com/@AeroSafe/videos * TMA - Tifton GA: https://www.airnav.com/airport/TMA * MMI - Athens TN: https://www.airnav.com/airport/MMI * Swift museum: https://swiftmuseumfoundation.org/ * ICARUS view-limiting device: https://www.icarusdevices.com/ * Arthur Schopenhauer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Schopenhauer * Checkmate Aviation: https://checkmateaviation.com/ * TTD - Troutdale Oregon: https://www.airnav.com/airport/TTD * Checklist Manifesto: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Checklist_Manifesto

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• EP113 - Information Whiskey: Very Plane Shaped, That's As Far As It Goes

  Come for the "sleep-deprived Ballyhoo," stay for the "bowling ball collectors who fly Cherokee 235s." In this episode, the crew reveals their "Ultimate Official Airplane of..." Guide where your aircraft choice might expose you as someone who "lectures about stick and rudder at parties" or "plans flights around Whole Foods locations." Plus, tales of an overenthusiastic ATC requesting a "60-mile left downwind," and why raising a puppy is just like raising a child, except "you only have to feed the dog twice a day." Featuring special guest appearances by a green-primered 737 and Ted's dirty belly (on his plane, that is). Mentioned on the show: * Nathan Ballard's first "learning from the military" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka_5m69KCKs * Ted's new video, "return from friday harbor with my favorite passenger", with the dirty belly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwBmh8KX22A#t=3m55s * "Official airplane of" list on the MPP blog: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/blog/the-ultimate-official-airplane-of-guide * MPP Aviation Apps Guide: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/blog/comprehensive-ish-aviation-apps-guide * Bunyan's in Muscle Shoals: https://www.bunyansbarbeque.com/

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• EP112 - 'Just Doing a Bombing Run Here We Go': Master CFI Nathan Ballard's Military Adventure

  When a master CFII/ATP trades right rudder lessons for a seat in an Air Force T-38 Talon, you know it's going to be good. Nathan Ballard expected a polite tour of Sheppard Air Force Base but instead found himself pulling 6Gs during actual bomb runs at 375 knots. While he's up there burning through 4,000 pounds of fuel faster than Ted burns in a year flying his "egg," the Air Force instructor is casually critiquing bombing accuracy like he's discussing the weather. "I thought this was going to be a press visit, but they said 'we're not going to just burn up gas to let you take a look - you're integrating into a real training mission,'" Nathan recalls, shortly before learning what it feels like when your vision decides to peace out at 6Gs. Between learning to eject from a supersonic jet and watching a civilian plane mosey through their military airspace like it's a Sunday drive, this master instructor brought back some serious pro tips from the world's best aviators. Pure midlife pilot gold. Mentioned on the show: * Nathan Ballard's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBallardSaferFlying * Nathan's first military flying video: "What happens when a SMALL PLANE flies through MILITARY AIRSPACE?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka_5m69KCKs * WDR - Barrow County Airport, Winder Georgia: https://www.airnav.com/airport/WDR * Sheppard Air Force Base: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheppard_Air_Force_Base * Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program: https://www.sheppard.af.mil/Library/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/367537/euro-nato-joint-jet-pilot-training-program-enjjpt/ * T-38 Talon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_T-38_Talon * AOPA Air Safety Institute: Accident Case Study: Final Approach: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning/accident-case-studies/final-approach

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• EP111 - It's ALWAYS Fuel (and Never for Skywriting)

  "Well honey, the engine's about to stop running..." is NOT a conversation you want to have at 5,000 feet. In this episode full of real-talk about fuel management, our midlife pilots share their close calls and lessons learned. From Ben's accidental "skywriting" performance (thanks to one loose screw) to his sweaty-palms moments watching those notoriously unreliable Cessna fuel gauges, the crew digs into why "it's always fuel" became their go-to accident theory. As the old aviation wisdom goes: there's only one time you can have too much fuel - when you're on fire! Mentioned on the show: - Brian's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian.siskind/ - M20 Leitchfield Kentucky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/M20 - Stinson Voyager: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinson_Voyager - Minimum fuel, emergency fuel, reserve fuel (PDF): https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-11/INFO_08004.pdf - Twin Hornet heater: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/eppages/aircraftheaters_08-12217.php - MentorLive with Nathan Ballard, Jan 22: https://www.nafinet.org/mentorlive Become a Patreon supporter of the show! www.patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast

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• EP110 - An Appy Hour Special

  Join us for a special Appy Hour episode! We talk aviation apps and tools we love, and some we even know how to use. From the "suspiciously good and free" flight analysis tools that'll keep you up until 4 AM, to website tools that look straight out of the "Angel Fire website" era (rotating fire GIFs not included), we're diving into the digital tools that keep us flying. Learn why calling that old-school weather briefing number might connect you with someone doing their best late-night talk show host impression, and why Ben calls ATC radio "soothing" when there's nothing else to listen to. Whether you're tracking your landings, checking weather, or just trying to figure out if it's okay to brush snow off someone else's plane (spoiler: maybe don't), we've got you covered in this episode. Plus, hear why our Big Texas Send Fly In event in May 2025 is already making us ask "What have we done?" Your weekly dose of aviation inspiration, now with 100% more app recommendations. Mentioned on the show: * AQO Llano Texas for BBQ: https://www.airnav.com/airport/AQO * Seinfeld: Kramer Turns His Apartment Into A TV Set | The Merv Griffin Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pys47zaxZ90 View the complete list and links to all the apps mentioned and more at: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com/blog/comprehensive-ish-aviation-apps-guide

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