ExpertAviator.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Welcome to episode 39. Today I have with me former Coast Guard helicopter pilot and Navy flight instructor Steve Vigus. Steve has a varied background and many interests including a passion for automobiles. I am really excited to listen as Steve takes us inside the cockpit of a Coast Guard Helicopter pilot on a rescue mission.

Steve and I discuss:

• What it is like to pluck someone from the ocean saving their life.
• His career path and how he developed a passion for aviation.
• How he became a Coast Guard Pilot.
• The various missions of a helicopter in the Coast Guard.
• How he was able to transfer to the Navy as an instructor.
• What it is like to be a Navy Helicopter Instructor.
• The mission of a the helicopter in the Navy.
• His advice to those wanting to become a helicopter in the Coast Guard and Navy.

Links mentioned in this podcast:

Polk State College

Merchant Marine Academy

United States Coast Guard Academy

Sports Car Junkie Business Podcast

Recommended reading:

Start by Jon Acuff - helps you start towards your path towards doing something that matters.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Welcome back! By our collective years of experience as aviators we truly hope these shows help you fly smarter and fly safer and today’s episode is no exception.

Back in Episode 29 we talked about flying to Canada. After a recent experience taking the Glasair and Turbo the Flying Dog to Ottawa, co-host Victoria Zajko has some information to add the the Canadian discussion regarding broken airplanes, dealing with customs, and animal issues to name a few.

In Episode 53 we talked about aviation accidents and how we cope. Co-host Rick Felty had some thoughts to add to 53 after a recent general aviation crash fatally injured the occupants allegedly due in part because of failure to remove a flight control lock.

Then to wrap things up, Len Costa Carl Valeri talk about the risks and responsibilities of being a pathfinder flight including some considerations you should take into account before accepting such a departure. All that and more, coming up now, on this edition of the Stuck Mic AvCast!

***Don’t forget to share this episode by clicking that Like, Share, Tweet button to spread the love!***

Pre-Flight

Announcements

• Women of Aviation – Find out how you can help, support, or even host your very own Women Fly It Forward event in 2014 so we can spread the love and joy of flight with women of all ages to show them how attainable a hobby or career in aviation truly is.
• California International Airshow – Located in Salinas, CA this airshow takes the skies on September 21st and 22nd to include military and civilian aircraft displays, performances by Mike Goulian, The Patriots Jet Team, a Russian MIG-17 Demo, Robosaurus, and a bunch, bunch, more.
• Stuck Mic AvCast Blog Posts – Yet another addition to the website – Bingo Fuel iOS App Video Demo. Have a look, will ya?

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

• Flying to Canada
• Maintenance issues abroad
• Taking animals and food across the border
• International flying paperwork
• Ottawa sights
• Update on Aeronca crash at Taunton
• Complacency and checklist usage
• Flying as a pathfinder
• Lightning safety

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of The Week ~

Sean – Check out the Smithsonian Channel’s “Aerial America”

Victoria – Find out more about insurance for planes within the OpenAirplane network through STARR Aviation

Rick – Download ATC Voice game for iPad

Len – The ResQLink PLB

Carl – The Canadian Aviation and Space Museum

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In episode 38 we continue to answer listener e-mail with Tom Wachowski. Tom is a corporate pilot who also flew for the airlines and brings a unique perspective to this podcast.

The following are the questions we answer during the episode:

• I have been pulled away from aviation. What is the best way to get back into flying?
• Is there a list of the many scholarships and grants available?
• Where should I land in this vast field of aviation?
• If I am 28 years old is it too late to get into airline flying?
• How do I get to the airlines if I am just shy of the ATP minimums?
• Should I learn how to fly either part 61 or 141?
• Should I purchase a used airplane for training? Would this reduce the overall cost of learning?
• What advice can you offer concerning schools for the Flight Instructor Certificate? Should I be concerned about the high failure rate for the CFI?

Links Referenced In This Podcast:

Jonathan was mentioned in episode 36 and wrote an e-book to help people who are aspiring to become AF pilots achieve their dream. The book is called Your Road to Wings: How to Become an Air Force Pilot.

Private Jet Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In episode 37 we answer listener questions with Tom Wachowski. If you have a question or need advice about your career please click on the Contact page and submit your question. We will answer your question directly and share the answer in an upcoming episode to help others who are listening.

Today I have with me Tom Wachowski a frequent guest on this podcast. Tom is a corporate pilot who also flew for the airlines and brings a unique perspective to this podcast.

In This Episode We Discuss The Following:

• Is it too late for me to pursue an aviation career at 25 years old?
• I eventually want to fly commercially. Should I join a flying club or learn at a Part 141 flight school?
• What jobs are available for a 400 hour pilot?
• I'm 17 years old and my dream is to become a commercial pilot flying for Emirates. What is the best route to became an Emirates pilot and how do I get there?
• Swayne recently completed his first solo cross country and shares his story at: martinsaviation.blogspot.com
• The challenges and costs of learning to fly in Brazil.
• Are there any aviation careers that do not require a strong background in math?
• I am from overseas and was just wondering if you could quickly run me through the most beneficial process of becoming a captain.

Links Referenced In This Podcast:

USS Midway

NYC Aviation - Plane Spotting and News

Mission Beach - San Diego, California

Tom Wachowski Aviation Careers Podcast Episode 14

Experimental Aircraft Association.

What Color Is Your Parachute.

AOPA Flight Training Magazine and Website

FAA Safety Team

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s interview is without a doubt the most UNIQUE and CRAZY story we’ve shared on the podcast yet! A while back one of our listeners sent us an email after hearing a guy tell the story of his homemade flying lawn chair adventure at a local EAA chapter meeting. Curiosity got the best of us so we reached out to this flying lawn chair aviator and asked him to come on the show.

The story of Joe Barbera includes his inspiration behind the flying lawn chair, trials and tribulations of building the homemade craft, launch day challenges and why he left everything (including his shoes and toilet paper) behind, intentions to break world records, crash landing in the trees, and so much more. This episode is not to be missed!

Without further ado we bring to you Flying Lawn Chairs and Crash Landings with Joe Barbera.

Don’t forget to share this episode by clicking that Like, Share, Tweet button to spread the love!

Pre-Flight

Announcements

• California Capital Air Show – The California Capital Airshow at Mather Airport on October 5th and 6th, 2013 promises, “spine-tingling performances including an international jet team, the Snowbirds, jet demonstrations, world-class aerobatics, wingsuit flyers, barnstorming, wing walking, and endless entertainment and displays along the ramp.”
• Georgetown-Scott County Aviation Festival – On September 14th, 2013 the gates open for this Kentucky aviation festival featuring static aircraft displays, B-25 and Huey rides, skydiver demonstrations, antique tractors, and more! Sorry, no whiskey or bourbon until after the show.
• Stuck Mic AvCast Blog Posts – Some new additions to the website – Stuck Mic? There’s a Message For That! and Quick Guide to Air Traffic Control Facility Guides. Check those out for some reading enjoyment!

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

• Meet Joe Barbera
• Inspiration for flying lawn chair
• “Lawnchair Larry” Walters (first lawn chair pilot)
• Goal for distance world record
• Planning
• FAA regulations
• Finding the perfect lawn chair
• Building the craft
• Rolling with the punches
• Soaring over Washintgon
• Introduction to Cluster Ballooning
• Crash landing
• Handing from the trees
• Building your own flying lawn chair
• Dealing with air traffic
• Costs
• What it’s like soaring over 21,000ft
• Paratrooper experience
• Hypoxia dangers
• Preventing uncontrolled ascent
• Lawn Chair Pilots website
• Like Lawn Chair Pilots on Facebook
• Contact Joe via Email

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of The Week ~

No Picks of the Week were included in this interview episode.

Subscribe to Our Enhanced Podcast Feed in iTunes

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today we bring a fun interview with a really cool pilot, aircraft and aviation business owner, who’s fortunate to fly from his own backyard runway, leaping into the Oregon wilderness for all the off-airport flying adventures one can handle! Brendan O’Mara of CRAZEDpilot.com shares his experiences flying Kitfox aircraft, the reliability of Rotax engines, what it’s like to operate into his 16% grade grass-runway in his backyard, and a whole bunch more.

Time to saddle up and get your listen on for this Episode 54 sponsored by ForPilotsOnly.com.

Don’t forget to share this episode by clicking that Like, Share, Tweet button to spread the love!

Pre-Flight

Announcements

• Air Transport World Eco-Aviation Conference – “ATW’s 6th Annual Eco-Aviation Conference & Awards will focus on overall sustainability, affordability and overcoming political hurdles within the air transport industry, particularly those social, economic and environmental developments that will improve and have a lasting effect on the industry’s future environmental performance.” This years event will take place at the Westin City Center, Washington, DC on September 11th and 12th.
• Stuck Mic AvCast Blog Posts – Some new additions to the website that are worth your while to read up on, Mom, Where Do Airplanes Go When They Die?, What’s In A Callsign?, No Second Chances, and Where’s Baldo – July 2013 Edition. Check those out for some reading enjoyment!

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

• Meet Brendan O’Mara
• Getting into flying
• Powered-Parachute Flying
• Kitfox Aircraft
• Folding wing design
• Frequency of flying
• Backyard runway
• Kitfox variations
• Tundra tires
• Buying homebuilt airplanes
• Homebuilt regulations
• Homebuilt insurance
• Rotax Engines
• Backcountry Flying
• Flying M Ranch Lodge
• “Pioneering”
• CrazedPilot.com

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of The Week ~

No Picks of the Week were included in this interview episode.

This Episode Is Sponsored By

 

Please submit your questions and feedback via blog comments, Twitter, or email and we’ll be sure to answer them on the air!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Are you a military pilot thinking of making the jump to the airlines? Do you think you might wait until retirement before making the jump to the airlines? There are some pro’s and con’s of both staying in the military and leaving for the airlines. For over a decade I assisted military pilots with leaves of absence and have seen the good and bad of combining an airline job with military reserve. In this issue I will relate my experiences working with military pilots who have both retired and those who are in the military part time.

Today’s episode was inspired by a question from a listener in the military who is thinking of making the jump to the airlines. To help me respond to his question I have a response from Steve Molos who for many years has also helped military pilots with military leaves of absence with the airlines. Steve had to make the same decision himself about changing careers.

If you are thinking of making becoming an airline pilot and changing careers prior to retiring I think you will find the information we relate helpful. So lets listen to the question that inspired the show today.

In This episode we discuss:

• Family life as an airline pilot.
• What it means to commute to work.
• What it is like to commute to work and live in base.
• Pro’s and Con’s of leaving the military job early.
• The benefits and challenges of being in the reserves or guard.
• Why it is important to know all the contacts at your company concerning military leave.
• Should you get a type rating?

If you are thinking of retiring from the military or from any job and transition to the airlines it is important to weigh the pro’s and con’s just like Steve said. What I like to do when making a significant decision is to take out a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle then begin putting the pro’s on one side and the con’s on the other. If after you finish your list the con’s out weigh the pro’s then you need to start thinking again about your decision.

During this process it is important to get your spouse or significant other involved. Have them look at your list and make changes as necessary. A pro to you can be a con to your partner.

Whatever you decide make sure you are doing this for what is best for you and your family. Don’t worry about what others might think because they don’t know your situation. Then after making your decision go for it and move forward.

I have faith that whatever you decide in your career you will be successful because you are willing to put forth the effort and persevere through the tough times because you have a purpose. Make sure you keep the list with you and add items even after you have made your decision. This will be helpful in altering your path towards your ultimate goal.

Expect challenges along your new career path but don’t get discouraged. Look at these challenges as growth opportunities and not as road blocks. Road blocks along your career path are not failures they are there to be removed or driven around.

I have faith that you will achieve your aviation career goal. I can’t wait to see you join me in this exciting, challenging, and fun field of aviation.

If you found this information helpful please support this podcast by visiting our sponsors websites. Also if you have any questions please click on the contacts tab and ask. I’m sure there is someone listening right now who would benefit from the question you ask.

Thanks again for listening and we will talk to you next episode. Clear skies and safe flying!

Photos copyright KenMist.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Today’s show is on the more serious and sober side as we discuss aviation accidents and how they’ve affected us on a personal level. Recently, co-host Victoria Zajko came to learn that 2 of the aircraft she flew during her flight training had been involved in fatal crashes where the pilot and occupants did not survive. Not long after that Victoria also lost her friend and wing walker Jane Wicker in a tragic air show accident in Dayton, OH.

These events spurred a back stage conversation amongst the co-hosts and today we share with you our own experiences losing friends and family in fatal aviation related accidents including how we’ve dealt with each situation and what keeps us in the saddle, behind the yoke, still flying.

Have you ever lost someone close to you in an aviation related accident? How did that experience affect you or change your views on flying? Please share your story with us in the comment section below.

So settle in for Episode 53 sponsored by ForPilotsOnly.com.

Don’t forget to share this episode by clicking that Like, Share, Tweet button to spread the love!

Pre-Flight

Announcements

• Favorite $100 Hamburger Joints – Continuing our online discussion about favorite $100 hamburger joints, we’d love to hear from you. Tell us about your favorite spot be it the food, location, type of approach, etc. If you’ve got menu recommendations you can include those, too. Use #benburger to track the conversation on Twitter.

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

• Aviation accidents
• 4 relatives killed in place crash in Oakland
• Wingwalking crash
• Learn from NTSB reports
• Dissecting accidents
• Learning from others’ accidents
• Getting back in the saddle
• Calming passengers’ fears
• Training and preparation

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of The Week ~

Victoria – Aviation Forecast Discussion

Rick – iPro Aviator iPad Kneeboard

Len – AviationUniverse.us – check out Len’s interview with the owners: Episode 51a

Carl – Aviation Week

This Episode Is Sponsored By

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Welcome to Episode 35 of Aviation Careers Podcast where we help you achieve your career goals and give you an inside view of various careers in aviation. Many pilots have an interest in technology and computers. Many times people change careers from computers to aviation, as I did. Some people are able to successfully combine both careers into one.

My guest today Chris Olson is living the life he designed. Chris is an airline pilot and computer programmer. Chris is passionate about both his careers and is here to share with us how he was able to combine both careers.

Chris and I Discuss:

• How he developed a passion for both computers and aviation.
• His career path to the airlines.
• How he is able to combine both his passion for computers and his passion for aviation.
• The challenges of combining an airline pilot career with another career.
• How having many days off as an airline pilot allows us to pursue other careers on our days off.
• Using his Bingo Fuel mobile application Chris walks us through the challenges and triumphs of developing a software application while working as a pilot.
• Advice for people considering combining a piloting career with another career.

Thanks for listening to Aviation Careers Podcast. I hope this podcast has helped motivate you to pursue your passion and translate that passion into a fulfilling career. Whatever career field you choose remember to live your life with passion and pursue a career that fulfills that passion.

If you pursue a career simply for the money you will end up being miserable. Occasionally, I speak with airline captains who are making very good money, have multiple homes, a motorhome, a boat, and an airplane, but they are not happy. The reason is because they became airline pilots because the pay was good.

Having money makes paying the bills easier and allows you to buy the many toys we enjoy in life. With that said, if you pursue a career simply for the money you will be miserable just like some of the airline captains I fly with. Please make sure whatever you decide to do in life it is something you have a passion for. If you work in something you really enjoy, like I do, the money you receive is a great bonus. I get to do something I enjoy and get paid! That is one of the most wonderful feelings in life.

I want you to do something for me today. Think about the one thing you would love to do in life if money was no object. It could be sailing, fishing, golfing, or designing computer systems. Now, begin imagining yourself getting paid to do something you love. Imagine going to work every day and enjoying your job. Now I want you to take some action and start designing the life that fulfills that dream.

Begin by taking one step right now and start moving towards that goal. Maybe you like your current job but you are really passionate about pursuing another career. Then try to work part time in that career you desire. Ask people what it is like to work in that career. If it involves aviation then listen to people such as on this podcast who are doing what you want to do. But do something.

My hope is that this podcast will truly inspire you to pursue and reach your career goal. If you want to hear about a career in aviation you have not heard on this podcast then please go to the Contact page on Aviation Careers Podcast and put in a request for an interview. I will find someone in the field of aviation you are interested in and have them on this show. Also if you have a career question please write me and I will answer your questions on this show.

If you have found this podcast helpful and want to help contribute please visit our sponsors at Aviation Careers Podcast.com. If you are interested in advertising or contributing to this podcast please send me a message on the contact page.

Again, I hope you enjoyed hearing from Chris as much as I did concerning his journey from the computer to the cockpit. We will talk to you next episode. Safe Flying!

Links Mentioned in this podcast:

Bingo Fuel App Link: AviationCareersPodcast.com/BingoFuel

Twitter: @CGOApps
Blog: http://CGOApps.wordpress.com

Programming in Objective-C (5th Edition) (Developer's Library) Sams Teach Yourself iOS 5 Application Development in 24 Hours (3rd Edition)

Stanford CS193P CourseIOS tutorials and resources.

http://stackoverflow.com
Programmers from around the world stop in and offer assistance.