ExpertAviator.com

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Ten Things You Should NOT do during this pilot shortage:

1. Burn your bridges.

2. Turn down interviews.

3. Don’t show up for the interview.

4. Show up for the interview with a bad attitude or overconfident.

5. Think this pilot shortage will never end because they always do.

6. Turn down a flying job because you are waiting for something better, and then ask for the job when the “better” never materializes.

7. Lie about your past since they will never discover my lie.

8. Don’t prepare for the interview.

9. Don’t show up for training.

10. Tell the interviewer you are taking the job until you find something better.

Listener Mail:

• A listener gives suggestions for saving money on your flight training.  
• A listener takes one step towards his goal by obtaining his Advanced Ground Instructor rating.  He plans on teaching and being available for instruction for anyone who I can help. I may try to get the IGI later this year as well. His ultimate goal is to become a full time instructor. We look forward to hearing his progress.  Here is a picture of an airplane he built helping him build hours towards his aviation goal.

 

• Percy shares how being a crop duster helped him achieve his goal of becoming an airline pilot in Brazil flying a 737.  
• A listener who was wondering if there were any Scholarships available  In Canada for pilot training.  
• A high time First Officer was furloughed in 2010 with several thousand hours of heavy jet time but has no PIC time since leaving the commuters  20 years ago. He wants to know more about jobs in China.
• A 47 year old real estate Broker and Instrument Flight Instructor is interested in shifting his  energy towards a career in aviation. He also has an MBA with management experience and wonders what opportunities there are for both flying and management positions. 
• A military band member is looking at moving on after his position is being eliminated. He is now looking towards a career in aviation and has taken one small step towards his career goal which includes studying as is shown in the picture below:

• A military pilot who  listened to episode 36 and is considering his options and wonders if he is competitive for the majors with only 1800 hours of total flight time.

 

Links:

ACP036 – Should You Leave The Military To Become An Airline Pilot?

Pilot Insurance and Financial Service

WASINC Jobs

ACP011-Flying In China, Interview With WASINC President Dave-Ross

FAPA.aero

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The SMAC gang is cold! Carl’s braving 30º temps in Florida, Victoria’s taking cover from frost-quakes, Len’s in his Chi-beria bunker, Sean’s absent, loaded up with bronchitis antibiotics, and Rick is holding it down in Boston. Even though they’re frozen right now, Carl and Victoria have each been to the islands recently.

Victoria, her husband Bob, and their dog Turbo flew down to the Bahamas for some relaxation. She’ll tell you all about what it’s like getting in and out of the islands in a GA airplane with a dog. Carl flew a trip down to Haiti recently. He’ll discuss what it’s like getting in and out of the country and how his crew had to adapt to new rest rules.

Pre-Flight

• US Sport Aviation Expo Sebring Sport Aviation Expo is almost here! From January 16th to 19th this event focuses on Sport Aircraft and the Sport Pilot Certificate with exhibitors, static aircraft displays, forums, speakers, workshops, and a bunch more. Carl expects to be there volunteering for Expo Radio which will be broadcast live, on the web at LiveATC.net/expo
• It’s less than two months to Women of Aviation Week! Join Victoria in helping promote aviation to women from March 3rd through March 9th. Whether through hosting your own event, volunteering, or sponsoring, every lit bit makes a difference.
• Listener, friend, and CFI Ron Klutts’ first student passed his private pilot check ride! Congrats to Varun on this awesome achievement. You can read the full story called A New Pilot and learn about Varuns' experience during a real life emergency on his check ride! As if the excitement of a check ride isn't enough.
• Sign up to become a Stuck Mic AvCast VIP! Get all of our content delivered right to your email inbox including sneak preview access to episodes before they release to the general public.
• Shout out to our rockin' sponsors, Aviation Universe for supporting this episode!

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

• What do you need to fly to the islands?
• What’s it like flying all the way to the Caribbean with a dog?
• How much does it cost to fly into the Bahamas?
• Bahamas Flight Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, With Dogs
• Flying into Haiti
• Flying with new airline rest rules
• FAR Part 117
• Getting around in Haiti
• Dealing with customs
• Benefits of GA flying vs airline flying
• 737 lands at London-Gatwick despite instructions to go around http://avherald.com/h?article=46e21731&opt=0
• Discussion on dangers of landing without clearance

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks Of The Week ~

• Victoria - Revere Comfort Max Inflatable Life Vests
• Rick - ForeFlight Mobile 5.5.1 update: ADS-B radar
• Len - Pocket Monkey multitool
• Carl - Advanced Guide to Holding Patterns

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We Discuss:

• ATC Contract Towers.
• Why airline pilot is listed as the most stressful and most dangerous job.
• Is Being an Airline Pilot Boring?

Listener Mail:

• A listener who wants to become an astronaut asks:  Should I join the Air Force and gain flight experience and then apply to test pilot school?  Is it possible to pursue a graduate degree while learning how to fly a MWS aircraft? 
• What would you recommend is the best place to network regarding corporate aviation & Jobs?
• I live in Chicago, any recommendations, or any clubs I could join?
• Would a check ride failure impact my corporate flying careers?
• Will employers still consider me for employment with multiple failures?  
• A 20 year old Bahamian pilot would like more information on aerial photography.  
• A 38 year old flight attendant with a charter airline wants to be a commercial  pilot. Given the time and expense involved, am I too old to enter this profession? How long would it take me to complete my training? Once training is completed, how many years would I have in the profession before I have to retire   
• A Canadian pilot wants to know if there are scholarships available for aviation in Canada?
• Does the excitement of aviation continue once you actually 'make it'?
• Are you still as passionate about aviation as you were when you blew your tires driving off the road pointing out the 747?  

Links Mentioned In This Podcast:

SimpleFlight.net - Live Aviation Radio Show in broadcast over the internet.

Jet Upset Training Adds Big Value To Your Aviation Ventures - Pilot Jet Podcast Episode 18

Pilot Records  Information Act

Forbes Most Deadliest Jobs

Most Stressful Jobs from Salary.com

CBAA - Chicago Business Aviation Association

Linked In Chicago Business Aviation Network

Linked In Chicago Area Business Aviation Association

Linked In Business Aviation Network

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HAPPY 2014!!! Episode 63 is in the house, woot woot.

We hope you all had a fantastic holiday season and the happiest of New Year festivities. The SMAC gang is nursing food comas and holiday hangovers, so we decided to share some highlights of our favorite episode bytes from the past two and a half years!

We'll return on January 15th with a hot new show so saddle up cuz it's podcast day!

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

Pre-Flight

Announcements

• Shout out to our super-cool-and-totally-awesome sponsor, Aviation Universe, for supporting this episode! Together we can do great things and we're excited to see what's next.

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

Again, this show is a compilation of our favorite bits and pieces from day 1 of the Stuck Mic AvCast. Here's some of the things we'll be reviewing today:

• Negotiating day-rates for flight instructors
• Running the Captain’s gauntlet
• Haunted airports
• SR22 $100 hamburger flight in Maui, Hawaii
• Interview with Apollo engineer Harlan Neuville
• Logbook 50s
• Interview with lawn-chair pilot Joe Barbera

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Welcome to Episode 44 of the podcast where we help you achieve your career goal. Today I have with me a frequent co host, Tom Wachowski, who is a corporate pilot and creator online media. Tom is going to help me answer listener mail and also describe a tool he has created to help you land a job and stand out amongst the competition.

Listener Questions:

I may not be getting much IFR time but doing surveys at altitudes from 1,000 - 20,000 feet flying precise lines is great training for stick and rudder as well as weather knowledge. Is the time and experience I am getting now are continuing to increase my value as a pilot?

With the new ATP training requirements coming next summer would I be smart to go ahead and spend the money to go get my ATP before the rules change? I love introducing people to flying and have thought about getting my CFI to be able to instruct on the side but I don't have the cash to do both. Should getting my ATP be my priority?

What are your thoughts on air traffic controller jobs at contract towers?

I wonder if you know of any scholarships, grants or loans that are specifically for people not associated with a college?

I have a bachelors in Aerospace Engineering and I was wondering if the airlines/pilot employers look differently on someone with an ATP restricted certificate?

What would be the best aircraft type rating to start off with if I would like to be a corporate pilot with interest in the airline industry?
From: Andrew

How important is the multi-engine rating?

What schools are available for pilot training outside the U.S?

Success Story:

A listener relates how he took advice from a previous guest of the podcast and obtained his ground instructor ratings and partnered with a local flight instructor. He is now making money and working towards his flight instructor certificate.

Links Mentioned in this podcast:

ACP029 – Flying As Captain For A Major Airline With Jeff Nielsen Of The Airline Pilot Guy Podcast

Polk State College

Pilot Jobs Book Course

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Episode 62 returns with your favorite group of aviation misfits - Carl, Victoria, Rick, Sean, and Len and holiday season is in full effect!

In this episode we share and discuss some listener mail from Ron, who, tells us about an emergency landing he made due to a broken throttle cable. Then the SMAC gang reveals their holiday aviation wish list. If you’re feeling generous, we’re sure we can find some hangar space to store those gifts you send us *wink wink*.

So grab a hot buttered rum or beverage of your choice cuz it's podcastin' time!

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

Pre-Flight

Announcements

• Sebring Sport Aviation Expo is coming up next month. From January 16th to 19th this event focuses on Sport Aircraft and the Sport Pilot Certificate with exhibitors, static aircraft displays, forums, speakers, workshops, and a bunch more. Carl expects to be there volunteering for Expo Radio which will be broadcast live, on the web.
• Friend and fellow aviation podcaster, Stephen Force of Airspeed, has spent the last year and a half preparing, producing, and sharing his chronicles from air show spectator to air show performer in his three-part series called Inside Airshows. A worthy achievement worth your time to check out and enjoy.
• SPECIAL THANK YOU for the nominations we received for the 2013 Podcast Awards. We didn't make it to the final round this time but we're determined to make a run for it again in 2014. Stay posted next year for details on how to vote for us.
• Sign up to become a Stuck Mic AvCast VIP! Get all of our content delivered right to your email inbox including sneak preview access to episodes before they release to the general public. Sign up at StuckMicAvCast.com/VIP.
• Our "30 Days Of Thanks" celebration is still running strong. Get $20 OFF The Practical Guide To Winter Flying course by using coupon code "thanks2013" during checkout. This is our way of thanking you for your loyalty and listenership in 2013. The coupon expires 12/29/13 so make sure you act fast!
• Shout out to our rockin' sponsors, Aviation Universe and For Pilots Only for supporting this episode! We really enjoy having you on our team.

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

As mentioned before, the first part of the show is spent sharing and discussing listener mail from Ron of RightSeatFlying.com about an emergency landing he had to make in San Jose as a fairly new pilot, on a major holiday no less. Ron shares his story - Broken Throttle Cable In-Flight? Here's One Outcome - where we learn about the HUGE clue to what, we believe is, a major red flag to help you recognize a possible engine control cable failure.

Then we share the following aviation holiday wish list items:

• Rick - Cirrus SR22 for fast and long range travel. Bird Dog or Cub for low and slow. And a hangar to house them all.
• Sean - Vans RV12 for the fast and upside down flying. Garmin D2 pilot watch.
• Carl - G-Shock Aviation Watches. AirCam for low and slow adventures. Powered Parachute flight.
• Victoria - Garmin VIRB action camera. TBM850 for speed, long rage, and all weather capabilities. Got a spare one sitting around? She'll be happy to babysit it for you.
• Len - Shell 100 Unleaded AvGas. OpenAirplane success and expansion. Electric engines. Creative ways to make aviation more affordable.

On January 1st, 2014 we WILL NOT be releasing a regular episode. Instead, we've prepared a "Best Of SMAC" show containing our favorite bits and pieces from the archives. Look for that on New Years Day 2014!

We close the show today with our second yearly tradition of playing the Podsafe Christmas Song. A fun parody of Alvin and the Chipmunks.

With all that being said - HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours! Safe travels and we'll see you back here in 2014 

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks Of The Week ~

• Sean - Sky Gamblers Storm Raiders iOS flight combat app
• Victoria - Quiet Technologies Halo Headset
• Carl - AOPA "Let's Go Flying" program, EAA Young Eagles program
• Len - The Pilots Guide To Flying On A Budget by Brent Owens
• Rick - NORAD Tracks Santa iOS app

Episode 61 is live and in living color with your favorite group of aviation drones - Carl, Victoria, Rick, Sean, and Len. We've got a special guest on the show today who's going to talk about drones and unmanned aerial systems. From the in's and out's of regulatory concerns to privacy and security, we learn nearly everything there is to know about this often-controversial topic of unmanned aerial vehicles navigating our nations airspace. This show is full of really great information and takeaways.

Grab a drink and settle in! Here we go.

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

Pre-Flight

Announcements

• Sign up to become a Stuck Mic AvCast VIP! We’ll deliver all of our content right to your email inbox and you’ll even get sneak peeks at episodes before we publish them to the general public. Sign up at StuckMicAvCast.com/VIP.
• The Practical Guide to Winter Flying e-book is now for sale in Amazon Kindle Bookstore and Nook Bookstore. Once Apple reviews the book it will also be available in the iBook Store and we'll be sure to let you know once that happens.
• Speaking of The Practical Guide To Winter Flying, we're running a very special holiday promotion called "30 Days Of Thanks" where you can get $20 off the winter flying course by using coupon code "thanks2013" during checkout. This is our way of thanking you for all your loyalty and listenership in 2013 because we truly believe this e-course will help you fly safer and fly smarter during the cold, winter months. The promotion started on 11/29/13 and ends 12/29/13 so make sure you act fast before this coupon expires (and it will)!
• Shout out to our sponsors, Aviation Universe and For Pilots Only for supporting this episode, we genuinely appreciate you!

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

Today we interview Max Flight, one of the producers of the Airplane Geeks podcast and owner of ThirtyThousandFeet.com. Max became interested in aviation as a child watching the space race and he recently retired from Pratt & Whitney. He prides himself on the quality of his website and podcast and consistently books high-profile guests. Max recently launched a new aviation podcast all about drones called The UAV Digest and he joins us today to answer our questions about all flying things unmanned.

• What got Max interested in flying
• How has Max helped others get started in podcasting?
• How does Airplane Geeks change as hosts come and go?
• How will unmanned aerial systems change the aviation ecosystem?
• Will drones pose a safety risk to pilots?
• Be sure to let the FAA know what you think about drones!
• Can local authorities create rules pertaining to drones?
• What are the privacy concerns?
• What are some possible drone applications?
• Will there be a job market for drone pilots?
• When model airplanes become drones
• What are the cybersecurity concerns?
• Will there ever be pilot-less passenger planes?
• How will sense-and-avoid work?

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks Of The Week ~

• No Picks Of The Week were including in this interview episode

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Episode 60 is on the air with your favorite group of aviation insomniacs - Carl, Victoria, Rick, Sean, and Len. We’ve got the whole gang together!

In today's episode we talk about how Len learned something new at work in the past couple of weeks. Have you ever made a GLS approach? Learn everything you need to know about this new precision approach making its way to an airport near you. There’s also video floating around the internet of two skydiving planes colliding while the jumpers and one of the pilots parachute to safety. The co-hosts talk about their reactions to that video as well as what might happen if they find themselves in a similar situation including their thoughts on the merits and uses of parachutes for pilots and for airplanes.

So lets kick the tires and light the fires cuz it's SMAC time! Here we go.

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

Pre-Flight

Announcements

• Centennial of Commercial Flight - January 1, 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the first commercial airline flight in the USA. This flight departed from St. Petersburg, FL for Tampa, FL in 1914 and was flown in a bi-wing seaplane called the "Benoist Airboat." Mayor Abe Pheil of St. Pete won an auction to be that first passenger and a Florida group is working to recreate that flight next year.
• Our podcast sponsor, Aviation Universe, has donated $500 of prizes for Women of Aviation Week 2014. 20 winners will get receive one of the $25 gift certificates.
• SMAC VIP List - Sign up to become a Stuck Mic AvCast VIP! We’ll deliver all of our content right to your inbox and you’ll even get sneak peeks at episodes before we publish them to the general public.
• Practical Guide to Winter Flying - Our Practical Guide to Winter Flying Course is now available! Len and Carl put together their combined general aviation and airline experience to help you become more aware of some of the hazards of winter flying and how to mitigate them.
• Shout out to our sponsors, Aviation Universe and For Pilots Only for supporting this episode, we sincerely appreciate you!

Listener Mail

• Gérard enjoys listening to the podcast to and from work in Ottawa, Canada. He tells us to try landing at CYRO instead of CYOW to avoid landing fees plus some other helpful information about CYRO. We share his listener mail on the air, PLUS, you can read it here: Flying to Ottawa? Here’s One Recommendation.

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

• GLS Approaches - GPS-based precision approaches
• GLS Grows in Popularity
• Unbelievable video of two skydiving planes colliding
• Are jump pilots required to wear parachutes?
• How difficult is it to exit an out-of-control airplane?
• What do you do in a midair?
• If you’re wearing a parachute, when/how do you jump?
• Cornfield Bomber - The pilot of an F-106 ejected after the airplane entered a spin, only to see the plane recover itself and continue flying on its own until it glided into a farmer’s cornfield with minimal damage

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks Of The Week ~

• Victoria - College Park Aviation Museum - College Park, MD
• Rick - Perfect Weather iPhone App, iPad Mini Retina
• Len - ChartBundle.com for e-reader instrument approach plates
• Sean - PlaneFinder AR iPhone App
• Carl - Tony Janus: An American Flyer