If you spend time listening to the experts in aviation, you undoubtedly know Gary Reeves.  A Master CFI with over 6,700 hours and an expert when it comes to knowing and teaching pilots to leverage the technology and systems in an airplane to ensure a positive flying outcome.  Gary travels the country delivering free safety seminars for the FAA (www.pilotsafety.org) and is hired by pilots to fly to their home base and help them become masters of their personal aircraft based on three days of intense training (www.masterflighttraining.com). 

Tonight, Gary joins Rhonda and Marc to share what he teaches pilots across the country about how to stay safe. This includes the three common mistakes that lead to a bad outcome. He also enlightens our listeners about the benefits of declaring an emergency early, which ironically, is a key step in avoiding an emergency.  The topics covered are quite wide and we know you will walk away from tonight's show a more knowledgeable pilot and ultimately a safer one.  Our live listeners have already started sending emails to bring Gary back for more in-depth conversation. We violently agree!!! 

Gary was recommended to us by a listener.  We appreciate the suggestion very much and ask that all of you let us know who you would like to hear from as a guest on the show.

And most of all, our sincere thanks to all of you for being  loyal listeners to the show.  Wishing you...
BLUE SKIES and STRONG TAILWINDS!

​As promised two weeks ago, Marc highlighted three of the 2017  Archie League Award recipients.  The Archie League recognizes ATC personnel who assisted a pilot in reaching a positive outcome, while facing a very challenging situation.

​Marc, Rhonda, and Tim shared their insight as the trio listened to the actual radio calls during these emergencies.  Great outcomes due to great work by ATC.  We wish we could discuss all the winner's efforts, but time doesn't allow it.

​Other topics covered, include new primary training standards that may actually be bad for the student pilot, follow up on a logging question that was raised last week, and the use (or lack of use) of autopilots by today's primary students.
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​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Let us know what you think!
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​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

​If you have any friends that don't understand the concept of hangar flying, have them listen to tonight's show.  Marc invited back new Chicago pilot, Rhonda Khabir, and dialed in our long time friend, Tim Rylko from his LA home to talk about multiple news stories circulating in the GA community. All of the topics highlight the fact that each segment of the aviation industry will be impacted differently and therefore has a personal perspective on the outcomes and how to get there.

​The conversation started out about the push from AOPA to downgrade Cincinnati from Bravo airspace to Charlie.  Why, you may ask?  It starts with the fact that KCVG no longer meets the criteria for designating an airspace as Bravo.  It's unchartered ground, and perfect for a discussion.  Listen in and let us know what you think.  From there, the trio talked about ATC privatization, Contract vs. Federal towers, exorbitant fees charged by FBO's and how an air carrier pilot shakes off the rust after a 30 day leave from Part 121 flying.

​We hope you enjoy listening as much as we love talking to others who share our passion for aviation.  Let us know what you think!
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​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

Marc returns to the airwaves tonight, and is joined by fan favorite, Eddie Trujillo, an air traffic specialist with Chicago Approach (C90).  Eddie just returned from CFS and has plenty to report and discuss.  For those of you unfamiliar, CFS is hosted annually by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).  CFS stands for Communicating for Safety and is the aviation industry's leading conference focusing on safety, technology and building relationships with other aviation professionals. It's the only conference of its kind to focus specifically on the air traffic needs of all members of the aviation community who are affected by the National Airspace System (NAS).
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Also joining the show, was new Chicago pilot, Rhonda Khabir.  Rhonda is a private pilot who brings a lot of energy and contagious enthusiasm to all her conversations.  As a new Chicago-based pilot, she had lots of questions for Eddie and a very cool perspective on ATC myths.

​And you know Marc.... he loves ATC!  Listen and Smile tonight!
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​​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

When pilots think of insurance, it's usually from a Pre-Claim perspective.  But what about after a claim is made.  That's when the insurance adjustor gets involved and figures out the damage and amount in question.  It's an interesting world not many of us think about.  Well that changes with this show.

​Michael Staszel of McLarens Aviation spends a lot of time flying to "incident" sites to see what happened, why it happened, and what it is going to cost the insurance company.  His visits include many of the accidents we read about on a regular basis.

​Michael, who is an ATP rated pilot, joins us this week to give some insight of his daily life and provide the insurance adjustor perspective on GA accidents.  I've had the pleasure of speaking with Michael, and know you will find this a great listen.

​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

​One of the things Marc has loved about the last 4 1/2 years, is the ability to meet some real superstars in the aviation industry. This week is no different.

SimpleFlight Radio welcomes Dick Rochfort to the show.  Dick has been training pilots (rwrpilottraining.com) since the early 90's.  He has differentiated himself by focusing solely on the Piper M Class (Malibu, Mirage, Matrix, Meidian) and putting himself in the position of delivering instructor level knowledge that goes far beyond stick and rudder skills.  Check out his website and YouTube videos to experience it firsthand.

The show was prerecorded, so no live social media activity tonight, but navigate to the podcast page on Sunday night and listen in.  You'll figure out why Marc has always held a high regard for the professionalism and quality Dick has brought to the aviation community.  We're sure you'll agree.

​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

We're back and better than ever. 

The show is back to talking with the people that are living the dream with aviation, whether it be as a hobby or a way of life.

​Tonight we are joined by Jorge Velez, a long time passionate aviator, who has a lot of great stories to share.  I think of Jorge as my personal aviation encyclopedia.  He is the king when it comes to spotting an aircraft and being able to identify it and tell you its history.  Listen and enjoy!!!

We're excited to get back on track and reconnect with our listeners that have been the source of our energy the past four years. 

​​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

Tonight's show was to be about a look back at the big stories of 2016 and some forecasts of possible big stories in 2017.  There was a little of that, but the focus shifted to the "change-laden" year Al had in 2016.  Shutting down his flight school, dealing with the implications of owning an airplane and then the implications of selling it, finding a job at Cirrus, and getting ramped up, and finally closing the year with a marriage proposal to his girlfriend.  That's enough change in the year for most people, but not Al.  He actually waited until tonight to announce yet another decision.... that he would be leaving the podcast to focus on his job, his family, and his other life goals. 

Listen in as the guys talk about what the show has meant to them and to aviation during the past 4 and a half years. 

So what's that mean for the show in 2017?  Well Marc remains passionate about the show and its mission.  And he also learned that the show is best with a co-pilot.  So he will be taking a couple weeks off to evaluate how best to move forward while maintaining the foundation that has been built to date.

Most important, we both wish you and yours a 2017 filled with good health, peace and much happiness.  Thanks for listening and as we sometimes say to ATC.... Stand By!!!

Blue Skies and Tailwinds!

​So the guys said no more live shows until after the holidays, but if you tuned in tonight, you got a live show!!!  With Al unable to make any dates for the rest of December, Marc said the show must go on, so braved the -5F temps to head over to the airport and get something off his chest.... SAFETY.

​It's been a continuing theme, but with a couple of relevant examples, including a former guest of the show being involved in a fatal accident in the last 8 days, Marc wants to see a shift in GA culture, that "moves the needle".  With your help, we can make that happen.

​Thanks for being a loyal listener.

​BLUE SKIES and TAILWINDS!!!

The word ice is bound to make most pilots shudder.  And that has nothing to do with shivering.  Whether its from fear or deep respect, pilots know that ice can bring an airplane down with only a little warning and there's not much you can do about it.  But cold weather doesn't necessarily mean wing and airframe icing.  Marc and Al talked about flying in the clouds and the different systems that can aid a pilot, if used judiciously and correctly.  Other topics included engine heating, engine operation and lean of peak operations in the winter.
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Winter flying affords us some of the smoothest, high performance operations of the year (and let's not forget about the great visibility), yet the cold temps seem to send many pilots into hibernation.  We hope our cold weather flying discussion motivates you to explore just how great the flying can be.
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Stay warm and have fun.  Blue Skies and Tailwinds!