​2020 has been a notable year.  How is that for an understatement.  For many of us, aviation serves as an escape from the pressures of daily life.  It can be relaxing, energizing, and fulfilling, with an added benefit of providing an attitude reset.  How ironic that various "shelter-in-place" or other constraints, served to limit aviation's accessibility just when it was needed most.

But with all that, there was plenty of positives and aviation did contribute many happy moments.  This week's episode gives Marc and Brandon an opportunity to look back and take note of the ups and downs that characterize 2020.

Like a relaxing Sunday flight, the guys just let the topics come to them and let the stress of 2020 melt away.  The conversation spanned a lot of topics, including training, maintenance, aircraft systems, pilot attitudes, etc.  We're interested in hearing how you spent the year of Covid, and if you found positive moments you can hold on to.  Please share them with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio

In 2021, we plan to get back to weekly shows and tighten the relationship with our listeners.  Most important, the three of us wish you a new year filled with good health, happiness and lots of aviation. 

Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!

​After the last three shows on airplane ownership, it's only natural to talk about what comes next.  And of course the answer is, TAKE A TRIP.  But where?  I suspect if I asked all of you, the answer wouldn't be to take a 2 1/2 week, 5,000 mile, 63 hour international flight.
    
But that's exactly what tonight's guest did.  Join us as we "sit down" with Curtis Pierce, a Phoenix-based airline pilot, proud Mooney owner, and now an author.  His memoir, "Pacific On The Right", takes us back 20 years as a young CFI, Curtis joined with a freshly minted private pilot, who bought a new 172 and decided to reposition it to Santiago, Chile.
  
Listen as Brandon and Marc discuss, the planning, the language and culture challenges, weather, and even landing at an airport that hadn't seen an airplane in over 5 years.  Talk about a challenging first flight!!!  How about you?  What was your longest flight?  Anything international?  What did you put in the log book.  We'd love to hear your story.  Please share it with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio

Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!

​The last two shows have focused on airplane ownership from both a sole owner and a partnership perspective.  As we close out our trilogy, Brandon and Marc are joined by Steve Rogers, owner of a beautiful 2004 Glass Panel Archer.  Steve bought the plane off the manufacturing floor in 2005 after making the decision to pay for it by "leasing it back" to a flight school or flying club. 

A lot has happened over the last 15 years with technology, the economy, costs, etc.  Yet through it all, the Archer continues to look and fly like a new airplane.  That is due to a flying club that treats it like they own it, and even more important, to an owner that is committed to the safety and pride factor of anyone that flies her.  Steve is often called the best leaseback owner that any flying organization could have.  He loves owning the plane and loves helping people achieve their aviation dreams in his plane. 

We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as Brandon and Marc did.  Not only was it educational, but we enjoyed talking to someone that loves helping others in aviation.  Would you ever purchase and leaseback an airplane?  What kind of person does that?  Interested to hear your perspective.  As always, please share your views with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio

Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!

As a follow up to our last episode, the SimpleFlight crew reached out to Edward Forman, a pilot that embarked on a mission to find a plane and some partners to help him build proficiency and get more utility out of general aviation.  The big questions revolved around number of partners, type of partners, how much to spend, and what make and model of plane would best meet the mission.

  
While each purchase process stands on its own, the conversation with Edward highlights key factors that have to be considered, including the equipment, where to source the plane, where to hangar the plane, finding a maintenance shop, and discovering that a 9 year old plane won't be perfect.  If an unfamiliar model is purchased, the transition to a different platform also needs to be considered.

All in all, Brandon and Marc touched on a lot of aspects of the plane purchase and ownership process.  But we're sure there are other perspectives.  And we'd like to hear yours.   As always, please share your views with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio

Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!

As SimpleFlight Radio starts its 9th season, we sit down and revisit with Andy Thome, who was our guest twice in the last three months of 2019. ​ At that time, Andy was going through an airplane purchase process and shared his experience from start to finish.  His purchase of a 1959 Piper Comanche 180 in December, was not the end of the story.  Quite the opposite. 

Similar to a TV newscast that warns its viewers that the following story could be quite disturbing, we must warn you the journey Andy has been on will probably make you cringe.  The good news is there is much to be learned from the story, including how Andy is dealing with the less than perfect experience he continues to face.
  
As a pilot, we are taught how to deal with adversity and stay focused on taking our journey to a safe and successful conclusion.  That is exactly what Andy has done for the last several months.  So sit back, relax, and listen and learn from Andy as he shares the story of his journey since buying his plane in December of 2019. 

Brandon and Marc wonder if they would've navigated the process as well as Andy.  We're interested to have you join the discussion with your opinion and any questions you have of the SimpleFlight crew.  And at the same time, share your thoughts with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio

Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!

Covid-19 has impacted so many people across the globe in some physical or emotional way.  The specifics are tough to recount.  To say we need to find a way to "de-stress" is an understatement.  For many of us, we find our escape in flying.  And tonight's guest, takes that to an extreme.
 


Meet Bob Reynolds, a Chicago pilot that uses his SR22 to see the USA at safe, but low altitudes.  His last minute trips to points of interest from coast to coast will probably leave you green with envy.  Despite the distraction and impact of the Corona virus, Bob saw an opportunity to take his mission to the next level. 

Bob heard about pilots taking advantage of the reduction in air carrier flights, by adding their local Bravo airport to their logbook.  That included many Chicago private pilots who landed at O'Hare.  Bob said, "why stay local?", as he set out to land at every Bravo airport in the US.  It's an incredible story and we're honored that Bob was willing to share it with all of us.  Please join us for a ride of a lifetime.

We're interested to have you join the discussion with your opinion and any questions you have of the SimpleFlight crew.  And at the same time, share your thoughts with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio

​Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!

There are a lot of paths to a job in aviation.  Some are unconventional.  And sometimes the job itself is unconventional.  Welcome to this week's episode of SimpleFlight radio.  Join us as Marc and Brandon spend time with Wayne Temple, a Helicopter Line Pilot and COO of Wake Aviation (wakeaviation.com).  His story about how he became the only active Journeyman Lineman/Wire pilot in the country is interesting by itself.  But to learn about what the job entails and what a day in the life is like, is compelling.
  
You might assume that a job flying helicopters carrying people and equipment that hang below the aircraft, while operating within feet of structures and high power lines is not a career that elicits comfort for most people.  Yet, you'll hear Wayne talk about how he essentially earned his license on the job and has accumulated 9,000 hours doing what he loves.  Of note is the fact that he has zero time flying fixed wing aircraft.  This is someone that found his dream job at an early age.  It's a great story and we hope you agree.

We're interested to have you join the discussion with your opinion and any questions you have of the SimpleFlight crew.  And at the same time, share your thoughts with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio
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Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!!

All pilots are passionate about aviation.  It's the one thing that creates a bond between us.  As Marc likes to say, it's our "Common Unity".  And that's what makes us a COMMUNITY.  But it doesn't stop there.  There are families within the family.  Some are based on aircraft types (there are more than 100 aircraft type clubs), while others are pilot segmented groups (e.g. 99's, NAFI, AbleFlight).  And there are even a few organizations that bring both together.   

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And that brings us to Ladies Love Taildraggers (ladieslovetaildraggers.com).  Marc and Brandon talked with Judy Birchler and Kelly Jeffries, who started the organization in 2009 and now have over 2500 members.  Listen in and catch their contagious enthusiasm as they share not only what they put into the group, but what the members come away with.   Spoiler alert... it starts with FUN!

We're interested to have you join the discussion with your opinion and any questions you have of the SimpleFlight crew.  And at the same time, share your thoughts with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio

Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!!

​Marc commonly says that YouTube is his favorite app.  The main reason comes down to access to education and people doing really cool things.  And as no surprise, Marc spends a lot of time watching aviation videos.  One of the "Tubers", Mike Ojo (mojogrip.net) became a favorite of Marc's, due to his love of aviation and diversity of topics he covered.



With Brandon out of pocket, earning his VisionJet Type rating, Marc went solo in talking with Mike about the genesis of his channel and the back story of how it came to be and where he's taking it.  Then recently, he made a major shift, with the decision to purchase and build a Sling TSI.  And he's bringing all his listeners along for the ride.  

Listen in to this episode of SimpleFlight Radio and learn what it takes and the surprises that come along with purchasing a kit plane.  You'll also hear Mike talk about not building a plane, but rather building a life around flying.  Now that's a concept we can all get behind.

We're interested to have you join the discussion with your opinion and any questions you have of the SimpleFlight crew.  And at the same time, share your thoughts with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio

Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!!

With Covid-19 being so front and center in everyone's mind, it's very common and appropriate to hear people sending wishes for safety and good health.  Certainly, SimpleFlight wishes the same for you and yours.  The path to getting to a healthier state, starts with a cultural change that now requires us to stand apart physically.  Ironically, the desire to be safer, may also require a cultural shift.  


Brandon and Marc welcome back Karlene Petitt to SimpleFlight Radio.  As an international airline pilot, author, pilot advocate and aviation safety subject matter expert, Karlene spoke to the crew about her doctoral research into the relationships between safety culture, pilot training, aircraft knowledge, aviation passion, and the impact of automation usage.  The goal was to determine the root cause of performance issues.  And unlike what we are used to hearing, it goes far beyond "pilot error".

Listen in to this week's episode of SimpleFlight Radio and hear first hand, the surprising results of her research.  We enjoyed the conversation and hope you do too.

We're interested to have you join the discussion with your opinion and any questions you have of the SimpleFlight crew.  And at the same time, share your thoughts with the rest of the SimpleFlight Facebook and Instagram community @simpleflightradio

Thanks for being a part of the SimpleFlight Family!!!