Ready For Takeoff - Turn Your Aviation Passion Into A Career
613 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 136 ratingsThe Ready For Takeoff podcast will help you transform your aviation passion into an aviation career. Every week we bring you instruction and inspiring interviews with top aviators in their field who reveal their flight path to an exciting career in the skies.
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Episodes
RFT 457: First Flight With Mike Fonseca
December 17, 2020 07:01 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBFrom First Flight Society: December 17, 1928, the 25th Anniversary of the world’s first powered flight, the Kill Devil Hills Memorial Association held a special ceremony commemorating those historic flights at the birthplace of aviation. The ceremony included the dedication of the boulder marking the site of the first flight and the laying of the cornerstone atop Kill Devil Hill for the Wright Memorial. Construction of the memorial atop Kill Devil Hill began in the spring of 1931 and was f...
RFT 456: Airline Pilots Tammie Jo and Dean Shults
December 14, 2020 07:01 - 41 minutes - 58.4 MBTammie Jo Shults was accepted by the Navy for Aviation Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station Pensacola. After completing the twelve-week course and receiving her commission as an Ensign on June 21, 1985, Shults attended flight training, also at NAS Pensacola, where she trained and qualified for her pilot's wings in the T-34 . After Pensacola, Shults was stationed at Naval Air Station Chase Field as a flight instructor for the T-2 Buckeye. She later qualified in the A-7 Corsair II ...
RFT 455: My Love/Hate Relationship With Oxygen Masks
December 10, 2020 19:00 - 10 minutes - 15.4 MBIf you read my blog post My Love/Hate Relationship With Oxygen Masks, you know I have some great experiences in flight where the ever-present oxygen mask saved the day. If you're on LinkedIn you may have seen my recent video "Lights Out At Kadena", where having an oxygen mask was instrumental in my safely completing an Air Force mission. I had another Air Force mission where the absence of an oxygen mask had the potential to end very badly. I was flying an O-2A aircraft (military version...
RFT 454: Airline Pilots Diane and Mark Klein
December 07, 2020 07:01 - 46 minutes - 65.3 MBDianna started flying in a J-3 Cub at six weeks old, flying with her airline pilot father. She learned to fly as a teenager with her father as her CFI, and soloed before she got her driver's license. Mark started flying as a teenager and paid for his lessons working at the Golden Corral. Both Mark and Dianna attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and entered the Air Force after graduation. Dianna flew C-5s for the Reserves at Dover, then transferred to the Air National Guard. Mark w...
RFT 453: Pandemic Pounds
December 03, 2020 07:01 - 15 minutes - 22.6 MBIf you're like most Americans, you've resigned yourself to gaining a few pounds over the holidays, then plan to spend the next 11 months trying to lose the weight. But now, with the pandemic approaching 10 months, it gets worse, as many of us are stuck at home, unable (or forbidden!) to go to the gym. So naturally, we sit in front of the computer or television, and we don't get that "10,000 steps each day" exercise that we plan on completing. Here's my story: in the year 2000, at age 55...
RFT 452: Airline Pilot Jim Allen
November 30, 2020 07:01 - 1 hour - 84.2 MBJim attended the University of Kansas and enrolled in Navy ROTC. Although he was promised an assignment as a pilot, he was initially assigned as a Naval Flight Officer (back seater). He flew the EA-6B Prowler out of Whidbey Island, WA. In the EA-6B, he flew combat missions in Bosnia. After his assignment, he finally got his slot to pilot training. As a pilot, he flew the EC-3, and electronic version of the P-3. He followed that assignment as a T-34 instructor in the Naval Training Command...
RFT 451: Thanksgiving Air Travel
November 25, 2020 21:31 - 8 minutes - 12.1 MBIn Ready For Takeoff Podcast Episode 413 we discussed safe air travel during this COVID-19 pandemic. I'm not going to repeat all of the information from that podcast, but want to discuss some additional information that may be useful to you if you plan to travel by air this holiday season. Some airlines are now administering COVID tests to passengers. Bring your own food and drink. Consider using a security bin bag liner Bin Bag Bring an extra N95 mask. Use eyelash adhesive. Avoi...
RFT 450: The Flying Fahans
November 23, 2020 07:01 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBAfter flying planes around the world together for years, married couple Joe and Margrit Fahan co-piloted their last flight on August 13. The Fahans have both been pilots for more than 30 years and have been co-pilots on a Delta Airbus A330-300 aircraft for the past six years. The couple met while they were flying for the same commuter airline in New Jersey in the early 1980s. At the time, both Joe and Margrit were married to other spouses. Years later, when they were both single, they ra...
RFT 449: The Son Tay Raid
November 19, 2020 07:01 - 36 minutes - 50.8 MBIn 1970, the US had identified the names of over 500 American POWs who were being held by the North Vietnamese. Sources reported that these prisoners were being held in atrocious conditions and were being cruelly treated by their captors. That June, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Earle G. Wheeler, authorized the formation a fifteen-member planning group to address the issue. Operating under the codename Polar Circle, this group studied the possibility of conducting a nigh...
RFT 448: A-10/Airline Pilot Odie Espinship
November 16, 2020 07:01 - 45 minutes - 63.2 MBJeff became a USAF fighter pilot flying the venerable A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as the “Warthog”. He was stationed with the 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eilson AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska. While there, he qualified as one of the youngest 4-ship flight leaders in the entire squadron. He served as an instructor and was also combat search and rescue qualified. He won numerous Top Gun awards for air-to-ground bombing and gunnery. Due to Jeff’s outgoing, personable, always smiling, eager t...
RFT 447: Former Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson
November 11, 2020 19:30 - 29 minutes - 42.1 MBAt the Academy, she was the first woman to command basic training and the first woman Vice Wing Commander. She graduated in 1982 as a Distinguished Graduate (magna cum laude equivalent). Wilson earned a Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford and continued her education at Jesus College, earning an M.Phil. and D.Phil. in international relations by 1985. In 1990, Oxford University Press published her book, International Law and the Use of Force by National Liberation Mov...
RFT 446: Airline Pilot Craig "Pontiff" Pope
November 09, 2020 07:01 - 29 minutes - 41.6 MBCraig Pope was inspired to fly from his father's example - his father waas the pilot for his state's governor. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, then joined the Air National Guard, flying F-4's, then F-16s. He's been a pilot with a legacy airline for 30 years. He was hired in 1991, starting out as a DC-8 Flight Engineer, and progressed through the fleets and seats, and now flies as a Captain on the Airbus. In addition to his airline flying, Pontiff is the curator of the R...
RFT 445: Air Force/Airline/NASA Pilot Liz Ruth
November 05, 2020 07:01 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBElizabeth “Liz” Ruth is a research pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California. She flies the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a modified Boeing 747SP with the world’s largest airborne astronomical observatory. Prior to joining Armstrong’s flight operations in 2016, Ruth was a legislative assistant for San Luis Obispo County in California from 2013 to 2015. In Ruth’s earlier career, she was a United Airlines flight offi...
RFT 444: Ferry Pilot Kerry McCauley
November 02, 2020 07:01 - 39 minutes - 55.4 MBKerry McCauley’s life of adventure started out in the Minnesota National Guard as a UH-1H “Huey” crew chief and winter survival instructor. He then moved on to becoming an international ferry pilot, professional skydiver and corporate jet pilot. His career as a ferry pilot has taken him to 60 countries, over three oceans and six continents. Kerry is frequently invited to speak about his adventures as a ferry pilot and his starring role in two seasons of the Discovery Channel’s series Dangero...
RFT 443: More About Pilot Drug Tests
October 29, 2020 06:01 - 10 minutes - 15.5 MBIn Ready For Takeoff Podcast Episode 175 we discussed airline drug testing, and now we're going to learn about WHY airline employees are tested for drugs. An airline accident in 1988 was a major factor in requiring drug testing for pilots. Trans Colorado Airlines flight 2286 crashed during an approach to Durango, Colorado, and investigators learned that the captain had ingested cocaine prior to the flight. In the accident report the Safety Board stated "The NTSB believes that reasonable ca...
RFT 442: Aircraft Delivery Founder Steve Giordano
October 26, 2020 06:01 - 42 minutes - 59.9 MBSteven Giordano is an entrepreneur and former airline pilot with over 20 years of experience in aircraft flight operations, logistics, air-carrier management, aircraft trading, and aircraft modification. Giordano is a co-founder and Managing Director of Jet Test & Transport as well as the non-profit NGO the Humanitarian Lift Project (HLP). Steven’s aviation experience is rooted in aircraft flight operations and operations management. After attending the Arizona State University and Emb...
RFT 441: B-17 Nose Gunner Don Morrison
October 22, 2020 06:01 - 43 minutes - 60.5 MBLIMON, Colo. (KDVR) — The sign that greets you on the edge of this Eastern Plains town promises that Limon is “open for business.” That includes a small petroleum company on the west edge of town, now in its 74th year, with the same boss today as the day the business started. Don Morrison is 95 years old. But you’ll still find him behind his desk at D-J Petroleum, Inc., running the company as president. It’s the kind of leadership he may have first learned way back in World War II, where h...
RFT 440: B/G Paul Tibbets IV
October 19, 2020 06:01 - 42 minutes - 59.9 MBBrig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets IV is Deputy Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Deputy Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. AFGSC provides strategic deterrence, global strike and combat support to USSTRATCOM and other geographic combatant commands. The command comprises more than 33,700 professionals operating at two numbered air forces; 11 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve wings, the Joint Global Strike ...
RFT 439.1: Airline Pilot Camila Turrieta
October 15, 2020 18:06 - 25 minutes - 36.3 MBCamila Turrieta currently works as an airline pilot with Jetblue Airways flying the Airbus 320/321. She holds a variety of FAA certifications to include an Airline Transport Certificate with Type Ratings on the Airbus 320, Boeing 737 and Embraer 170/190. She is also a Certified Flight Instructor, Aircraft Dispatcher and, Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot. Camila pursued her undergraduate studies at Vaughn College, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Aircraft operati...
RFT 438: Vernice "Flygirl" Armour
October 12, 2020 06:01 - 36 minutes - 51 MBUpon completion of two tours in Iraq and leaving the military, Vernice launched VAI Consulting and Training, LLC. By applying the Zero to Breakthrough™ Success Model to her own company, Vernice produced over six-figures in revenue within the first 12 months and over a million in the first 5 years! Her passion is helping others create similar results. As featured on Oprah Winfrey, CNN, Tavis Smiley, NPR and others, Vernice Armour’s fresh style and presentation methods have inspired hundreds...
RFT 437 Air Force/Airline Pilot Manny Montes
October 08, 2020 06:01 - 59 minutes - 82.8 MBManny Montez used to watch planes fly overhead from his childhood home in Cuba, dreaming of some day becoming a pilot. When he was 13 his family immigrated to the United States with four suitcases and $50 cash, not speaking a word of English. Ten years later Manny had learned English, become a U.S. citizen, and was a pilot in the Air Force, flying combat missions in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in an OV-10. Following Vietnam he instructed in the supersonic T-38, then left the ...
RFT 436: WASP Documentarian Erin Miller
October 05, 2020 06:01 - 27 minutes - 39 MBErin Miller is the granddaughter of WASP WWII pilot Elaine Danforth Harmon. Erin has a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law, a Master's in international studies from the University of Leeds (UK), and a B.A. in history from the University of California, San Diego. She is a licensed attorney in Maryland, where she lives with her two Shiba Inus. Erin has become an ambassador for the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II by sharing her own story of honoring her gra...
RFT 435: B-787 Captain Shreenand Sadhale
October 01, 2020 05:06 - 25 minutes - 36.1 MBShreenand Sadhale was working in India when, at age 26, he came across a Singapore Airlines advertisement for their cadet program. Singapore Airlines wold pay for the pilot training and pay the cadets a salary, and there would be a seven year commitment. Shreenand jumped at the chance. He requested the cargo route because he wanted to fly the Boeing 747, and Singapore was already phasing out the B747 in passenger operations. He attended training in both Singapore and in Perth, Australia. H...
RFT 434: The Vizcarra Clan
September 28, 2020 06:01 - 58 minutes - 81.7 MBCol. (Ret.) Vic Vizcarra, a 24 year Air Force veteran, was commissioned through the ROTC program upon graduation from Loyola University of Los Angeles in 1960. A high ranking in his pilot training class allowed him to choose the F-100 from the list of available assignments. After completing F-100 training, he was assigned to the 31st TFW, 309th TFS at Homestead AFB, FL where he flew the "Hun" for 16 months. In 1963, he transitioned to the F-105 and served in Japan from where he participated ...
RFT 433: "Nuclear Football" Quarterback/Congressional Candidate Buzz Patterson
September 24, 2020 06:01 - 38 minutes - 53.8 MBLieutenant Colonel Robert “Buzz” Patterson, United States Air Force (Retired), is a military combat pilot, distinguished White House military aide, bestselling author, leadership consultant, popular public speaker and former commercial airline pilot. Among Patterson’s literary efforts include two New York Times best sellers, Dereliction of Duty and Reckless Disregard. His most recent books include War Crimes and Conduct Unbecoming. Patterson was born in Chapel Hill, ...
RFT 432: Fighter/Airline Pilot Melissa May
September 21, 2020 06:01 - 29 minutes - 42.1 MBAs one of only a handful of women who have earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Melissa “SHOCK” May, a career Air Force F-16 pilot, was also in the first wave of women to fly fighter aircraft straight from Undergraduate Pilot Training. Her Air Force career got its start because her outstanding abilities as a competitive swimmer. Melissa was recruited to swim on the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) Intercollegiate team, which ultimately culminated in her induction into the USAFA Athletic Hall ...
RFT 431: National POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 17, 2020 06:01 - 6 minutes - 10.4 MBNational POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter. Since then, each subsequent president has issued an annual proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. A national-level ceremony is held on every National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Traditionally held at the Pentagon, it features members from each branch of military service and participation from high-ranking officials. In addit...
RFT 430 Air Force B/G Chad Manske
September 14, 2020 06:01 - 47 minutes - 66.3 MBBrig. Gen. Chad T. Manske is the 30th Commandant of the National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. The mission of the National War College is to prepare future leaders of the armed forces, Department of State, foreign military officers and other civilian agencies for high-level policy command and staff responsibilities by conducting a senior-level course of study with emphasis on the formulation and implementation of national security strategy and policy. As the commandant...
RFT 429: The Road To Acceptance
September 10, 2020 17:24 - 7 minutes - 11.8 MBOver the past few months, the airline industry has gone from pilot and mechanic shortages to extreme overstaffing. This turnaround was sharp and dramatic. Pilots, flight attendants and A&Ps are facing a harsh, undeserved reality. Their colleagues, or even themselves, may be furloughed. A furlough can be an emotional rollercoaster. When being furloughed, it might feel as if your world were collapsing. Besides the loss of stability, structure, lifestyle, and colleagues, the sense of soci...
RFT 428: Flight Test Engineer Eileen Bjorkman
September 07, 2020 06:01 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBDr. Eileen A. Bjorkman, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Executive Director, Air Force Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California. She serves as principal deputy to the AFTC Commander on all matters under the cognizance of the Commander. She has extensive authority for broad management, policy development, decision-making and effective program execution of the AFTC’s developmental test and evaluation mission. Her role as an Executive Director involves long and short-range pl...
RFT 427: The Grit Factor With Shannon Huffman Polson
September 03, 2020 06:01 - 35 minutes - 49.4 MBShannon Huffman Polson writes about courage and grit in her nonfiction and fiction. Her first book, the memoir North of Hope, was released spring 2013 by Zondervan/Harper Collins. She released a short book of essays, The Way the Wild gets Inside, in December 2015. Her essays and articles have won recognition including honorable mention in the 2015 VanderMey Nonfiction Prize, and appear in River Teeth Journal, Ruminate Journal, Huffington Post, High Country News, Seattle and Alaska Magazine...
RFT 426: Air Force General Rob Novotny
August 31, 2020 06:01 - 33 minutes - 47.1 MBBrig. Gen. Novotny was commissioned in 1992 upon graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy and earned his wings at Laughlin AFB, Texas. He completed six operational F-15 assignments with extensive test and combat experience, in addition to serving as an action officer at a major command, a fighter squadron commander, and a test and evaluation group commander. He was a Distinguished Graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and the Naval Command & Staff Co...
RFT 425: Spurned!
August 27, 2020 06:01 - 11 minutes - 17 MBIn case you got the impression from Episode RFT 423 that I was hired for every job when I was interviewed, I want to set the record straight. When I was a Standards Captain on the B727 at United, the current Fleet Captain – they guy I worked for – was leaving the Training Center and returning to line flying, and his job was going to be open. I applied for the position of B727 Fleet Captain, and had an interview with the head of the narrow-body fleets (the Fleet Captain’s boss) and a lady f...
RFT 424: Naval Aviator Captain Alan Worthy
August 24, 2020 06:01 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MBAlan Worthy was a midshipman at George Washington University, and at the time had no interest in aviation. A friend talked him into going to an aviation physical, and was an opportunity for him to be excused from Physics class, so he went. And that started his journey into aviation. While in flight school, he fell in love with flying. After training in Pensacola, he attended H-46 helicopter training, his first choice. The primary mission for the H-46 was logistics service for the fleet. A...
RFT 423: The Magic Of Networking
August 20, 2020 04:37 - 11 minutes - 16.4 MBIf you are in the job market (and you definitely will some day be in the job market!) you will discover that sending out resumes and using the "shotgun approach" will probably not work very well. Virtually every job I've ever had, other than the Air Force, was obtained through networking: Networking with Bill Arnott got me my interview with Clay Lacy Aviation Networking with Bill Arnott got me my interview with United Networking with Gordie Cohen got me my interview with Lockheed I...
RFT 422: Air Force/Airline Pilot Olga Custodio
August 17, 2020 06:01 - 40 minutes - 56.7 MBCustodio earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Puerto Rico and worked for various industries before landing a job in the accounting department of Prinair (Puerto Rico International Airlines). There she met Edwin Custodio, with whom she would eventually have two children. She later worked for the US Department of Defense (DoD) in Panama. With the support of her husband, she presented herself before Headquarters, Air Force Military Personnel Center (AFMPC) to apply for the Un...
RFT 421: Freedom Bird!
August 13, 2020 06:01 - 22 minutes - 32.1 MBFrom Associated Press , August 14, 1986: ATLANTA (AP) _ Relatives of an American who was freed from a Vietnamese prison after an attempt to smuggle out two Vietnamese women said Thursday they feared he had been killed by China Sea pirates. Robert Schwab Jr. of Atlanta said his son called Thursday from Bangkok, Thailand, after a 16-month disappearance. Robert Schwab III, 43, was taken to Thailand after being released by Vietnamese officials, said White House spokesman Larry Speakes. ″...
RFT 420: KC-10 Pilot Wendy Emminger
August 10, 2020 06:01 - 29 minutes - 41.3 MBLt Col (ret.) Wendy Emminger is an Arizona native who is a 2003 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. She was a 4-year member of the USAFA Women’s Soccer team, team captain, MVP and 4-time member of the Mountain West Conference All-Academic team. She was even on the ballot for Academic All-American. She had the opportunity to continue her soccer career after the Academy by being a 6-time member of the All Armed Forces Women’s socc...
RFT 419: Storing An Airliner
August 06, 2020 06:01 - 4 minutes - 7.71 MBFrom GlobalNews: WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday issued an emergency airworthiness directive for 2,000 U.S.-registered Boeing 737 NG and Classic aircraft that have been in storage, warning they could have corrosion that could lead to a dual-engine failure. The directive covers planes not operated for seven or more consecutive days. The FAA issued the directive after inspectors found compromised air check valves when bringing aircraft out of storage. Fro...
RFT 418: MIRAGE 2000/AIRBUS 330 PILOT MATHIEU CARBON
August 03, 2020 06:01 - 30 minutes - 42.2 MBMathieu started out as a fighter pilot in the French Air Force. He started flying General Aviation airplanes and was accepted into the French Air Force at age 18. During his flight training, he was selected into the fighter pilot track. He trained in the Alpha Jet, and then was initially assigned to fly the Mirage 2000. He flew only air-to-air missions, flying between 12-24 flights per month. As an under-contract officer, Mathieu concentrated on flying, not having administrative duties. ...
RFT 417: Walnut Flight and Teamwork
July 30, 2020 06:01 - 9 minutes - 13.5 MBThe Vietnam Veterans Memorial – The Wall – has panels that list the KIA (Killed In Action) casualties in chronological order of their loss. Panel W1, the last panel, encompasses the date July 30, 1972. My name is not on that panel, because my military Brothers, J.D. Allen and the crew of Purple 28, saved my life. Forty-eight years ago today, I was Number Four in Walnut Flight, four F-4s on a strike deep into enemy territory north of Hanoi. The flight was being led by a new flight lead, S...
RFT 416: Fighter/Airline Pilot Skip Pribyl
July 27, 2020 06:01 - 37 minutes - 52.6 MBSkip grew up in a house that had an “airplane room”, replete with models and pictures. His father was a pilot, and was a part-owner in a Beech Sundowner airplane. On his 10th birthday, Skip got to fly in the seat and control an airplane for the first time. Skip was recruited to the United States Air Force Academy to play soccer, and majored in physics, attending while his high school friend Robert “Cujo” Teschner was also a cadet. When he was cut from the soccer team, his grades dramatical...
RFT 416: Fighter?Airline Pilot Skip Pribyl
July 27, 2020 06:01 - 37 minutes - 52.6 MBSkip grew up in a house that had an “airplane room”, replete with models and pictures. His father was a pilot, and was a part-owner in a Beech Sundowner airplane. On his 10th birthday, Skip got to fly in the seat and control an airplane for the first time. Skip was recruited to the United States Air Force Academy to play soccer, and majored in physics, attending while his high school friend Robert “Cujo” Teschner was also a cadet. When he was cut from the soccer team, his grades dramatical...
RFT 415: Tuskegee Airman LTC Harry Stewart
July 23, 2020 06:01 - 1 hour - 86.8 MB“It was very cold up there and the missions were tiring because they were quite long. They lasted anywhere from five to six-and-a-half hours, and when we got back to the base all we could think of doing was hitting the sack and getting some rest and being prepared for the next day’s mission,” the retired lieutenant colonel said. Being shot down and captured was not an option. The black Tuskegee Airmen were showing the world bigotry didn’t belong — except down below. On April 1, 1945, ha...
RFT 414: Helo/Tanker Pilot Nick Kanakis
July 20, 2020 06:01 - 33 minutes - 47.4 MBNick had his first flight at age 18 in a Stearman, and had repeatedly tried to get into the Air Force Academy, but eventually attended the Military Academy at West Point. He always wanted to go into aviation, and he accepted a position as an aviation officer. He attended pilot training at Fort Rucker, and received an assignment to fly Blackhawk attack helicopters. He was initially assigned to Hunter Army Airfield, then deployed to Iraq as a maintenance officer and downed aircraft recovery ...
RFT 413: Safe Airline Travel During COVID-19
July 16, 2020 06:01 - 19 minutes - 28 MBNow more than ever, preparation is key. Conditions changing day by day. Reminds me of how we improvised securing the cockpit post 9/11. If you are in the high-risk group (over 65, asthma, heart disease, other underlying disease) don’t fly. Research your destination. Don’t fly if you have a cold. TSA bins probably filthy You may be sitting next to a total stranger – not all airlines block middle seats. Clothing: no shorts or flip-flops! I recommend long pants for women as we...
RFT 412: Podcaster Chris Palmer
July 13, 2020 06:01 - 31 minutes - 44.5 MBFrom Flightcast Podcast: Chris Palmer is the host of the Aviatorcast Podcast, the Angle of Attack show, and isn’t your average flight instructor. Chris is on a mission to make better pilots. Whether it’s in the cockpit, on the ground, or on YouTube, Chris’s passion is to give new pilots the skills they need to fly safely and have fun. Join us as he shares in his love of flying and what bumps in the road he encountered along the way.
RFT 411: Fini Flight
July 09, 2020 06:01 - 5 minutes - 8.03 MBFrom We Are The Mighty: The final day of work comes upon everyone. Some people take a long lunch with coworkers to hand out gifts and going away mementos. Others choose to quietly go out as they either prepare for retirement or moving on to their next job. Their emotional last day at a unit isn’t just celebrated like a last day at an office. Pilots stick to a tradition that’s as old as the Air Force itself: the final flight, known widely amongst aircrew members as the ‘fini flight.’ Th...
RFT 410: B787 Captain Jim Ferrari
July 06, 2020 06:01 - 28 minutes - 39.6 MBJim Ferrari has been a CFI for over 45 years. He fascination with flying started when he was nine years old, taking his first flight on a B-707 and getting an inflight tour of the cockpit. His father’s employment with NASA gave him the opportunity to see actual mission flight plans and activities. Jim wanted to fly in the military, but bad eyes kept him out, so he worked throughout high school to earn money for flying lessons. He received his Private Pilot certificate while still in high s...
RFT 409: In Praise of Pilot Spouses
July 02, 2020 06:01 - 6 minutes - 10.3 MBIt takes a special type of person to be an aviation spouse. The pilot will only be working when he/she is away from home. It seems most household emergencies occur during this time. Unlike normal office jobs, pilots frequently commute to their places of work, putting them away from home for even longer periods. And, unlike most office jobs, pilots (especially military pilots) relocate a lot. Every relocation means spouses must deal with everything that follows: finding new doctors, new sch...