Nearly everyone who travels will experience turbulence at some point in their life. For some, it's no big deal, but for nervous flyers it can be incredibly uncomfortable. This week we'll be talking about what causes turbulence, and addressing whether or not it's a dangerous (spoiler alert: it isn't).

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Website: https://www.plaidaviation.com/

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Music by Monday Hopes

I'm excited to announce Plaid Aviation, your new home for aviation training resources and community. To make sure you are notified when we go live, please sign up for the mailing list at http://www.plaidaviation.com

And don't forget to like the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/plaidaviation/

See you over there!

This week we finish our discussion of the Pilot Qualifications in the Commercial ACS, with a topic that is covered in the Private Pilot and Instrument Rating ACS as well. We discuss the difference in safe and legal, and examine some risk management items associated with unfamiliar airplanes and equipment.

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Music by Monday Hopes

Beginning our discussion of ground school topics, this week we talk about pilot qualifications for the Commercial Pilot Checkride, and the privileges and limitations around your new certificate.

Commercial Pilot ACS: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/training_testing/testing/acs/commercial_airplane_acs_change_1.pdf

eCFR: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I

Check out the creators mentioned on the show:

@david_the_aviator
@pilot_mikey_b
@pilot_marcus_40
@taildraggerjoe
@anthony_tett
@my.cirrus.life
@coryrod88
@future_pilot._

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Music by Monday Hopes

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you are getting to finish out the week spending time with loved ones and planning the goals you will set for the coming year. Hope to see you next week!

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Music by Monday Hopes

On December 20th 1943, the crew of the B-17 known as Ye Olde Pub flew their first combat mission together and almost didn't make it home. Flying on only one fully functional engine, with half a tail, and leaking hydraulics, things looked bleak as Franz Stigler, a German ace, pulled up behind them to finish them off. Instead he made a decision that could have gotten him court martialed and escorted them through the heavily defended coastline. 

Reunion of Franz and Charlie: https://adammakos.com/a-higher-call-book.html

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Music by Monday Hopes

On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers became the first people to achieve manned, controlled, heavier than air flight. Take away all of the qualifiers, though, and they were far from the first in flight. This week I talk about 5 aviators who beat the Wright Brothers to the sky.

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This week we are talking about the incredible story of Jesse Brown, who was the US Navy's first African American fighter pilot, and Thomas Hudner, who received the Medal of Honor after crash landing his own plane behind enemy lines in an attempt to save Jesse's life.

Thomas Hudner Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKHh9vnzyUo

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Music by Monday Hopes

Happy Thanksgiving!

This week we talk about the 20th century's craziest soft drink (developed by a meat packing company) and the transcontinental flight it inspired. Calbraith Rodgers became the first person to fly coast to coast when he landed in Pasadena, CA in December of 1911 with the Vin Fiz Flyer. 

Vin Fiz Revisited: https://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/Doers_and_Dreamers/Cal_Rodgers/Vin_Fiz_Revisited/Vin_Fiz_Revisited.htm:

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Music by Monday Hopes

This week, we revisit the history of Veterans Day, a holiday that began with the end of the first World War.

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Music by Monday Hopes

This week we talk about the B-29 Superfortress, the most advanced bomber in the American fleet during WWII.

Bell X-1 Drop Launch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5xFJRcHFqU

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Music by Monday Hopes

For this week’s Halloween special we are revisiting an old episode where I got to talk to Barb Kramer from the haunted Kansas Aviation Museum. We talk about the history of the museum and aviation in Kansas, and Barb shares some ghost stories from her time as Director of Operations.

Kansas Aviation Museum Website: https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/

Kansas Aviation Museum Facebook: https://facebook.com/kansasaviationmuseum/

Email Me: todd@theplaidpilot.com

Find Me on Instagram: @theplaidpilot

Music by Monday Hopes and SoundGalleryBy

This week I had the honor of sitting down with Bill Weidenhammer, a retired pilot with the US Navy, and B-25 pilot with the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, Ohio. On the show he talks about the history of Champaign Gal, the museum's own B-25, and gives some tips to the aspiring warbird pilot.

Sadly, Champaign Gal is currently stranded away from the home airport after experiencing a serious engine malfunction, but we can all help bring her home.

You can make a tax deductible donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XBP2HYAZ4L9T8

Visit the museum's website: https://www.champaignaviationmuseum.org/

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Music by Monday Hopes

This week we mix things up a little and instead of aviation history, I'm sharing a PIREP (that's short for Pilot Report) about a recent flight to Lake Havasu, AZ. 

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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theplaidpilot

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This week, Lynne Newton of the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum joins me to talk about the 239 year old history of ballooning from 18th century Versailles to the Balloon Fiesta that takes place in Albuquerque every year. She also gives us some insight into getting into the hobby.

Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum website: https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/balloonmuseum

Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Instagram: @balloonmuseum

Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AlbuquerqueBalloonMuseum

Email Me: todd@theplaidpilot.com

Music by Monday Hopes

On September 24, 1929 Jimmy Doolittle made the first flight completely on instruments, so in this episode, we take a look at the history of instruments on the flight deck from the first flight at Kitty Hawk to satellite navigation.

Airmail Route Recreated Article: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/omaha-salt-lake-city-without-gps-180973967/

Email me at todd@theplaidpilot.com

Instagram: @theplaidpilot

Music by Monday Hopes

I finally passed my instrument checkride on my second attempt! In this episode I talk about my instrument training journey and lessons learned from two attempts at the checkride. 

Email me at todd@theplaidpilot.com

Instagram: @theplaidpilot

Thank you guys for all of the support the last five months. The show will be on hiatus starting this week as I get ready for my checkride and start commercial training. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and fluffy landings!

Email Me - todd@theplaidpilot.com

On November 24, 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper hijacked Northwest Orient Flight 305 bound for Seattle from Portland, OR and after receiving $200,000 cash as ransom for the passengers, parachuted into the rainy night never to be seen again. This week I tell his story.

Aviatrix of the Week: Alex from KSNA - IG: https://www.instagram.com/pilot_girl_alex/
TikTok: @pilot_girl_alex

FBI D.B. Cooper Archives - https://vault.fbi.gov/D-B-Cooper%20

Music by Monday Hopes

Due to technical difficulties, I wasn't able to get this week's episode recorded, but I still wanted to stop in and say Happy Thanksgiving! See you next week!

On November 17, 1955, a US Air Force C-54 crashed on the way to Area 51 on a mission to support the development of the U-2 spy plane. On this week's episode, I get to talk to Ky Plaskon, author of Silent Heroes of the Cold War, about the story behind the crash.

Guest Speaker: Ky Plaskon - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kyplaskon

Aviator of the Week: Mitch from KLXT

Forest Service Article on Silent Heroes of the Cold War Memorial - https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/cold-war-heroes-honored-us-forest-service

Buy the book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Heroes-Cold-War-Mysterious/dp/1932173609

Music by Monday Hopes

On this week's episode, I take a break from aviation history and briefly talk about the history of Veterans Day from its World War I origin in 1918 and how the holiday has evolved today.

Email me at todd@theplaidpilot.com or DM me on Instagram: @theplaidpilot

Aviator of the Week: Rod from KPVG

Music by Monday Hopes

In 1929, Amelia Earhart got together with fellow aviatrixes to form an organization dedicated to promoting aviation, keeping records of women in aviation, and giving women pilots a community to grow with. Over nine decades later, the 99s are a thriving organization. This week I'm joined by Natalie Gramer to talk about the history of women in aviation, and the 99s.

Guest Speaker: Natalie Gramer - IG: @theflyinginger

Aviatrix of the Week: Skylar from CZBB - IG: @seeskyfly

Join the 99s - https://www.ninety-nines.org/membership.htm

CAF WASP Squadron Website - https://cafwaspsquadron.org/

Music by Monday Hopes

For this week’s Halloween special, I get to talk to Barb Kramer from the haunted Kansas Aviation Museum. We talk about the history of the museum and aviation in Kansas, and Barb shares some ghost stories from her time as Director of Operations.

Kansas Aviation Museum Website: https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/

Kansas Aviation Museum Facebook: https://facebook.com/kansasaviationmuseum/

Email Me: todd@theplaidpilot.com

Find Me on Instagram: @theplaidpilot

Music by Monday Hopes and SoundGalleryBy

It has been an eventful week, not with all the results I'd hoped for. But catch next week's special Halloween episode where I get to talk with the Director of Operations at a museum where paranormal aviators still walk the halls.

Check out the Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/

Email Me - todd@theplaidpilot.com

I'm taking this week off as I prepare for my Instrument Checkride, but you can still catch me talking about aviation history on the Food 4 Thought Podcast at https://thefood4thoughtpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1958889/11457241

Music by Monday Hopes

After becoming the Ace of Aces for the United States in WWI, with 26 kills, Eddie Rickenbacker returned home a hero, but his story was far from over. From designing cars, to writing books, to pledging his airline to help in WWII, life after the Army was anything but mundane. Greg Primus joins me in a special two-part episode following the incredible story of "Fast Eddie".

Guest Speaker: Greg Primus - IG: @aviationplusone
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/AviationPlus/videos

Aviator of the Week: Matt from KSGU - IG: @mattbourdon_

Rickenbacker Motor Company Car Walkaround - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgmCQDbLFrU

Music by Monday Hopes

Dropping out of school as a teenager after his father's death, Edward Rickenbacker would eventually become a famous race car driver, WWI ace, and go on to purchase the largest sporting venue in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Greg Primus joins me in a special two-part episode following the incredible story of "Fast Eddie".

Guest Speaker: Greg Primus - IG: @aviationplusone
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/AviationPlus/videos

Aviatrix of the Week: Christie from FD-77 - IG: @mermaidchristie

Music by Monday Hopes

Ninety years ago this week, James Banning and Thomas Allen took off from Los Angeles, California to become the first African Americans to fly coast to coast. Relying on the generosity of others for food, lodging and fuel, they called themselves The Flying Hobos. On this week's episode, I talk about their incredible story.

Aviator of the Week: Rylie from KFMY - IG: @ryliestephens5

Music by Monday Hopes

I'm taking the week off, but I want to say thanks for listening by giving away free The Plaid Pilot Podcast stickers. If you want one, send me an email at todd@theplaidpilot.com or on Instagram - @theplaidpilot

Music by Monday Hopes

In this week's episode, we talk a little bit about the history of the Boeing 747 and look at five of the coolest variants that have been produced over the years. 

Aviator of the Week: Mike from KGED - IG: @pilot_mikey_b

Music by Monday Hopes

Blanche Scott became the first woman to solo an airplane in the United States 112 years ago this week. On this episode I'm joined by Northrup Grumman test conductor Casey Truman as we talk about her life and the lives of Hazel Ying Lee, Bessie Coleman, Jackie Cochran, and Willa Brown: all women who paved the way for those who came after them in aviation.

Guest Speaker: Casey Truman

Aviator of the Week: Charles from KDED - IG: @flying.cab
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DaytonaFPV

Music by Monday Hopes

In this episode, we take a break from aviation history to get to know your host. I talk about growing up as an avgeek, and how I ended up becoming a pilot.

The Plaid Pilot Podcast Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/theplaidpilot/

Music by Monday Hopes

Wiley Post grew up moving from farm to farm around Texas and Oklahoma. He dropped out of school before high school and eventually spent time in prison. He would go on to set multiple aviation records and become the first person to fly a single engine airplane solo around the world. Greg Primus joins me to talk about his remarkable life.

Guest Speaker: Greg Primus - IG: @aviationplusone
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/AviationPlus/videos

Wiley Post Around the World Flight Map - http://storymaps.esri.com/stories/2013/wileypost/

Aviator of the Week: Alli from Y19

Music by Monday Hopes

Otto Lilienthal made over 2000 glider flights in the 19th Century and some of his findings are still used in the study of aerodynamics today. Traff Doherty, the director of the National Soaring Museum, joins me this week to talk about the Father of Aviation and the legacy he left.

Guest Speaker: Trafford Doherty

National Soaring Museum - https://www.soaringmuseum.org/

Markus Raffel YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU1nebRXvSWhyRCF21fFCZw

Aviator of the Week: Daniel from YPJT - IG: @brawler_787

Music by Monday Hopes

Harriet Quimby is possibly one of the most famous women you've never heard of. At the age of 36, she became the first woman in the United States to earn her pilot license. In this episode I talk about the ways she made her mark during the first decade of powered flight.

Aviator of the Week - Matt from KCDC - IG: @mattbourdon_

Music by Monday Hopes

Nearly everyone has heard of Amelia Earhart. This week Emily Herron joins me to talk about the aviatrix behind the famous and tragic around-the-world flight.

Guest Speaker: Emily Herron - IG: @emilyattheairport

Purdue University Online Amelia Earhart Collection - https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/search/collection/epurdue!earhart

The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International - https://www.ninety-nines.org/

Aviator of the Week: Sidney from KHFD - IG: @traveltalesandtalltreats

Music by Monday Hopes

Check out the trailer for The Plaid Pilot Podcast, a brand new aviation history podcast. Coming soon!