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SMAC051 – @RodRakic on Civil Air Patrol, Zombies, & Locator Beacons

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Today we interview commercial pilot and co-founder of OpenAirplane, Rod Rakic, to talk about his flight adventures in Civil Air Patrol. Everything from how we got started to working his way up the ranks to mission pilot. Rod also shares some really neat information about the organization itself like how you can participate and many of the different types of volunteer opportunities available, even for the non-pilot out there.

This interview with Rod is actually Part 1 of a 2 part series. Part 2 will release next as Episode 52 as we learn everything there is to know about OpenAirplane, especially how it’s going to revolutionize the aircraft rental industry as you know it. Good news is you’ll finally be able to rent an aircraft at any participating FBO in the country WITHOUT have to do any additional rental checkouts. Yea, it’s that awesome.

So grab a cold one and join us for Episode 51 sponsored by ForPilotsOnly.com.

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

Pre-Flight

Announcements

  • AirVenture – It’s almost that time of year where we all flock to Wisconsin for the biggest airshow in the world, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. Dates for the 2013 event are Monday July 29th through Sunday August 4th. You’ll be able to meet co-host Carl Valeri and Len Costa on various days so stay tuned for more information on their dates of attendance.
  • NJ Balloon Festival – If you can’t make it to AirVenture we suggest you make your way to the 31st Annual QuickChek Ballon Festival at Solberg Airport, Readington, NJ from July 26th through July 28th.
  • Favorite $100 Hamburger Joints – We’ve started an online discussion about favorite $100 hamburger joints and would love to hear from you. Tell us about your favorite spot be it the food, location, type of approach, etc. If you’ve got menu recommendations you can include those, too. Use #benburger to track the conversation on Twitter.
  • Aviation Universe – Coming in Episode 51a, co-host Len Costa sits down with Lora Yowell and Richard Wells, owners of Aviation Universe pilot shop, to learn more about the store, their background in aviation, and even the best locations for plane spotting at Chicago O’Hare.

Cruise Flight

Show Notes

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of The Week ~

No Picks of the Week were included in this interview episode.

This Episode Is Sponsored By

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Episode #31 – Bye Bye ThePilotReport, Behind the Scenes & What Really Happened at Oshkosh 2012

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It’s that time of the month again where we bring you an episode of one of aviations finest, up and coming podcasts out there! Today we share the real story of Oshkosh 2012 from those who lived it in the trenches, weathered the storm, and even worked the event as vendors and photographers. But let’s look at a few announcements first…

Pre-Flight

For those of you who haven’t heard yet, our co-host Carl Valeri started an Aviation Careers Podcast to help folks interested in the different career options within the aerospace and aviation industry. There’s a lot more to aviation then just being a pilot, from flight attendants, to ramp personnel, to selling aviation insurance, working for an aircraft manufacturer, and so much more. His most recent show, How To Prepare For Captain Upgrade At The Airlines, Flying the Embraer 145, A Midlife Career Change, was an interview with Len Costa of Stuck Mic AvCast fame about his recent experience in the airline captain upgrade class on the Embraer 145 jet. Len takes you through his captain training from start to finish and delivers a behind the scenes play-by-play journey of the entire process.

Secondly, we have a MAJOR announcement from Len Costa, creator of ThePilotReport.com and the StuckMicAvCast.com:

Friends,

The time has come to make a decision on the future of both websites. When I first got started with aviation blogging at ThePilotReport.com, it was a period of my life where I had a ton of free time to dedicate towards creating videos for product reviews, interviewing aviation business owners, and eventually starting the podcast.

As time progressed and my life became more involved at work, posts and videos at ThePilotReport.com became more and more distant. That also translated into not having the proper time to dedicate to StuckMicAvCast.com, the podcast, and our listeners as you all so justly deserve.

Which leaves me where we are today; a crossroads for our collective future. Does ThePilotReport.com die and go away or does the Stuck Mic AvCast head west into the sunset? It’s just counterproductive to grow two different aviation brands with similar goals and objectives in their own respective directions. So here’s what’s happening… WE’RE MERGING!!!

That’s right. All your favorite content at ThePilotReport.com will soon be integrated here on StuckMicAvCast.com over the coming months. This not only allows me to focus on one passion, growing it to it’s fullest potential, but more importantly it allows US to focus on YOU by creating and delivering the specialized content you’ve requested here in one central location.

What’s that mean for you our listeners? By merging ThePilotReport.com into Stuck Mic AvCast you’ll enjoy a deeper, all encompassing aviation experience as the StuckMicAvCast.com becomes your favorite aviation destination for all things Learning to Fly, Living to Fly, and Loving to Fly. That means more aviation product reviews, more interviews, more flying videos, aviation training products, and a whole lot more in the works!

We’re confident you’ll love the changes ahead and all of the Stuck Mic co-hosts are absolutely excited to grow into our “future of awesome” together with you.

Thank you all so very much for your support, for your listenership, and most of all for your friendship.

Here’s to many more years together as your beloved Stuck Mic AvCast crew!

Cheers,

Len Costa (owner)

And now for the meat and potatoes of the show!

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of The Week ~

Rick – Aviation Weather from NOAA/NWS for iPhone & iPad

Carl – MyRadar iOS App for iPhone & iPad

Victoria – EAA AirVenture App for iPhone, iPad, & Android

Len – Hi-Def Radar iOS App for iPhone & iPad. Mophie Juice Pack PRO.

Listen to Episode 31 Below

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EAA Airventure 2012 Oshkosh Photos

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Better late than never! Here they are, all the photos from Oshkosh 2012 taken by our awesome friend and co-host Victoria’s husband, Bob Zajko.

Neatly divided into two albums, one marked Wheels Up and one Wheels Down. The names themselves ought to be pretty self explanatory… Enjoy 🙂

PS – Click the “FS” in the lower, right-hand side of the gallery box to view in Full Screen glory!!!

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Episode #28 – Aircraft Valuations, Running the Captain’s Gauntlet, & The FAA

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Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Stuck Mic AvCast! Today’s show contains information about aircraft valuations, the first part of Len’s story about airline Captain training, and some notes about the FAA. Rick wasn’t able to join us on this episode due to some unforeseen circumstances that were out of our control although he sends his best wishes!

NOTE: there were a few struggles with audio quality during recording due to poor Skype reception. That and Len was away from his studio equipment so his audio isn’t as smooth as usual. Our apologies, sometimes these things happen, and we believe we’ve found a good backup to safeguard against similar issues in the future. But enough about that, let’s get to the nitty gritty, y’all!

Pre-Flight

The Stuck Mic AvCast received our official media credentials to the EAA’s AirVenture 2012 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! If you recall from a previous show Ms. Victoria will be at Oshkosh working the Aviation Insurance Resources booth if you’d like to stop by and say hello. Carl and Len are working to free their airline schedules to stop in for a couple of days and visit with everyone so we’ll continue to keep you posted on that.

There’s an additional airshow happening right about the same time, the Sioux Falls Airshow in South Dakota on July 21st and 22nd, 2012. Check out the entire airshow schedule here: Sioux Falls Airshow Schedule.

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of The Week ~

Victoria – Free Aircraft Valuation Service provided by Aviation Insurance Resources

Len – SocialFlight iPhone app

Carl – Society of Air Race Historians

Listen to Episode 28 Below

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