united states Archives - Stuck Mic AvCast - An Aviation Podcast About Learning to Fly, Living to Fly, & Loving to Fly

SMAC055a – Introducing Midwest Flight Lines LIVE from Meigs Field Chicago

September 8, 2013 by Stuck Mic AvCast 1 Comment

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Today is a very cool in-the-field interview with pilot and aviation website owner, Jon Kessinger, recorded on location from none other than Chicago’s (closed) Meigs Field. In this episode, co-host Len Costa sits down with Jon to learn about Midwest Flight Lines, including:

Jon’s background
Army helicopter pilot grandfather
First flight lesson on Valentines Day
Pursuing the Private Pilot certificate
Mission behind the website
Stuffing a Ford Trimotor with AvGeeks
Experiences at Oshkosh 2013
The best story on the website to date
Flying the Breezy open cockpit airplane
Aspirations to become CFI
Thoughts on closing Meigs Field
And more!

Make sure to visit the website at MidwestFlightLines.com, Follow @MWFlightLInes on Twitter, and Like Midwest Flightlines on Facebook!

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Flying Tropical Hawaii – Sea Cliffs of Molokai Cirrus Flight

December 26, 2012 by Stuck Mic AvCast 5 Comments

Recently co-host Len Costa had a chance to fly a Cirrus SR22 G3 with Maui Flight Academy in Maui, Hawaii. The flight originated in Maui’s Kahului Airport (PHOG) making a $100 hamburger run to the island of Lanai (PHNY) where we took a shuttle bus trip up the mountain to the Four Seasons hotel for a very delicious and scenic lunch before continuing on to Molokai for a touch and go at Kaluapapa (PHLU).

This video is departing Lanai with some over water flight and sightseeing before descending over the breathtaking sea cliffs of Molokai as we descend into Kaluapapa for a touch and go. Sadly the camera malfunctioned right on short final but not before capturing the most amazing scenic visuals I’ve ever seen while flying! If you must waste 7 minutes watching any flying video, this is the one to dazzle your eyes and your imagination. Get on it.

Part 1 of that video is here: Flying Tropical Hawaii – A Maui to Lanai Cirrus Flight

Don’t forget to check out the interview with Maui Flight Academy including some BAD ASS scenery photos here: SMAC036a – Flying Cirrus in Hawaii with Maui Flight Academy

Enjoy!

Flying Tropical Hawaii – A Maui to Lanai Cirrus Flight

December 7, 2012 by Stuck Mic AvCast 8 Comments

This is our first of two flying videos starting in Maui bound for Lanai. A second video from Lanai to the Sea Cliffs of Molokai will follow.

And if you missed the audio interview with Maui Flight Academy, find that and some sick-nasty scenery photos here: SMAC036a – Flying Cirrus in Hawaii with Maui Flight Academy

***UPDATED DECEMBER 26, 2012***

Part 2 of the video is now available: Flying Tropical Hawaii – Sea Cliffs of Molokai Cirrus Flight

Episode #30 – Performing in the Thunderbirds, Afterburner Explosions, & Teaching the Embraer Phenom

August 15, 2012 by Stuck Mic AvCast 5 Comments

And we’re back! In this episode of the Stuck Mic AvCast we interview our most distinguished aviator to date. But before we get to that…

Pre-Flight

Carl shares some information about the upcoming Cleveland National Air Show. Victoria tells us how you can get in touch with her if you want to host your own Women Fly It Forward (click to email her directly) event in 2013. And Rick gives a shout out to a Stuck Mic listener, Andrew Blanchard (click Andrew’s name to send him a congratulatory Tweet!), for earning his Private Pilot Certificate.

Cruise Flight

And now for some details about today’s guest, Dave Coffman:

Dave began his flying career at 16 and earned his Private Pilot’s license shortly after his 17th birthday. He graduated with Honors from Florida Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Air Commerce Flight Technology and later completed his Masters Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle University. After graduation he joined the Air Force through Officers Training School and later completed pilot training at Reese AFB, TX. He was selected to the fly the F-16 at Torrejon Air Base, Spain with the 614 Tactical Fighter Squadron “Lucky Devils”.

Dave served 23 years in the active Air Force and Air Force Reserve retiring as a Lt Colonel. His assignments included operational F-16 units in Europe and the United States as well as an assignment as a T-37 Instructor Pilot at Columbus AFB, MS where he served as the Assistant Chief of the 14 Flying Training Wing’s Standardization and Evaluation Division. He commanded the 39th Flying Training Squadron, Moody AFB, GA, the Air Force Reserve’s first associate Joint Primary Aircraft Training System unit employing both the T-6 and the AT-38 jet trainer as well as a tour flying the lead solo #5 F-16 aircraft with the Air Force Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” where he flew over 140 air shows in all 50 states as well as in Europe and South America before millions of spectators including the President of the United States, Secretary of State and numerous heads of state.

His awards and achievements include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Top Graduate of his Pilot Instructor Training class. Additionally, he was the awarded the Air Force “Pilot of Distinction Award” for his recovery of an F-16 during an air show after a catastrophic afterburner explosion. He is an ATP rated pilot as well as a CFII/MEI. He has over 5,000 hours of flight time and over 1,000 hours instructing in jets, with type ratings in the Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 as well as the Citation Mustang (CE-510S).