Episode #32a – Flying Tailwheel with Paul Santopietro

Recently co-host Rick Felty had a chance to fly with and simultaneously interview Paul Santopietro, a 13,000 hour pilot, ATP, CFII, MEI, Commercial Glider, Commercial Single Engine Sea and 8,000 hour tailwheel pilot. The interview was conducted during cruise flight at about 2000 feet above southeastern Massachusetts while flying in a Cessna L-19 Bird Dog. With an old-school stick and rudder approach to flying and his affable manner, Paul discusses the unique challenges of tailwheel flying, the history of the Bird Dog itself, with a few other fun stories thrown in.

For part of the year, Paul is based on the east coast of Florida, but spends his summers teaching tailwheel flying at 1B2, Katama’s grass field on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Paul can be reached mainly via email at birdogdrivr@aol.com or visit his web site at LearnTailwheel.com (currently being renovated).

Listen to Episode 32a Below

Episode #29 – Porpoising, Flying in Canada, & OpenAirplane

Welcome home for another episode of the Stuck Mic AvCast! Rick shares a story about a flight where he experienced some porpoising which led to a group discussion on tips and techniques to help reduce porpoising and ideas for recovery. We also speak about flying into Canada from the United States which stemmed from a flight Carl did where a crew member got detained in customs. This led Carl into some research about Canadian flying where he discovered some helpful information to minimize your time with Customs in addition to some real world experience shared by Len from a flight he did to London, Ontario in a Piper Seminole. And then we wrap up the show with the co-hosts Picks of the Week and share our thoughts about the ever-so-cool OpenAirplane.

Pre-Flight

The Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society is hosting a cookout and lunch for fundraising to help keep the airport open both at 11:30AM on August 4th, 2012 and again on September 1, 2012. Located in St. Petersburg, FL, the Albert Whitted Airport holds a historical value in the American aviation books when on January 1, 1914, the FIRST regularly schedule airline flight departed. These cookouts help the airport raise funds to remain open to the public.

Cruise Flight

After Landing Checklist

~ Picks of The Week ~

Victoria – Pilots Share the Ride

Carl – Flying Musicians

Len – Fat Gecko Co-Pilot Camera Mount

Rick – OpenAirplane

Listen to Episode 29 Below