Shows
The PIREPNed Fowler - Ep. 019Ned Fowler is a commercial airplane SEL, SES, and MEL and tailwheel pilot who lives in Port Alsworth. We discuss his experience learning to fly in an Alaskan village, working his way up through the most diverse Part 135 fleet in the US, the vastly different challenges of flying single-engine floats and multi-engine turbines, and more!
2025-04-101h 05The PIREPMcKenzie Mitchell - Ep. 018McKenzie Mitchell is a commercial airplane SEL, MEL, SES, tailwheel, CFI, and CFII pilot. She also holds an A&P certificate. She currently works at Alaska Central Express as an SIC on the Beech 1900. We discuss changing careers in your thirties, two-pilot dynamics, building time on a budget, and more!
2025-03-1951 minThe PIREPSasha Alsworth - Ep. 017Sasha Alsworth is a commercial airplane SEL and SES pilot. He flies several types of bush planes for his family's two businesses: Lake Clark Air and The Farm Lodge. We discuss mentorship in the aviation community, aviation culture, off-airport operations, and more!
2025-03-1256 minThe PIREPMikayla Taylor - Ep. 016Mikayla Taylor is a commercial airplane MEL, and SEL pilot. She is also a CFI and CFII. Currently, she flies the Beech 1900 for Alaska Central Express. We discuss her competitive flight training experience at UND, transitioning to flying big and fast airplanes in Alaska, navigating the power distance in a two-pilot crew, and more!
2025-03-0538 minThe PIREPKyle Benson - Ep. 015Kyle Benson is an A&P airplane mechanic and owns a camp on the North Slope with an airstrip. We discuss his training, life in one of the coldest parts of Alaska, and his work on aircraft recovery.
2025-02-261h 31The PIREPJoel Natwick - Ep. 014Joel Natwick holds ATP-MEL with a Lear Jet type-rating, commercial SEL, and SES. He is a CFI and a CFII and an A&P with IA. Joel and I discuss his 35 years of flight experience in Alaska, practical tips for pilots from an A&P, and rescuing airplanes from the Arctic.Visit Joel's businesses at the links below!https://tanalianaviation.com/https://alaskasbackcountryinn.com/
2025-02-2055 minThe PIREPCarlon Voran - Ep. 013Carlon Voran is a commercial airplane SEL, SES, and tailwheel; and private rotorcraft pilot. He works as an administrator and pilot for Lake Clark Air. We discuss his path to aviation, life in an Alaskan village with no access to the road system, and the challenges of flying in an area with little weather reporting infrastructure. To see Carlon's Port Alsworth themed apparel, go toportalsworth.com
2025-02-1235 minThe PIREPRyan Padgett - Ep. 012Ryan Padgett is a commercial airplane SEL/MEL, CFI, tailwheel, pilot with all of the accompanying ratings. He is also enlisted in the Air National Guard as a mechanic on drill status. We discuss the challenges of flying out of Bethel, Alaska's most infamous hub, getting stranded in villages, and preparing for the unexpected when flying VFR single-engine over unforgiving tundra.
2025-02-0531 minThe PIREPCaptain Grant Fritz, USA (Ret.) - Ep. 011
Captain Grant Fritz is a retired U.S. Army pilot with an ATP MEL certificate and type ratings in the King Air 200 and 300, as well as the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter. Since leaving the army, he flies for Lake Clark Air as a mountain flying instructor for the Army. We discuss his unique experience, risk management in the Army vs. Part 135, and applied techniques of low-level mountain flying in twin-turbine aircraft.
A huge thank you to Band of Brothers in Wasilla, Alaska, for hosting this podcast episode! Band of Brothers
2025-01-311h 54
The PIREPJon KulikowskiIn this episode, my wife interviews me. I'm a commercial airplane SEL, MEL, SES, and tailwheel pilot with all of the accompanying qualifications. I work for Lake Clark Air as a line pilot and company instructor. We discuss my initial training in Asheville North Carolina, cross-country craziness, and practicing emergency procedures. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2025-01-2254 min
The PIREPCaleb AlsworthCaleb Alsworth is a commercial SEL, SES, and tailwheel pilot. The grandson of aviation legend Glen Alsworth Sr., Caleb grew up steeped in aerial lore. We discuss what life’s like in a small Alaskan village, learning to fly from one of the greats, and his family’s charity: The Alsworth Foundation.The Alsworth Foundation Website This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2025-01-1537 min
The PIREPUpcoming InterviewMy wifey will be interviewing me for episode 10 on 1/22. Please DM her on Instagram @ cattlepups or comment here with any questions you'd like her to ask by 1/15! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2025-01-1101 min
The PIREPDan JensenDan Jensen is a commercial airplane single-engine land pilot and a certified flight instructor. This episode was recorded shortly after his second hitch in the infamous Bethel, Alaska. We discuss getting back to basics with weather forecasting, aeronautical decision making in a commercial setting, and dealing with unforeseen icing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2025-01-0844 min
The PIREPCasey HaywardCasey Hayward is an ATP MEL-rated pilot with a Beech 1900 type rating. He currently flies the 1900 for Alaska Central Express (ACE) out of Anchorage International. We discuss his transition from flying single-engine piston planes in visual conditions to captaining multi-engine turbines in IFR, the complexity of Anchorage airspace, and the proper attitudes for learning quickly and moving forward in aviation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2025-01-021h 15
The PIREPEliam HendersonEliam Henderson is a commercial airplane SEL and MEL pilot with an instrument rating. He has flown both single-pilot, single-engine VFR, and two-pilot, multi-engine turbine IFR. We discuss his path through training and professional flying in the Alaskan backcountry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2024-12-2531 min
The PIREPChris HartisThe quintessential bush pilot, Chris Hartis holds commercial airplane SEL, MEL, SES, and tailwheel qualifications and owns a Part 135 air carrier called Rainbow River Aviation. Though he has thousands of hours in twin turbines, Chris prefers the challenge of flying piston beavers in the demanding Alaskan wilderness. We talk about his hard-charging path to commercial flying, his perspective on pilot attitudes, and his plans for Rainbow River. Keep up with Chris and Brianna at @briannahartis This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes...
2024-12-191h 57
The PIREPLilou "Stitch" BosseDescribed by her company check airman as “the best stick I’ve ever met,” Lilou “Stitch” Bosse is a commercial MEL/SEL pilot and a CFI/CFII. She moved from Las Vegas to fly Navajos for Lake Clark Air. We discuss what it’s like to transition from flying in the States to flying in Alaska, landing on ice, dealing with drunk passengers, and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2024-12-0244 min
2024-11-2207 min
The PIREPChris JacksonChris Jackson is local Alaskan with the “Bush Pilot Package” of qualifications: commercial SEL, MEL, SES, instrument, and tailwheel. Additionally, Chris built hours as a CFI and CFII. He now operates a Part 135 charter service out of Lake Hood seaplane base. We discuss mountain flying tactics, oceanic seaplane considerations, and Chris’s unique career path. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2024-11-2149 min
The PIREPJoe TaylorJoe Taylor is an ATP MEL, CFI, CFII, MEI, and CASES-rated pilot. He flies for Reeve Air Alaska as a line pilot and Lake Clark Air as a company trainer and check airman. In this episode we discuss in-flight icing, the vagaries of Alaska weather products, and his journey in aviation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2024-11-2133 min
The PIREPAndré VandenbergAndré Vandenberg is an ATP MEL-rated pilot for Atlas Air. He is typed in the CL-65 and B777. As a CFI and CFII, and instructed for Cirrus Aircraft before getting hired by PSA. André’s current work at Atlas brings him through Anchorage on trans-Pacific flights. We discuss the ego versus confidence, what it takes to get an ATP rating, and the cargo pilot lifestyle. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thepirep.substack.com
2024-11-2141 min