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Midlife Pilot Podcast

Midlife Pilot Podcast
Aviation
Flying In Midlife
Midlife Pilots
Flight Training
Aviation Community
Flying
Instrument Rating
Cessna 182
Pilot Training
Cherokee 180
General Aviation
Midlife Aviation
Aircraft Ownership
Aviation Safety
Midlife
Personal Minimums
Checkrides
The Killing Zone
Oshkosh
Midlife Pilot Podcast

Welcome to the Midlife Pilot Podcast, where we share the experiences and the challenges of flying in midlife. Whether you're a seasoned pilot, training for private or instrument ratings, or just thinking about getting started in aviation, we like to think of the podcast as your aviation companion, and your weekly dose of aviation inspiration. Hosted by the dynamic trio of Ben, Brian, and Ted - the... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes195Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AviationLeisure

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Artwork for Midlife Pilot Podcast

Latest Episodes

The gag order is lifted. For ten months Ted answered "what have you been flying lately?" with a cheerful bunch of nothing, because he had quietly bet everything, sport pilot privileges included, on getting his FAA medical. If you apply and get denied... more

Ben, Brian, and Ted declare this one Oops All Feedback (or, as Ben coins it, "oopsitizers"): five tape machine clips plus reviews and community wins.

Ben's avionics go pop-pop-pop over Columbus under an occluded front, and the crew lands on static ... more

YouTube

Marcus is a magician, an off-Broadway producer, and an en route controller at Houston Center, which is either an unusual resume or a perfectly logical one. To thousands online he's PropHatCat.

He opens with the disclaimer (he doesn't speak for the F... more

YouTube

Owner-assisted maintenance, with all four hosts aboard: Ben, Brian, Ted, and Mark (1DullGeek), the show's resident expert, currently apprenticing in his mechanic's shop. What are you actually allowed to touch on your own airplane? The crew walks thro... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Mark (Wendel Geek)
Resident expert in owner assisted maintenance
Episode: EP193 - Getting in the Way of Our A&Ps
James Onieal
Pilot and instructor with type ratings in King Air, Citation, Embraer 170/190; founder of Raven Career Development
Raven Career Development / Raven Careers
Episode: EP192 - I Can't Believe Someone Pays Me to Do This
Mark Horn
Favorite geek of the show, frequent guest
Midlife Pilot Podcast
Episode: EP189 - Sport Pilot Extraordinaire
Bruce H.
Listener who shared his story via email
Episode: EP188 - Go/No-Go: Honoring Your Minimums When Everyone Else Is Leaving
Ron Horton
DPE pilot, 60 years flying, based in Charlotte, NC
DPE (Designated Pilot Examiner)
Episode: EP182 - "What's Time to a Hog?" with DPE Ron Horton (Pt. 1 of 2)
Wendell Geek
Recurring guest; builds and flies a Teal Sparker ( TJ Hooker ) and Cherokee 235
Episode: EP181 - Fly Like It's Your Job. Because It Kind Of Is.
Time Stap Teder
Guest, described as a friend joining from the West Coast
Episode: EP177 - Momentum: The Pudding Skin of Aviation
Comanche Sue
Pilot who flew the farthest and helped spark the Thaden Field visit
Comanche Sue's Aircraft
Episode: EP172 - Live from Bentonville! The Thaden Invasion Fly-In
Seth Lake
Professional pilot, aviation educator, FAA safety team lead, and DPE
VSL Aviation / FAA safety programs
Episode: EP171 - Bracin' for Thaden with Seth Lake

Hosts

Ben
Host of the Midlife Pilot Podcast; emphasizes community, realism, and approachable discussion.
Brian Siskind
Co-host known for technical depth, humor, and strong sense of community.
Ted Goodeven
Co-host providing practical grounding and conversational balance.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 246 ratings
  • Da best

    The best podcast for GA. I’ve been listening for almost a 100 episodes and they are entertaining and informative.

    Audible
    5
    Ryan
    United States3 months ago
  • Thanks fellas

    Im feel lucky to have stumbled onto your podcast. Im a 300+ hour PPL with IFR, haven’t flown in 13 years, getting back in the air ASAP. Ive really enjoyed getting to know you guys, thanks for sharing your insights with honesty and humility. Im a musician in the Boston Symphony/Boston Pops, and a college prof, your Episode 141 with the banjo player resonated with me for sure. Im mostly an auto listener on comments, Im well into fifteenths episodes thus far, love the repartee, keep it up. Thanks f... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    datubaguy
    United States3 months ago
  • Flying to catch up

    I’m 45 and finally decided to follow my dreams of flying. Like any good midlifer I don’t do anything without planning, so I’m preparing to do flight school next year. I’m learning all I can and plan to take the written before I start flying. I was in Civil Air Patrol and a teen and had the bug ever since. I came across your podcast in January during my search for knowledge and loved it so much I decided to start from the beginning. I’m currently on episode 85 and am really enjoying getting to kn... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ColoradoCraneGuy
    United States3 months ago
  • A must for us older pilots!!

    As they often say the struggle is real for us older pilots! the podcast has created a space that shares the struggles we face as midlife pilots. It definitely helped me through achieving my certificates and being patient throughout the process. This is a MUST listen podcast, even if you are not flying, there are some good dad jokes and references to the 80’s that bring back memories! Thanks Ben Brian and Ted!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pulling Pitch 52
    United States4 months ago
  • Long time listener

    I have been listening and watching since OG Chris started documenting his flying journey. In 2020 at the age of 52, I restarted, for the 4th time, my private pilot training. At the time I was thinking that I might be crazy however after finding Chris’s YouTube channel, it confirmed that I most certainly was….but I wasn’t alone. Brian and Chris really spoke to challenges of learning to fly in midlife and from that point on I’ve been hooked. After adding Ben and Ted, the podcast grew into a un... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    5Ft20
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value practical, real-world flying insights over formal training,”hangar talk” culture.
The show creates a welcoming, anti-elite community for midlife pilots.
Content balances humor with substantial aviation knowledge and safety-minded discussions.
Guests and hosts build a trusted, relatable audience that feels like a hangar group.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP192 - I Can't Believe Someone Pays Me to Do This
Q: What should someone keep in mind if they want to pursue midlife career change while still enjoying flying?
Balance passion with practical steps: clarify what you want from aviation, build a plan to acquire required ratings, manage debt, arrange supportive insurance, and engage in networking that builds relationships rather than chasing quick gigs.
EP192 - I Can't Believe Someone Pays Me to Do This
Q: Is 54 too old to pursue a major airline career, and what paths could still work?
54 is not inherently too old, but the path depends on desired outcomes. Options include regional airlines, Part 91/135 flying, and time-building strategies with networks and mentors. A well-planned six-year timeline can still yield meaningful professional flying opportunities.
EP192 - I Can't Believe Someone Pays Me to Do This
Q: What changes when a person is 48 years old and starts looking for a job flying airplanes?
The conversation shifts from lifestyle fun to serious considerations like cost, family anchors, debt, and whether the person has a partner who will engage in a joint decision. The plan must account for the higher stakes of leaving a lucrative career and the long ramp to build flight hours.
EP189 - Sport Pilot Extraordinaire
Q: What is the central misconception about sport pilots that the hosts want to challenge?
The panel argues that sport pilots are not inherently lesser in skill or capability; they are simply operating under a different set of privileges and limitations, which can be advantageous or restrictive depending on the flight scenario.
EP168 - How The Turn Tables... Brian's Turn to Checkride Debrief
Q: Have you thought about personal minimums going forward for IFR?
Yes, I plan to set generous minimums and focus on gaining more training before flying IMC.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Midlife Pilot Podcast

What is Midlife Pilot Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Aviation-focused conversations centered on midlife flying, practical training, and real-world decision making. Episodes frequently cover instrument currency, checkride strategies, maintenance and ownership paths, budgeting for flight, and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape, all with a strong emphasis on community, mentorship, and shared experiences. A standout aspect is the casual, hangar-talk vibe that blends humor with candid insights, plus a robust listener community that contributes stories, feedback, and live event energy.

Where can I find podcast stats for Midlife Pilot Podcast?

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How many listeners does Midlife Pilot Podcast get?

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How many episodes of Midlife Pilot Podcast are there?

Midlife Pilot Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 195 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Midlife Pilot Podcast?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Midlife Pilot Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Midlife Pilot Podcast?

Recent guests on Midlife Pilot Podcast include:

1. Mark (Wendel Geek)
2. James Onieal
3. Mark Horn
4. Bruce H.
5. Ron Horton
6. Wendell Geek
7. Time Stap Teder
8. Comanche Sue

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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