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Midlife Pilot Podcast

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes205Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AviationLeisure

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Artwork for Midlife Pilot Podcast

Latest Episodes

Milestone night. Ted passed the instrument written with a 95 ("definitely my highest score of the four tests I've taken"), sneaking in days before the FAA changes the exam, and explained the back-to-back-tests energy in terms we all understand: "I wa... more

YouTube

Mark is back ("Thanks, Mark. Glad to be back") with Sparker transition-training dispatches: two seats, retractable, bubble canopy, Rotax 916, "about 165 knots at 10,000 feet," pending "a whole bunch of marketing inflation that I think might be going ... more

YouTube

Ted did the math: episodes 83, 108, 116, 119, 128, 155, 188, and 201 were all more or less about landings, and tonight makes it nine, because you filled the tape machine and we have no self-control. The eternal question of this show, asked out loud t... more

YouTube

Last week's emergency deserves a sequel about the thing you reach for in the later phases of one: the checklist. Enter returning special friend of the show Checkmate Barry, two years to the day (October 1st) from taking over CheckMate Aviation, the p... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Ryan Kay
Private pilot with an instrument rating who flies an RV-10
Episode: EP202 - Declared Mercy
Erica Gilbert
Aviation educator/instructor and community member
ericagilbertaviation.com
Episode: EP198 - How Dare You Try to Minimize My Suffering
Marcus Siskind
Center Traffic Controller, PropHatCat content creator
PropHatCat / Center Traffic Control
Episode: EP194 - "That's Why I Wear the Propeller Hat" - PropHatCat!
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 extraordinaire, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
Charlotte, NC-based DPE
Episode: EP183 - "What's Time to a Hog?" — Ron Horton, DPE (Part 2 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.

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 259 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 States5 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 States5 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 States6 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 States6 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 States7 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.

EP202 - Declared Mercy
Q: What did you learn, and what would you do differently next time?
Ryan later noticed in the flight logs that the attitude indicator had begun bouncing before the failure. He said he should have paid closer attention to it before entering IMC.
EP202 - Declared Mercy
Q: Did you have any way to get to VMC, and what were your immediate options for controlling the plane?
Ryan could use the compass to keep the airplane roughly level, but did not know where the clouds ended and expected another 30 minutes of IMC. He focused on finding clear skies and asked ATC for help rather than troubleshooting.
EP203 - Pause Not Included
Q: Are there ways to do custom checklists, where people could submit orders for customizing their checklist?
Yes. CheckMate customizes checklists for individual aircraft, flight schools and flying clubs, and Barry is working to make the process smoother, faster and more accurate.
EP203 - Pause Not Included
Q: What got you into owning the kind of premier checklist company?
After modifying his Cessna 182 panel, Barry created a replacement checklist and sent the design to CheckMate. The owners were ready to retire and asked him to take over the business.
EP194 - "That's Why I Wear the Propeller Hat" - PropHatCat!
Q: What specifically would you like to see modernized in ATC to improve operations?
Marcus highlights that modernization is ongoing, but emphasizes that many systems are in the pipeline and require careful risk analysis and funding; he points to upgrades like digital radar displays, VSCS voice switching, and better integration of communication systems, while noting that fundamental practices and risk management remain core.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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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What are the audience demographics for Midlife Pilot Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does Midlife Pilot Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Midlife Pilot Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Midlife Pilot Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Midlife Pilot Podcast:

1. Opposing Bases: Air Traffic Talk
2. Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's
3. I Learned About Flying From That
4. "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast
5. Hangar Talk - An Aviation News Podcast

How many episodes of Midlife Pilot Podcast are there?

Midlife Pilot Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 205 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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. Ryan Kay
2. Erica Gilbert
3. Marcus Siskind
4. Mark (Wendel Geek)
5. James Onieal
6. Mark Horn
7. Bruce H.
8. Ron Horton

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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