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Artwork for "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast

"There I was..." An Aviation Podcast

AOPA Air Safety Institute
General Aviation
Engine Failure
AOPA Air Safety Institute
Backcountry Flying
Aviation Safety
Emergency Landing
Aviation
AOPA
Emergency Procedures
FAA
Off-Airport Landing
Pacific Northwest
Flight Training
Icing
Mile Hi Airstrip
Bellanca Viking
Cessna 150
Aircraft Maintenance
California
Night Flying

There I was…, presented by the AOPA Air Safety Institute, invites you into the cockpit with pilots across the aviation community. We fly with them as they encounter unpredictable scenarios and we learn from the knowledge and skills they utilize to fly safely out of them. This podcast honors the tradition and heritage in aviation to leverage “hangar flying” as an avenue to pass along knowledge and ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes100Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AviationLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast

Latest Episodes

On the first flight home in a newly purchased airplane, pilot Dennis Steinbock experienced a total engine failure over remote forest. What followed was a dramatic crash landing and 54 hours trapped in the wreckage before ultimately being rescued by t... more

Sport pilot Ken Luna and his former instructor Toto Marchand discuss an emergency Ken experienced while flying home from a short lunch trip with his son. At about 2,000 feet, his light sport aircraft suddenly experienced violent vibrations when a pro... more

Father-and-son pilots Michael and Ethan Russo recount an IFR flight that turned critical when their aircraft suffered a complete avionics failure at 8,000 feet in heavy rain.

Coast Guard helicopter pilot Rick Kenin recalls a Christmas Eve rescue flight that nearly became an emergency of its own.

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Ken Luna
Sport pilot, aircraft owner of a Sting TL-2000
Self-Operated/Private aviation
Episode: Episode 98: Prop Separation
Toto Marchand
ATP, CFII, MEI flight instructor based in Northern Virginia
Virginia Tailwheel Academy
Episode: Episode 98: Prop Separation
Ethan Russo
Pilot, son on the flight
Pilot
Episode: Episode 97: Avionics Failure in Heavy Rain
Michael Russo
Pilot, father on the flight
Pilot
Episode: Episode 97: Avionics Failure in Heavy Rain
Rick Kenin
COO of Boston Med Flight; former Coast Guard helicopter pilot and safety officer
Boston Med Flight / Coast Guard
Episode: Episode 96: Whiteout in a Helicopter
Brandon Reissiger
GA pilot based in Foley, Alabama, with seaplane experience
Episode: Episode 95: Lake Amphibian
Lennon Carlson
Flight instructor based in Kansas City
Independent flight instructor
Episode: Episode 94: Engine-Out at Night
Greg Robbins
GA pilot based in Arkansas who flies an Aeroprakt A22LS
Aeroprakt
Episode: Episode 93: Windscreen Blowout
Chris Yalanis
GA pilot who flies a Sling aircraft, shares experiences as a relatively new instrument-rated pilot.
Episode: Episode 92: Icing in a Sling

Host

David O'Leary
Host of There I Was

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 492 ratings
  • Makes safety relatable!

    A lot of what you learn in getting your private ticket is sort of a, “this wouldn’t happen to me”, scenario. Engine and instrument failure, fuel issues, getting caught in unanticipated weather, bad checklist management, etc.

    It’s good not only to hear the solutions people came up with, but to hear about situations that happened to pilots just like me - only with a heck of a lot more experience.

    It’s nice to hear that the solutions that saved people’s lives are often the very basic ones that ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jrjmn9999
    United Statesa year ago
  • Asks all the right questions

    David O’Leary asks all the right questions to give us listeners the best takeaways from the experiences of David’s interviewees. I’m especially thinking about his interview with flight test engineer Joey Brown, whose airframe knowledge and CRM usage were inspiring enough, but which was also brought out by David’s pertinent questions. Richard McSpadden had the same skill, and David carries that skill through to continue presenting the best information for listeners. Thanks to the ASI for hosting ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bill the pilot
    United States2 years ago
  • Pure gold content! I'm a post solo student pilot in Germany. Highly recommended!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Henry
    3 years ago
  • Here we are !!

    … listening to all those stories of fellow aviators who have gone through events we all try to avoid.

    Best GA podcast ever!

    Can’t express how thankful I am for you to share and give us the opportunity to learn from you.

    Keep the good work and fy safe - all of you out there.

    Thank you AOPA for reaching out to us helping to improve our skills and instincts!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ankoll
    Germany3 years ago
  • Must listen podcast!

    Great podcast for all kind of pilots and aviation enthusiasts!

    Thanks a lot and keep it up!

    Regards from Stuttgart!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MTU79
    Germany4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many note high production quality and strong interviewing that draws practical insights.
Listeners praise the show for making safety lessons relatable and actionable.
Fans welcome the diverse guest mix, from pilots to safety specialists, and the focused takeaways.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#13
United States/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#217
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#30
United Kingdom/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#41
Canada/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#22
Australia/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#48
Italy/Leisure/Aviation

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 98: Prop Separation
Q: What was the first action you took after the engine failed and you realized the canopy was open?
Maintain aircraft control, aviate, identify the field, and configure for best glide while advising the passenger to assist with traffic awareness and radio tasks if possible; then set 7700 on the transponder.
Episode 96: Whiteout in a Helicopter
Q: How do you evaluate risk before and during a mission in conditions like these?
We balance weather, aircraft capability, crew fatigue, and the patient's urgency, and ultimately prioritize not exposing the crew to unnecessary risk while aiming to complete the mission safely, sometimes choosing to turn back.
Episode 94: Engine-Out at Night
Q: What happened when the oil pressure started dropping?
The oil pressure fell rapidly from normal levels to zero, signaling an engine health issue. Lennon focused on flying the airplane and getting on the ground while assessing the situation and maintaining calm in order to execute a safe emergency landing.
Episode 93: Windscreen Blowout
Q: Let's start with your flying background. How did you get into aviation?
Greg Robbins explains his long-standing interest, the restart after a break, and how he returned to flying via a friend who exposed him to aviation again, ultimately leading to the flight in question.
Episode 89: Gear-Up Landing
Q: Any more about planning for the flight, Ben, that you can add?
It was just eager to do it. I treated this as a huge learning experience that was going to be handed to me for free.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast

What is "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show features first-hand aviation emergency stories, focusing on how pilots assess risk, communicate as a crew, and execute calm, disciplined decision-making under pressure. Episodes consistently center on real-world issues—engine failures, weather challenges, instrument/avionics failures, wildlife interactions, and in-flight emergencies—paired with practical takeaways like CPRs in CRM, checklists, and pre-planning. A recurring strength is showcasing diverse aviation roles—from GA pilots to flight test engineers and safety officers—as well as lessons that apply across aircraft types, operations, and training. It's particularly notable for its grounded, actionable insights, strong production quality, and emphasis on safety culture, makin... more

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Which podcasts are similar to "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast:

1. AOPA Never Again
2. I Learned About Flying From That
3. Hangar Talk - An Aviation News Podcast
4. Ask the A&Ps
5. Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

How many episodes of "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast are there?

"There I was..." An Aviation Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast?

Recent guests on "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast include:

1. Ken Luna
2. Toto Marchand
3. Ethan Russo
4. Michael Russo
5. Rick Kenin
6. Brandon Reissiger
7. Lennon Carlson
8. Greg Robbins

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