The Plaid Pilot Podcast

After finishing the first part of my Commercial Pilot training, I'm back to share a little about my journey and talk about the differences I've experienced in Part 61 and 141 flight training.Email me at todd@theplaidpilot.comInstagram: @theplaidpilotMusic by Monday Hopes

I finally passed my instrument checkride on my second attempt! In this episode I talk about my instrument training journey and lessons learned from two attempts at the checkride. Email me at todd@theplaidpilot.comInstagram: @theplaidpilot

Thank you guys for all of the support the last five months. The show will be on hiatus starting this week as I get ready for my checkride and start commercial training. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and fluffy landings!Email Me - todd@theplaidpilot.com

On November 24, 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper hijacked Northwest Orient Flight 305 bound for Seattle from Portland, OR and after receiving $200,000 cash as ransom for the passengers, parachuted into the rainy night never to be seen again. This week I tell his story. Aviatrix of the Week: Alex from KSNA - IG: https://www.instagram.com/pilot_girl_alex/TikTok: @pilot_girl_alexFBI D.B. Cooper Archives - https://vault.fbi.gov/D-B-Cooper%20Music by Monday Hopes

Due to technical difficulties, I wasn't able to get this week's episode recorded, but I still wanted to stop in and say Happy Thanksgiving! See you next week!

On November 17, 1955, a US Air Force C-54 crashed on the way to Area 51 on a mission to support the development of the U-2 spy plane. On this week's episode, I get to talk to Ky Plaskon, author of Silent Heroes of the Cold War, about the story behind the crash.Guest Speaker: Ky Plaskon - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/kyplaskonAviator of the Week: Mitch from KLXTForest Service Article on Silent Heroes of the Cold War Memorial - https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/cold-war-heroes-honored-us-forest-serviceBuy the book on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Heroes-Cold-War-Mysterious/dp/1932173609Music by Monday Hopes

On this week's episode, I take a break from aviation history and briefly talk about the history of Veterans Day from its World War I origin in 1918 and how the holiday has evolved today.Email me at todd@theplaidpilot.com or DM me on Instagram: @theplaidpilotAviator of the Week: Rod from KPVGMusic by Monday Hopes

In 1929, Amelia Earhart got together with fellow aviatrixes to form an organization dedicated to promoting aviation, keeping records of women in aviation, and giving women pilots a community to grow with. Over nine decades later, the 99s are a thriving organization. This week I'm joined by Natalie Gramer to talk about the history of women in aviation, and the 99s.Guest Speaker: Natalie Gramer - IG: @theflyingingerAviatrix of the Week: Skylar from CZBB - IG: @seeskyflyJoin the 99s - https://www.ninety-nines.org/membership.htmCAF WASP Squadron Website - https://cafwaspsquadron.org/Music by Monday Hopes

For this week's Halloween special, I get to talk to Barb Kramer from the haunted Kansas Aviation Museum. We talk about the history of the museum and aviation in Kansas, and Barb shares some ghost stories from her time as Director of Operations. Kansas Aviation Museum Website: https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/Kansas Aviation Museum Facebook: https://facebook.com/kansasaviationmuseum/Email Me: todd@theplaidpilot.comFind Me on Instagram: @theplaidpilotMusic by Monday Hopes and SoundGalleryBy

It has been an eventful week, not with all the results I'd hoped for. But catch next week's special Halloween episode where I get to talk with the Director of Operations at a museum where paranormal aviators still walk the halls.Check out the Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theplaidpilot/Email Me - todd@theplaidpilot.com

I'm taking this week off as I prepare for my Instrument Checkride, but you can still catch me talking about aviation history on the Food 4 Thought Podcast at https://thefood4thoughtpodcast.buzzsprout.com/1958889/11457241Music by Monday Hopes

After becoming the Ace of Aces for the United States in WWI, with 26 kills, Eddie Rickenbacker returned home a hero, but his story was far from over. From designing cars, to writing books, to pledging his airline to help in WWII, life after the Army was anything but mundane. Greg Primus joins me in a special two-part episode following the incredible story of "Fast Eddie".Guest Speaker: Greg Primus - IG: @aviationplusoneYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/AviationPlus/videosAviator of the Week: Matt from KSGU - IG: @mattbourdon_Rickenbacker Motor Company Car Walkaround - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgmCQDbLFrUMusic by Monday Hopes

Dropping out of school as a teenager after his father's death, Edward Rickenbacker would eventually become a famous race car driver, WWI ace, and go on to purchase the largest sporting venue in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Greg Primus joins me in a special two-part episode following the incredible story of "Fast Eddie". Guest Speaker: Greg Primus - IG: @aviationplusoneYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/AviationPlus/videosAviatrix of the Week: Christie from FD-77 - IG: @mermaidchristieMusic by Monday Hopes

Ninety years ago this week, James Banning and Thomas Allen took off from Los Angeles, California to become the first African Americans to fly coast to coast. Relying on the generosity of others for food, lodging and fuel, they called themselves The Flying Hobos. On this week's episode, I talk about their incredible story.Aviator of the Week: Rylie from KFMY - IG: @ryliestephens5Music by Monday Hopes

I'm taking the week off, but I want to say thanks for listening by giving away free The Plaid Pilot Podcast stickers. If you want one, send me an email at todd@theplaidpilot.com or on Instagram - @theplaidpilot

In this week's episode, we talk a little bit about the history of the Boeing 747 and look at five of the coolest variants that have been produced over the years. Aviator of the Week: Mike from KGED - IG: @pilot_mikey_bMusic by Monday Hopes

Blanche Scott became the first woman to solo an airplane in the United States 112 years ago this week. On this episode I'm joined by Northrup Grumman test conductor Casey Truman as we talk about her life and the lives of Hazel Ying Lee, Bessie Coleman, Jackie Cochran, and Willa Brown: all women who paved the way for those who came after them in aviation.Guest Speaker: Casey TrumanAviator of the Week: Charles from KDED - IG: @flying.cabYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DaytonaFPVMusic by Monday Hopes

In this episode, we take a break from aviation history to get to know your host. I talk about growing up as an avgeek, and how I ended up becoming a pilot. The Plaid Pilot Podcast Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/theplaidpilot/Music by Monday Hopes

Wiley Post grew up moving from farm to farm around Texas and Oklahoma. He dropped out of school before high school and eventually spent time in prison. He would go on to set multiple aviation records and become the first person to fly a single engine airplane solo around the world. Greg Primus joins me to talk about his remarkable life.Guest Speaker: Greg Primus - IG: @aviationplusoneYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/AviationPlus/videosWiley Post Around the World Flight Map - http://storymaps.esri.com/stories/2013/wileypost/Aviator of the Week: Alli from Y19Music by Monday Hopes

Otto Lilienthal made over 2000 glider flights in the 19th Century and some of his findings are still used in the study of aerodynamics today. Traff Doherty, the director of the National Soaring Museum, joins me this week to talk about the Father of Aviation and the legacy he left.Guest Speaker: Trafford DohertyNational Soaring Museum - https://www.soaringmuseum.org/Markus Raffel YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU1nebRXvSWhyRCF21fFCZwAviator of the Week: Daniel from YPJT - IG: @brawler_787Music by Monday Hopes

Harriet Quimby is possibly one of the most famous women you've never heard of. At the age of 36, she became the first woman in the United States to earn her pilot license. In this episode I talk about the ways she made her mark during the first decade of powered flight.Aviator of the Week - Matt from KCDC - IG: @mattbourdon_

Nearly everyone has heard of Amelia Earhart. This week Emily Herron joins me to talk about the aviatrix behind the famous and tragic around-the-world flight.Guest Speaker: Emily Herron - IG: @emilyattheairportPurdue University Online Amelia Earhart Collection - https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/search/collection/epurdue!earhartThe Ninety-Nines, Inc., International - https://www.ninety-nines.org/Aviator of the Week: Sidney from KHFD - IG: @traveltalesandtalltreatsMusic by Monday Hopes

Check out the trailer for The Plaid Pilot Podcast, a brand new aviation history podcast. Coming soon!