Coffee In A Hangar

Sponsor: SportAircraftSeats.com This is part two of our conversation with Art Warbelow. Check out part 1 for his back story and how he learned to fly. Strap in for an unforgettable journey into the world of bush flying with Art Warbelow, a bush pilot who started flying when he was 16. He shares tales of adventure, survival, and lessons from his years in the air. In this second part of our Coffee and a Hanger podcast, Art offers unique insights into off-airport flying, including techniques for STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) operations, lessons learned from near-misses, and stories of bush planes navigating Alaska's challenging wilderness. From the raw dangers of wake turbulence and aircraft accidents to the art of precise landings on gravel bars and ridges, this episode is packed with wisdom every pilot can learn from. Hear how Art turned his experiences into a course for the FAA, teaching pilots how to approach off-airport operations with safety and preparedness in mind. Key highlights: Surviving a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness. Essential tips for STOL landings and takeoffs in bush planes like the Super Cub and Cessna. Why knowing your airplane’s strengths and weaknesses is critical for Alaska bush flying. How wake turbulence and poor decisions can lead to airplane wrecks. The crucial importance of training and preparing for high-stakes situations.

Bush Flying Legends & Survival: Mike Meekin's 50-Year flying JourneyWelcome to the Coffee and a Hangar Podcast! Today, we sit down with Mike Meekin, a bush pilot with over 50 years of experience navigating some of the most challenging terrains in aviation. With 11 TBO’d engines on just one plane, Mike is the definition of experience, skill, and survival in the mountains.From parachute failures and near-crashes to mastering the art of short-field landings, this episode is packed with thrilling stories, hard-earned wisdom, and real talk about what it takes to fly in some of the most treacherous weather and terrain Alaska has to offer. With over 25,000 hours of experience flying Cessnas, PA-18 Super Cubs, and many other bush aircraft, Mike Meekin is a well of knowledge.💡 Topics we cover:✅ The myth of "No Old Bold Pilots"✅ Critical go-around decisions & risk assessment✅ The mental game of mountain flying✅ Harrowing stories from the Alaskan backcountry✅ The legendary pioneers of bush flying✅ The importance of good equipment and maintenance ✅ STOL Landing & STOL TakeoffsPlus, get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our aircraft seat shop, where we craft high-quality seat upholstery for pilots like you!

🛫 **Support Our Channel**: Visit [Sport Aircraft Seats](https://www.sportcraftseats.com) for custom aircraft seat upholstery kits. Perfect for enhancing your flying experience! Today, we sit down with Ron Hayes, a 95-year-old Alaska bush pilot with nearly 70 years of flying experience. In this episode, Ron shares his incredible stories and invaluable knowledge about bush flying in Alaska. From guiding polar bear hunts in the Arctic to flying through dangerous conditions during the Cold War, Ron's tales are nothing short of legendary. We dive deep into his early years of learning to bush fly in the rugged Alaskan terrain, mastering STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) techniques in Cessna and Super Cub planes. Ron recounts hair-raising experiences like landing on steep slopes, performing STOL takeoffs and landings in narrow canyons, wrecking super cubs and float planes, running out of fuel over the Bering Sea at night, and getting caught in bad weather. Ron also talks about his mentor, Lee Holland, and the critical lessons he learned about mountain flying, slow flight, and off-airport operations. Hear about his harrowing encounters with the Russian military during the Cold War, his expertise in polar bear hunting, and how he navigated through low visibility conditions with early navigation technology. If you're passionate about flying, bush planes, Alaska's rich history, or want to learn how to fly a plane and land in extreme places, this episode is for you. Join us as Ron Hayes shares his wisdom, captivating stories, and the realities of being an Alaska bush pilot. 🔑 *Keywords:* airplane, plane, Cessna, Super Cub, flying, STOL, STOL takeoff, STOL landings and takeoffs, bush plane, bush pilot, bush flying, pilot, how to fly a plane, Alaska, Alaska Bush Pilot, Alaska History, Cold War, hunting, polar bear hunting, slow flight, off-airport, airplane crash, flying IFR, Alaska. 📺 *Subscribe* to our channel for more amazing stories and insights from legendary pilots like Ron Hayes. Don't forget to like, comment, and share this video with fellow aviation enthusiasts!

Welcome to the Coffee and a Hanger podcast! In this episode, we have the incredible Will Johnson, who left a stable engineering job at Westinghouse Corporation in the 1980s to become a bush pilot in Alaska. Will shares thrilling stories from his time flying over the vast Alaskan wilderness, including a daring rescue mission in the Bering Sea. Will talks about his early days as a green pilot, learning the ropes the hard way, and using his ingenuity to navigate challenging situations. One such story involves rescuing a man with a ruptured hernia from a boat 150 miles out in the Bering Sea. With faulty navigation equipment and deteriorating weather conditions, Will managed to land his plane on rough seas and execute a risky transfer of the patient using a survival suit and a rope. Join us as Will recounts the adrenaline-pumping moments, like his first failed landing attempt in rough waves and the challenges of dealing with dead batteries in the middle of the ocean. Hear about his creative dispatching techniques, including the innovative way he transported passengers and cargo to and from the fishing fleets, and his unforgettable encounters with various characters along the way. From navigating ocean currents to performing midair emergency maneuvers, Will’s experiences offer a unique glimpse into the life of a bush pilot in one of the most remote and rugged environments on Earth. Tune in for an episode filled with adventure, humor, and the valuable lessons learned from a lifetime of flying. Enjoy the episode and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing stories on the Coffee and a Hanger podcast!