Fastest Way To Wreck An Airplane - Adam Grenda's Story | Coffee In A Hangar - Ep 8

10/01/24 • 138 min

In this episode of the Coffee and a Hangar Podcast, we're excited to welcome Adam Grenda, a seasoned pilot, big game hunter, and trapper hailing from King Salmon, Alaska. Adam dives deep into his unique journey of learning to fly in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness, all under the mentorship of legendary bush pilot Ron Hayes. Adam reflects on the impact Ron had on his career, offering valuable lessons from the heart of Alaska.

We explore everything from Adam’s terrifying near-crash incident to his lifelong passion for hunting, which began at a young age. His stories perfectly capture the blend of adventure, danger, and the rugged beauty that defines life as a bush pilot in Alaska. Adam shares his experiences flying the iconic Super Cub, the lessons he learned through trial and error in the air, and how those early hunting experiences paved the way for his guiding career in Alaska’s tough terrain.

Adam also shares in detail his harrowing Super Cub crash at age 20, recounting how, as a young pilot with just 3 hours of tailwheel experience, he made some split-second decisions that resulted in a total wreck. He candidly talks about the mistakes he made during that flight, including ignoring basic safety measures and overconfidence in his abilities. Yet, from that near-fatal accident, Adam emerged with hard-earned wisdom that shaped the rest of his career, teaching him the importance of critical decision-making, especially in the erratic conditions of bush flying.

Through the ups and downs of his flying career, Adam reflects on the importance of humility, proficiency, and the constant drive to improve. His story is not just about surviving, but thriving in one of the most challenging environments on Earth.

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy these epic tales of bush flying, and true backcountry adventure, straight from the Alaskan frontier.

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy these epic tales of bush flying, and true backcountry adventure, straight from the Alaskan frontier.

Previous Episode

Bush Pilots and Big Game | Larry Rivers Flying and Hunting in Alaska | Coffee In A Hangar - Ep 7

Welcome to the Coffee In A Hangar Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Larry Rivers, a true legend in the world of bush flying and backcountry guiding. For over 40 years, Larry operated a successful guiding business in the rugged mountains of Alaska, where he flew his guides, clients, and gear to remote, unimproved landing strips. These strips were barely big enough to land on, and Larry flew at full gross weight, often in some of the worst weather conditions Alaska has to offer. Larry shares the incredible stories and lessons he's learned from decades of pushing the limits in one of the most challenging environments on earth. From his audacious start in guiding—when he became a hunting guide without ever having hunted before—to mastering the art of bush flying, Larry's experiences are a testament to skill, courage, and judgment. In this episode, Larry takes us through the intricacies of bush flying, including how to develop the critical judgment needed to safely land in remote areas. He explains the importance of approach points, understanding escape routes, and how to safely land on challenging strips. Larry also shares thrilling tales of near-misses and the techniques that saved his life. Whether you're an aspiring bush pilot, a seasoned flyer, or just someone interested in the wild stories of Alaska, this episode is packed with insights and adventures that you won't want to miss. Enjoy this deep dive into the life and mind of a true backcountry legend. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more fascinating conversations on Coffee In A Hangar!

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Plane Wrecks, Brain Farts, & Bad Weather | What He's Learned in 50 Years | Coffee In A Hangar - Ep 9

https://sportaircraftseats.com https://www.godscountryaviation.com In this episode, we sit down with game warden and bush pilot Curt Beddingfield, who shares some thrilling stories from his experiences flying in the Alaskan wilderness. From navigating high winds on the Alaska Peninsula to miraculous escapes on rugged landing strips, Curt opens up about the risks, mistakes, and important lessons that have shaped his career. Hear about flying backwards in high winds, saving a heart attack victim in 50mph gusts, and the terrifying moment Curt realized he was heading straight for a mountain. Plus, Curt reflects on the humility and life lessons learned from flying in some of the most unforgiving terrain on Earth. Curt also discusses the differences between various bush planes, from the classic Super Cubs to the powerful Maule M7s he and his family fly. He reveals how the Maule, with its custom mods, outperforms many traditional bush planes in terms of load capacity, takeoff distance, and speed—making it ideal for hauling heavy loads like moose out of tight spots. Whether you're a seasoned aviator or just fascinated by the world of bush flying, Curt’s expertise and stories are sure to keep you captivated.