How to be a Bush Pilot + Nearly Fatal Crash | Art Warbelow Part 2 | Coffee In A Hangar - Ep 11

01/21/25 • 105 min

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.

Previous Episode

The Stories He Couldn’t Tell: Art Warbelow’s Bush Flying Story - Part 1 | Coffee In A Hangar - Ep 10

Sponsor: https://sportaircraftseats.com Strap in for an unforgettable ride! On today’s episode of the Coffee and Hanger Podcast, I sit down with bush pilot, Art Warbelow, the founder of Warbelow’s Air Ventures in Fairbanks, Alaska. Art takes us back to his teenage years, sharing harrowing tales of flying, surviving, and the sheer grit it took to salvage his father’s flying service after a devastating tragedy. From illegal landings on snowy Alaskan roads to close encounters in the fog, Art’s stories are a mix of heart-pounding adventure and pure Alaskan ingenuity. Hear how Art and his teenage brothers kept the family business alive against all odds, dealing with near plane crashes, questionable pilots, and unexpected challenges at every turn in bush Alaska. This is Part 1 of our interview with Art Warbelow! Part 2 drops in a month, so make sure to subscribe and hit the bell 🔔 so you don’t miss it! #flying #airplane #cessna

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Alaska Bush Pilot Interview - Mike Meekin | Coffee In A Hangar - Ep 12

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!