Why We Fly is a General Aviation podcast sharing pilot stories that illustrate the reasons behind why we choose to fly airplanes. We hope to share the adventure, excitement, and incredible experiences of flying. The goal is to entertain pilots and more importantly to inspire potential pilots to learn more about flying and hopefully one day become pilots themselves. Almost anyone can fly. We are here to share the Why.
With 2 brand new airplanes that needed to get from the factory in Oregon to their new home in Tennessee, 2 Flight Instructors and their students made it into an incredible journey! Hawkins Flight Academy Keywords: Flight Training, Student Pilot, Flight School, Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
7/22/24 • 49:08
Hear the origin story of Hawkins Flight Academy with co-founders Mike Harris & Matt Wilkins! Hawkins Flight Academy Keywords: Flight Training, Student Pilot, Flight School, Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
6/29/24 • 51:58
Talking with Matt Wilkins, President at Forge Flightworks, about his aviation background, his first Sun 'n Fun, and our new venture to help support the pilot lifestyle, Runway 2 RV. THANKS to our sponsors! Forge Flightworks Runway 2 RV Bose A20 Aviation Headset Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots, Avionics, Garmin, Forge Flightworks Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
6/14/23 • 51:19
Talking about all my flights for the last few years, including some really epic trips to Key West, several other Florida trips, and all the way to California! THANKS to our sponsors! Forge Flightworks Bose A20 Aviation Headset Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots, Avionics, Garmin, Forge Flightworks Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
3/22/23 • 67:20
Updates on my aviation, professional, and personal life after a long time without a new episode. Re-branding the podcast with many exciting things to come! THANKS to our sponsors! Forge Flightworks Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots, Avionics, Garmin, Forge Flightworks Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
2/23/23 • 69:14
Sitting down with the owners of Kilo Charlie Aviation, a flight school near Kansas City, after the Kansas City Airshow. We discuss the awesome airshow that featured both the Blue Angels & Thunderbirds, and we talked about their flying backgrounds and the flight training industry. Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
7/23/21 • 71:22
Sun 'n Fun 2021 was a great success, and I had a excellent trip! To recap the experience, my buddy Michael Ladd and I caught up for a debrief and conversation about our highlights from this year's Sun 'n Fun. Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
6/5/21 • 86:28
An update on many items since the last published episode, including what I have been up to both personally and in Aviation during the crazy year that was 2020. Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
1/20/21 • 52:10
Talking through flight by flight of my aviation adventures in 2019. It was a great year of flying with plenty of good stories to share! Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
2/18/20 • 67:51
Recorded at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019. This is a panel discussion featuring the P-51 Mustang and WWII Triple Ace Bud Anderson. It is fascinating to hear Col. Anderson describe several of his 16 1/4 kills shooting down Nazi aircraft, including how you get a 1/4 kill. Hear stories directly from an American hero and legendary fighter pilot! Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
10/8/19 • 71:26
What makes a good flight school? What questions should a student be asking as they start their flight training? This is a great discussion with Isaac Shrum & Jeff Krinks about these questions and more, including some of the things that Nashville Flight Training does to provide an excellent experience for their students. Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
7/17/19 • 54:26
Sun 'n Fun 2019 was a great time! In this episode I'm sitting under the wing at the airfield chatting with fellow pilots Paul Reding and Mike Brown about our SNF19 experiences and highlights. Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
6/6/19 • 47:42
Interview from Sun 'n Fun 2019 from the porch of the Ninety-Nines Clubhouse with female pilots Christine Hannon from One Plane Jane and Allyssa Vanmeter. www.oneplanejane.com Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
5/23/19 • 25:14
At Sun 'n Fun 2019 there was a live broadcast "Open Pod Night" on Sun 'n Fun Radio with many different Aviation podcasters talking about their podcasts. I participated, and here is the recording from SnF Radio of the section of the show that I was on. Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
4/21/19 • 40:34
I went on a great flight in a brand new Diamond DA40 NG and recorded this interview with Sam from Lifestyle Aviation about the DA40 NG and other Diamond airplanes. lifestyleaviation.com Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
3/24/19 • 42:42
I had a great year of flying the Tri Pacer in 2018! This episode reviews the flights and adventures that I had last year. Please consider supporting the podcast with a per episode pledge by visiting Patreon. Your support is GREATLY appreciated! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
3/4/19 • 74:45
Interview with local Tennessee pilots Cannon & Dustin. They met at an AOPA Rusty Pilots seminar and in a short time became very active pilots with very entertaining stories and perspectives to share. THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
1/19/19 • 54:36
Interview with Vicky who had a non-flying Air Force career which led her to discover a passion for flying. Now she is an Instrument Rated Private Pilot and Cessna 172 owner with plenty of exciting aviation plans for the future! THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
12/5/18 • 25:29
Interview with Dan Wells of Leonardo Helicopters. Dan is a test pilot on the AW609 project, which aims to achieve FAA certification in 2019 as the first ever civilian tiltrotor aircraft. Dan was recently named a Fellow with the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and has some fascinating experiences to share about some very unique aircraft. http://www.leonardocompany.com/en/ THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
10/13/18 • 41:47
Interview with Allyssa VanMeter, a fairly new pilot and airplane owner. Allyssa has a ton of passion for flying, and has already had some great experiences including flying her newly purchased plane to Oshkosh and flying in Alaska. THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
9/23/18 • 57:15
Interview with Sean Chuplis, a very active pilot with military, airlines, and General Aviation background. We talk about his flying including some very interesting stories about flying in Hawaii, as well as his company Crewdog Electronics which makes an inexpensive Stratux ADS-B In kit for traffic, weather, GPS, and AHRS info for display with Foreflight or other EFB programs. https://crewdogelectronics.com/ THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
9/11/18 • 38:48
Interview with Mariah Ferber, professional pilot and recent winner of the Air Race Classic. Mariah along with her teammate Paige represented Nashville Flight Training in the women-only Air Race Classic, and they won the race! Mariah is an inspiring pilot with a very bright future! https://www.airraceclassic.org/ THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
9/4/18 • 30:02
First we catch up with friend of the podcast Brandon Martini. Then I have a recap of my highlights from the week, recorded Saturday night at the end of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018. THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
8/18/18 • 46:48
More coverage from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018! This episode focuses on warbirds. I was fortunate enough to get a ride on a DC-3 owned by Golden Age Air Tours and interview the owner about the plane and his planned trip with it next year to Normandy to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day. I also spent some time in the Warbirds area and recorded the tram tour talking about all the incredible warbirds on display at Oshkosh. www.goldenageairtours.com www.ddaysquadron.org www.warbirds-eaa.org THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
8/16/18 • 31:34
Interviews from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018. First we talk to F-16 pilot Major John "Rain" Waters with the Air Force Viper Demo Team. Then we hear from Thrustmasters at their booth which was setup for kids to fly an F/A-18 in Virtual Reality off an aircraft carrier, with very realistic flight contol replicas. Finally, we talk to World Racer Bob Frayser who is embarking on a journey to break world speed records in his Nemesis NXT race plane. THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
8/15/18 • 40:32
EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2018! This episodes talks about my flight up in the Tri Pacer and arrival into Oshkosh, as well as the GREAT camping spot I was lucky enough to get in Vintage Camping. THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
8/7/18 • 34:00
Announcement with my agenda for Oshkosh including several meetups where I hope to see some listeners. If you are going to be at Oshkosh, please try to make it to one of these or reach out to me to meetup another time during the week. This episode includes an interview with Dick Knapinski, EAA Director of Communictions, with an in depth look at what to expect at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018. THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
7/15/18 • 52:46
These are the remaining interviews from Sun 'n Fun 2018. I sat down with country singer Aaron Tippin to discuss his extensive experience in Aviation. Then AOPA Ambassador Jamie Beckett shares his passion for flying. Finally, several of the SnF Radio volunteers discuss their various flying experiences over beers at Camp RadioActive, our homebase group campsite during Sun 'n Fun. Listen Year Round to Sun 'n Fun Radio THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Bose, A20, Bose A20, Headset, Aviation Headset, Review, Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
5/25/18 • 35:00
Interviews for Sun 'n Fun Radio from SnF 2018. New Commercial Pilot Deon Mitton talks about professional floatplane flying in the Bahamas. Then two Alaska Airmen discuss flying a Cessna 172 from Alaska to Russia! Listen Year Round to Sun 'n Fun Radio THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Bose, A20, Bose A20, Headset, Aviation Headset, Review, Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
4/24/18 • 30:22
Interview with Tim Ostrom, the president of Old Hickory Flyers. I was a member of OHF flying their 180hp Cessna 172 - Tweety Bird - before purchasing my Tri Pacer. Tim and I have a discussion about his flying background, flying clubs, and aviation safety. THANKS to our sponsors! Nashville Flight Training Bose A20 Aviation Headset T-shirts & other merchandise available in the Store at whywefly.org. We REALLY appreciate your support of the podcast! Custom items available by request (picture of your plane, N number, or other custom items). Check out my "Why I Fly" video at https://youtu.be/63Lmrqg-9xs Keywords: Bose, A20, Bose A20, Headset, Aviation Headset, Review, Aviation, General Aviation, Plane, Planes, Airplane, Airplanes, Fly, Flying, Flight, Pilot, Pilots Intro music by Mscaras & outro music by Chris Zabriskie.
4/13/18 • 25:19
