Flight Tales

What do air traffic controllers really think about lasers, weather avoidance, and student pilots doing steep turns five miles off the departure end? In this wild ride of an episode, the team from Owens Flight Training sits down with local controller, and frequent guest, Jake, to talk about everything from outdated tower equipment to the eternal mystery of vacuum tubes, radar outages, and yes... aliens.Topics we cover:Why closing yo...

Ever wonder what air traffic controllers really think when a student pilot keys up and nervously says, "Uhh, I think I wanna... land?" In this episode of Flight Tales, Alexandra Ross—a controller and local NATCA president—joins us for a hilarious, honest, and super insightful look into pilot-controller miscommunication, radio anxiety, and why the phrase “just say yes or no” matters more than you think.We talk about:The aw...

Want to become a pilot FAST? In this episode of Flight Tales, we break down how Owens Flight Training helps students go from zero to CFI in as little as 8 months—on your schedule, with support, flexibility, and thousands in savings.

We cover:

How our timeline compares to ATP and Lift Academy

Why we don’t want your money up front

What makes our training flexible and affordable

How some students go from discovery flight to CFI in under a ...

Ever taxied out only to hear “the field is IFR—state your intentions”? Welcome to the world of special VFR! In this episode of Flight Tales, we’re joined by air traffic controller Nick Jeffers, who shares everything he thinks you should know about special VFR—from the rules and risks to the realities controllers face on the other side of the mic.

Listen in as Nick explains:
✅ When and how to request special VFR (and why ATC can’t...

Meet Mitchell Walsh—a political science grad who traded campaign trails for taxiways! In this candid and humorous episode, Mitchell shares how a spontaneous discovery flight sparked his passion for aviation and launched a winding career journey from front-desk weekends to airport management at Saint Landry Parish Airport.From polishing vintage planes in hangars, hustling odd aviation jobs, to dreaming of seaplane runways in Opelous...

In this lively episode of Flight Tales, we chat with Chris, a newly minted Certified Flight Instructor who recently swapped accounting textbooks for aviation manuals. Chris takes us through his early fascination with the Blue Angels, his rocky start in accounting, and the pivotal moment he chose flying as his future. Listen in for entertaining stories from his flight training adventures, checkride nerves, first solo flight experien...

What starts as a birthday gift for his dad turns into a lifelong passion for Chaun Kraus. In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with Chaun to trace his path from mouse-and-keyboard flight sim sessions to becoming a certified flight instructor. He opens up about nerding out over Ace Combat, soloing before getting a driver’s license, overcoming self-doubt, and flying through challenges—including a literal open door on his firs...

Before he was a DPE, Peyton Enloe was herding cattle with helicopters, dodging rotor blades with Santa, navigating Soviet airspace, and logging thousands of hours in Chinooks, Gulfstreams, and more. In this unforgettable Flight Tales episode, Peyton joins Ryan and Brennan to share his wild aviation journey—from being drafted during Vietnam to flying NetJets customers around the world.He breaks down what it's like to fly in Russia w...

Most pilots file IFR or fly VFR—few take advantage of the hybrid clearance known as VFR-on-top. In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with air traffic controllers and instructors to unpack how this underrated clearance works, when to request it, and why it can be a game-changer for training flights and maneuver practice.

We break down misconceptions, clarify how to file, and share stories of wild fish-spotter departures, Caju...

In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with local air traffic controllers to hear what it’s really like behind the mic. From training new pilots and managing busy traffic flows to dealing with laser strikes and missed approaches, these controllers give us a look into their world—and offer some straight talk for pilots in training. We dive into how tower and radar work together, why some students confuse clearance delivery wit...

From showing up asking to wash planes… to becoming a certified flight instructor—Fernando Sequera's aviation journey is anything but ordinary.

In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with Fernando to hear how he went from chemistry major to CFI, working Subway and Best Buy jobs to fund each flight lesson. He shares how he navigated student life, budget flying, getting puked on in the cockpit, and what it really takes to gri...

The hosts are back in the hangar and catching up on everything from high winds to 141 school progress! This episode covers wild weather woes, multi-engine myths, and the mystery of manifold pressure. Plus, a few laughs about landing gear fails, a salute to Lindbergh, and some good ol’ cockpit comedy. Stick around for Tower Talk, Today in Aviation History, and updates from the Owens Flight Training crew—including multi-engine checkr...

In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with Cole Ruckstuhl—pilot, instructor, and lifelong aviation enthusiast. From growing up in New Mexico to navigating the skies over Louisiana, Cole shares how early experiences with Microsoft Flight Simulator, mail-in questionnaires to real airline pilots, and unforgettable cockpit visits shaped his dream.But Cole’s story isn’t all smooth flying. After a mentor’s tragic crash, he nearly ...

What was supposed to be a routine Cirrus SR22 G7 flight turned into a 24-hour weather-fueled adventure! 🌩️✈️ Join us as we recount the unexpected detours, last-minute route changes, and the struggle to outmaneuver an uncooperative storm system.

🚀 Key Highlights:
✅ Transition training in a brand-new Cirrus G7
🌪️ Navigating surprise weather changes
🛫 Unexpected stops & overnight delays
😅 Lessons learned from real-...

Ever wondered what it really takes to run an airport? In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with Giles Menard, an airport operations specialist and manager, to dive into the world of airport operations, safety, and management. From daily inspections to runway maintenance and even wildlife control, airport ops is more than just flashing lights on a pickup truck!🛫 Topics Covered:✅ What goes on behind the scenes at an airport✅...

In this episode of Flight Tales, we dive deep into the world of flight training, air traffic control, IFR procedures, and aviation instruction. 🚀✈️🔹 Key Topics Covered:✔️ The evolution of instrument approaches and why some methods are fading.✔️ Flight instruction insights—from check rides to student struggles.✔️ Air Traffic Control (ATC) training—what it takes to master the skies.✔️ The importance of real-world flying scenarios f...

In this episode of Flight Tales, we’re back with another round of aviation talk! We catch up on aircraft maintenance updates, including Zero Nine Echo’s new engine and some unexpected flap issues. Plus, we celebrate Chris Sullivan’s recent instrument check ride and dive into multi-engine training—covering everything from VMC demos to handling engine failures in flight.Stick around for aviation history, a few cockpit laughs, and upd...

Join us as we explore real-world scenarios and insights from instrument checkrides with Designated Pilot Examiner, Peyton Enlo. This episode dives into common pitfalls, from improper frequency setup to missed approach errors, and offers valuable lessons on avoiding these mistakes. Gain a deeper understanding of critical elements such as decision altitude, approach light visibility, alternate planning, and more. Whether you're an as...