Greg Brown: Cockpit Adventures from the Flying Carpet

Greg Brown: Cockpit Adventures from the Flying Carpet

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the "Flying Carpet," as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way. A former National Flight Instructor of the Year, Greg is author of five books, a former Barnes & Noble Arizona Author of the Month, and recently completed twenty years as aviation adventure columnist for AOPA Flight Training magazine. Some reviewers have compared his book, "Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane," to sixties road-trip classics like "On the Road," and "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." Says aviation author and humorist Rod Machado: “Greg thinks with the mind of a pilot, questions with the curiosity of a philosopher, and sees with the eyes of a poet.” Observes Nina Bell Allen, former “Readers Digest” Asst. Managing Editor, "You don't have to be a pilot, or even a frequent flyer, to soar with Greg Brown in [his] Flying Carpet." So buckle in and join Greg for the ride!

Episodes

December 16, 2023 28 mins

One thing I’ve learned over many years of piloting is that rarely can we plan a flight, take off, and then not need to worry about anything until we reach our destination.

More often than not, circumstances arise before takeoff and en route that require planning, strategy, and tactics to get us safely where we’re going . A big part of this, too, is being prepared to land at any point… To turn around. To land at an inconvenient airpo...

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You may remember meeting my cowboy buddy "Baldy" way back in Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #2, “Cowboy Pilot,” in which Jean and I were first invited to the annual "Arizona Cowpuncher’s Reunion." If you don’t remember that episode, or haven’t heard it, you might want to get to know Baldy via that episode before starting this one.

Regardless, I predict you’ll get a kick joining our flying adventure to attend a uniq...

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July 9, 2023 15 mins

There are many dimensions to piloting adventure: some are scary, most are educational, but all are memorable!

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https://gregbrownflyingcarpet.com/podcast/
https://www.facebook.com/GregBrownFlyingCarpet/
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“Lobe Plays Sedona; Skies filled with music.” 

Along with cockpit thrills and challenges, plenty of piloting adventure arises from where flying can deliver us, both physically and spiritually. That’s what today’s episode is about.

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https://gregbrownflyingcarpet.com/podcast/
https://www.facebook.com/GregBrownFlyingCarpet/
https://www.instagram.com/gregbrownflyingcarpet/


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December 10, 2022 15 mins

Some Lessons a Pilot Never Forgets

"So this must be vertigo." I thought. Nausea circled my gut like the snowflakes orbiting my propeller. I peered out the windshield for landmarks, but snow obscured all but a tiny spot of  ground beneath me, even at an altitude of only a thousand feet. 

To make matters worse, my navigational radio had obviously failed. How could I possibly have drifted so far off course ...

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November 18, 2022 14 mins
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October 5, 2022 22 mins

I was recently awarded the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, for 50 years of safe piloting. 

It’s mind-boggling to consider how short the history of aviation is, that I should have personally flown for over 40% of the entire history of powered flight! 

In this episode I reflect on how general aviation flying has changed since I took to the skies in 1972. What’s more, today’s story kicks off a whole series of future ...

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August 16, 2022 15 mins

Piloting is a sophisticated activity that requires a good deal of training, hand-eye coordination, planning, and application of judgment.

But today’s episode focuses more on spiritual aspects of flying--that is, why we do it, rather than how we do it, and it's topped off by a crazy destination.  This story is one of my personal favorites, and I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Okay, everyone, hop aboard my Flying Carpet...

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April 16, 2022 15 mins

As you’ve likely heard, the final Learjet was recently delivered following almost 60 years of production. I was a kid when the Lear 23 was first introduced in 1964. 

Although a few other corporate jets were flying by then, most companies still motored around in relatively slow, unpressurized piston airplanes, many of them repurposed WWII-era bombers and freighters. 

The Lear was so sleek, sexy, and fast in compari...

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Every aviator develops mutually rewarding relationships with the flight instructors delivering his or her wings.

Well, here’s the backstory of one of those relationships, that over 22 years led to the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame. It’s a story every pilot will appreciate.

Read my
1999 NAFI Mentor column referenced in the Podcast. 

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https://gregbrownflyingcarpet.com/podcast/
https://www.facebo...

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October 31, 2021 46 mins

Tips and tricks for introducing family and friends to general aviation flying, including some hysterical stories about how NOT to do it!

Learn how to treat family and friends to their critical first airplane rides, to ensure that they enjoy themselves and want to fly with you again. 

Heads up that this is a live recording of a talk given several years ago, meaning audio quality is somewhat variable. But if you’ll stick with...

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July 27, 2021 22 mins

Everyone knows this is Oshkosh AirVenture Fly-in week, right?  Well, grab your logbook, 'cause it's time for "Pilgrimage to Oshkosh," Greg Brown's Flying Carpet Podcast #18. 


Whether you're at AirVenture now or just wish you were, I promise you cross-country time, some laughs, and a fresh perspective!


So hop in the Flying Carpet with me, and we’ll go check it out!


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June 20, 2021 19 mins

Ever wonder what it would be like, flying yourself into a foreign country where pilot communications are transmitted in an unknown-to-you language? Well, here's your opportunity to find out!

This episode marks fifty years of a treasured friendship, arising under unusual circumstances from a long-ago foreign adventure, and continued over the years through Flying Carpet adventures like this one! 

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May 18, 2021 31 mins

Ever wonder what it was like to fly primitive airplanes into battle in World War I? Well, here’s your opportunity to find out!

“The engine is the heart of an airplane, but the pilot is its soul,” ⸺Sir Walter Raleigh, The War in the Air, 1922

(Music by Hannis Brown)

Support the show

https://gregbrownflyingcarpet.com/podcast/
https://www.facebook.com/GregBrownFlyingCarpet/
https://www.instagram.com/gregbrownf...

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March 13, 2021 15 mins

When celebrating birthdays with zeros in them, flowers alone won’t do it. So when Jean marked a new decade I sought somewhere special we could fly to celebrate. 

“But it seems weird celebrating a big birthday in Death Valley,” she said...

Check out the photos at GregBrownFlyingCarpet.com !
(Music by Hannis Brown)

Support the show

https://gregbrownflyingcarpet.com/podcast/
https://www.facebook.com/GregBrownFlyingCarpe...

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February 6, 2021 15 mins

Experience archaeology by Flying Carpet: Earning your wings is more than piloting an airplane; it's about where flying can take you!

Don't miss this episode's photos at GregBrownFlyingCarpet.com !
(Music by Hannis Brown)

Support the show

https://gregbrownflyingcarpet.com/podcast/
https://www.facebook.com/GregBrownFlyingCarpet/
https://www.instagram.com/gregbrownflyingcarpet/


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January 7, 2021 12 mins

“Look!” said my wife with horror. “There’s been a terrible crash!” Glancing downward, there was just time for me to glimpse carnage on Highway 202, the Red Mountain Freeway east of Phoenix. A few hundred feet beneath us, flames and blackened vehicles littered the roadway as we crossed low on final approach to land at Falcon Field. 

See photos at episode website. (Music by Hannis Brown)

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December 24, 2020 7 mins

Here's an audio holiday card to you and your family, direct from the cockpit of the Flying Carpet!

It's been a mighty tough year, between pandemic, politics, and world problems, so from our family to yours, we hope this little audio card will brighten your holiday season, whatever your heritage or faith. May the coming year mark happier times for all of us!

Support the show

https://gregbrownflyingcarpet.com/podcast...

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December 19, 2020 17 mins

Grab your logbook, ‘cause it’s time for Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #12, “Inches of Runway!” 

Because wind is invisible, it rarely seems as threatening as other weather when you’re flight planning, especially under clear skies. But as every pilot learns, wind is real; like other weather features it can be helpful or hazardous. Consider, for example, a 65-knot (75mph) headwind…!

See photos at the episode website.

M...

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November 29, 2020 17 mins

The saga of the Lobe Band Bus, rescued by Flying Carpet.
"You could always circle it on the way back, like a vulture!"
See photos at the episode website!

Music by Hannis Brown. 

Support the show

https://gregbrownflyingcarpet.com/podcast/
https://www.facebook.com/GregBrownFlyingCarpet/
https://www.instagram.com/gregbrownflyingcarpet/


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