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Flight Tales

Flight Tales

Ryan Owens 85 Episodes Jun 18, 2026

Ryan Owens, owner and flight instructor at Owens Flight Training, interviews pilots, co-workers, students, and air traffic controllers, covering all aspects of aviation in fun and informative episodes of Flight Tales.

Episodes

Practice Approaches with an Air Traffic Controller Jun 18, 2026 01:13:41 In this episode of Flight Tales, host Ryan Owens sits down with Air Traffic Controller Nick Jeffers to talk about practice approaches and IFR training flights to weather decisions, missed approaches, traffic sequencing, and pilot communication, Nick shares valuable insights that can make every pilot safer and more effective in the air.Whether you're a student pilot, instrument student, CFI, or
DPE Reveals Checkride Mistakes Pilots Make w/ Peyton Enloe Jun 11, 2026 00:49:49 What is the difference between a Forward Slip to a Landing and a Power-Off 180? When should pilots go around? What are the most common mistakes Designated Pilot Examiners see during checkrides?In this episode of Flight Tales, host Ryan Owens sits down with Peyton Enloe, an experienced Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), to discuss practical flying techniques, checkride expectations, and the safety ha
Flying the Challenger to Aspen, the Virgin Islands & Beyond Mar 5, 2026 00:33:29 From one-way departures in Aspen to island-hopping across the Virgin Islands, this episode of Flight Tales is packed with real-world corporate jet stories, mountain flying challenges, and unforgettable charter trips.We dive into what it’s really like flying a Bombardier Challenger 600 series into high terrain, including the infamous Aspen/Pitkin County Airport approach — 3,000 feet above the runwa
From Seaplanes to Annuals: Inside the Mind of an Aircraft Mechanic Feb 5, 2026 00:50:38 In this episode of Flight Tales, host Ryan Owens sits down with A&P/IA mechanic and seaplane pilot Vernon Knowles to talk about what really keeps your airplane safe, legal, and running strong. From backcountry-style seaplane flying on the Red River to the gritty reality of annuals, 100-hour inspections, and burnt valves, this one is pure gold for owners, students, and working pilots.Vernon bre
You Can’t Cram a Checkride: Real Talk from Flight Instructors Jan 29, 2026 00:24:33 What does it really take to get a student pilot ready for a checkride?In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with Chaun to talk candidly about preparing students for FAA checkrides—from private and commercial training to instrument fundamentals.We cover what separates students who pass from those who struggle, why you can’t cram a checkride, and how preparation, immersion, and attitude play
Passing the CFII Checkride: Holds, Nerves, and Teaching IFR Jan 15, 2026 00:26:39 What’s it really like to take a CFII (Instrument Instructor) checkride?In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with Chaun Kraus fresh off passing his CFII checkride to break down the full experience — from the oral exam to the flight, the mistakes, the nerves, and the lessons learned along the way.We talk about:The big gap between an instrument rating and a CFII checkrideWhy teaching instrume
“Looks Fine Outside” Is a Trap: How Smart Pilots Plan Weather & Make Better Decisions Jan 8, 2026 00:43:28 On this episode of Flight Tales, we get real about weather planning and aeronautical decision-making (ADM)—from using AviationWeather.gov and understanding winds aloft, to why TAFs can flip fast, and how personal minimums keep new pilots out of trouble. We talk about the stuff that actually matters when you stop flying local training blocks and start doing real cross-countries:✈️ How to plan weath
Why Every Student Pilot MUST Learn Paper Nav Logs (Before Trusting ForeFlight!) Dec 11, 2025 00:24:12 In this episode of Flight Tales, we dive deep into one of the most overlooked skills in private pilot training—mastering the paper navigation log.New pilots often jump straight into ForeFlight and other advanced EFBs, but without understanding how those numbers are calculated, you’re setting yourself up for trouble on cross-countries, diversions, and your private pilot checkride.🎙 What we cover in
From a $20 Rice Festival Helicopter Ride to CFI Nov 20, 2025 00:22:48 On this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with newly-minted CFI Alex Foreman to talk about his unconventional path into aviation. Alex grew up in Crowley, Louisiana, took his very first helicopter ride at the Rice Festival, and still never imagined flying could be a real career. That changed years later after a simple conversation about discovery flights flipped a switch and sent him down the p
Leave Grandma Behind: The Truth About Density Altitude Nov 13, 2025 00:19:24 In this episode of Flight Tales, we break down one of the most misunderstood topics in aviation: density altitude what it is, why it matters, and how it can turn your “plenty of runway” into “we might not make it over that mountain.”We talk through real-world examples from Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and even hot Louisiana days where the air gets thin enough to ruin your takeoff distance, climb perf
Flight Following: Why ATC Wants You On Radar (Real Stories from Lafayette Tower) Nov 6, 2025 00:51:44 Ever flown “under the shelf” to avoid talking to ATC? In this Flight Tales episode, we sit down with a Lafayette controller to unpack why flight following is your best friend from faster SAR response and easier handoffs to smoother sequencing around weather. We also nerd out on ADS-B coverage, VFR flight plans vs. flight following, digital/remote towers, RNAV vs. old VOR procedures, and swap stori
Flying the G5: Corporate Pilot on Bonaire Runs, Customs Curveballs & Talking to ATC Oct 30, 2025 00:32:31 Corporate aviation isn’t all champagne and leather seats—sometimes it’s customs phone calls, international ATC accents, and learning to love uncertainty. In this episode of Flight Tales, Trey (back on a Gulfstream V/G5) breaks down real life in corporate flying: why owners move, how that can flip a pilot’s world, what it’s like hopping to Bonaire and across Europe, and his #1 tip for new pilots wh

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