Episodes

  • Mini Legends: the Suell Sisters

    Mini Legends: the Suell Sisters
    Jan 8 2022
    In this episode, we’ll catch up with the Suell sisters: Amelia, 9, Piper, 8, and Aurora, 6, and their mom Tambi.

    The Suells are a flying family and the sisters are third-generation aviators.

    Their dad Tommy is a pilot, their grandfather was a pilot, Tambi is *almost* a pilot.

    The sisters have been flying airplanes in Dad's lap since they were infants and started flying aerobatics in Tommy's Christen Eagle between the ages of 2 and 4.

    Tommy's YouTube channel, PlaneJunkies, has almost 30,000 subscribers, and people around the world have watched these girls grow up flying airplanes.

    In this episode, you will learn:

    -What exactly Ameilia did to make Tommy throw up.

    -How the Wish Law works.

    -The nuances between Gs, Geezes, and Jesus.

    -That time Amelia and Piper met the Thunderbird and Blue Angel flight demonstration teams.

    -Amelia may have been on the Kelly Clarkson show twice, but NOW she’s on the Badass Pilot Babes podcast!

    You will love this hilarious from-the mouth-of-babes interview.

    @planejunkies
    @amelialovestofly
    @piperlovestofly
    @auroralovestofly
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    23 mins
  • To Quit or Not to Quit

    To Quit or Not to Quit
    Dec 23 2021
    In this episode, I’ll share some of my deepest, darkest secrets with you.

    It all started with earning my private pilot's license a decade ago. Facing my fears of stalls and spins led me to flying competition aerobatics for the next eight years.

    Now a vetted and competent pilot, people didn’t know I almost quit part way through flight training. I had *almost* convinced myself that I didn’t have the talent to learn how to fly.

    Obviously that was not true, and the trajectory of my life changed because of my decision not to quit.

    After pouring my heart, soul, and buckets of money into flying aerobatics, a couple of years ago, I made the decision to quit.

    I’ll explore the unrecognized yet huge difference between quitting because you think you CAN’T do something, as opposed to quitting because you don’t WANT to do something.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    -why sometimes it's a great idea to pull your dick out of a light socket

    -the connection between losing and finding

    -how ego and identity can be sneaky traps

    -what aerobatics, whitewater kayaking, and landscape design all have in common
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    21 mins
  • Susie Williams - Adventures at 1000 AGL

    Susie Williams - Adventures at 1000 AGL
    Dec 9 2021
    On a dare, Silicon Valley software engineer Susie Williams learned to fly a little over a decade ago.

    She earned her private pilot certificate, bought a Cessna 172, (that she describes as “The Toyota Camry of the Skies”) and bought a home and hangar in an airpark community.

    Based in CA, Susie and her airplane have flown to almost every state west of the Mississippi and a few east of there.

    Her love of flying and traveling, coupled with her talents as a writer and aerial photographer have recently come together in her first published book.

    Adventures at 1000 AGL - How To Fly Around The Country In A Small Airplane is part how-to manual, and part inspiration for adventure-minded pilots and travelers.

    The book contains practical advice about how to plan and execute your trip, from logistics to weather and diversions, coupled with stories from Susie’s numerous adventures.

    The book also features stunning aerial photos of America’s mountains, shores, and heartland.

    Armchair explorers, pilots, and anyone curious to see a different side of America will love a glimpse into this exciting way of traveling.
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    32 mins
  • Wayne Handley - Part 2, True Tales of a Pilot Babe Mentor

    Wayne Handley - Part 2, True Tales of a Pilot Babe Mentor
    Nov 24 2021
    In this episode, I continue with part 2 of my conversation with airshow legend Wayne Handley.

    Wayne turns his attention to badass pilot babes Melissa Burns, Vicky Benzing, and Sarah Dallaire.

    A little preview:

    Melissa Burns – Aerobatic badass, Air Racer World Championship racer in training, skydiver, base jumper, rock climber, Alaskan bush pilot, mom of two insanely adorable kids.

    Vicky Benzing – Flies just about anything with (and without) wings including a P-51 Mustang, Stearman open cockpit biplane, L-29 jet, fast high performance and aerobatic aircraft, plus helicopters. She’s a PhD, ATP, airshow performer, air racer, and one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

    Sarah Dallaire – Number 2 woman ever to fly with the elite Canadian Air Force Snowbird demonstration squadron. Also, literally one of most skilled pilots Wayne has ever known.

    In addition to tales of talents and achievements of the above babes, in this episode, you will also learn:

    -Just exactly what the hell a “Beaver Simulator” is.

    -Speaking of animals, how coyotes are a great aviation training tool.

    -The not-so-secret society Wayne formed and how one gained entry to the club.

    -Some Beth flying with Wayne moderate to severe flying buffoonery (buffoonery all mine).

    @pattyaerobatics
    @jacqiewarda
    @vickybenzing
    @melissasportsgal
    @thesarahdomon

    slingpilotacademy.com
    fastpilots.org
    bethestanton.com
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    25 mins
  • Wayne Handley - Part 1, True Tales of a Pilot Babe Mentor

    Wayne Handley - Part 1, True Tales of a Pilot Babe Mentor
    Nov 10 2021
    Wayne Handley has been flying his entire life – and has been having a blast doing it.

    His 65-year career has spanned naval aviation, crop dusting, and he’s an aerobatic
    champion and legendary airshow performer.

    For decades, he dazzled airshow fans flying a in a Pitts biplane, the Raven
    monoplane and the Oracle Turbo Raven, the first airshow airplane with a positive
    thrust-to-weight ratio.

    Now retired from airshows, people flock from around the world to fly with the
    master. Wayne coaches aerobatic competitors, airshow performers, ag pilots, and
    military pilots.

    Wayne is all calm expertise in the cockpit and nonstop hijinks on the ground. He’s a
    beloved character with a reputation for both excellence and hilarity.

    Over the course of his illustrious aerobatic career, Wayne has been front row center
    with all the legends in the sport.

    In this episode, you will learn:

    -How Wayne and Patty Wagstaff stared up at hammerheads and wondered how
    they’d ever learn to make perfect pivots.

    -A caper at a bar in Oshkosh involving an improbably stretchy condom and an
    Englishman.

    -A dogfight prank involving a case of mistaken identity.

    -How men and women are equals in the cockpit but not really because he’s pretty
    sure that women are the most talented pilots.

    This episode is just the beginning - tune in next time for part 2 and more true
    tales from the cockpit with Wayne as he mentors badass pilot babes!

    @pattyaerobatics
    @jacqiewarda
    @vickybenzing
    @melissasportsgal
    @thesarahdomon

    slingpilotacademy.com
    fastpilots.org
    bethestanton.com
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    28 mins
  • Colleen Keller Sterling - Serial Seeker

    Colleen Keller Sterling - Serial Seeker
    Oct 28 2021
    You won’t believe what this badass babe has been up to for half her life…

    Colleen Keller Sterling is a -

    Physicist

    Pilot

    Reno Air racer

    A & P aircraft mechanic

    Missing aircraft search expert

    Some backstory:

    After graduating with her master’s degree in physics, Colleen found herself working on an aircraft carrier as an operations research analyst for the US Navy.

    The exciting Top Gun atmosphere got her fired up about flying.

    *cue Danger Zone* 🎵🚀✈️

    (The 5000 guys on the boat were kinda fun too.) 😎

    Target rich environment Maverick. 😉

    She went on to earn private, instrument, and commercial ratings in her Cessna Cardinal RG, which she has now owned for almost 3 decades. She also loves to fly upside down in her Skybolt aerobatic biplane.

    Colleen became an A & P aircraft mechanic so that she could wrench her own airplanes.

    Colleen was instrumental in devising and conducting scenario reconstruction and probability mapping to guide search efforts for several high profile aircraft searches including Steve Fosset and Air France 447. She is a founding member of MAST - the Missing Aircraft Search Team.

    Her dream of racing at the Reno National Championship Air Races was finally realized in 2013 when she was invited by a friend to pilot his Lancair Legacy, “Poncho,” Race 52.

    I never cease to be astounded by people who are this darned multitalented and accomplished and one might say…. badass …

    Prepare to be *amazed.*
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    27 mins
  • Jan Johnson - For the Joy of Flying

    Jan Johnson - For the Joy of Flying
    Oct 13 2021
    When Jan Johnson learned a coworker was taking flight lessons at the local airport, it was kismet. She immediately signed up for lessons and eight months later, she earned her private pilot license at age 51.

    For the last 12 years, Jan has been having more fun than should legally be possible flying all over the country to airshows, air races, fly-ins, and is nuts for warbirds.

    Since 2017, she has been the number 10 caretaker and owner of a 1945 WWII era Stinson L-5 liaison aircraft. Jan named her Betty Stinson and keeps Betty hangared at Hayward, California in the “Jan Cave.”

    The Stinson L-5 played an important role in the Allied success at Normandy and in 2019, Jan traveled to France to attend the ‘L-Birds Back to Normandy’ event, honoring the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

    Aviation has opened up a world of adventure, fantastic people, and shenanigans she never could have imagined. Jan’s love of flying and the joy it brings to her life is both uplifting and amazing. And she’s still *just* getting started…
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    28 mins
  • Captain Reyne O'Shaughnessey - Passionate Pilot Health Advocate

    Captain Reyne O'Shaughnessey - Passionate Pilot Health Advocate
    Sep 30 2021
    Captain Reyné O’Shaughnessy has been a commercial airline pilot for over 34 years for a Fortune 500 company.

    Before recently retiring, she captained Boeing 767s and has logged more than 10,000 hours of heavy jet flight time and was one of the first women qualified in 747s.

    Reyne recently launched a book – “This is Your Captain Speaking, What You Should Know About Your Pilot’s Mental Health” that was released on September 21, 2021.

    And yours truly edited the manuscript!

    Her book has become a #1 bestseller and hot new release in multiple categories on Amazon.

    Reyne’s new book combines her 3 decades as an airline pilot and ten years as an aviation strategist specializing in health and wellbeing. It takes a closer look at the mental health issues facing pilots today and offers practical solutions.

    Under current FAA regulations, pilots experiencing conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression risk losing their medical certificate, and therefore their livelihood, if they report these conditions.

    Reyne will share her own “come to Jesus” story about a health crisis that ultimately saved her life, as well as shifted its trajectory. After listening to thousands of stories from her colleagues, she decided to give voice to the voiceless and become a passionate advocate for reforming regulations regarding pilot mental health.

    You won’t want to miss this crucial and compelling conversation.

    “This is Your Captain Speaking, What You Should Know About Your Pilot’s Mental Health” - buy the book here on Amazon:

    https://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Captain-Speaking-Should-ebook/dp/B09G8DBWQM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1C47SZPMO7N17&dchild=1&keywords=reyne+o%27shaughnessy&qid=1632952447&sprefix=reyne+o%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-2

    captainreyneo.com

    piloting2wellbeing.com

    fastpilots.org

    slingpilotacademy.com
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    27 mins