Breaking the sound barrier isn’t like the movies, and Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg would know: he’s done it both as a Navy F/A-18 fighter pilot and as a test pilot in Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft. He talks about Boom’s plans for supersonic airline travel, learning to fly an all-new design, and the aerodynamics of flight at Mach 1.1 Tristan also talks about his Navy career, including what it was like to make his first carrier landing. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear what it was like to fly the F-104 Starfighter, what flutter is, and tips for better landings in a Mooney.

SHOW LINKS:

* Boom Supersonic: https://boomsupersonic.com

* XB-1 test flight videos: https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1

* PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/

* New Air Facts podcast: https://airfactsjournal.com/podcast/

As the first CEO of Robinson Helicopter not named Robinson, David Smith has combined the company’s old fashioned manufacturing philosophy with a new focus on innovation. He talks about the result of that work, including the launch of the new R88 turbine helicopter and the first flight of a hydrogen-powered Robinson. David is also an experienced engineer, so he dives into the details of mast bumping and explains why many eVTOL aircraft will never succeed. In the Ready to Copy segment, David talks about the helicopter job market, heli-camping, and flight simulator myths.

Jack Long’s urge to explore is stronger than most people: he has flown his Pilatus PC-12 around the world in both directions, over the north and south poles, and completed two dozen Atlantic crossings. But he insists he’s no daredevil, and in this episode he explains his detailed approach to pre-flight planning and his comprehensive standard operating procedures manual that keeps him safe. Jack is also passionate about conservation flying, and talks about a memorable flight when he transported gray wolves from Canada to Colorado. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jack shares the most unique airport he’s visited, his favorite survival gear, and how his business background helps him as a pilot.

* Jack’s flying blogs: https://wjlblogs.blogspot.com/2022/10/blogs-round-world-flight-2015-round.html

* LightHawk: https://lighthawk.org/

* PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/

* Check out the new Air Facts podcast: https://airfactsjournal.com/podcast/