Tony Condon is as an ATP and corporate pilot who also serves as the president of the Kansas Soaring Association, headquartered at Sunflower Gliderport. We sat down and talked about long-distance cross-country soaring.

We made an audiobook! Steve narrated the audiobook version of Thomas A. Bass's The Eudaemonic Pie. The book tells the story of a band of physicists and computer wizards in the late 1970s and early 1980s who set out to beat roulette in Las Vegas with computers in their shoes. A story of science, art, and the birth of the hacker culture.

The episode contains a brief account of the making of the audiobook and the entire prologue of the audiobook itself.

The second in a two-part series chronicling the long road to becoming a CFI. In this episode, our hero suffers more indignation at the hands of a check airman who calls off Christmas, after which he begins the long slog down the self-launch mountain, through the valley, and back up the adjacent peak of aerotow.

Here's Part 1 of the epic quest for the CFI certificate. It covers everything from deciding to go for the certificate up to the failed attempt to transition to a different motorglider at a faraway school. Part 2 is already recorded and will be up soon. In the meantime, enjoy the comedy and the tragedy that is pursuing a glider CFI ride in a world not equipped to make that ride happen.

Jack Hodgson takes the bully mic for a pre-show discussion of what it takes to put on a hometown airshow in some of the most complicated airspace in North America.

This is the third installment of the series that covers - in near-realtime - the events leading up to the GM Detroit River Days Airshow on the Detroit River 20-21 June 2015. As before, David Allen of Other People's Airplanes has taken the mic and is running the show in order to keep things moving.

David Allen once again takes the host mic to talk with Steve about the upcoming River Days Airshow in Detroit 20-21 June 2015.

An interview with OpenAirplane co-founder Rod Rakic, as well as an account of my own OpenAirplane Universal Pilot Checkout at Crosswinds Aviation at Livingston County Airport (KOZW) in Howell, Michigan.

An update of the Airspeed's rules of engagement and FAQ.  Want to know more about what goes on behind the scenedat Airspeed?  Here are the answetrs to the questions that people most often ask.

A conversation with Kim Crow, who voiced Bitching Betty in the F-15 and many other platforms in the early days of audible annunciations in fighter aircraft.

We talk to Bill Anderson and Dale Tutt about the new Textron AirLand Scorpion Jet, which made its first flight just last week.

Here it is!  The third and final installment of the Inside Airshows series.  After doing stints on a pyro crew and as a team narrator, things went to a completely new level as I had the opportunity to train up, join a team, and fly as an actual airshow performer.

It's a story of what it's like on the performer ramp, in the brief, and up in the box in front of the crowd.  But, more than that, it's a story of three questions and what you owe to your 10-year-old self.

 

The first of a three-part series that takes you behind the scenes at airshows.  In this episode, Airspeed takes you out to show center with the pyro crew at the 2012 TICO Valiant Air Command Warbird Airshow with Mark Sorenson and James Hammons of Tiger Airshows and The Ringmasters.

Karl Stoltzfus of Dynamic Aviation flew this beautiful DC-3/C-47 to Topeka to show her off to this crowd.  His grandson, Gabriel (7) joined him to talk about the aircraft and its renovation.

Bill Whiteman's T-28 Trojen - a RapidCast from the Gathering of Warbirds and Legends in Topeka.

Talking abut a liaison aircraft among the heavy metal on the ramp at Topeka.

Commemorative paratrooper MSgt (Ret) Robert Yarberry.

The briefing from the practice day of the Gathering of Warbirds and Legends.

The Airspeed audience first met ENS Evan Levesque (pronounced “leh-VECK”) as a MDN 1/C at the US Naval Academy in 2010.  We then checked in with him during his primary flight training in the T-6B in February of 2012.  Since then, ENS Levesque has gone on to tailhook training, flying the T-45 Goshawk.  This episode features more than an hour of conversation with ENS Levesque about what it's like to fly jets and to prepare to land an aircraft on a floating runway.

Meet B-52 and B-2 driver USAF Lt Col (Ret) Chris "Cliff" DeVaughn!  We talked about the aircraft, its flight characteristics, and its mission.  And, more importantly, we talked about what it's like to fly long-duration missions in one of the most important strategic weapons systems in the US inventory.  All the way from the selection process through training and into combat.  This is every bit as much about the men as the machines.

The second of two episodes covering my glider rating.  Victory, defeat, ground effect, and a sock puppet.  It's all here!

Pilot, producer, and Uncontrolled Airspace co-host Jack Hodgson joins us to talk about the pilot population, flight training, the future of the aviation podsphere, and more in this nearly-two-hour conversation.  Think you know Jack?  Listen in!

Taking to the streets (and tollways) of Orlando, Florida in a T-6 with eight other aircraft for the NBAA Convention 2012.

Despite the aggressive schedule around here (glider training, trying to find a new acro ride, doing really cool legal work for the best clients on the planet, etc.), I managed to get some time this weekend to do some editing on the movie.  The result is this sneak peek, "With friends like these . . ."

The campers at both of the Acro Camp shoots were very collaborative and supportive of each other.  But that doesn't mean that there wasn't at least a little laughter with (okay, at) each other when stuff went wrong.  And stuff is bound to go wrong when you're learning to fly an aircraft whose center of gravity is behind the mains.

In the course of logging all of the footage, I've noted when both IPs were in aircraft and noted opportunities to synchronize the conversation across both cockpits.  Usually based on ATC calls or radio communication between the aircraft.  This was one such pair of sequences.  I loved the big bounce on Jim's wheel landing and I loved the reaction that it got from Barry and Lynda.  I lined them up this evening and voila!  Tailwheel magic!  

Here's an account of my glider training this year through my first glider solo on Friday.  Show notes at www.airspeedonline.com.

Here's the first trailer for Airspeed's upcoming independent documentary feature film: Acro Camp.  

Four pilots.  Two men and two women.  None has a tailwheel endorsement.  None has ever flown aerobatics.  But, last May, they came together in southeast Michigan, took over a Part 61 flight school, and flew aerobatics for the first time.  This is the story of their experience.  Captured in glorious HD and digital audio by an irregular team of pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and new-media producers.

At some point, you quit wondering, climb over the fence, and go find out.

 

As Airspeed completes its fifth year online, here's a peek behind the scenes at the philosophy of the show.

I got together with myTransponder.com founder Rod Rakic to talk about accelerated flight training.  Rod has done accelerated programs as a part of both his commercial and instrument training.  I did my AMEL, ASES, and DC-3 (SIC) training in accelerated programs.  And Rod and I are both graduates of the CAP National Emergency Services Academy’s Mission Aircrew School.

 

We talked about the benefits and drawbacks of accelerated and/or concentrated training and how best to take advantage of it.

 

Jetwhiner and Airplane Geek Rob Mark joins me to talk through that fantasy of every non-airline pilot:  Being called to the cockpit to land an airliner after the pilots are incapacitated.  Could a 300-hour private pilot do it?  Could you?

The crew gathers at the VOQ to talk about Steve's impending T-38 ride.

MIDN 1/C (“Midshipman First Class”) Evan Levesque (pron. leh-VEHK) just completed his third year at the United States Naval Academy. He’s a private pilot with a tailwheel endorsement and he flies aerobatics on weekends. He’s also managed to get a couple of flights in the back seat of an F/A-18 Hornet.

Now notes at http://tinyurl.com/2dtbg9k.

 

Ron Klutts remembers Doug Bourn and talks aviation safety.

Debut of a new song, The Last Pure Thing on the Radio.  Many thanks to Scott Cannizzaro and Chris Wormer for their roles in really thickening up and improving this tune!

Fly with Don!  dweaver@optair.com.  989-859-7237.  And check out the Acro Camp website at www.airspeedonline.com.

Barb Haluszka appears for the fourth time talking about the Battle Creek Field of Flight Airshow and Balloon Festival. The show is slated for 1-4 July 2010, but that’s just around the corner when you think about the amount of planning and coordination required to put on a show like this.

We bring in Will Hawkins, Roger Bishop, and Rick Felty to talk about shooting video aloft.

Capt Force waxes philosophical about Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and what they mean to pilots.

We talk to Jason Schroeder, a veteran of an accelerated flight training from private pilot to commercial multi and CFI.  jason@overthenumbers.com.

Here's the video from the Cessna Citation Mustang flight at Appleton, Wisconsin during EAA AirVenture 2009.

Meet Acro Camp IP Don Weaver!  We talk about his experience and what cast members ("campers") will likely experience.

Acro Camp is cleared hot!  This is the announcement and casting call.  Check out www.acrocamp.com or the Acro Camp group at www.mytransponder.com.

Talking jet warbirds with L-39 driver Tim Brutsche. www.hopperflight.com.

Mike Agranoff's Ballad of the Sandman makes a reappearance (www.mikeagranoff.com) and WION's Jom Carlyle and I talk about the spirit of radio.

Debrief of Day 3 at the ICAS Convention 2009.

Debrief on the proceedings at the ICAS Convention 2009 with Rico Sharqawi of Wilco Films.

A quick update and some session audio from ICAS 2009.

On the ramp with The AeroShell Team at this year's Battle Creek Field of Flight6 Airshow and Balloon Festival.

A full account of my dollar ride in the mighty T-6A Texan II at Randolph AFB this spring. www.airforce.com.

My take on the CBS Radio feature from the 1950s.

The Airspeed Safety Stand-Down, featuring the Kranz Dictum from January of 1967.

Video of two CAP glider sorties at the Oakland County International Airport (KPTK) Open House 16 August 2009. Glider pilot: Mark Grant.

Interviews with Mark Sonday and Luke Donald of the Russell Military Museum.

Interview planeside with C/LtCol Melanie Davis after her incentive ride in the mighty L-39.

Panel discussion covering demo flights in the Remos GX at Oshkosh 2009.

Demo flight in a Cessna Citation Mustang VLJ out of Appleton, Wisconsin during AirVenture 2009.

Video episode of the JATO ride in Fat Albert at the Indianapolis Air Show. www.indyairshow.com.

Video of my AeroShell formation acro ride at Battle Creek and air-to-air footage from the team's performance the next day at Battle Creek.

Interview with the F15E Strike Eagle Demo Team at the Battle Creek Airshow 2009.

Refueling training flight in a KC-135R Stratotanker refueling C-17 Globemasters over the Carolinas.

Video from a six-ship T-34 ride with the Lima Lima flight team at the South Shore Airshow in Gary. www.garyairshow.com.

An impromptu aerobatic demo and some thoughts about it.

Airspeed's fourth annual pre-show interview with Barb Haluszka.  Check out the show's site at www.bcballoons.com.

Audio from the air boss brief on the Sunday of the Indy Air Show.  www.indyairshow.com.

The first two days of the Indianapolis Airshow.  Features interviews with Indy Air Show director Roger Bishop and Blue Angels Boss CDR Greg McWherter.

My first aerobatic session in the American Champion Super Decathlon 16 April 2009 with Barry Sutton. A pretty short flight because I got very green around the gills very quickly, but that's what the session (and the half dozen or so after that) was for. Check out Barry at www.sutton-aviation.com.

Video from my 11 May 2009 acro conditioning flight just before heading to Randolph AFB for the T-6A Texan ride. You, too, can fly this aircraft with this guy! Check out Sutton aviation's website at www.sutton-aviation.com.

A teaser for upcoming video projects brewing here at Airspeed.

Gathering 'round the MP3 recorder with the team to debrief after a day of shooting and flying at Randolph AFB in connection with my T-6A ride.

I head to the C-47 ground school at the Yankee Air Museum and hit the bomber buffing party.

Audio from the first Gathering of Aviation Podcasters at Sun 'N Fun 2009.  Many thanks to Sun 'N Fun Radio for giving us this opportunity and capturing the audio for us!

We talk to The SETI Institute's Dr. Jill Tarter.

Imagining the first folk music of the journey to Mars and back.  The MacDoewll application and the song.

We talk to Roger Bishop, director of the Indianapolis Airshow and one of the minds behind the Indy Transponder.

Comments and audio from my CAP Form 5 IFR add-on ride.

My comment on the TSA's Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP).  Listen soon and either concur with me at www.airspeedonline.com or e-mail me at steve@airspeedonline.com or, better yet, put in your own comment.  But get it in by mid-morning 27 February 2009.

The third installment of what I'm listening to in the cockpit and otherwise.

A spin (or, rather, a spiral) in the FAA's spatial disorientation simulator at the Great Lakes Aviation Conference and Expo.

Part 1 of my initial taildragger training from April or May of last year.  Features instructor Barry Sutton.

Talking aerobatics with airshow performer and instructor Greg Koontz.  www.gkairshows.com.

The 2008 holiday episode with a new take on O. Henry's classic story, The Gifts of the Magi.  Happy holidays, everybody!

We talk to Paul Freeman, curator of www.airfields-freeman.com, a wonderful web resource that covers abandoned airfields across the country.

Aistin "Farve" May, creator of web comic Air Force Blues, joins Stephen Force for an update abotu what's happened with the comic in the 18 months since his first appearance on Airspeed.  See www.afblues.com for more Air Force Blues.

Nuggets collected from all parts of the aether, including the Twitterverse.

The full production version of my ride on 4 July 2008 with USAF Thunderbird 8, Tony Mulhare.

Interview with composer and sound designer David Kneupper, who composed the music that you hear as you experience the Apollo/Saturn V Center at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, among lots of other things.

Interview with Will and Rico about their new independent film, A Pilot's Story.

Interview on the ramp at OSH with F-22 pilot Maj Paul "Max" Moga, USAF.

The first Airspeed Virtual Airshow.  Noisy and sudden high-speed passes!  Seating at the edge of the runway!  Cheap food!  No traffic at the exits (not that you'll want to leave)!

Enjoy!

Here it is!  Airspeed's first video episode.  And it's a biggie.  The sounds and sights in the back seat of a USAF Thunderbird F-16.  Many thanks to Will Hawkins of Wilco Films for his video-fu!

Got the CAP Form 5 ride done, training in the Citabria, a chance to taxi the kids around, and Thunderbird Groove nears completion.

Flying right seat in the EAA's 1929 TriMotor.

The Thursday preflight briefing with Thunderbird 7, LtCol Rob Skelton, the Thunderbirds' operations officer. The primary rider's camera crew showed up at the last minute, so I didn't fly that day, but I got up the next day with Thunderbird 8, Maj Tony Mulhare.  I thought that you guys would enjoy hearing this briefing while I prep the big sumaary episode.

Audio from Podapalooza 2008.

10 minutes walking down the main drag at Oshkosh.

Update from Firebase Airspeed, EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisconsin with Jason Miller, (The Finer Points) Rod Rakic, (myTransponder) and friends.

We interview Capt Sam “Nuke” Joplin of the F-15 West Demo Team on Sunday, July 6 from the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival.

Full description of my 4 July 2008 media flight with Maj Tony Mulhare, USAF Thunderbird No. 8.  Rod Rakic guest-hosts as we hangar-fly the whole thing.

I got the thunderbirds ride!  Here's my initial reaction and audio of the takeoff.  Recording tonight with Rod Rakic for the full episode.  Stay tuned!

Almost got up today with the USAF Thunderbirds.  Scheduled to fly tomorrow!