EP131 - 4% Gain to Go Pants Less - Cross Country Cockpit Organization
An episode of the Midlife Pilot Podcast podcast, hosted by Midlife Pilot Podcast, titled "EP131 - 4% Gain to Go Pants Less - Cross Country Cockpit Organization" was published on June 3, 2025 and runs 64 minutes.
June 3, 2025 ·64m · Midlife Pilot Podcast
Summary
The crew tackles long cross-country cockpit organization after Ted's epic 5,400-mile journey reveals that going "pants-free" provides a "4% gain" in performance (wheel pants, people!). From the critical importance of blue shop towels to strategic snack placement and lumbar support, Ben, Brian, and Ted share hard-earned tips for setting up your cockpit for extended flights. Ben also achieves peak self-awareness by making "the quantum leap of berating myself behind my own back" on frequency, proving that even our radio calls need better cockpit organization.Mentioned on the show:Midlife Pilot Podcast: https://midlifepilotpodcast.comSupport the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcastWatch live on YouTube: Mondays 8 PM Eastern - https://youtube.com/@MidlifePilotPodcastManzanita Oregon: https://visittheoregoncoast.com/cities/manzanita/PlanePlaces' second T82 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVlRgni9ynwWilhelm scream: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_screamOWB - Owensboro Kentucky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/OWBGarmin 430, yellow "NO GPS" warning: https://vansairforce.net/threads/garmin-430-message-no-gps.49119/Twin Oaks airpark, Oregon: https://www.flytwinoaks.com/Chris Moran, Midlife Pilot, "I'm Back" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIDq2sCmxsUEP100, live in West Virginia with OG Chris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc5acX35DKEGeorge Costanza's wallet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TYuGe7JaX4Checkmate Aviation (Barry's custom checklists): https://checkmateav.comFlying Eyes Eyewear (discount code: SISKIND): https://flyingeyes.comTed's 3D printed holder/flying eyes organizer: https://www.printables.com/model/1316551-flying-eyes-airplane-organizerBlackstone Labs (oil analysis): https://www.blackstone-labs.com/Bordo sandwiches, Marfa, Texas: https://www.instagram.com/bordo.tx/West Virginia pepperoni rolls: https://wvtourism.com/state-food-pepperoni-roll/Freedom Aviation Network (anti-human trafficking): https://freedomaviation.networkAirports Mentioned:John Tune Airport (JWN) - Nashville, TNOwensboro-Daviess County Airport (OWB) - Owensboro, KYIndependence State Airport (S36) - Independence, ORTwin Oaks Airpark (7S3) - Hillsboro, ORFairmont Regional Airport (4G7) - Fairmont, WVT82 (Gillespie County Airport) - Fredericksburg, TXEquipment Mentioned:Garmin 530 GPSGoPro camerasFlight Design CTLS aircraftCessna 180/182 aircraftCherokee 180 aircraft10% of our monthly Patreon pledge total goes directly to support the Freedom Aviation Network
Episode Description
The crew tackles long cross-country cockpit organization after Ted's epic 5,400-mile journey reveals that going "pants-free" provides a "4% gain" in performance (wheel pants, people!). From the critical importance of blue shop towels to strategic snack placement and lumbar support, Ben, Brian, and Ted share hard-earned tips for setting up your cockpit for extended flights. Ben also achieves peak self-awareness by making "the quantum leap of berating myself behind my own back" on frequency, proving that even our radio calls need better cockpit organization.
Mentioned on the show:
- Midlife Pilot Podcast: https://midlifepilotpodcast.com
- Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/midlifepilotpodcast
- Watch live on YouTube: Mondays 8 PM Eastern - https://youtube.com/@MidlifePilotPodcast
- Manzanita Oregon: https://visittheoregoncoast.com/cities/manzanita/
- PlanePlaces' second T82 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVlRgni9ynw
- Wilhelm scream: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_scream
- OWB - Owensboro Kentucky: https://www.airnav.com/airport/OWB
- Garmin 430, yellow "NO GPS" warning: https://vansairforce.net/threads/garmin-430-message-no-gps.49119/
- Twin Oaks airpark, Oregon: https://www.flytwinoaks.com/
- Chris Moran, Midlife Pilot, "I'm Back" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIDq2sCmxsU
- EP100, live in West Virginia with OG Chris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc5acX35DKE
- George Costanza's wallet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TYuGe7JaX4
- Checkmate Aviation (Barry's custom checklists): https://checkmateav.com
- Flying Eyes Eyewear (discount code: SISKIND): https://flyingeyes.com
- Ted's 3D printed holder/flying eyes organizer: https://www.printables.com/model/1316551-flying-eyes-airplane-organizer
- Blackstone Labs (oil analysis): https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
- Bordo sandwiches, Marfa, Texas: https://www.instagram.com/bordo.tx/
- West Virginia pepperoni rolls: https://wvtourism.com/state-food-pepperoni-roll/
- Freedom Aviation Network (anti-human trafficking): https://freedomaviation.network
Airports Mentioned:
- John Tune Airport (JWN) - Nashville, TN
- Owensboro-Daviess County Airport (OWB) - Owensboro, KY
- Independence State Airport (S36) - Independence, OR
- Twin Oaks Airpark (7S3) - Hillsboro, OR
- Fairmont Regional Airport (4G7) - Fairmont, WV
- T82 (Gillespie County Airport) - Fredericksburg, TX
Equipment Mentioned:
- Garmin 530 GPS
- GoPro cameras
- Flight Design CTLS aircraft
- Cessna 180/182 aircraft
- Cherokee 180 aircraft
10% of our monthly Patreon pledge total goes directly to support the Freedom Aviation Network
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