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PODCAST · leisure

Retro-Aero

by Captain Dale, Check Pilot

Aviation history, vintage aircraft, and the people who keep their stories alive. Join Dale and the Retro-Aero community for thoughtful conversations, practical flying lessons, hard-earned “aha” moments, and a little hangar humor. No pilot certificate required.

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Episodes

  1. The Airplane is the Storyteller | RAE44

    What happens when the airplane becomes the storyteller? Captain Dale shares how Retro-Aero’s Cessna 190, Stearman restoration, and growing community bring aviation history to life through a simple mission: connect, educate, and inspire.

  2. What aircraft have you never flown but absolutely need to? | RAE43

    It has four engines, and it's not a Boeing 747.

  3. Trivia Answer: Why are the arcs the same? | RAE42

    The answer to last week's question has to do with where the split flaps are located on a Cessna 190 - they aren't on the trailing edge.

  4. What is the most dangerous habit an experienced pilot can develop? | QoWE41

    Normalization of Deviation can be insidious.

  5. Trivia Thursday! Why are the arcs the same?

    On most airspeed indictors, the lower green and lower white arcs are different speeds. On this indicator they are the same.. Do you know why?

  6. QoWE39: What’s the most important skill for a pilot?

    The answer today is very different than it was 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40 years ago.l

  7. QoDE38: Have you ever told someone to quit flying?

    Out of all my learners, only one did I suggest quit flying.

  8. QoDE37: Do you have more Airbus trivia?

    I know when you flush.

  9. QoDE36: What do you wish you’d learned earlier in your career?

    There’s a lot of things I wish I’d learned earlier.. But one thing stands out

  10. QoDE35: What is taught today that has no relevance to real life?

    This episode has a bonus segment… so make sure to listen until the end!

  11. QoDE34: What’s the farthest you’ve flown?

    Depends on if you are talking about time or miles, as a pilot or a passenger.

  12. QoDE33: What’s the coolest GA airport you’ve flown into?

    If you haven’t been to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, add it to your bucket list!

  13. QoDE32: Can you die during a preflight?

    What is my favorite Airbus trivia? You can die during your preflight.

  14. QoDE31: What was your biggest startle effect?

    When static electricity discharges, it can sound like a bomb exploding. This episode’s featured image is a static electricity discharge on an Airbus 320 window.

  15. QoDE30: How do you motivate yourself to teach at the highest level?

    Being able to sleep at night, knowing you did your best, is invaluable.

  16. QoDE29: What is something your mentor taught you that you remember to this day?

    Sometimes slow is fast…

  17. QoDE28: What flight taught you a lesson you remember to this day?

    Sometimes when you make an error, you remember it best.

  18. QoDE27: What was your most challenging flight as an airline pilot?

    Being a Check Pilot is very rewarding… and challenging…

  19. QoDE26: What was your most challenging GA flight?

    When an airport opens a closed runway because your crosswind landings aren’t great… that’s challenging

  20. QODE25: What was your most memorable flight?

    You never know when the smallest kindness can mean the most.

  21. QoDE24: Have you ever been to AirVenture?

    A long, long time ago… I have been to “AirVenture”

  22. QoDE23: When does the majority of learning occur?

    When does the majority of learning occur: Before, during, or after the flight?

  23. QoD: What’s one thing you wish you’d learned earlier?

    I've had a few lessons in flying: Here's one I wish I'd learned much earlier in my career.

  24. QoD: What’s your favorite Cessna?

    Cessna has created a lot of great aircraft. But you might not even know or have heard of my favorite Twin Cessna.

  25. QoD: What is Vmc?

    What speed is Vmc?

  26. QoD: What is TOGA?

    What is TOGA thrust?

  27. QoD: What is QoD?

    What is QoD? Well, that’s a great question!

  28. What is a stall?

    What is a stall? The answer may not be what you think. This one is for you, Bob (you know who you are!). Source

  29. Aviation Always Has Exceptions

    Whenever there is a "rule" or you think you understand how to fly airplanes, you find out there is an exception to that rule or "the right way" to fly is actually the wrong way with a specific make and model aircraft - particularly when it involves older airplanes.

  30. How do we improve aviation instruction?

    Catching up on the Spirit Bankruptcy, CTAF application window is closed, and How do we improve aviation instruction today? Perhaps we should include a CFI's pass rate as a criteria during an airline interview.

  31. CTAF Application Window Closes Soon!

    The window to apply for the scholarship closes May 31, 2026. Don't miss this opportunity, apply today!

  32. What is a Check Pilot?

    What is a Check Pilot? What do they do? And how does one become one? Source

  33. Is Becoming a Pilot in 2026 Worth it? No, no it’s not.

    I called this episode 13 when in fact it was episode 12. Just making sure you’re paying attention.. Yup, that’s it. Oops. In this episode I discuss the assumption that becoming a pilot in 2026 is worth it. If you are just starting your career in 2026, you face the very real probablity that you…

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  34. CTAF Application Window Is Open

    It’s finally happened. I recorded another episode! And this one is important: Our scholarship application window is open. So if you are interested in a scholarship to earn your tailwheel endorsement, apply on our website! Our Sponsors: Tailwheel Academy. If you are in need to learn the skills to...

  35. RAE10: Storytime

  36. RAE9: Goodbye My Dad

  37. RAE8: Dad’s Hammerhead before a Solo

  38. RAE7: How a Coffee Cup Saved a Solo: Special Dad Edition

  39. RAE6: Don’t do anything stupid

  40. RAE5: Special Dad Edition

    My Dad was a CFI during a rather different era of aviation. In this podcast, I share one of my Dad’s emails about his “Ah-Hah” moment in learning how to fly, and how that knowledge still applies today. Our Sponsors: Tailwheel Academy. If you are in need to learn the skills to staying alive while...

  41. RAE4: Who’s Flying the Plane?

    We are joined by FO Tina, FO Rachel, and Student Julianna who share some amazing “Ah-hah!” moments. Support Women in Aviation! Tina’s local WAI chapter is having a Girls in Aviation Day. More info here: https://waifortlauderdale.wixsite.com/waifll . Our Sponsors: Tailwheel Academy. If you are in...

  42. RAE3: PMP Helicopter Crash & “Ah-hah”s via Zoom!

    Our first Group "Ah-hah!" moment. Thanks to CEO Steve, Safety Ziva, and RV Jeff for joining us today! It's my first attempt at recording from a Zoom call. Source

  43. RAE2: Special Edition: Jetblue vs Lear 60 – Trust but Verify

  44. Ep.1: Welcome to Hangar Hangout. What is it?

    Welcome to Retro-Aero’s Hangar Hangout! In this episode we introduce our host, Captain Dale and he talks a little about his history. Then, he talks a little about the local Hangar Hangout, the inspiration for this podcast, including our segments: He finishes by sharing an Aviation First, and one…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Aviation history, vintage aircraft, and the people who keep their stories alive. Join Dale and the Retro-Aero community for thoughtful conversations, practical flying lessons, hard-earned “aha” moments, and a little hangar humor. No pilot certificate required.

HOSTED BY

Captain Dale, Check Pilot

CATEGORIES

leisure aviation

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Retro-Aero have?

Retro-Aero currently has 44 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Retro-Aero about?

Aviation history, vintage aircraft, and the people who keep their stories alive. Join Dale and the Retro-Aero community for thoughtful conversations, practical flying lessons, hard-earned “aha” moments, and a little hangar humor. No pilot certificate required.

How often does Retro-Aero release new episodes?

Retro-Aero has 44 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Retro-Aero?

You can listen to Retro-Aero on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Retro-Aero?

Retro-Aero is created and hosted by Captain Dale, Check Pilot.
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