Straighten Up and Fly Right Podcast

TC shares how he went from a military-brat upbringing and a failed plan to play football into Air Force ROTC at UTSA, ultimately becoming an acquisitions officer—work he describes as broad “cradle to grave” program management with lots of paperwork, meetings, and long timelines. Around the 10-year mark and facing career-pressure options he didn’t want, he began flight training as a hobby in Los Angeles, researched the airline shortage, and chose to separate in 2019 with his wife’s support despite some family resistance. He explains funding flight training using the GI Bill through a school with San Antonio affiliates, joining the reserves, and navigating COVID-era training. TC details key lessons—begin with the end in mind, expect a non-linear path, show up prepared, and ask questions—plus setbacks during instrument training, growth as a flight instructor, and success in a demanding regional airline training pipeline. Now a reservist and airline first officer, he describes what he loves about the job, what’s still “work,” how military leadership and initiative translate to the cockpit, and why representation in aviation matters.00:00 Meet TC and Background01:07 ROTC Into the Air Force01:55 Choosing Acquisitions03:35 What Acquisitions Really Is05:12 Special Ops Simulator Project06:20 Who Thrives in Acquisitions07:43 Ten Year Crossroads09:44 Discovering the Pilot Path11:32 Funding the Career Change15:08 Family Support and Comfort Trap18:21 Flight Training Lessons22:52 Instrument Rating Reality Check25:19 Checkride Wake-Up Call26:10 Learning to Stay Calm28:08 Why Instructing Rocks29:27 From Bitter to Happy32:05 Cadet Program Strategy34:38 Regional Training Mindset38:09 Airline Pilot Reality40:39 Military Lessons in the Cockpit46:25 Representation Matters47:47 Advice and Wrap-Up

Kenny T interviews Chris Duckett, a pilot from Louisiana who trained at Louisiana Tech, joined the Air Force, and flew C-130s, the M-28 Skytruck, PC-12s, Cessna 208s, and ultimately the U-2 Dragon Lady before retiring and becoming a United Airlines 737 captain. Duckett explains how seeing an F-16 poster led him to join ROTC, credits mentor CMSgt Edward Fowler for instilling discipline, and shares why he loves general aviation, including owning a Piper Comanche 250 and building an RV-8. He confirms the earth is round, describes why the U-2 is the toughest airplane to land and the space-suit/oxygen process, and recounts an emergency where a failed bleed-air/environmental system caused severe cockpit cold, memory loss, and near hypothermia before a safe landing. He closes with advice: “maintain aircraft control,” and a mantra about turning dreams into goals and achievements.00:00 Meet Kenny T and OC00:48 From Cessnas to U202:53 Is the Earth Round03:41 F16 Poster Spark07:27 ROTC Mentor Lessons08:41 Why General Aviation10:16 Cross Country GA Trip11:38 U2 Interview and Landing15:33 Why Choose the U217:09 Suiting Up Process21:12 12 Hour Solo Missions21:51 U-2 Suit Risks22:31 Cold Mission Launch23:58 Systems Fail and Freeze28:08 Emergency Descent Chaos29:07 Memory Loss in Clouds30:42 Landing While Hypothermic32:59 Hypothermia Debrief Lessons34:11 Pilot Takeaways and Root Cause36:47 From U-2 to Airlines38:47 Representation and Mentoring42:42 Dreams to Goals Mantra43:25 Wrap Up and Farewell

Legacy Flight Academy’s Eyes Above the Horizon is a free, full-day aviation experience for underserved youth ages 11–19 that turns exposure into real opportunity through hands-on STEM learning, mentorship, leadership development, and the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Students rotate through stations covering aerodynamics, weather, and aircraft systems, participate in teamwork and trust-building exercises tied to real-world aviation and the Red Tails’ WWII escort legacy, and explore college and career pathways beyond piloting, including maintenance, operations, and air traffic control. In the hangar, they learn how mechanics keep aircraft safe and hear about industry shortages. The day culminates with students flying in real aircraft with certified instructors, taking the controls, and gaining confidence, plus a unique look at a C-32 aircraft. LFA is a 501(c)(3) funded by donations and volunteers.00:00 Aviation Changes Lives01:07 Program Overview01:59 STEM Station Hands On03:39 Cloud In A Bottle04:13 Why STEM Matters05:36 Leadership And Tuskegee Legacy08:06 College And Career Paths08:37 Maintenance Hangar Tour10:40 First Flight Experience11:42 Student Reactions And Courage14:07 Special C-32 Aircraft Visit14:41 Nonprofit Mission And Founder Story16:19 Final Takeaway And Call To Action