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Need a little “Honey” in your day? A Golden Animal Rescue Flight
Sunshine and Solar Farms: The Morning’s Rescue Flight It’s a perfect November morning in California as I step onto the tarmac at Cable Airport, my Piper Warrior waiting patiently. The sky is bright, crisp, and I’m grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. Today, I’m not just flying—I’m on a rescue mission to bring a…
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Nailing the First Five Minutes: My Aviation Recruiting Secrets Revealed
My First Impressions at RTAG: What An Aviation Recruiter Is Really Looking For I’m at RTAG and the convention floor is buzzing. Everywhere I turn, people are handing out resumes, shaking hands, and trying to make their best first impression. As an aviation recruiter at the Rotary to Airline Group (RTAG) convention, I’ve seen it…
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A “Golden” Retriever Rescue: A Fantastic Flight with Rainer
A Pilot’s Weekend Adventure: Rescuing Rainer the Golden Retriever The day starts early, as it always seems to on retriever rescue days. My daughter and I pull the trusty Piper Warrior out of the hangar at Yuba County Airport. It’s barely dawn, and the first rays of sunshine are announcing their arrival, like an overenthusiastic…
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Flying With Johnny! An Intro To The Blue Skies
A Day for Flying: Johnny’s First Aviation Adventure The sun is shining, the air is warm and I’m flying with Johnny today. He’s my neighbor’s son, a bright-eyed boy with a passion for aviation. He talks about joining the Air Force someday. Today, I’m taking him up in the Piper Warrior for his first flight.…
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From Wings to Happy Tail Wags: A Flight Adventure
The Dawn of a Rescue Mission The day began just as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, casting a soft, golden glow on our Piper Warrior. My daughter and I, still half-asleep but fueled by excitement (and caffeine), pulled the aircraft out of the hangar at Yuba County Airport. The morning air…
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Do You Love Puppies And Kittens? How Shopping Saves Animals
Did you know that your everyday online shopping can help save puppies and kittens? It’s true! By using the special link “https://amzn.to/3YKvZcA” when you shop on Amazon, you can make a real difference in the lives of animals in need. Shop Online, Save Lives: How You Can Help I’m a passionate animal rescuer, and I…
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How to Budget for General Aviation: Real-Life Piper Warrior Expenses
Owning a Piper Warrior is like holding onto a slice of the sky. Every time I buckle into that cockpit, I feel an inexplicable mix of excitement and responsibility. But let’s not sugarcoat it—owning an aircraft isn’t all about cloud-hopping and tailwinds. It’s about managing costs that can spiral out of control if you’re not…
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The Transitioning Military Pilot: My Journey to ATP
From Military to Civilian Skies: A New Set of Rules Transitioning from a military tanker pilot to an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) is like trading a beast for a beauty. In the military, I was used to the rumbling power of refueling aircraft, the controlled chaos of air-to-air refueling, and the constant communication with my…
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Soaring Over the Valley: A Pilot’s Perfect Morning in the Sacramento Skies
A Perfect Morning for Flight in the Sacramento Valley The morning is crisp and cool as I step out of my car at Yuba County Airport. It’s one of those August mornings in the Valley where the sky is flawless blue; the air is filled with promise. The visibility is unlimited today, a pilot’s dream.…
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Pilot Race Against Time: A Whirlwind Day in Pittsburgh
Exploring Pittsburgh: A Pilot’s Leisurely Morning It was a crisp, clear morning in Pittsburgh, and I had nothing pressing on my pilot schedule. As a pilot on hotel reserve, my job often involves a lot of waiting for a call that could come at any moment. But today, I was blissfully alone, my First Officer…
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Top 10 Must-Read Pilot and Aviation Books: From Adventure Tales to Flight Theory
@cancuopeaviation Explore a captivating world of flight with our curated selection of pilot books and aviation literature. From thrilling flight adventures that chronicle daring journeys across the skies to insightful explorations of aviation history and essential flight theory, these must-read books offer a panoramic view of the aviation industry. Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, aviation…
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Flying Maine to Bermuda in a Challenger 300: Fun in the Triangle
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of flying a Challenger 300 from the piney expanses of Maine to the tropical paradise of Bermuda. And when you add a new first officer into the mix, it’s an adventure ripe for storytelling—and a bit of humor. A Brief History of Bermuda Triangle Mysteries Before we dive into…
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Robbed At The Airport! A Pilot’s Harrowing Tale
@canucopeaviation Is it me, or do we keep hearing about the downfall of society more often? Our communities are under attack. I read the stories and think “wow, that must be rough” and then move on with my day…until it happened to me. I was robbed at the airport! **Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate,…
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Our Sky-High Kitten Rescue: A Perfect California Animal Adventure
When I bought my first plane and started flying our Piper Warrior, my wife and I had visions of leisurely flights over vineyards and impromptu picnics in picturesque fields. Little did we know how many times we’d be called upon to take on a sky-high kitten rescue. It all starts on a sunny Saturday morning,…
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Sole Mates in the Sky: Choosing the Perfect Pilot Shoes
Do you ever find yourself gazing longingly at a pilot’s impeccably polished shoes and wondering, “How do they do it?”, then you’re in the right place. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of footwear for airline pilots. From choosing the perfect pair to keeping them looking runway-ready, we’ve got you covered. So,…
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Wings of Hope: Mamma Belle’s Great Escape
With wings of hope, it’s time for a canine savior to spring into action and plot Mamma Belle’s great escape.
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Come Fly With Me! It’s An Airborne-Tour Over SF Bay
A Pilot’s Perspective As a pilot, there are few things that rival the thrill of taking to the skies. And for someone like me, who calls the Sacramento Valley home, each flight is an opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscapes that California has to offer. Come fly with me as we take off for a…
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Is It Weird I’m Excited to Change My Piper’s Oil?
As the sun rises this crisp morning, I find myself standing at the hangar, facing my beloved Piper Warrior II. She’s a faithful companion that loves adventure, but today, she needs a little tender loving care – an oil change. With determination in my heart and a wrench in hand, I set out on my…
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It’s All About YOU! 10 Essentials For Airplane Comfort
Airplane comfort can be a rollercoaster of emotions, from excitement to frustration and everything in between. But who says it has to be? In this post we explore the top 10 essential items for a journey filled comfort. **Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.** When you click on links in this…
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CJ Saves the Huskies! It’s a Good Day to Rescue Puppies
Today is a good day to rescue puppies. Time has been flying by, but the Northern California atmospheric river has kept us grounded this winter. Even the ducks are considering investing in umbrellas, Alas, the rain has finally let up, and we’re on our way for a Husky adventure. The Call This week we had…
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Off-Duty Dreams: A Pilot Down Here, Wishing I Was Up There
Ah, the life of a pilot on their days off. It’s a strange sensation, really. I spend so much time in the clouds, that when I have my feet planted on the ground, I can’t help but miss soaring through the sky. Every little thing reminds me of being up there, cruising across the United…
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What Are Those? Flight Of The Jellyfish Clouds
Flying over the picturesque San Gabriel Mountains and the vast Mojave Desert with my wife is always a thrilling experience. As a pilot, it’s my duty to ensure a smooth ride. It’s also my pleasure to share the beauty of the skies with my better half. On this particular adventure, we are heading from Southern…
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Paws and Propellers: It’s a FREEDOM FLIGHT Day
It’s my day off and I’m awake at 6 am. Why? It’s FREEDOM FLIGHT day for three pups who need our help. I roll into the airport by 630am, pull open the hangar doors and am strapped into my trusty Piper Warrior, ready for takeoff by 7. Today, I’m on a mission, not just any…
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CJ Saves a Puppy! Oakley’s Sky-High Rescue Adventure
We love animals in our family. Don’t you? We have fish, dogs and cats at our house. In the mornings, we sit on the back porch and watch the Humming birds and Jayhawks sing their morning songs. Today though, we’re taking time out of the day to take a young puppy named Oakley on a…
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Packing For The Skies: Must-Have Items For The Professional Pilot
My flight bag has changed personalities on pace with my aviation skill and experience. As I’ve grown from a General Aviation pilot into a Military Aviator and now as an Airline Transport Pilot, my flight bag must-have items have as well. Times have changed, and with it, so has my aviator’s tool bag. I remember…
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Life is Short! Your Airplane Misses You
Once upon a time, in a cozy little hangar at a small airport, sat a vibrant and spunky Piper Warrior, and she misses her Pilot. Her sleek, white exterior gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and her propeller begged to spin through the air. The airplane had been patiently waiting for her owner to come and…
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CJ Saves The Kittens! A New Beginning For 18 Babies
I love animals! Don’t you? One of my favorite past times is supporting the Pilots N Paws animal rescue charity. This week I got a call from Kim asking if I can save kittens and help her find a new beginning for 18 babies. A Phone Call “Hey Chris, can you fly tomorrow? I need…
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Are You Interested In Flying? The Young Eagles Are Giving Free Flights
Are you interested in flying? The local chapter of EAA Young Eagles in Marysville is giving free flights to Yuba-Sutter youth on Saturday, May 6 from 7:30-10:30 at the Sutter County Airport. You’ll find all the important information at this link: EAA Chapter 1593 Young Eagles You will spend about 15 to 20 minutes in…
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Come Fly With Me! Let’s Go See The Flowers
Table Top Waterfalls
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Come Fly With Me! Enjoy The Views of Lake Tahoe
A sustained break in the atmospheric rivers pouring over California are providing us a clear day today. “Come fly with me!” I told my wife. “We can go enjoy the views over Lake Tahoe”. Climbing up and out of Marysville Airport (KMYV), NorCal Approach provides us flight following assistance as we begin our visual climb…
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Oroville Dam is Active! Sightseeing Views Of The Spillway
We have a quick break in the 2023 Northern California “Atmospheric River” onslaught today. I took the opportunity to go sightseeing. Our rivers are rushing and the Oroville Dam is active. The winds are calm and the sky is blue today, but don’t get complacent. Have a plan in place for the next storm. It…
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Fun Places to Fly: Food Trucks Return to KMYV Marysville, CA
Fun Places to Fly: Food Trucks at KMYV
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From Panic To Poise: How Pilots Handle Emergencies
Ah, the infamous Master Caution light—a pilot’s version of a roller coaster ride without the thrill of loops and corkscrews. It’s the ultimate test of nerve, the moment when all eyes turn to the cockpit with bated breath. Do you have what it takes to face the blinking AMBER and RED light, or will you…
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Navigating the Skies: How to Decode Flight Clearances and Radio Instructions
It’s very important to be clear and concise with our communications when participating in aviation operations. Airtime is valuable, and depending on the airport, very congested. Pilots and controllers rely upon each other to share important information in order to maintain safe operations. This includes flight clearances, operations on the ground at the airport and…
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Who Doesn’t Love a Happy Ending? Dakota Finds A Home!
Some days just end on the right note. Today, I had the opportunity to be in a story that starts out sad, but miraculously finds a happy ending. Our story is about a young puppy named Dakota who was moments away from being put down, but found life. I’m on the road anywhere from 6-8…
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I Get Paid To Fly! It’s Every Pilot’s Dream
I’m living every pilot’s dream, I get paid to fly. I’ve got to say, it beats shelling out my own cold hard cash just to soar the skies. From starting out with the U.S. Air Force and wrangling mighty machines like the KC-135 Stratotanker and RQ-4 Global Hawk, to accidentally rediscovering my love for flying…
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PASSION! It’s Why I Fly
Being a pilot is a lifestyle, not a job. Most pilot’s are passionate about what they do. Chances are you’ll never have to ask a pilot what they do; they’ve probably already told you. Jet fuel is in our blood. Aviation is the building block of our DNA. We’d rather be in the air looking…
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He Made Me Do it! I Bought A Plane
The Beginning Have you ever had a buddy that was just a bad influence? My buddy is the reason I bought a plane. It’s his fault, I swear! I want to fly more and he knows it. The aero club is having a hard time keeping its aircraft available for member use, and he reminds…
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