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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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Twilight Heroics: Saving Pippin the Pigeon from Poolside Danger
Picture this: a serene dusk settling over our backyard oasis, with the last rays of sunlight dancing on the water’s surface. As my wife and I savored a quiet evening by the pool, we were unexpectedly interrupted by her gasp of surprise. There, struggling amidst the shimmering ripples, was an injured pigeon desperately evading the…
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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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Wrinkles NOT Allowed: How to Care for Your Pilot Uniform
Fellow aviators and fashion enthusiasts, do you suffer from wrinkle fatigue? Ever wondered how those airline pilots manage to look so sharp and dapper, even after a long-haul flight across multiple time zones? Today, we’re diving into the not-so-secret world of airline pilot uniform care. Buckle up, because this is one ride you won’t want…
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The Other Side of the Podium: A Day In the Life As a Guest Recruiter at TPNx
Ever wondered what it’s like to be on the other side of the recruitment desk at a major pilot expo? Well, hold onto your flight helmets because today, I’m lifting the veil on my recent experience as a guest recruiter at THE PILOT NETWORK EXPO 2024. Buckle up, folks; it’s going to be a whirlwind…
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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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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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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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Hunger In the Hangar. The Challenges Of A Hangry Pilot?
Ah, the glamorous life of a pilot, where the skies are your playground, but the quest for decent food can feel like navigating through turbulence. Join me on a culinary journey fraught with unexpected twists, turns, and hangry disappointments. Picture this: I wake up with a growling stomach that could rival the roar of a…
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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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