Category: life & love

“Make Way for Grandparents!” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #45

flying adventures, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Make Way for Grandparents!“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #45, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

Flying Miles and Miles of Texas…

Among the most rewarding aviator missions is applying our piloting skills to transport ourselves and loved ones to life’s most memorable family events.

Join my wife and me flying 900 miles over remote country, much of it at night, on just such a mission! Now when I say remote, imagine flying from NY to Orlando or Chicago to Denver, over only two communities of any size, and only one attended airport for refueling and possible overnight!

Climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to launch on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #45, “Make Way for Grandparents!”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Podcast Photo (top): “Ernie Adams, ‘Mr. Dwarf Car,’ Seligman, Arizona,” by Greg Brown.

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

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Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

“Get Your Kicks Flying Route 66!” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #44

aviation history, flying adventures, Flying Carpet column, Greg's Podcasts, life & love, Well, I'll be!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Get Your Kicks Flying Route 66!“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #44, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

Adventures on Route 66!

This year marks the Centennial of legendary highway US Route 66, affectionately known as America’s Mother Road. Officially established on November 11th, 1926, it meanders nearly 2500 miles from Chicago, Illinois through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to Santa Monica, California.

While decommissioned in 1985 as an official US highway, countless travelers continue to trace the iconic route, visiting its many historic, scenic, and often quirky landmarks, and savoring stretches of the original roadway.

Why the attraction? Over the decades Route 66 has been widely romanticized in popular culture, perhaps most notably by John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel and subsequent movie, The Grapes of Wrath, which coined the highway’s nickname Mother Road; then by Bobby Troup’s 1946 song, “(Get your kicks) on Route 66,” and the popular 1960s Route 66 television series starring Martin Milner and George Maharis.

Well, Jean and I have long lived in Arizona, a prominent segment of the historic highway. We daily drive portions of Old Route 66, the main drag through our town, among local historic and wacky Route 66 landmarks. Over the years we’ve savored countless Route 66 events, and driven much of Route 66 through the Southwest and parts of the Midwest, including portions of the original roadway. So like other Mother Road residents, Route 66 runs through our blood.

Not surprisingly most of our recent Flying Carpet aviation adventures have originated from this area, and even before then we experienced many Route 66 locations upon overflying and/or landing there. So I decided to record this episode to celebrate the Mother Road centennial. It wasn’t easy choosing between our dozens of Route 66 flying adventures, but this story floated to the top. Look forward to more in the future.

Visit Ernie Adams’s Dwarf Car Museum!

So climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to launch over the Mother Road on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #44, “Get Your Kicks on Route 66!”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Podcast Photo (top): “Ernie Adams, ‘Mr. Dwarf Car,’ Seligman, Arizona,” by Greg Brown.

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

“Nabbed!” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #43

aviation history, flying adventures, Flying Carpet column, Greg's Podcasts, life & love, Well, I'll be!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Nabbed!“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #43, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

Perils of a Dream Pilot Job!

“When the police first came up I asked ’em 2-3 times, ‘you’re joking, right?’ But about the time they put me in handcuffs and locked me in the police car… well, I don’t know the law, but I don’t think they’re allowed to joke with handcuffs!”

Climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to take off on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #43, “Nabbed!”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Read John King’s Flying magazine article, mentioned in the podcast: “Sky Kings: Innocent Pilots Face Down Guns, Handcuffs” 

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

“In Search of Lost Time,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #42

aviation history, flying adventures, Flying Carpet column, Greg's Podcasts, life & love, Well, I'll be!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “In Search of Lost Time,“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #42, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

Experience the Magic of Being a Pilot!

Where the heck is my watch? I wondered, upon checking my wrist for the current time. Jean and I were dining with aviation author and humorist Rod Machado, his wife Diane, and friends at a Palm Springs, California fly-in.

“So Greg,” said Rod, continuing a conversation in progress, “How was your flight from Phoenix yesterday…?”

What’s this all about? Join us in experiencing, “The Magic of Being a Pilot!”

Climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to take off on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #42, “In Search of Lost Time!”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

“Best Landing Anyone Ever Made,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #41

aviation history, flying adventures, Flying Carpet column, Greg's Podcasts, life & love, Well, I'll be!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Best Landing Anyone Ever Made,“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #41, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

My family and I recently had occasion to remember my dad on what would’ve been his 100th birthday. He was a cool guy with an impressive aviation background who lived some memorable flying adventures, so I decided to honor his memory through this episode.

So climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to take off on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #41, “Best Landing Anyone Ever Made.”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques

Navigating the “Ups and Downs” of Piloting; Greg Brown on the “Calm Cockpit Podcast”

flying adventures, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Piloting is challenging, whether you’re in the throes of primary training, pursuing your first pro piloting job, or weathering setbacks in your aviation career.

I was recently interviewed by hosts John Niehaus and Gita Brown of the terrific Calm Cockpit Podcast, regarding how to navigate and conquer such challenges regardless of your status on the aviation ladder.

Hear Greg’s interview, The Calm Cockpit Podcast, Episode #8!

Join celebrated aviator and Flight Instructor Hall of Famer Greg Brown for a lively discussion about success in piloting, whether as a private pilot or building a fulfilling career.

“Greg recounts his non-linear career journey and how unexpected pivots often led to new opportunities; including becoming an author, flight instructor, chief pilot, and photographer.

“Our discussion explores themes of identity crisis, the vital role of community and mentorship in navigating challenges, and the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks within the demanding field of aviation.

“Greg’s experiences underscore that passion for flying and the support of others are crucial for overcoming obstacles and discovering diverse opportunities within the industry.” 

Access all episodes of John & Gita’s The Calm Cockpit Podcast here!

Enjoy this interview? Check out Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

“Kentucky Belle,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #37

flying adventures, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Kentucky Belle,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #37, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

“This might as well be Oz,” I thought, upon clearing the clouds approaching Paducah, Kentucky. I wouldn’t have been surprised to experience supersaturated sunshine, and perhaps a golden brick runway. 

Tales of faraway lands work magic on youthful minds, and although I’d never been here before, the stories of a special person from my youth had cast a spell on this Ohio River town as real as any bright-hued fairy tale.

Okay, everyone, hop aboard my Flying Carpet, buckle into the pilot’s seat, and prepare for takeoff on Flight #37, “Kentucky Belle.”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Photo: Period postcard of the Irvin Cobb Hotel, Paducah, Kentucky

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques

Greg’s “Mountain Sunflowers,” Fine Art Metal Print placed at prestigious golf club

Greg's photographs, life & love

Well here’s a nice honor. Forest Highlands Golf Club’s racquet director and a key tennis volunteer invited me to provide a 40″x60″ “Mountain Sunflowers” Fine Art Metal Print for the club’s beautiful new tennis facility. Thank you, FHGC!!

“Mountain Sunflowers” was photographed at adjacent Kachina Wetlands and features summertime wild sunflowers framing Arizona’s tallest mountains, the San Francisco Peaks.

Check out all my Views from the Flying Carpet aerials* and Down to Earth terrestrial photos!* (*Pages take a moment to load.)

Many thanks to all who invest in my prints, books, and pilot achievement plaques!

Greg

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

“Time Travel,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #31

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Time Travel,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #31

One thing I love about flying is that there are so many dimensions to it. It might be as simple as going from point a to point B… For a meeting… Or a “hundred-dollar hamburger.”

But sometimes piloting takes you mystically and magically to faraway places—spiritually or across time. And that’s what this story is about.

So climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelts and prepare to takeoff on today’s adventure, “Time Travel.”

Greg

Podcast music by Hannis Brown, and The Yahara River Valley Boys.

PS: Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

“Time Travel,” Podcast Photo Gallery

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques

“Eclipse!” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #30

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Eclipse!” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #30

As I record this, we’re just days away from the 2024 total solar eclipse that will traverse Mexico and much of the Midwest and eastern United States.

I suspect that many of you plan on flying to see this eclipse, but if you’re not, you probably should be.

Plenty of people have experienced a partial solar eclipse, and a few have experienced an annular solar eclipse.

But if you’ve never experienced a total solar eclipse, it’s so much more exciting and so much more memorable, that it’s something you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, I’ll share the stories two previous solar eclipses I’ve experienced, which I believe you’ll find interesting and inspiring whether you’re preparing to attend the 2024 Total Eclipse, or have already experienced one.

So climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelts and prepare to takeoff on today’s adventure, “Eclipse!”

Greg

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

PS: Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

“Eclipse!” Podcast Photo Gallery

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques