“Birthday Flowers,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #15

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 “Birthday Flowers,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #15

When celebrating birthdays with zeros in them, flowers alone wonโ€™t do it. So when my wife Jean marked a new decade I sought somewhere special we could fly to celebrate.

โ€œBut it seems kinda weird celebrating a big birthday in Death Valley,โ€ she said…

If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends!

Greg

See associated photos below!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

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

Subscribe here to be notified of Greg’s latest posts and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Episode #15 Photos

Click gallery photos to view at full size.

About Greg

A former National Flight Instructor of the Year, Greg is author of five books, a former Barnes & Noble Arizona Author of the Month, and recently completed twenty years as aviation adventure columnist for AOPA’s Flight Training magazine. Some reviewers have compared his book, “Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane,” to sixties road-trip classics like “On the Road,” and “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.”

โ€œGreg thinks with the mind of a pilot, questions with the curiosity of a philosopher, and sees with the eyes of a poet.โ€ — Rod Machado, aviation author and humorist

“You don’t have to be a pilot, or even a frequent flyer, to soar with Greg Brown in [his] Flying Carpet.” — Nina Bell Allen, former Assistant Managing Editor, Readers Digest

So buckle in and join Greg for the ride!

Please support Gregโ€™sย Flying Carpetย Podcast, Blog, &ย Student Pilot Pep Talkย Facebook Group!

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

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

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 aerial photographs featured in “Sedona Monthly” magazine

Greg's photographs

I’ve been fortunate to have countless photographs published in aviation magazines, but have had relatively few appear in consumer publications. So it’s exciting to see two of my favorite “Views from the Flying Carpet” aerial photos featured in one- and two-page spreads in the new March Sedona Monthly print magazine.

Please check out my many available Views from the Flying Carpet aerial photographs, and Down to Earth terrestrial photographs. Pricing on ready-to-hang Fine Art Metal Prints starts at just $125, plus 2-day shipping throughout the Continental US for only $20-$29 depending on size.

Many thanks to all who have invested to date in myย Fine Art Metal Prints,ย Pilot Achievement Plaques, and Photo Note Cards!

Greg

“Realm of the Ancients,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #14

flying adventures, Greg's Podcasts, 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 “Realm of the Ancients,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #14

Archaeology by Flying Carpet: Seeking Kindred Spirits in Navajoland. 

Earning your wings is more than piloting an airplane; it’s about where flying can take you!

If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends!

Greg

See associated photos below!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

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

Subscribe here to be notified of Greg’s latest posts and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Episode #14 Photos

Click gallery photos to view at full size.

About Greg

A former National Flight Instructor of the Year, Greg is author of five books, a former Barnes & Noble Arizona Author of the Month, and recently completed twenty years as aviation adventure columnist for AOPA’s Flight Training magazine. Some reviewers have compared his book, “Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane,” to sixties road-trip classics like “On the Road,” and “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.”

โ€œGreg thinks with the mind of a pilot, questions with the curiosity of a philosopher, and sees with the eyes of a poet.โ€ — Rod Machado, aviation author and humorist

“You don’t have to be a pilot, or even a frequent flyer, to soar with Greg Brown in [his] Flying Carpet.” — Nina Bell Allen, former Assistant Managing Editor, Readers Digest

So buckle in and join Greg for the ride!

Please support Gregโ€™sย Flying Carpetย Podcast, Blog, &ย Student Pilot Pep Talkย Facebook Group!

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

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

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

“Snow-Sparkled Sedona,” Greg’s latest “View from the Flying Carpet” Fine Art Aerial Photo Metal Print

Greg's photographs

It was just to be a “routine” mission, dropping my wife to visit her mother for a few days. But โ€œroutine,โ€ in the Flying Carpet or any other airplane, has little to do with the glories one might experience out the windshield.

Winter snow is not uncommon atop Arizona’s Coconino Plateau north of Sedona, but rarely does it sprinkle more than a dusting on the lower red-rock terrain for which the area is renowned.

On this particular flight, however, we were treated to stunning views of Snow-Sparkled Sedona, following an unusually cold and heavy winter snowstorm that blanketed far lower elevations than usual.

I’ve been flying this area for some 33 years, but only a handful of times have experienced such a visual feast of crimson buttes heavily blanketed by ivory-white snow. (Area pilots will appreciate Sedona Airport’s “Notice to Airmen” that morning, regarding three-foot snow berms adjacent to the runway!)

Like all my Fine Art Metal Prints, Snow-Sparkled Sedona pricing starts ready-to-hang at just $125, and shipping throughout the Continental US runs only $20-29 right up to the largest sizes.

Check sizes, prices, framing options, and order your “Snow-Sparkled Sedona” Fine Art Metal Print here. (Snow-Sparked Sedona is also available in Pilot Achievement Plaques.)

Oh, and do check out my many other available Views from the Flying Carpet aerial photographs, and Down to Earth terrestrial photographs.

Many thanks for the amazing response to this particular photo, and to all who have invested to date in my Fine Art Metal Prints, Pilot Achievement Plaques, and Photo Note Cards.

Greg
 

PS: I also took the following photograph that day, which displays more landscape than the above with less emphasis on the airport runway. If anyone is interested in owning the following “Snow-Sparkled Sedona II” as a Fine Art Metal Print, message me and we’ll make it happen!

Snow-Sparked Sedona II

“Mayhem Beneath Our Wings,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #13

flying adventures, Greg's Podcasts, 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 “Mayhem Beneath Our Wings,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #13

โ€œLook!โ€ said Jean with horror. โ€œThereโ€™s been a terrible crash!โ€

Glancing downward, there was just time for me to glimpse carnage on Highway 202, the Red Mountain Freeway east of Phoenix. A few hundred feet beneath us, flames and blackened vehicles littered the roadway as we crossed low on final approach to land at Falcon Field. 

If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Greg

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

Episode #13 Photos

Subscribe here to be notified of Greg’s latest posts and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

About Greg

A former National Flight Instructor of the Year, Greg is author of five books, a former Barnes & Noble Arizona Author of the Month, and recently completed twenty years as aviation adventure columnist for AOPA’s Flight Training magazine. Some reviewers have compared his book, “Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane,” to sixties road-trip classics like “On the Road,” and “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.”

โ€œGreg thinks with the mind of a pilot, questions with the curiosity of a philosopher, and sees with the eyes of a poet.โ€ — Rod Machado, aviation author and humorist

“You don’t have to be a pilot, or even a frequent flyer, to soar with Greg Brown in [his] Flying Carpet.” — Nina Bell Allen, former Assistant Managing Editor, Readers Digest

So buckle in and join Greg for the ride!

Please support Gregโ€™sย Flying Carpetย Podcast, Blog, &ย Student Pilot Pep Talkย Facebook Group!

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

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

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

“Inches of Runway,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #12

flying adventures, Greg's piloting tips, Greg's photographs, 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 “Inches of Runway,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #12

Grab your logbook, โ€˜cause itโ€™s time for Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #12, โ€œInches of Runway.โ€

Because wind is invisible, it rarely seems as threatening as other weather when you’re flight planning, especially under clear skies. But as every pilot learns, wind is real; like other weather features it can be helpful or hazardous. Consider, for example, a 65-knot (75mph) headwind…

PS: If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Greg

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

Episode #12 Photos

Subscribe here to be notified of Greg’s latest posts and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

About Greg

A former National Flight Instructor of the Year, Greg is author of five books, a former Barnes & Noble Arizona Author of the Month, and recently completed twenty years as aviation adventure columnist for AOPA’s Flight Training magazine. Some reviewers have compared his book, “Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane,” to sixties road-trip classics like “On the Road,” and “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.”

โ€œGreg thinks with the mind of a pilot, questions with the curiosity of a philosopher, and sees with the eyes of a poet.โ€ — Rod Machado, aviation author and humorist

“You don’t have to be a pilot, or even a frequent flyer, to soar with Greg Brown in [his] Flying Carpet.” — Nina Bell Allen, former Assistant Managing Editor, Readers Digest

So buckle in and join Greg for the ride!

Please support Gregโ€™sย Flying Carpetย Podcast, Blog, &ย Student Pilot Pep Talkย Facebook Group!

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

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

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

“Vulture’s Prey,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #11

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, 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 “Vulture’s Prey,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #11

Grab your logbook, โ€˜cause itโ€™s time for Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #11, โ€œVulture’s Prey.โ€

The saga of the Lobe Band Bus, rescued by Flying Carpet. “You could always circle it on the way back, like a vulture!”

PS: If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Greg

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

Episode #11 Photos

Subscribe here to be notified of Greg’s latest posts and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

About Greg

A former National Flight Instructor of the Year, Greg is author of five books, a former Barnes & Noble Arizona Author of the Month, and recently completed twenty years as aviation adventure columnist for AOPA’s Flight Training magazine. Some reviewers have compared his book, “Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane,” to sixties road-trip classics like “On the Road,” and “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.”

โ€œGreg thinks with the mind of a pilot, questions with the curiosity of a philosopher, and sees with the eyes of a poet.โ€ — Rod Machado, aviation author and humorist

“You don’t have to be a pilot, or even a frequent flyer, to soar with Greg Brown in [his] Flying Carpet.” — Nina Bell Allen, former Assistant Managing Editor, Readers Digest

So buckle in and join Greg for the ride!

Please support Gregโ€™sย Flying Carpetย Podcast, Blog, &ย Student Pilot Pep Talkย Facebook Group!

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

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

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

Introducing Greg’s 2021 “Views over Sedona” Photo Wall Calendar!

Greg's photographs

Check out Greg’s newย 2021 “Views Over Sedona, from the Flying Carpet” Photo Wall Calendar!

This colorful 11″x17″ calendar features thirteen views over Arizona’s spectacular Red Rock Country captured at all times of year.

Few of us view calendar covers after opening, so Greg turned the cover photo 90 degrees to create an 11″x17″ Sedona vista suitable for framing. (Monthly photos are 8ยฝ” x 11″, with plenty of space for daily notes.)

You are hereby officially authorized to remove and frame the cover photo, either to remind you of past Sedona visits, or to inspire future ones!

Click here to ORDER and preview monthly photos.

$29.95 + shipping & applicable tax.

Greg

Views from the Flying Carpet Aerial Photographs

Down to Earth Terrestrial Photographs

Sunflowers-SFPeaks_KachinaWetlands_0559eSmw1200

“Long Journey North” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #10

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, 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 “Long Journey North” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #10

Grab your logbook, โ€˜cause itโ€™s time for Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #10, โ€œLong Journey North.โ€

Jean and I are often asked, “Is there one aerial journey that stands out above the rest, in all your decades of flying?” Well yes there is, and this is itโธบan extended Flying Carpet trek from Arizona to Northern Minnesota, to attend a funeral.

No single event made it memorable, but rather a long cross-the-country adventure filled with all sorts of challenging and wacky and beautiful and crazy experiences, and yes a few scary ones, all glued together into one big journey. Oh, and the best airport car, ever!

PS: If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Greg

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

Episode #10 Photos

Subscribe here to be notified of Greg’s latest posts and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

About Greg

A former National Flight Instructor of the Year, Greg is author of five books, a former Barnes & Noble Arizona Author of the Month, and recently completed twenty years as aviation adventure columnist for AOPA’s Flight Training magazine. Some reviewers have compared his book, “Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane,” to sixties road-trip classics like “On the Road,” and “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.”

โ€œGreg thinks with the mind of a pilot, questions with the curiosity of a philosopher, and sees with the eyes of a poet.โ€ — Rod Machado, aviation author and humorist

“You don’t have to be a pilot, or even a frequent flyer, to soar with Greg Brown in [his] Flying Carpet.” — Nina Bell Allen, former Assistant Managing Editor, Readers Digest

So buckle in and join Greg for the ride!

Please support Gregโ€™sย Flying Carpetย Podcast, Blog, &ย Student Pilot Pep Talkย Facebook Group!

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

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

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

“Flying the Mists of Time,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Flight #9

flying adventures, Greg's Podcasts

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 “Flying the Mists of Time,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #9

Ever heard of anyone sowing terror from a tiny 2-seat Cessna 150 trainer? Well, grab your logbook โ€˜cause itโ€™s time for Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #9, โ€œFlying the Mists of Time,โ€ about a little-known aviation event leading up to one of the US’s most heinous terrorist acts.

Check out the Sterling Hall bombing here. When I described looking up to blue skies through the windows, I failed to mention that it was six stories of windows! It’s astonishing that more people weren’t killed. Oh, and note the FBI wanted poster…

Greg

Photo: A two-seat Cessna trainer, similar to that used in the New Years aerial bombing attempt.

PS: To learn more about the events, characters, and details surrounding this story, read Rads, an excellent nonfiction book by Tom Bates recommended by Field Morey.

Find all Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here.

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Subscribe here to be notified of Greg’s latest posts and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

About Greg

A former National Flight Instructor of the Year, Greg is author of five books, a former Barnes & Noble Arizona Author of the Month, and recently completed twenty years as aviation adventure columnist for AOPA’s Flight Training magazine. Some reviewers have compared his book, “Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane,” to sixties road-trip classics like “On the Road,” and “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.”

โ€œGreg thinks with the mind of a pilot, questions with the curiosity of a philosopher, and sees with the eyes of a poet.โ€ — Rod Machado, aviation author and humorist

“You don’t have to be a pilot, or even a frequent flyer, to soar with Greg Brown in [his] Flying Carpet.” — Nina Bell Allen, former Assistant Managing Editor, Readers Digest

So buckle in and join Greg for the ride!

Please support Gregโ€™sย Flying Carpetย Podcast, Blog, &ย Student Pilot Pep Talkย Facebook Group!

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

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

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