“Ghost of Christmas Flights Past,” your Audio Holiday Card from Greg’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 to “Ghost of Christmas Flights Past”

It’s been a mighty tough year, between pandemic, politics, and world problems, so from our family to yours, we hope this little audio card from the Flying Carpet might brighten your holiday season, whatever your heritage or faith. May the coming year mark happier times for all of us!

Greg & Jean

Music by Hannis Brown.

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


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


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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


Miles and Miles of Sunflowers!

I flew my wife and her teammate to El Paso and back over the weekend to compete in tennis sectionals. Two grueling 5-hour round trips, and too hazy to see much of anything in either case, untilโ€ฆ

Just 15 minutes from home, I encountered horizon-to-horizon gold! All that yellow is wildflowers, most if not all, sunflowers!

Talk about the power of numbers! Imagine how many plants it takes to carpet so many square miles, vividly viewed from a speeding airplane several thousand feet in the air!

If anyone’s interested in having one of these as a Fine Art Metal Print, please drop me a message. (See my current Views from the Flying Carpet and Down to Earth Fine Art Metal Prints.)

Greg

Top photo: Sunflowers stretch from south of Lake Mary toward the San Francisco Peaks. Below: Miles of wildflowers span northeast to northwest viewed from over Mormon Lake. (Click images to enlarge.)


Greg’s current “Sunflowers” Down to Earth Fine Art Metal Prints


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


“Parlez-vous Anglais?” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #17

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 “Parlez-vous Anglais?” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #17

Ever wonder what it would be like, flying yourself into a country where pilot communications are transmitted in a foreign language? Well, here’s your opportunity to find out!

This episode commemorates fifty years of a treasured friendship, arising under unusual circumstances from a long-ago foreign adventure, and continued over the years by Flying Carpet. I hope youโ€™ll find it as memorable as Jean and I do!

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 follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!


Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

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Podcast Episode #17 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


“World War I in the Air!” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #16

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 “World War I in the Air!” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #16

“The engine is the heart of an airplane, but the pilot is its soul,” โธบSir Walter Raleigh, The War in the Air, 1922

Ever wonder what it was like to fly primitive airplanes into battle in World War I? Well here’s your opportunity to find out!

If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends!

Greg

See associated photos below, all taken at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome!

Read The War in the Air Vol. 1 online.

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

Podcast Episode #16 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


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

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


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

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


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

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

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


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

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


“Painted into a Corner,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Flight #8

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 “Painted into a Corner” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #8

Grab your logbook โ€˜cause itโ€™s time for Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #8, โ€œPainted into a Corner,โ€ about a scary flight facing down thunderstorms in dark of night.

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Greg

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

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