My love of aviation began watching planes land at LGA near where I grew up. Flight lessons started in high school, soloed at 17 in 1979 and I stopped lessons when I ran out of money. Finished my PPL in 2005 and when I discovered Midlife Pilot Podcast I found my people. Each week when I listen to it, I am amongst friends. Kudos to Ben, Brian and Ted as they progress on additional ratings and growing as pilots Keep up the great work and thank you for all you do.

This is hands-down one of the best online aviation communities you will find. It doesn’t matter if you are simply an aviation fan or well entrenched as a career professional pilot, the hosts and the environment they have built offer a friendly and welcoming vibe that makes anyone with a passion for aviation feel right at home. This podcast feels like the very best of hanger talk and FBO lounge conversations, without the stale coffee and questionable hygiene of some of the flying friends you haven’t met yet! Don’t let the midlife moniker or apparent slant towards newer pilots fool you - I have a comma in my total time, several acronyms on my certificate, and enough type ratings to make a shady fireworks salesman need both hands to count….yet this is still one of only a few podcasts I keep coming back to. You won’t regret taking a listen!

Love this podcast. As a young midlife pilot, I got my PPL at 43. And I have no intention of making this into a career. It really started more as a personal challenge. Thanks for encouraging me to continue to pursue experiences and possibly more ratings!

Great advice on getting a medical. I have been going through the process. I have been approved on med express, but still waiting on the mail. Best advice. Talk to aopa and wingman med FIRST. They are good resources. Second best advice, be patient. Very very patient. It is slow As a side note, I would love to sit down with the people making the rules. I have some simple suggestions that would just make sense and help everyone.

I started my aviation journey at the age of 54 (60 now), as I talked with people my own age who had been aviators since their teens or 20’s, I began to understand that pre-9/11 much of the real joy of general aviation came from hanging around the airport, talking with other pilots, swapping stories, and learning from one another. For an immense variety of reasons (not just 9/11) that era is over. The Midlife Pilot Podcast has created a modern replacement. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a genuine community of pilots who understand that community requires interaction, learning and growth. Ben, Brian, Ted and Mark(it’s time he is considered a host!) invite listeners into the conversation, encourage us to share our experiences digitally and in person, and remind us that the challenges and joys of flying are better when we experience them together. It feels like hangar talk for a new generation, and I’m grateful to be part of it.

Stop whining Ben, here’s your review. Great podcast to listen to! As a pilot that started to learn how to fly at 40 years old and who now in his 50s. I truly appreciate the content. as a West Coast flyer, I only wish you had meet ups and fly in or central. Or on the West Coast.

Awesome podcast, love hearing from people around my age just starting their pilot journey.

Love the podcast. I just passed my PPL checkride yesterday. I really appreciate the topics and community you guys bring together. Keep up the good work! Now for some fun flying and onto IFR training.

Im feel lucky to have stumbled onto your podcast. Im a 300+ hour PPL with IFR, haven’t flown in 13 years, getting back in the air ASAP. Ive really enjoyed getting to know you guys, thanks for sharing your insights with honesty and humility. Im a musician in the Boston Symphony/Boston Pops, and a college prof, your Episode 141 with the banjo player resonated with me for sure. Im mostly an auto listener on comments, Im well into fifteenths episodes thus far, love the repartee, keep it up. Thanks for the push/pull. I hope to share some information Whiskey down the road. Great show! Cheers, datubaguy

I’m 45 and finally decided to follow my dreams of flying. Like any good midlifer I don’t do anything without planning, so I’m preparing to do flight school next year. I’m learning all I can and plan to take the written before I start flying. I was in Civil Air Patrol and a teen and had the bug ever since. I came across your podcast in January during my search for knowledge and loved it so much I decided to start from the beginning. I’m currently on episode 85 and am really enjoying getting to know you guys, and the welcoming community that awaits me. My first concrete was taken yesterday with my Class III medical which I stressed about but went great. This feels long winded, but it’s my first. This is a must listen for any GA pilot.

As they often say the struggle is real for us older pilots! the podcast has created a space that shares the struggles we face as midlife pilots. It definitely helped me through achieving my certificates and being patient throughout the process. This is a MUST listen podcast, even if you are not flying, there are some good dad jokes and references to the 80’s that bring back memories! Thanks Ben Brian and Ted!

I have been listening and watching since OG Chris started documenting his flying journey. In 2020 at the age of 52, I restarted, for the 4th time, my private pilot training. At the time I was thinking that I might be crazy however after finding Chris’s YouTube channel, it confirmed that I most certainly was….but I wasn’t alone. Brian and Chris really spoke to challenges of learning to fly in midlife and from that point on I’ve been hooked. After adding Ben and Ted, the podcast grew into a unique, aviation community. (I see that now that I have figured out what Discord is!). Even though the hosts constantly remind us that they are not CFIs, don’t let that fool you as to the intellectual value of the podcast. They deliver valuable information, thoughtful insights and technical interpretations of FAA documents. (thanks Ted). I now know Mosaic doesn’t just mean multi colored artwork. There is something for everyone in this podcast. Great topics and guests all delivered with midlife style (is that an oxymoron?) and lots of humor. Thanks for the weekly entertainment. Keep up the great work! It’s now time for me to go and prepare for my next instrument lesson and the “helmet fire” that will surely ensue! Jeff L. (5ft20)

I stumbled upon this podcast a couple years ago. I’m an avid podcast listener, especially the aviation ones. I saw the title and thought it was perfect. I’m midlife or thought I was. You know when you’re 18 and you think 35 is old? I figured this would be great. I’d find a community going through the same problems as me. I quickly realized you guys were a bit further down the road than me. But I kept coming back. I may not be in the same stage of life right now, but it sounds like most of you have been where I’m at and come out great on the other side. I’m currently in the trenches with a two-year-old toddler and a second one on the way in June. It feels like I barely get a minute to myself anymore, let alone fly. I got my instrument rating in February 2025 and I’m already not current. I’ve owned a 182 for a couple years and finally found a partner, a mid-lifer, go figure. I haven’t flown in a couple months, and like you guys talk about, it’s really easy to find excuses not to go, especially with a little one and a wife at home. Anyway, I really enjoy your perspective on flying, the weight of flying with loved ones, and your passion for sharing aviation. Maybe someday I’ll make a fly-in if the wife doesn’t kill me first.

I’m writing this review while listening to the Momentum episode. It’s so affirming to hear that others experience the lull or break in flying too. I had a 12 year break after getting my private and this podcast is keeping me motivated to get current. The podcast is wonderfully curated and produced. Ben keeps everything on-schedule. Brian uses phrases like “membrane of stasis”. Ted keeps everyone grounded. I love the dynamic. They have great guests and relevant topics. Thank you for creating and maintaining this community!

As a student pilot in his late 60’s this year, your podcast on the way home from flight lessons is the best possible thing I can do to stay centered and connected in this process. After one of those days where my ATC calls were about as clear as ordering a hamburger at an outside fast food microphone, your passion for flying and brutally honest approach to a lifetime of getting better is just what is needed. Can’t thank you enough for helping more than you know with this later in life journey.

I found Midlife Pilot Podcast recently and it has been very uplifting. Makes me want to get to my nearest flight school and fly for hours and land at the same airport. Thanks for what you’re doing guys!

The Midlife Pilot Podcast is such an easy listen. It’s entertaining, genuinely informative, and great whether you’re brand‑new to flying or have years of experience. The hosts keep it real and make every episode worth it.

This podcast is well worth the time for those of us in midlife with a passion for aviation. After receiving my private over 25 years ago, life happened and I did not continue flying. All these years later I’ve been in a position to renew my passion, get current, acquire my TW and HP endorsements, acquire an instrument and commercial ratings and buy an aircraft. The long days alone I spend are filled with any aviation podcasts I can find. I have been able to go back and listen to all of the midlife pilot podcasts and am very appreciative to this crew! You just gotta play it on 1.5 speed to get through all the ‘uh’ and ‘ums’. Overall great content, thanks gang!

Thank you for this inspiring show!

You might think the Midlife Pilot Podcast would be all about CPAP machines, how to keep your crispy white New Balance sneakers dirt-free, and the best methods for yelling at kids on lawns—but that is only 85% of the podcast. During the other 15%, hosts Brian, Ted, and Ben give a refreshing take on the world of becoming—or being—a pilot, with only a smattering of influencer talk about the best way to impressively copy a CRAFT clearance in front of seven GoPros. Host #1: Mr. Siskind, aviation’s closest relative to Ken Burns. In pure linguistic beauty, Brian’s weekly BellyScrub segments are comparable to Sullivan Ballou’s emotional letter written to his wife before the Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War. However, along with Brian’s monologues, I sadly have to visit Mount Stupid to look up several of the bombastic and turgid words in his verbosity. Somehow, I leave the podcast feeling stupid—but not insulted—which is a huge plus, if you’re asking me. Host #2: Ted is both a master of efficiency and the keeper of the other two rabbit-hole-derelict hosts, keeping them on topic. Ted chooses his words as efficiently as a Rotax engine burning 3.8 gallons of mogas on a trip from Portland to Niagara Falls. Ted is a man of the people—he is the Orville SixPack of aviation. However, just like when Morrissey went solo from The Smiths, rumor around town is that Tedder is shopping his own solo podcast called “This Is Tedder’s Sky, and We Are All Flying in It.” I sure hope he doesn’t break up the MPP band. Host #3: Ben is clearly the Harrison Ford of aviation podcasts. He has that great iconic voice, has starred in many aviation escapades, and his landings are a wee bit suspect. But he is America’s Aviation Dad—full of kind words and encouragement for all—and he is universally loved. His nickname on the podcast is The Sage, which I think comes from his love of garden spices… still not sure about that one. If Ben were a squawk code, I think he’d be 6767, because he is always aggressively raising ailerons back and forth during his flying—or so I am told. I highly recommend the MPP—and you get to log each podcast as dual received. What a bonus! CYA!

I’m a midlife GA pilot and superfan of the show. In short, it’s a podcast where your internet pilot buddies are somehow both extremely wise and definitely unsupervised. For me, it’s essential listening. I mean, it’s hangar talk from a group of pilots who probably shouldn’t be allowed to influence each other. And I’m sure there’s at least 1 service bulletin requiring post-podcast cranial inspections… but seriously. The podcast an discord are one of the great joys of my midlife. -MAG from the Lakeside Opposing Bases under the Swamp River Mardi Gras Bravo

The Midlife Pilot Podcast is an absolute gem. These guys bring a perfect mix of humor, honesty, and humility to every episode. As someone navigating flying in midlife, it’s refreshing to hear real, unfiltered conversations about the joys, frustrations, setbacks, and small victories that come with being a pilot at this stage of life. They don’t take themselves too seriously, and that’s what makes it great. You’ll laugh, learn, and feel like you’re hanging out with friends in the hangar who get what you’re going through. Whether you’re deep into aviation or just dreaming about taking the yoke, this podcast hits the sweet spot every time. These guys have a rich community of experts from CFI's, commercial pilots, and weather experts that routinely join the podcast. I really enjoy the non-commercialized podcast and live YouTube (Monday's @7:00CST) broadcast although I'm sure they wouldn't mind a Garmin or FlyingEyes sponsership. Highly recommend! ✈️

I strongly recommend this podcast to pilots of ALL ages. My only regret is that I only found it a couple of months ago, and not when I started taking flight lessons in 2023. They sure would have helped me to get through some difficult times early in my training. But, hey, this is not my first time to be late to the party! These guys are relatable, and down to earth. After listening to all episodes from the beginning in less than a month, I feel like I really know and can relate to these guys - they are family. While other podcasts may try to teach you “how to fly“ or “how to build a plane”, these guys just casually immerse you into the culture of flying. I’m grateful to have them as friends I have yet to meet. Please keep the content coming! - Laurence G

I’m an instrument rated / working on commercial mid 50’s age pilot that flies out of GCC in Wyoming in a club Cherokee 140 and a 182 for Civil Air Patrol. I’ve been subscribed to this podcast since its inception! The highlight is the light and frequently humorous banter between the hosts that is really informative as well! Many topics are covered and this podcast is a perfect example of what the social part of aviation can be! The perfect “electronic” version of “hangar flying”, where a CFI or two make an appearance and help explain concepts in our discussions. I hope to make one of the fly-in events sometime soon! Thanks for all you do! Steve Schofield

I love this podcast! I am making my way through my PPL at what feels like a snail’s pace. It feels so isolating sometimes because I have nothing to compare my experience to. Listening to you guys has been so helpful in validating that what I’m experiencing is normal, and that I am not alone. As I prep for my PPL checkride next month, my brain is feeling like mush, but listening to Episode 153 has given me the motivation me to keep going and not be so hard on myself! Thank you for reminding me that I’m not alone on this journey! [Also, I’d love a sticker if you still have any :) ]

Love listening to these aviators talk about flying. Always an interesting discussion and they all seem like lovely people. I’m hooked!

The name of the podcast grabbed me, the content has kept me. Relatable, interesting, and motivating to keep me on my journey to learn to fly. Thank you!

Midlife is fluid - a wide swatch of like-minded people pursuing their dreams. It feels so nice to know that there are others out there that are on a similar path as me, and others who are on very different paths, but we all share the common denominator of a love of flying, and a love of sharing our knowledge and experiences with eachother. Thanks to the MLP crew for facilitating this every week!

Just starting my midlife pilot training journey and I am going through this series from the beginning — the cast is helpful, fun and inspiring.

If you are a midlife pilot, midlife student pilot, or any flavor of midlife aviation enthusiast, this podcast must be in your rotation. I’ve been listening for four years now, and B, B and T have consistently elevated the show’s presentation, relevance and quality. Plus, they intentionally create a community, which includes fly-ins and unofficial listener meet-ups. I am a voracious consumer of high quality aviation content, either online or in podcast form. Over the past two years I have seen Ben, Brian and Ted elevate their game, one episode at a time. The loyal listener base has an even wider range of experience and includes CFIs, CFIIs and air traffic controllers. The hosts expertly involve their listener base to enhance each episode. For me, this aviation podcast is second only to Opposing Bases.

If you are midlife and working on your PPL, thinking about it, or certificated this is the podcast for you. I found this podcast a while back and look forward to it every week. The discord makes it even better, it is a great resource for those of us not necessarily in our early 20s on the career track who just enjoy flying and the activities surrounding flying. Give it a listen and see for yourself.

As a midlifer thinking about a PPL I was shocked to come across this podcast and community. I didn’t know what I am feeling is a thing; I just thought I was some crazy old dude thinking about trying to squeeze in a decade or two of an awesome hobby that nobody in my life would understand. I’m hooked, and love the perspective of the show. All the questions that come up are just the way I would ask them. Great job!!

This is so much more than just a “Podcast”. The crew at Midlife Pilot Podcast have fostered an informative and respectful cultured community where there is true comfort in discussing the trials and tribulations of being a midlife pilot (or to be honest, any stage in your life pilot). If you have an enthusiasm for GA, then look no further then this Podcast and the community that comes with it.

My favorite thing about this podcast is that all the hosts are focused on real-world general aviation flying. They supply the missing lessons from your pilot training: how to take care of an aircraft, how to plan long cross-country trips, and how to deal with surprises along the way. They approach it all with humor and humility. Highly recommended!

These guys do a great job of making you feel like you’re just sitting around the living room talking about flying. They keep it very casual, yet hit on a lot of important topics for new pilots like myself. I’m about 15 episodes in currently and always look forward to driving so I can listen to the next episode.

I’ve had the opportunity to listen to most of the episodes, and I find them both informative and entertaining. The show maintains a deliberately loose structure, which helps it avoid feeling like a formal training session. Its real strength lies in the hosts—their natural chemistry, engaging dialogue, and the ease with which they connect with each other. The real magic, though, is how genuine Ben, Brian, and Ted are in person. I recently attended the T82 fly-in, and they each made a sincere effort to connect with us, the listeners. That level of personal engagement reinforces why the podcast feels so welcoming and authentic.

As a mid life crisis pilot I feel like I have found some kindred spirits. So many aviation podcasts seem like contant training. Midlife pilot podcast shares the pilot lifestyle. Where are we flying? what is broken? What is going great! I look forward to every episode.

Not a metaphor. Not hyperbole. It’s a true fact. The kind you whisper in courtrooms. This is the world’s only podcast.

It’s part of my weekly ritual! Always relevant topics in which I learn, laugh, and love.

Every episode is another great conversation I wish I was a part of. Keep up the great work guys! Heard episode 124 and had to get it off 99… whenever you check it again!

This podcast is a must listen for anyone passionate about aviation—seasoned pilots, aspiring aviators, or just people who get unreasonably excited when they hear a plane overhead. I look forward to new episodes on my drive to work every week when I’m wishing I was in the air rather than stuck in traffic! Thank you Ben, Brian, and Ted for making my commute feel like a holding pattern I actually enjoy!

Great for aspiring pilots too!

This is a great way to spend an hour a week listening to a group talk through general aviation and how they apply it. But, if that’s all you do with this podcast, you are only getting 10% of the value. The community they have built is the real benefit. Joining to participate or just lurk in the Discord opens up conversations about flight planning, training, and all the things that you would normally have to be in a hangar to participate in. You know you have built a great community in aviation when people come for the planes and stay for the people. Listen to the show, but if you join the community you will see what I mean.

Non-pilot here but aviation lover for my entire life. Got here from another aviation podcast and have been hooked ever since. Ben, Brian and Ted talk all things mid-life pilot related and, trust me, the whole “mid-life thing” is a real thing in so many ways. New topics on this weekly podcast keep things fresh and listeners can enjoy a great support group on their discord server. Subscribe and catch the live show to get the full experience!

I didn’t think a podcast specific to an age group of pilots would make much sense. But all of these topics are so relevant to a pilot like me at this stage of life. Love them!!

The guys at Midlife Pilot have created a great podcast and community for all of us midlife aviators. Their episodes and topics are relevant, engaging, and entertaining. The addition of a live recording every week and community members in the chat make this podcast a truly interactive experience. You've built something truly special.

Was looking for an aviation podcast and this is the only one I’ve found I like so far! Guys have good personalities there’s and good mix of information and social interactions. Thanks guys I enjoy the show!

I listen to several different aviation podcasts, but this is the first one I paid for. They deliver just as promised in the about paragraph, but somehow better. Well done guys, keep it up!

I have enjoyed your show for the past 6 months or so. I've been catching up on all the episodes while driving, especially since it beats what is on the radio. So I want you all to know that it has been your encouragement and moral support that I am going to go back and start trying again. I grew up with stories from my dad about wanting to compete his private license. He worked at Cessna in Wichita and later at Strother Field (KWLD). But I came along and 2 years later so did my brother. Cessna closed the Strother Field plant and dad was working swing shift at a refinery and running his own business to boot. Flying was always a wonder to me and a curosity and took my first flight at the age of 26. I then quickly learned I could not afford the lessons and stopped just after completing ground school. In 1999 I moved to Florida and got enrolled in a flight school right before 9/11. That tragedy along with losing my job with the aftermath killed that dream. Fast forward to 2014 and it was the same story, but with a family involved this time and my own kids that were into competition cheer, scouting, and 4-H all while running a couple businesses, time became the factor and I stopped again. So, it probably sounds like I am a quitter, but I am proud to say that my son just complete his private pilot certificate on 7/25/24. And has decided to become a professional pilot. My son took his first “passenger” up and it was my brother, then me and finally he took my wife (after much convincing as she hears the podcasts as well and worries about all the planes and what can happen). So I hired a CFI and start all over once again. This time to completion, and I owe this renewal of strength to you all. The fire has been reignited and I truly enjoy your show, encouragement, and banter. Thanks for taking time to put this podcast together and share it with the world.

As a mid life private pilot myself. I really enjoy the content as it relates to us, salt and pepper pilots. Topics are relevant and the information is on point. Really enjoying catching up on previous episodes. Keep up the great work aviators.