Advertise on podcast: Backcountry Aviation Radio

This episode is pure Arkansas from one of the pilots who knows the network and builds events to highlight the state's backcountry beauty. Rusty Coonfield is an Arkansas pilot that helped build the ArkanSTOL event at Byrd's Adventure Center.  He has unique insight into how the event began and the aspects that went into creating a unique and challenging competition course for the best backcountry pilots.  He also shares some of his favorite Fly Oz destinations and helps me pick a few to hit in a progression.  This is a fun look at Arkansas flying that you won't want to miss prior to visiting.  Follow Rusty on Instagram Follow his SeaBee on Instagram A great map from Fly Oz for context HERE  Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This episode is with Tres Clinton from Burnet, Texas and C3 Air.  Tres teaches a wide range of aviation students but loves to teach backcountry flying in tailwheel aircraft and float planes.  He has some amazing stories and insight in flying in central Texas and provides some insight into getting prepared for off-airpot operations from training and equipment.  You'll enjoy hearing how Tres runs things in his operation and will certainly be looking him up when passing through central Texas! C3 Air LINK Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

Kicking off Season 3 is my conversation with Anitra Goddard from the Sun'n Fun Team.  She's affectionately known in the community as the STOL Queen.  She's pioneered the Bushwheel Basecamp and has everything to do with STOL events far and wide! This is a very fun talk with her about how she got into all this and she shares some PRO TIPS for attending Sun'n Fun this year in Lakeland, Florida!  Bushwheel Basecamp LINK Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This episode is with Cayla McLeod, the editor-in-chief of Plane & Pilot magazine.  We talk about her aviation start with what is now called the Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program, where kids earn flight hours working on vintage aircraft.  We also explore her travels in Idaho and also how she's rebranding a legacy aviation publication.  This is a really fun listen and great opportunity to hear from one of the young voices in aviation!  Learn more about the Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program HERE and donate! Subscribe to Plane & Pilot HERE Follow Cayla on Instagram Watch Cayla's Tribute to Ron Alexander HERE Get Galen Hanselman's Book HERE  Fly Idaho! A Guide to Adventure in the Idaho Backcountry Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This week I talk to Al Clayton, the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) State Liaison for the State of Alaska, who spearheaded the efforts to create the airstrip at Childs Glacier.  This is an amazing story of how the RAF coordinates efforts from multiple state and federal agencies to create a one-of-a-kind experience for backcountry pilots.  His efforts also aided those same agencies to enhance their missions in the Copper River Basin.  You certainly need to start off by going to google maps and searching for this location before you listen.  It will set the stage for this discussion.  Huge thanks to the RAF for making this airstrip a reality and definitely add it to your bucket list! Support the RAF HERE Read more about Childs Glacier Airstrip HERE and HERE Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

In this crazy episode I talk to the voices of the National STOL series, Ryan and Cam.  They bring their announcer energy to the podcast world and talk about the events, their favorite aircraft (J-3 or Champ?) and how they got into the announcer gig for the biggest backcountry event series in the country.  I know you'll love hearing about their backgrounds and more from the personalties that make the events entertaining, educational, and of course, memorable.   Follow Ryan on Instagram and YouTube Follow Cam on Instagram Learn more about the National STOL Series HERE Watch the Mo-Air Interview with Ryan HERE Watch Ryan interview Cam on SuperAero Live HERE Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This episode is with the Director of Fly Oz, Philip Sneed.  We talk everything that makes up the Fly Oz community from airstrips, social gatherings, and airplane services.  Before you head to Arkansas you'll want to listen to this discussion about all the strips the area has to offer and how to make the most of your time in the Natural State.  Visit Bentonville and make it your home base for tackling the 70+ strips the area has to offer. Learn more at Fly Oz  Download the Fly Oz content pack for ForeFlight here Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This week Matt Williams joins the podcast to talk about his bear encounter in Alaska.  After watching his YouTube recap of the bear attack on his Super Cub I knew he'd be a great guest and I wanted to hear more about it.  This is a great story about preparedness in the backcountry and I know you'll enjoy all the details!  Follow Matt on YouTube and Instagram to keep up with his adventures! Matt on Instagram Chaos Cub Matt on YouTube We talked about the Alaska Survival website in this episode.  It's linked here Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

In this episode I talk to Anthony Longobardo…a backcountry pilot and pioneer making backcountry strips possible with dedication, grit, and hard work.  Did you know that Southern California has some hidden gems for backcountry aviation?  Dive into this episode where Anthony shares insider info on private airstrips tucked away in the beautiful Southern Sierras.   Follow Anthony on Instagram Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This week I talk to Cathy Page, an airline pilot, backcountry pilot, and STOL competitor on the STOL and STOL Drag circuits.  She's a regular at STOL events and flies an orange CubCrafters Carbon Cub FX2 numbered "85".  She's got a great story and passion for aviation! This is a great listen as we talk about her getting started in aviation and how she's acquired airplanes over the years.  We also talk about flying the backcountry in Idaho, Arizona, and Nevada.  Follow Cathy on Instagram Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This week I talk to Bill McGlynn,  president of the Recreational Aviation Foundation.  Our first episode was a great introduction to Bill and his path into backcountry flying.  In this second episode we focus on the RAF exclusively and you'll learn all about the organization and its impact on backcountry strips around the country.  Bill has such a passion for this mission and after listening to what's going on you'll surely be clicking the link below to see how you can help preserve and expand the network of airstrips! More about The RAF here Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This episode covers flying the river bars in Georgia with one of the state's biggest advocates.  Brian Screws, and his YouTube channel OneAV8, highlights all the joys of flying in the backcountry with a Southeast flair.  Here we talk about his getting started in aviation, transition to backcountry style,  aircraft changes, flying to Arkansas and Byrd's, and long haul flying tips.  You'll certainly be hearing from Brian again as we fly together in the near future in very similar airframes! Brian on YouTube OneAV8 Brian on Instagram OneAV8 on the web (Georgia Pilot T-shirt) Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This episode is a candid discussion with Don Wade from Patriot Aircraft about his role as pilot during a crash.  He was piloting the Super Patriot Mark II during a demonstration flight for a perspective customer in August 2025 when the engine quit shortly after takeoff.  This interview occurred almost 2 months after the incident and the final report from the NTSB is still pending.  Don discusses several factors that led to the crash and details events shortly after the crash.  It's a great listen for pilots and first responders as he talks about choices he had to make and also what first responders had to deal with in locating the crash site.   Some key links we mention in the podcast: Flight Chops video recap Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) at NASA.gov Back to the Cockpit Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This is the best way to start off a second season of Backcountry Aviation Radio...with a big YEE HAWW! I had a great time getting to meet Levi and hearing all about his getting started in aviation and what he's done since then.  You definitely need to follow him on Instagram and YouTube to see what's going on in the Backcountry and STOL communities...because he's there...wherever it happens to be.   Follow Levi on Instagram and YouTube Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE

This week I talk to Bill McGlynn,  president of the Recreational Aviation Foundation.  Due to some technical difficulties we didn't get to the really good work being done by The RAF so we're going to do a second episode in the near future.  THIS episode was a fun talk about Bill, how he got started in aviation, and how he came to know and love the mission of The RAF.  We had a great time and I look forward to the second part!  More about The RAF here Want to support Backcountry Aviation Radio? Join the discussion on Patreon for exclusive access and discussions. Join HERE