The Coveted 1500 Hours
In this episode of Stories About Flying, host Rob recounts his lifelong passion for aviation, from watching planes over Chicago in the 1950s to becoming an airline pilot after decades of ferrying, instructing, and banner‑towing. He interviews Lewis Smith, president of the Future and Active Pilot Alliance (FAPA), who breaks down current airline pilot compensation and explains the 1,500‑hour ATP requirement that reshaped hiring after a 2009 crash. The conversation highlights alternative ways to build those hours—business‑jet ops, ferry flights, and instructional work—while emphasizing networking and perseverance as key to breaking into major carriers.
Flight Instructing Is About More Than Just Logging Hours
Rob Mark reflects on five decades of flight instruction, contrasting a harsh early instructor with a supportive mentor who reignited his passion for flying. He argues that flight instructors wield immense influence over aviation safety and student outcomes, far beyond...
In Aviation, A Little Change Can Be Good
Rob Gifford reflects on two decades of Jetwhine, the aviation blog he launched in 2006, and announces the debut of his new podcast, Stories about Flying. The blog evolved from solo writing to a partnership and later to a senior...
The Accidental Correspondent: Part 1 — The Strategy of the Sky
Freelance journalist Brian Coleman is attending the 2026 Singapore Airshow using loyalty points to cover the event at no out‑of‑pocket cost. He leveraged Chase Ultimate Rewards and IHG points to secure a United Premium Plus seat and a Holiday Inn...
What’s a Hawker?
The Hawker business jet line, originating from de Havilland’s HS‑125 in the early 1960s, evolved through dozens of variants and multiple owners before ending production in 2012. Over 1,670 aircraft were built, praised for ruggedness, spacious cabins, and long‑range capability, while...