From Military to M-Class: Insights from CFI Steve Thomas

In this episode, Joe sits down with CFI Steve Thomas to explore the evolving world of pilot training. From his military background to his role in today’s M-Class training, Steve shares powerful lessons that every pilot can learn from. This conversation is packed with training insights and safety takeaways. In this episode, we cover:How military experience shapes a pilot’s skills and careerKey differences in training between Cirrus aircraft and the Piper PA-46The critical importance of engine failure training for safetyThe lasting impact of 9/11 on the aviation industry and pilot careersThe role of community in aviation training and safety cultureWhat pilots can expect at the upcoming M-Class training event🎧 Subscribe for more aviation podcasts, training tips, and pilot stories.Join PMOPA Today and Save 20% on Your First Year!Use promo code: MalibuGuruSign up now at https://www.pmopa.com and elevate your PA46 experience!Offer ends September 15, 2025🌐 Visit Us Online- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com📱 Stay ConnectedFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAviation

📺 Want to watch each episode? Visit our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@caseyaviation 🎧 Prefer audio? Make sure to follow the show on your favorite podcast app, and if you enjoy it, leave us a review. It really helps others discover the podcast.Starlink Mini is here, but is cockpit internet a safety tool or a dangerous distraction?In this episode, Joe and Deanna explore the future of connected flying with Starlink Mini in general aviation. They unpack the benefits of real-time weather, flight planning, and an enhanced passenger experience, while also addressing the serious risks of distraction and how internet use in the cockpit could impact safety.Join PMOPA Today and Save 20% on Your First Year!Use promo code: MalibuGuruSign up now at https://www.pmopa.com and elevate your PA46 experience!Offer ends September 15, 2025🌐 Visit Us Online- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com📱 Stay ConnectedFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAviation

Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Helen Cernik, the visionary behind Fly Boundless and a true trailblazer in the aviation industry. From her early fascination with flight, sparked by family travels, to her service in the Army and her rise as a respected flight instructor and trip leader, Helen’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose. In this episode, she shares how her love for adventure and the skies led her to orchestrate unique aviation experiences, including leading 41 pilots on a PMOPA Alaska Adventure. Discover her insights on safety, leadership, community, and what it truly means to live and Fly Boundless! https://www.flyboundless.com/Join PMOPA Today and Save 20% on Your First Year!Use promo code: MalibuGuruSign up now at https://www.pmopa.com and elevate your PA46 experience!Offer ends September 15, 2025👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.🌐 Visit Us Online- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com📱 Stay ConnectedFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAviation

Join Joe and Deanna as they take you inside their incredible ferry flight journey, delivering a brand-new King Air 360 from Fargo, North Dakota, across the North Atlantic to Saudi Arabia. But the adventure didn’t end there… On the way back, a planned stop in Prague to pick up a JetPROP brought its own set of unexpected twists—including a run-in with the local police!This conversation isn’t just about flying airplanes—it’s about the joy of travel, the importance of safety in aviation, and the lessons learned when international flights don’t always go as planned.Join PMOPA Today and Save 20% on Your First Year!Use promo code: MalibuGuruSign up now at https://www.pmopa.com and elevate your PA46 experience!Offer ends September 15, 2025👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.🌐 Visit Us Online- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com📱 Stay ConnectedFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAviation

We’re back in the studio for another Q&A episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast! Joe is answering your questions about the PA-46 and more. Got something you’d like us to cover? Email your questions to [email protected] and we’ll tackle them in a future episode!Join PMOPA Today and Save 20% on Your First Year!Use promo code: MalibuGuruSign up now at https://www.pmopa.com and elevate your PA46 experience!Offer expires September 15, 2025Prefer watching instead of listening?Catch the podcast on YouTube! 🎥 ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@caseyaviation👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.🌐 Visit Us Online- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com📱 Stay ConnectedFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAviation

Prefer watching instead of listening?Catch the podcast on YouTube! 🎥 ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@caseyaviationIn this episode of the Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe is joined by Clint Goff to share their unforgettable experience at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025,  the world's largest airshow and a must-see event for any aviation enthusiast.From flying the iconic Fisk Arrival to soaking in the night airshow, Clint and Joe share what it's really like to attend Oshkosh, including the miles of walking, the nonstop schedule, and the overwhelming variety of aircraft on display. But more than the airplanes, it’s the people who make Oshkosh unforgettable. 🎧 Takeaways from this episode:✈️ Oshkosh is the granddaddy of air shows👟 Be ready to walk — a lot🛩️ The variety of aircraft is unmatched🎇 The night air show is a must-see🤝 The people and connections are what truly matter📅 Planning ahead makes all the differenceJoin PMOPA Today and Save 20% on Your First Year!Use promo code: MalibuGuruSign up now at https://www.pmopa.com and elevate your PA46 experience!Be sure to visit Aviation101 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Aviation101 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.

In Part 2 of our compelling series with Station West, we continue the deep dive into the realities of addiction and recovery in aviation, focusing on the unique challenges faced by pilots battling substance abuse. This honest conversation unpacks the truth behind alcoholism, the withdrawal process, and why recovery is impossible alone.Through personal stories and hard-earned wisdom, Staton explains why addiction is a separate force from the individual, and how surrender, treatment, and community support pave the way to lasting freedom. We also highlight the misconceptions around being an alcoholic, the structure of the 12-step program, and the daily choices that maintain sobriety.Whether you’re a pilot, aviation professional, or someone seeking hope, this episode will inspire you with tools, encouragement, and the reminder that you’re not alone. Recovery is not just possible—it’s a better way to live.HIMS Program: https://himsprogram.comBirds of a Feather International: https://www.boaf.orgJoin PMOPA Today and Save 20% on Your First Year!Use promo code: MalibuGuruSign up now at https://www.pmopa.com and elevate your PA46 experience!🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories that inspire. Prefer watching instead of listening?Catch the podcast on YouTube! 🎥 ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@caseyaviation

In this profoundly moving episode, Joe welcomes Staton West, a military veteran, commercial pilot, and friend, who shares his honest journey through alcoholism, military service, and recovery via the HIMS program. Staton discusses the pressures of military life, the emotional challenges of transitioning to civilian aviation, and how faith, community, and structured accountability were crucial to his sobriety. This is part one of a two-part conversation. Tune in next week for Part 2.✈️ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How addiction can take root in high-performance careers like the military and aviationWhat the HIMS Program is and how it helps pilots return to the cockpitThe emotional and mental toll of leaving military life behindThe importance of faith, support systems, and mentorship in recoveryA message of hope, healing, and redemption for anyone facing addictionThis is more than a story of recovery; it's a story of resilience, transformation, and the power of second chances.👉 If you’re a pilot, veteran, or someone walking through recovery, this episode is for you.HIMS Program: https://himsprogram.com/about-hims/🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories that inspire and uplift.Prefer watching instead of listening?Catch the podcast on YouTube! 🎥 ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@caseyaviation

In this episode, Joe is joined by Paul Stefaniak to discuss Garmin’s Smart Glide technology, an innovative tool designed to assist pilots during engine failures and emergency situations. They explore how Smart Glide automatically identifies the most suitable airports for landing, provides crucial in-flight guidance, and improves decision-making under stress.🎧 Topics Covered:• What is Garmin Smart Glide?• How it works in engine-out situations• Choosing the best emergency landing options• Smart Glide in the PA-46 community👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you find this valuable!✈️ For more content on aviation safety, technology, and pilot training, follow the Malibu Guru Podcast.🌐 Visit Us Online- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com📱 Stay ConnectedFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAviation

Thinking about moving from a turboprop to a jet? Don Kukla shares his inspiring journey of upgrading from a Piper M600 to a Citation Mustang. In this episode, Don breaks down what it’s really like to step into the world of jet ownership and flying.You'll hear about:✈️ How he chose the Citation Mustang🤝 The power of relationships and mentorship in aviation🎯 Key differences in training and operations when transitioning to a jet💡 Lessons learned during the upgrade💸 The real costs and considerations of jet ownership🌱 Personal growth, aviation passion, and what fuels his flying journeyWhether you're a PA-46 pilot dreaming of your next step or simply love real-world aviation stories, this conversation offers practical insight and encouragement.🌐 Visit Us Online- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com📱 Stay ConnectedFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAviation