A Career in Warbirds: A Conversation with Jim Dale, Part 1

Last year we promised to get the inside scoop on this year’s AirVenture, the biggest aviation event in the United State, and arguably the world. It’s a must-attend for the oddball pilot, so we talked to the folks at EAA, and here’s what you can expect. See the show notes for this episode, and more "fuel for an unconventional flying career," at OddballPilot.com!

It's been five years. Brad Fitzler and Rob Mitchell, pilots with the NOAA Corps, rejoin Oddball Pilot to catch up about their careers, flying with NOAA, and what it's like to fly into a hurricane ... on purpose. See photos and videos of the NOAA Corps in action in the show notes for this episode. That and more "fuel for an unconventional flying career" at OddballPilot.com!

What happens in Reno rarely stays in Reno! Bryan and Marty swap stories and tips from the recent Reno Championship Air Races, and from years gone by at the fastest motor sport in the world. See some eye candy from the 2015 Reno Championship Air Races in the show notes for this episode. That and more "fuel for an unconventional flying career" at OddballPilot.com!

In part 2 of our conversation with Jim "JD" Dale, we hear more about his 30-year career flying, restoring, and maintaining warbirds. But wait … there's more here than just warbirds! JD tells us how working with older civilian airplanes can be just as interesting (and beneficial) to oddball pilots. See the show notes for this episode and more "fuel for an unconventional flying career" at OddballPilot.com!

"Wanted: Pilot/Mechanic to restore and fly warbirds." You just don't see that in the want-ads. But can anyone be successful in a long-term career with warbirds? Yes, they can. Meet Jim Dale, and hear about his 30-year career flying, restoring, and maintaining warbirds. See photos of Jim with a T-33, and at the controls of a Grumman F8F Bearcat, in the show notes for this episode. That and more "fuel for an unconventional flying career" at OddballPilot.com!  

What happens when a C-130's #3 propeller gearbox explodes at flight level 270? It ain't pretty. Listen to the cockpit voice recording of the incident, and hear Evan Smith--who was in the left seat on that day in 1988--tell the tale. See photos of the aircraft in the show notes for this episode. That and more "fuel for an unconventional flying career" at OddballPilot.com!    

"Professional Air Race Pilot" is a rather unique job title. Thom Richard always knew he wanted it. In this conversation, you'll hear how he worked his way up through flying and wrenching to eventually racing (and winning) at the Reno Air Races and the Air Race One World Cup. Discover more about Thom in the show notes for this episode. That and more "fuel for an unconventional flying career" at OddballPilot.com!

Bryan and Aidan check in with their thoughts on the aviation job market, talk with Marty about aerial firefighting jobs, and hear about Marty's time at AirVenture Oshkosh this past summer. (Recorded at the end of July.)

Pilots, oddball pilots especially, tend to pride themselves on being self-reliant. Sometimes though, you owe everything to the kindness and professionalism of strangers. Listen in as a real-life aviation radio drama unfolds over the Atlantic ...

Aidan and Bryan kick off the new Oddball Pilot podcast with their thoughts about career paths for unconventional pilots, and where future episodes of Oddball Pilot Radio will take you.