Before he was a DPE, Peyton Enloe was herding cattle with helicopters, dodging rotor blades with Santa, navigating Soviet airspace, and logging thousands of hours in Chinooks, Gulfstreams, and more. In this unforgettable Flight Tales episode, Peyton joins Ryan and Brennan to share his wild aviation journey—from being drafted during Vietnam to flying NetJets customers around the world.He breaks down what it's like to fly in Russia with metric altimeters, de-ice a jet with a pickup-mounted engine, fly across the Atlantic the “hard way,” and the career decisions that led him from offshore helicopters to high-altitude jets. If you’re in aviation—or just love a good story—you don’t want to miss this one.

Ryan and Brennan dive into the realities of job hunting after hitting 1500 hours — from regional airlines and 135 ops to NetJets dreams and staying put in Lafayette. They share honest thoughts on timing, applications, family life, and why the industry feels slower (but might just be normal again). If you’re wondering what the aviation world looks like after instructing, this episode’s for you.

Most pilots file IFR or fly VFR—few take advantage of the hybrid clearance known as VFR-on-top. In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with air traffic controllers and instructors to unpack how this underrated clearance works, when to request it, and why it can be a game-changer for training flights and maneuver practice.

We break down misconceptions, clarify how to file, and share stories of wild fish-spotter departures, Cajun radio calls, and laser strike madness. Whether you're a student, instructor, or just cloud-curious, this one’s packed with laughs and lessons.