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.

In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with local air traffic controllers to hear what it’s really like behind the mic. From training new pilots and managing busy traffic flows to dealing with laser strikes and missed approaches, these controllers give us a look into their world—and offer some straight talk for pilots in training. We dive into how tower and radar work together, why some students confuse clearance delivery with storytelling time, and what happens when the system gets overloaded. There’s even a little detour into aliens, X-Files, and experimental helicopters. Buckle up—it’s an ATC episode you don’t want to miss.Owens Flight Training is a flight school based in Lafayette, Louisiana.www.owensflighttraining.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/owensflighttrainingInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/owensflighttraining

From showing up asking to wash planes… to becoming a certified flight instructor—Fernando Sequera's aviation journey is anything but ordinary.

In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with Fernando to hear how he went from chemistry major to CFI, working Subway and Best Buy jobs to fund each flight lesson. He shares how he navigated student life, budget flying, getting puked on in the cockpit, and what it really takes to grind your way into aviation.

🔥 You’ll hear:

• Why he almost joined the Navy

• How love brought him to Lafayette

• What kept him flying when things got tough

• And the hilarious story of his first student who lost his lunch mid-lesson

This one’s packed with laughs, inspiration, and real talk about the aviation hustle.

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The hosts are back in the hangar and catching up on everything from high winds to 141 school progress! This episode covers wild weather woes, multi-engine myths, and the mystery of manifold pressure. Plus, a few laughs about landing gear fails, a salute to Lindbergh, and some good ol’ cockpit comedy. Stick around for Tower Talk, Today in Aviation History, and updates from the Owens Flight Training crew—including multi-engine checkrides and red beans with air traffic control!

In this episode of Flight Tales, we sit down with Cole Ruckstuhl—pilot, instructor, and lifelong aviation enthusiast. From growing up in New Mexico to navigating the skies over Louisiana, Cole shares how early experiences with Microsoft Flight Simulator, mail-in questionnaires to real airline pilots, and unforgettable cockpit visits shaped his dream.But Cole’s story isn’t all smooth flying. After a mentor’s tragic crash, he nearly walked away from aviation for good. What brought him back? How did he turn fear into focus—and eventually become a certified flight instructor?We talk flight school struggles, the power of accelerated training, why tailwheel flying changed everything, and what it really takes to stay motivated through setbacks.Whether you're just starting out or already building hours, Cole’s story will remind you why we fall in love with flying in the first place.Owens Flight Training is a flight school based in Lafayette, Louisiana.www.owensflighttraining.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/owensflighttrainingInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/owensflighttraining