“Make Way for Grandparents!” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #45

aviation history, flying adventures, Flying Carpet column, Greg's Podcasts, life & love, Well, I'll be!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Make Way for Grandparents!“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #45, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

Flying Miles and Miles of Texas…

Among the most rewarding aviator missions is applying our piloting skills to transport ourselves and loved ones to life’s most memorable family events.

Join my wife and me flying 900 miles over remote country, much of it at night, on just such a mission!

Climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to launch over the Mother Road on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #45, “Make Way for Grandparents!”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Podcast Photo (top): “Ernie Adams, ‘Mr. Dwarf Car,’ Seligman, Arizona,” by Greg Brown.

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

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Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

“Get Your Kicks Flying Route 66!” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #44

aviation history, flying adventures, Flying Carpet column, Greg's Podcasts, life & love, Well, I'll be!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Get Your Kicks Flying Route 66!“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #44, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

Adventures on Route 66!

This year marks the Centennial of legendary highway US Route 66, affectionately known as America’s Mother Road. Officially established on November 11th, 1926, it meanders nearly 2500 miles from Chicago, Illinois through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to Santa Monica, California.

While decommissioned in 1985 as an official US highway, countless travelers continue to trace the iconic route, visiting its many historic, scenic, and often quirky landmarks, and savoring stretches of the original roadway.

Why the attraction? Over the decades Route 66 has been widely romanticized in popular culture, perhaps most notably by John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel and subsequent movie, The Grapes of Wrath, which coined the highway’s nickname Mother Road; then by Bobby Troup’s 1946 song, “(Get your kicks) on Route 66,” and the popular 1960s Route 66 television series starring Martin Milner and George Maharis.

Well, Jean and I have long lived in Arizona, a prominent segment of the historic highway. We daily drive portions of Old Route 66, the main drag through our town, among local historic and wacky Route 66 landmarks. Over the years we’ve savored countless Route 66 events, and driven much of Route 66 through the Southwest and parts of the Midwest, including portions of the original roadway. So like other Mother Road residents, Route 66 runs through our blood.

Not surprisingly most of our recent Flying Carpet aviation adventures have originated from this area, and even before then we experienced many Route 66 locations upon overflying and/or landing there. So I decided to record this episode to celebrate the Mother Road centennial. It wasn’t easy choosing between our dozens of Route 66 flying adventures, but this story floated to the top. Look forward to more in the future.

Visit Ernie Adams’s Dwarf Car Museum!

So climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to launch over the Mother Road on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #44, “Get Your Kicks on Route 66!”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Podcast Photo (top): “Ernie Adams, ‘Mr. Dwarf Car,’ Seligman, Arizona,” by Greg Brown.

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Introducing “Oak Creek Canyon,” Greg Brown’s latest “View from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Metal Print!

Greg's photographs

Hey Friends, check out Northern Arizona’s “Oak Creek Canyon”, my latest “View from the Flying Carpet” Fine Art Metal Print!

Scenic Oak Creek Canyon stretches from legendary red-rock Sedona, Arizona some 12 miles and 2,300 vertical feet up the Coconino Plateau into the world’s largest Ponderosa Pine Forest surrounding Flagstaff.

I was treating two young friends to their first light airplane ride, when this striking perspective framed itself in my window. “Toss me my camera!” I shouted to my backseat passenger, and had time to snap just two quick shots… the only photographs I’d shoot this flight. Upon later posting on social media, this photograph generated among the most numerous and enthusiastic responses I’ve ever received.

To quote legendary photographer Rowland Scherman, “If you don’t have your camera with you when the flying saucer comes by, you won’t get the photograph.”

Like all my Fine Art Metal Prints, “Oak Creek Canyon,” ready-to-hang pricing starts at just $160, with super-affordable US shipping all the way up to the largest sizes.

Check out all my Views from the Flying Carpet aerials* and Down to Earth US and International terrestrial photos!* (*Pages take a moment to load.)

Many thanks to all who invest in my prints, books, and pilot achievement plaques!

Greg

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Introducing “Kuggörarna Fishing Village,” Greg Brown’s International “Down to Earth” Fine Art Metal Print!

Greg's photographs

Hey Friends, check out “Kuggörarna Fishing Village,” Sweden, my latest International “Down to Earth“ Fine Art Metal Print!

Over the years I’ve photographed many treasured images during travels around the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, but offered only a handful in print. Well that’s about to change. I’m pleased to introduce my International Down to Earth Fine Art Metal Prints collection, of which many more are planned.

Like all my Fine Art Metal Prints, “Kuggörarna Fishing Village,” ready-to-hang pricing starts at just $160, with super-affordable US shipping up to the largest sizes.

While here, check out my Down to Earth US terrestrial and Views from the Flying Carpet aerial Fine Art Metal Print collections*. (*Pages take a moment to load.)

Many thanks to all who invest in my prints and books, and who follow my Flying Carpet Podcast!

Greg

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

“Reflecting on Sunset,” Greg Brown’s latest “Down to Earth” Fine Art Metal Print!

Greg's photographs

Hey Friends, check out “Reflecting on Sunset,” my latest Down to Earth Fine Art Metal Print!

For 20 years I’ve biked, hiked, and cross-country skied Northern Arizona’s Kachina Wetlands, and along the way have photographed more amazing sunsets there than I’ll ever be able to publish, yet this sunset is among the most dramatic of all!

Like all my Fine Art Metal Prints, “Reflecting on Sunset,” ready-to-hang pricing starts at just $160, with super-affordable US shipping up to the largest sizes. (Along with the standard format, I’m also offering a custom panoramic version.)

Check out all my Down to Earth terrestrial and Views from the Flying Carpet aerial Fine Art Metal Prints!* (*Pages take a moment to load.)

Many thanks to all who invest in my prints and books, and follow my Flying Carpet Podcast!

Greg

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

“Nabbed!” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #43

aviation history, flying adventures, Flying Carpet column, Greg's Podcasts, life & love, Well, I'll be!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Nabbed!“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #43, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

Perils of a Dream Pilot Job!

“When the police first came up I asked ’em 2-3 times, ‘you’re joking, right?’ But about the time they put me in handcuffs and locked me in the police car… well, I don’t know the law, but I don’t think they’re allowed to joke with handcuffs!”

Climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to take off on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #43, “Nabbed!”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Read John King’s Flying magazine article, mentioned in the podcast: “Sky Kings: Innocent Pilots Face Down Guns, Handcuffs” 

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

“In Search of Lost Time,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #42

aviation history, flying adventures, Flying Carpet column, Greg's Podcasts, life & love, Well, I'll be!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “In Search of Lost Time,“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #42, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

Experience the Magic of Being a Pilot!

Where the heck is my watch? I wondered, upon checking my wrist for the current time. Jean and I were dining with aviation author and humorist Rod Machado, his wife Diane, and friends at a Palm Springs, California fly-in.

“So Greg,” said Rod, continuing a conversation in progress, “How was your flight from Phoenix yesterday…?”

What’s this all about? Join us in experiencing, “The Magic of Being a Pilot!”

Climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to take off on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #42, “In Search of Lost Time!”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

“Grand Canyon Confluence,” Greg Brown’s latest Fine Art Aerial Photo Metal Print!

Greg's photographs

Hey Friends, check out “Grand Canyon Confluence” of the Colorado & Little Colorado Rivers, my latest “View from the Flying Carpet” Fine Art Metal Print!

The Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers converge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Arizona.

Their confluence is notable because the Little Colorado is muddier than the Colorado with different silt, so the water colors of the two rivers are strikingly different where they merge. And the sand bar at their confluence is a popular stop for rafters transiting the Canyon. Few people get to enjoy this aerial perspective of the feature, captured from my Flying Carpet.

Like all my Fine Art Metal Prints, “Grand Canyon Confluence,” ready-to-hang pricing starts at just $160, with super-affordable US shipping all the way up to the largest sizes.

Check out all my Views from the Flying Carpet aerials* and Down to Earth terrestrial photos!* (*Pages take a moment to load.)

Many thanks to all who invest in my prints, books, and pilot achievement plaques!

Greg

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

“Best Landing Anyone Ever Made,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #41

aviation history, flying adventures, Flying Carpet column, Greg's Podcasts, life & love, Well, I'll be!

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Best Landing Anyone Ever Made,“ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #41, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

My family and I recently had occasion to remember my dad on what would’ve been his 100th birthday. He was a cool guy with an impressive aviation background who lived some memorable flying adventures, so I decided to honor his memory through this episode.

So climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelt, and prepare to take off on Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #41, “Best Landing Anyone Ever Made.”

Greg

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Additional Photos

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques

“Lessons & Landmarks,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #40

flying adventures, flying destinations, Greg's piloting tips, Greg's Podcasts

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Lessons & Landmarks, “ Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #40, here or on your favorite podcast directory.

Cross Country Odyssey During the ATC Strike

During the recent longest-ever US government shutdown, airline traffic was restricted at 14 major airports around the country. But you may not know that those same airports closed entirely to General Aviation (“GA”) traffic, meaning non-airline private, and business aircraft. That aborted a plan to pick up friends at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

The experience reminded me of how fortunate we GA pilots are to fly generally open skies. It also reminded me of two previous occasions when our piloting privileges were limited or taken away. Some pilot listeners will remember the pain following the 9/11 terrorist attacks when all general aviation traffic was grounded.

Well, an earlier historical event had a longer lasting effect on general aviation impacting my personal first ever West Coast piloting journey — that’s what this episode is about. Oh, and what a landing at the “Airport in the Sky!”

Greg

Episode Photo by Chris Dejongh

Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

Additional Photos

Photos by Chris Dejongh, Barry Knuttila, and Diane Myers

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques