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Average Aviator
Приєднався 25 чер 2014
I'm just an average guy trying to make it in aviation, and I use videos to document the journey. I hope to use this channel to inspire others to get involved with aviation and help them along the way as I have been helped so much in the past.
My First Commercial Pilot Job: Ferry Pilot
I've been busy the past two years. One of the things that has taken up much of my time is my business, Traverse Aviation Ferry Service. This is the story of the trip that started it all for me and talks about some of the challenges I faced on my first ever ferry where I delivered a Skybolt from Houston, MS to Deland, FL. Little did I know that the challenges faced on this ferry were just the beginning, and over two years later I am still ferrying all kinds of different aircraft and facing much of the same challenges I faced since day 1.
I should have more videos on stories from the many ferry's that I have done in the past two years, so be sure to subscribe to see those when they come out. Thanks for all the support from everyone who's stuck with me these past few years, It's greatly appreciated!
Instagram: @Average_Aviator
Email: TraverseAviation@gmail.com
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Music by LiQWYD
spoti.fi/2RPd66h
apple.co/2TZtpeG
I should have more videos on stories from the many ferry's that I have done in the past two years, so be sure to subscribe to see those when they come out. Thanks for all the support from everyone who's stuck with me these past few years, It's greatly appreciated!
Instagram: @Average_Aviator
Email: TraverseAviation@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
Music by LiQWYD
spoti.fi/2RPd66h
apple.co/2TZtpeG
Переглядів: 4 014
Відео
The Dreaded Spin: Overcoming Fear and Learning a New Skill
Переглядів 3,6 тис.2 роки тому
The point of this video is to not tell everyone to go out and attempt spins without formal training. Everyone has differing acceptable levels of risk and I understand that attempting a spin on your own without an instructor has a higher level of inherent risk. Although I was comfortable mitigating and accepting those risks, I understand that is not a wise path for everyone and there are other w...
Ferry Flight Gone Wrong: My Experience and Lessons Learned
Переглядів 19 тис.2 роки тому
I took a stranger up on the offer share the extremely low cost to relocate his Piper Colt from one local airport to another for some flight time. It turned out to be a much more ridiculous and interesting endeavor than I would ever have thought, so I went back and wanted to document the debacle and share my experience and lessons learned with the rest of the aviation community. This version of ...
The Secret to Aircraft Ownership on a Budget
Переглядів 4,9 тис.2 роки тому
In this video, I discuss the things that I have learned through my experience as ways to get into aircraft ownership on a tighter budget. Many people (including myself at one point) may look at the typical list price of a normal category aircraft and think it would never be possible to own one themselves. While the cost of aircraft does continue to rise, there are still plenty of lower cost opt...
I Flew a Biplane to a Bush Plane Fly-In
Переглядів 7 тис.2 роки тому
The WAD South 2021 was a great experience that I wanted to document and share as it demonstrates some of the greatest aspects of aviation: meeting awesome people and having tons of fun flying cool airplanes. The WAD Fly-In is normally where a bunch of bush planes get together and fly formation to small strips around Greenville, PA and the surrounding area, but I wanted to get in on the action, ...
I Traded For An Aerobatic Biplane (Was This a Mistake?)
Переглядів 11 тис.3 роки тому
Yes, you are reading correctly. No, this is not a joke. The Mooney is with a new owner and I am now the proud owner of a Steen Skybolt, an experimental-amatuer built aerobatic biplane. As I explain in the video, I made this trade for several reasons, at the forefront of which was the fact that I have always wanted to learn aerobatics and I knew that without an aerobatic aircraft, I was never go...
The Mooney is Broke Again: Mooney in the Backcountry Part 4
Переглядів 11 тис.3 роки тому
This is the last episode in the series on taking the Mooney to the Backcountry of Idaho. In this episode, I meet some awesome people during my stay at Cavanaugh Bay as I wait for my airplane to be fixed after the generator failed. After some hiccups, the generator was fixed and I was on my way back home. The flights back were long but thankfully the weather held out as I crossed Lake Michigan a...
Moose Creek - Dirt Strip with No Go-Around: Mooney in the Backcountry Part 3
Переглядів 24 тис.3 роки тому
This is the third video in a series about taking my Mooney M20C from Pittsburgh, PA to the Idaho Backcountry. In this episode, I finally land at some backcountry airstrips and try my hand at airplane camping. I land at Johnson Creek and then head over to Moose Creek the next day. Moose Creek is a real backcounty strip with no access other than by airplane or horse. At Moose Creek, the runway ha...
Takeoff at Cheat River Fly-In
Переглядів 2 тис.3 роки тому
#Shorts If you have been following my videos flying with the Mooney, this video might come as a surprise. But if you have already checked out my Instagram, you already know that at the beginning of the year, I traded my Mooney for this Skybolt. After abut 30 hours in the Skybolt and ~35 hours total tailwheel, I took my aerobatic biplane to a very short 1700 foot strip for a fly-in at Cheat Rive...
I Took A Mooney to the Backcountry: Storms, Mountains, and Stereotypical Cirrus Pilots (Part 2)
Переглядів 29 тис.3 роки тому
This episode is part 2 of the series of a solo flight taking my 1963 Mooney M20C to the backcountry airstrips of Idaho. In this episode, I encounter severe clear air turbulence, a stereotypical Cirrus, some nasty thunderstorms, and more slight mechanical issues. In the end, I was able utilize my aeronautical decision making skills to navigate to and safely fly over the mountains to Yellowstone ...
I Took A Mooney to the Backcountry Part 1: Maintenance Issues
Переглядів 11 тис.3 роки тому
This is the first video in a series on taking the Mooney to Backcountry airstrips in Idaho. In this part, I talk briefly on the purpose and preparation before the trip, but mainly I discuss the many challenges I face on the very first leg. I experienced a problem-fraught oil change, a dead magneto, and an in-flight fuel leak, all of which could have spelled the end of the mission just as it beg...
The FAA Called, They Want to Know Why I Busted Airspace
Переглядів 553 тис.3 роки тому
I got a call from the FAA because I entered class C airspace without the proper requirements. Unbeknownst to me, my radio had only a transmitting range of about 5 miles because of a broken antenna which, coupled with the fact that coincidentally an aircraft with an extremely similar callsign checked on the frequency about the same time I did, led me to believe I was talking to the controller wh...
I Made A New YouTube Studio (Aviation Themed)
Переглядів 1,5 тис.3 роки тому
In this episode, I upgrade my filming location from my dining room to an actual (or as close as I can make it right now) UA-cam Studio. There's also a lot of hints as to what might be coming next so stick around to the end and you might find it worth your while. All of the stuff that I use for the background are aviation related objects or books that I've collected over the years and I'm glad I...
Are Mooney's Really Harder to Fix? (Mooney Maintenance Insight)
Переглядів 10 тис.3 роки тому
The airplane is in for it's annual inspection and I give some insight as to why Mooney's can be known for being harder to perform maintenance on than other aircraft manufacturers like Cessna and Piper. Instagram: average_aviator Vincent Endter: Removing the cowling from a Cessna 177RG ua-cam.com/video/p4_ffLrdXME/v-deo.html Music: floating - drifting · [Lo-Fi Background Music] Free To Use Music...
How to Paint Strip and Polish an Airplane (on an Average Budget)
Переглядів 15 тис.3 роки тому
Let's face it, my airplane looks terrible compared to most out there. However; there are specific reasons for this: airplanes are expensive and I like flying more than I like sitting on the ground and looking at my airplane... That doesn't mean I'm not consistently trying to improve, though, as the paint was way worse when I first bought it. In this episode, I'm just an average guy using less e...
2020 Update: FAA, uAviaonix Skybeacon Install, Paint and More!
Переглядів 2,8 тис.4 роки тому
2020 Update: FAA, uAviaonix Skybeacon Install, Paint and More!
A Simple way to Get Into Aviation (plus some flying)
Переглядів 1,5 тис.5 років тому
A Simple way to Get Into Aviation (plus some flying)
Aviation Is Hard // Welcome to Average Aviator
Переглядів 1,7 тис.5 років тому
Aviation Is Hard // Welcome to Average Aviator
Meet The Airplane: Mooney Walkaround
Переглядів 17 тис.5 років тому
Meet The Airplane: Mooney Walkaround
Flying the Mooney to Thanksgiving: Coldest Flight Ever (for me)
Переглядів 3,1 тис.5 років тому
Flying the Mooney to Thanksgiving: Coldest Flight Ever (for me)
Germany to Israel - Aerial Time Lapse
Переглядів 2987 років тому
Germany to Israel - Aerial Time Lapse
Gusty Crosswind Landings in a Cessna
Переглядів 1,2 тис.7 років тому
Gusty Crosswind Landings in a Cessna
I always dreamed of being able to do this, however they don’t let people with epilepsy (even if it’s well controlled with medication) get pilots licenses.
Whoa! Nice! Love the stories, keep it up
Sweet! Hope you find time to vlog your ferrying adventures. Came for the Mooney, stayed for whatever happens next. Can’t believe how quickly time has passed. Don’t stress about making videos; keep it fun for you, and it’ll be fun for us. I’m so glad you get to fly. Be safe!
Thanks for all the encouragement! I'm working on the next ferry adventure video now, but since I never filmed it with the intention of making a video, the quality seems sub-par for what I want. But I'm going to push through and just make the best I can, because the story is pretty ridiculous.
There you are! You have one of the bestand most interesting channels on YT. Glad to see you back.
That seems a bit of an overstatement, but I really appreciate the support!
I like your channel bro
How was the 4 cylinder skybolt vs the monster 6 cylinder version?
I've now got decent time in 4 different Skybolts, 2 - 200hp 4cyl and 2-250hp 6cyl. My opinion is the light 4cyl ones fly better and are better for competition aerobatics, whereas the 6cyl ones accelerate, climb, and maintain energy better, but are not as balanced nor as graceful (if that's the right word) to fly acro in. The 540 Bolts climb like crazy and are fun in their own right, but when they get upside down, the nose just wants to fall through and seek the earth because they are typically nose heavy. The higher wing loading of the 540 Bolts also means faster landing speeds, less slow speed maneuverability, and higher energy required for everything all around. The 360 Bolts still have great performance, and mine was light enough to land within 1000ft and claw its way around the top of a loop at almost 0 speed, and the 540 Bolts just wont do that. So it really comes down to what type of flying you want to do and how much fuel you like burning when deciding between the two.
@@AverageAviator I’ve flown one of each also (20 years ago) I and that 6 cylinder one was a BEAST! But the 4 cylinder one was a delight. I haven’t flown the 6 cyl one much to remember the qualities, thanks for the opinion.
Make more videos!
My first flying job was the summer of 1974. I ferried brand new single engine Cessnas domestically. Each had not flown-they merely had .2 hours run up on the tach, so I was a test pilot! No engine problems🤞. Ferrying was a good gig. I got about 400 hours that summer. Fast forward, flew 40 years major airline, 28,000 hours and retired. After retiring at age z65, I had a Cherokee six for 4 years. Sold it and bought a 1947 v tail bonanza. Sold it recently, done with flying at age 71. Enjoy your flying!👍🏻
Seems dangerous to just jump in and fly other people's clapped out junk around. Big brass.
Yeah those Boeings are mad sketch
👏👏👏👏👏🇧🇷
This is a great video on spins. I taught myself too before teaching many others as an aerobatic instructor. On another note I have the same plaid shirt and it’s one of my favorites. I think it was from timberland.
Wow, that's a coincidence! I intend to work on my instructor rating here soon.
Very interesting. Aviation, you never know what is going to happen next 😮
great video, I started following you when you took your mooney (loved the "rat" look btw) around the country. Id be interested to know what you needed to do legal wise in terms of being able to ferry aircraft? Welldone, and fly safe...
That "rat" look was out of necessity, I couldn't afford to paint it haha. Legally, ferrying is an odd corner. You don't need a commercial certificate to take an airplane from one airport to another. However, if you are getting paid for it, technically you do, so legally the only requirement is a commercial certificate. I didn't even have my instrument rating when I started ferrying. The hardest part is breaking into it because of insurance requirements, and I've found that I get way more jobs from word of mouth now than advertising. But legally, the barrier to entry is very low.
@@AverageAviator thanks for replying. yes i remember you saying about the reaosn wht you didint paint the mooney. good luck with the venture, and thanks agian for the reply
Very nice video. Interesting you still enjoyed it in spite of all those challenges. Maybe it is actually overcoming the challenges what motivates you. Ferrying planes about sounds like fun, and if you can even make a living from it, then even better!
Overcoming challenges is definitely a motivator for me, and ferrying aircraft absolutely provides a good bit of challenge.
You are a resourceful dude!
What FW-190 is that you're flying at the end of this video?
That's a whole other video.... that's my second airplane. its a WAR FW-190 60% scale replica of the WWII fighter. It was such an awesome airplane to fly.
@@AverageAviator You need to do a video on that! I'd love to find one for sale.
Congrats on the new career and keep the content coming!
Thanks, I've got a little bit of time but a lot more motivation now, so hopefully it it will keep coming.
Congratulations on the new business and welcome back. I miss your Mooney adventures but also glad you moved on to better things. I thought you had quit the channel, because I had not gotten any alerts from your more recent uploads. Hope see more content from you soon!
Hopefully ill be able to do more video's like the Mooney cross country ones, but now with all kinds of different aircraft instead of just the Mooney. It's been two years, but I intend to keep making videos as long as I can.
Great to see you back! Thought at one point you were going to fly banners. Looking forward to see more of your videos.
Thanks! Banner towing was the goal at one point, however, I kind of stumbled into the Ferry business and I think it is working out a lot better than I could have hoped. Life has a way of doing that I guess.
Thanks! Enjoy the content.
Congrats!
Thanks!
👍✅ Been missing your videos Travis👏Love to see more of your adventures.
Thanks! I'm working on the next one already! I've got two years worth of adventures saved up. Unfortunately I didn't film them specifically for youtube, so I'm going to have to cudgel some videos together, but I think the stories will still be worth telling.
Welcome back !!!! 🎉
Thanks!
Congrats on the new gig. Looks like a great fit. Thanks for putting this together. Keep them coming!
Thanks for the support! I'll definitely try to keep making videos on all the adventures I've had over the past two years.
I've missed your videos, sir. Welcome back and congratulations on the new gig.
Thanks for the support!
Looking forward to more!!
Glad to see you back! I’m curious how you work the insurance on new-to-you planes? I’ve done a couple ferries for Stinson’s, but I own a Stinson so the insurance piece was pretty easy. Usually open-pilot policies require a certain amount of time in type. So curious what type of policy you hold, as I like to do these kinds of things but want to stay covered. Thanks!
Awesome. He’s back!
I was wondering what you’ve been up to. Cool vid
Thanks! Its been a lot. 2 new airplanes, 2 new pilot jobs including many ferry adventures. Hopefully ill have to make some more videos!
I don’t think the community does itself any favors by considering the FAA to be the Lovecraftian eye in the sky. It likely keeps many people operating in the shadows at various levels…and that’s even worse…
Your aircraft looks great even to begin with!
😂 no clearance means no clearance. Fix your radio and communicate.
THE BIDEN HARRIS SIGN ON THE SUN VISOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR FIRST SIGN
Good story, I fly class C all the time. My ELT falsely went off during takeoff in a class C, couldn’t hear anything over ELT, I could’ve definitely gotten a number bc I deviated and headed back towards the airport. I didn’t declare emergency but told them the situation
You can do five or six hundred miles a day on cross country trips. That,s a really nice plane.
Thanks for the memories. Been 50 years since I was in there. Miss it, but way too old.
In 30 years of flying I’ve had a couple calls. It happens. It makes you fly on pins and needles for a while.
I've worked in brand new 172s back to M models, diamonds, pipers...pretty much everything. I appreciate the access to things in the belly of the mooney, working on brake cylinders is really annoying but for Mooney it's in the belly along with most everything else. Mooneys were designed for owners, really. They are not for flight schools or time builders generally. For this reason they're a lot cheaper but, unlike most other GA trainers, the more complex systems add to more maintenance overall. Having retractable gear and a constant speed is just not desirable for maintenance costs. Personally id probably rather own one over a piper but diamond or cessna would be my preference
I'm loving watching this series. However, I can feel my anxiety rise as I hear you say you have a suspected fouled plug, rough running engine, high oil temps, but you decided to take off like that in high DA and fly over a mountain range based on, "It was probably just a fouled plug and I think I burned it off." I know it's easy to sit back and judge as an armchair pilot, but that could have gone very badly.
If you ever get back to Orofino, you ought to take a crew car and run up to Dworshack Dam. It's my backyard, basically. Pretty quick drive up to the Dam 15 to 20 minute drive. Glad you enjoyed your trip.
Johnson Creek is NOT the backcountry. Cars, trucks, and 4 wheelers run there daily, and frequently park there for weeks. But your Mooney might feel at home on Indian Creek. And IC is indeed in the backcountry. No cars or trucks.
Get rid of the generator! Upgrade to a alternator. Get stuck taxiing at night and come back to a dead battery.
In the end you made good ADM but I want to add if your picking up an unknown person at a mental institution it is ok to judge them until some question are answered to your satisfaction but until then DONT get in a car with them. Your spidey sense was talking to you and you weren’t listening. You seem like a nice guy, learn to be an asshole sometimes it’s necessary.
You could have taken the car keys and brought them back to Phil.
Sounds strange until you see the Biden Harris sign on the inside roof of the car. That explains a lot.
As for the mechanic part…if you do enough work with them and you go about it within the regs you can eventually test for your A&P after a couple of years or something like that. Now that’s a future investment of aircraft ownership right there.
Angels protect children and fools.
Every airplane has its quirks to learn. People who perpetuate the maintenance myth just don’t have the experience.
PTI-PRG High strength paint remover m32684
I have a Mooney and this is inspiring. Wish you would post again!