Hey there 👋

Welcome to a new episode of The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe!

Each episode is packed with practical tips, inspiring chats with pilots and members of our community, gear reviews, and we’ll reveal exciting destinations you can fly to directly.

In This Week’s Episode

Starlink in your Airplane

There’s a topic that’s coming up more and more in our emails and messages lately: getting satellite internet on our smaller planes.

Starlink has been available for business and commercial jets for a while now, but with the introduction of the new, smaller Starlink Mini, many pilots have realised the potential for General Aviation.

This opens up some interesting possibilities. Your passengers can finally get access to streaming, gaming, and even video calls. And for us in the cockpit? We get the big advantage of pulling down updated weather information, TAFs, and Metars whenever we need them.

So, in this episode, we want to lay out all the details: what it costs, how to decide if this option is right for your flying, and if so, what you need to get it set up quickly.

There’s a lot of confusing information swirling around, so I wanted to talk with someone who has been using Starlink for a while and really knows the technical ropes. I called up our regular guest and founder of Echelon Air, Philippe Polman.

Also in this episode

Amanda Rhodes, a NATS Air Traffic Controller, answers your questions about ATC, zone transits and squawks. We also discuss important changes to licensing rules in the UK.

Links, videos and Starlink accessories discussed in this episode

CAA Webinar Licensing and Training Simplification

Starlink Mini

Anker Prime Power Bank

Starlink Mini Mount

Starlink Mini Power Cable

Extras for paid subscribers 🎉

Each month, the podcast presents you with a new destination you can fly to directly. For our paid subscribers, we send you a detailed guide that you can access here on the website.

But if you really want the inside track, you’ll love this: Once a month, we get together for an online chat that’s just for paid subscribers. It’s where we unpack everything! We’ll swap notes on routes, navigating the airports, finding the perfect stay, tasting the best local food, and getting the honest lowdown on what’s worth your time and what’s not so that you can travel like a local, not a tourist.

If you want to join our crew, it’s only £12 for the whole year. Your support helps us keep the podcast going.

Le Touquet Live Q&A

Our next live subscriber deep dive is all about Le Touquet! If you’ve been there, you might think you know it, but trust me, you probably don’t. I’ve spent a few months on the ground living there, and I would like to share my personal, unvarnished playbook: all the gems, the local hangouts, and the honest truth of how to spend your time. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick few hours or settling in for an unforgettable weekend, I’ve got the intel you need.

The live Q&A is scheduled for Monday, 13th October, at 8 pm. If you want to join in, please reply to this email and I’ll send you the link.

Win a Pilot’s T-Shirt!

I have two of our original sweatshirts to offer to our paid subscribers.

This original and limited-edition T-shirt is inspired by a child's imagination of a pilot’s uniform.

To win, just reply to this email or send me a message using the button below. If you are one of the first two subscribers to send me a message, the sweatshirt is all yours!

Next Episodes

The next episode will be with you in two weeks time. Meanwhile, if you land in Duxford, please let me know. Coffee and pastries on me!

Until then, happy flying! ✈️

Fernando

Hey there 👋

You know that feeling when you're stuck on the ground on a perfect flying day, just staring at the sky? That's been me for the past few months. My logbook entries have been less "Cross-country to Le Touquet" and more "Chapter 7: Flight Planning and Monitoring”.

Yep, I've been deep in the books, wrestling with the beast that is the Instrument Rating. It wasn't exactly the adventure I had planned for the summer, but I'm thrilled to say I'm through to the other side. The good news? The theory exams are behind me, the skies are calling again, and it’s time for a new episode of The Pilot's Logbook!

In This Week’s Episode - All About Flying Dogs 🐾

Have you ever dreamed of sharing the skies with your dog? In this episode, we chat with commercial French pilot Antoine Gallet, who has mastered the art of flying with his whippet, Lilou.

Join us as we discuss:

• The incredible bond that comes from adventuring with your pet.

• The practical challenges of flying with a dog in the cockpit and how to solve them.

• Crucial safety considerations, from harnesses to planning, to keep your pet safe.

• How Antoine’s experience can help you prepare for your own flights with your pet.

Also in this episode:

The inspiring Philippe Polman brings us the Pilot's Tip of the Day, presented by Echelon Air.

And the most friendly air traffic controller I know, Amanda Rhodes, brings us another "Ask Amanda!" In this episode, she shares with you what we should do before first contact with an ATC unit.

Are you visiting Le Touquet in August?

I’m going to be based in Le Touquet for most of August. If you happen to fly in, please get in touch. I'd love to offer you a coffee!

And if you haven’t seen it yet, don’t miss the most comprehensive guide to pilots visiting Le Touquet. It’s available below. You can also listen to our previous episode, where we cover it all.

Travel Plans with Fernando Pinho

Your Ultimate Guide to the Most British of the French Resorts: Le Touquet-Paris-Plage

Alongside this article, we're publishing an award-winning (awarded by my daughters) episode of our immersive podcast dedicated to Le Touquet. You can listen to it below or on your favourite Podcast app. Just search for Travel Plans with Fernando Pinho. Seriously, it’s really good…

Read more

2 years ago · 2 likes · Fernando Pinho

Extras 🎉

If you are a paid subscriber, you can win one of our exclusive Pilot T-shirts!

If you want to join, it’s only £6 for the whole year. Your support helps us keep the podcast going.

Win a Pilot’s T-Shirt!

I have two of our original t-shirts to offer to our paid subscribers.

This original and limited-edition T-shirt is inspired by a child's imagination of a pilot’s uniform.

To win, just reply to this email or send me a message using the button below. If you are one of the first two subscribers to send me a message, the t-shirt is all yours!

Hey there 👋

Welcome to a new episode of The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe!

In This Week’s Episode

Stefan Drury

In this week’s episode, we deal with one of the biggest concerns of any pilot: the possibility of losing our medical certificate. Our guest today is Stefan Drury, a real go-to name for excellent aviation content.

Stefan's popular YouTube channel is packed with fascinating stories and travel adventures, including his epic pilot series flying his Cirrus SR22 across Australia, Europe and the US.

Then, early in 2024, Stefam faced a significant setback with a brain tumour diagnosis and the loss of his medical.

It's been truly inspiring to see how Stefan has approached losing his medical, having to stop flying as a pilot (not knowing what the future held), and how he's moved forward.

In this episode, Stefan shares his insights on navigating that moment, discovering hope and new adventures.

Also in this episode:

Amanda Rhodes, a NATS Air Traffic Controller, answers our listeners’ questions about Luton zone transit. Also, we catch up on the latest aviation news headlines that are relevant to you:

• Moving Maps to be part of the Private Pilot’s licensing training syllabus and skills test.

• AERO Friedrichshafen - The biggest general aviation show in Europe is underway.

• Local aviation business takes over Haverfordwest Airport.

Extras 🎉

If you are a paid subscriber, you can watch a video version of our chat with Stefan Drury. Plus, you have a chance to win one of our exclusive Pilot T-shirts!

If you want to join, it’s only £6 for the whole year. Your support helps us keep the podcast going.

Our Chat with Stefan Drury

Here’s a video version of our conversation with Stefan.

Travel Plans

As a subscriber, you also have full access to our Travel Plans Podcast. Part toolkit, part love letter to travel, this is a deep dive into each destination with curated guides, immersive podcasts and live Q&A.

In the last episode, we flew to Dungeness, where we uncovered little-known war secrets, spoke with long-term residents and visited the home and garden of one of Britain’s most influential film directors.

Win a Pilot’s T-Shirt!

I have two of our original sweatshirts to offer to our paid subscribers.

This original and limited-edition T-shirt is inspired by a child's imagination of a pilot’s uniform.

To win, just reply to this email or send me a message using the button below. If you are one of the first two subscribers to send me a message, the sweatshirt is all yours!

Next Episodes

We are going to take a short holiday over Easter. So instead of a new episode in two weeks' time, we’ll publish a special episode of Travel Plans - the most comprehensive flight podcast to Le Touquet Paris Plage.

Our regular episodes return on the 1st of May.

Until then, happy flying! ✈️

Fernando

Hey there 👋

Welcome to our fourth episode of The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe!

Thank you so much for listening and for all the fantastic messages we’ve been receiving. We really appreciate it, and we truly hope you’ll continue to find our show a great companion for your passion for aviation.

In This Week’s Episode

Steph Burn

We've had an inspiring conversation with airline pilot Steph Burn. Her story is truly remarkable. When Steph was five, she decided she wanted to become an airline pilot. But with training costing over £100,000, her family couldn't afford to pay for it. So, how has she done it? 12 years of commitment and working two and three jobs up to 90 hours a week.

And now, she's dedicated herself to helping people from all walks of life, regardless of their financial situation, to achieve their dream of becoming commercial pilots.

Also in this episode:

• We catch up on the latest aviation news headlines that are relevant to you:

  • Good News! Wolverhampton Airport is Back and Buzzing.

  • Gloucester Airport: New Rules and Booking Ahead

  • AVGAS Alert: Changes at Antwerp and a European Pilot’s Concern

• Dungeness - Some call it a paradise, others a desert. It's loved by many and a place that will leave you wondering, "How on earth did this place come to be?". In this episode, we fly to Lydd to explore one of the most enigmatic landscapes in the U.K.

Extras 🎉

If you are a paid subscriber, you can watch our RNP final approach to Lydd Airport and have a chance to win our exclusive Pilot’s sweatshirt! We also share details of our next Travel Plans Live.

If you want to join, it’s only £6 for the whole year. Most importantly, your support helps us keep The Pilot's Logbook going.

Our landing at Lydd Airport (RNP Approach)

Travel Plans

As a subscriber, you also have full access to our Travel Plans Podcast. Part toolkit, part love letter to travel, this is a deep dive into each destination with curated guides, immersive podcasts and live Q&A.

In the last episode, we flew to Dungeness, where we uncovered little-known war secrets, spoke with long-term residents and visited the home and garden of one of Britain’s most influential film directors.

Win a Pilot’s Sweatshirt!

I have one of our original sweatshirts to offer to one of our paid subscribers.

This original and limited-edition sweatshirt is inspired by a child's imagination of a pilot’s uniform.

To win, just send me a message using the button below. If you are the third subscriber to send me a message, the sweatshirt is all yours!

Next Travel Plans Live, 10th of March, 8 PM

Fancy a chat about Dungeness? Or maybe you've got some flight planning questions? Or just want to talk about some of our favourite podcast bits? Come join me for a live Q&A, 10th of March at 8 PM. We'll swap some stories, maybe plan a few flights, and just have a bit of a chat about aviation.

To join in, please use this link.

Our next episode will drop on the 13th of March.

Until then, happy flying! ✈️

Fernando

Hey there 👋

Welcome to our third episode of The Pilot’s Logbook - a podcast companion for private pilots in the UK and Europe! This week, we bring you a great show!

But before that, I hope you enjoyed our previous episode. We shared all you need to know about aircraft covers, heard from Sarah Deacon, a mother battling to save her local airport from closure, and told you all about underwater escape training.

In This Week’s Episode

Jon Hunt

In a candid and insightful conversation, Jon Hunt, aka The Flying Reporter, shared his remarkable journey from a 30-year career at the BBC to becoming one of Europe's most popular aviation YouTubers.

He openly discussed the challenges of transitioning to a new career, the realities of building a YouTube channel, and his passion for making general aviation more inclusive.

Jon reflected on his personal experiences as a pilot, husband, and father, offering an insight into the man behind the camera. He also tackled important issues facing general aviation in the UK, highlighting economic and environmental concerns while remaining hopeful for the future.

The conversation revealed a thoughtful, determined individual committed to both his craft and to creating a more welcoming general aviation community.

Also in this episode:

• We catch up on the latest aviation news headlines that are relevant to you:

  • Air League Scholarship Programme

  • The North West Transit Corridor

  • Rotax’s Service Bulletin

• We continue our ultimate guide to Le Touquet Paris-Plage (Part 2). This time, we are going to focus on what to visit if you are in town for only a few

  hours.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Or, on Spotify

Extras 🎉

If you are a paid subscriber, you can listen to an extended version of our chat with Jon Hunt.

Also, you have a chance to win our exclusive Pilot’s sweatshirt!

If you want to join, it’s only £6 for the whole year. Most importantly, your support helps us keep The Pilot's Logbook going.

Our Chat with Jon Hunt, The Flying Reporter

Here’s an extended video version of our conversation with Jon Hunt.

Travel Plans

As a subscriber, you also have full access to our Travel Plans Podcast. Part toolkit, part love letter to travel, this is a deep dive into each destination with curated guides, immersive podcasts and live Q&A. The next flight is boarding now!

Please note that if you subscribed to The Pilot’s Logbook within the last 24 hours, please allow me to add your offer to your profile. You’ll get an email once it’s done.

Here’s one of our favourite deep dives - Le Touquet Paris-Plage.

Win a Pilot’s Sweatshirt!

I have one of our original sweatshirts to offer to one of our paid subscribers!

This original and limited-edition sweatshirt is inspired by a child's imagination of a pilot’s uniform. To win, just send me a message using the button below. If you are the third subscriber to send me a message, the sweatshirt is all yours!

Our next episode will drop on the 26th of February.

Until then, happy flying! ✈️

Fernando

Hi there 👋

The next episode of The Pilot's Logbook Podcast is dropping this Wednesday, the 29th of January, and it's jam-packed with great content!

We'll feature a masterclass in aircraft covers with the go-to expert, Andy Blundell from Vertigo Covers, take you underwater and show what's involved in escaping a submerged aircraft, and introduce you to our ultimate guide to Le Touquet Paris-Plage.

But today, I want to give you a sneak peek of an inspiring story about a mother fighting property developers and the councils to save her local airfield. It's truly mind-boggling. You can listen to it now below.

So, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and on Wednesday, get ready for another exciting episode of The Pilot's Logbook!

Happy flying!

Fernando

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