Ready For Takeoff - Turn Your Aviation Passion Into A Career

Barry Schiff started flying at age 14, became a pilot with TWA, and in the intervening years has amassed flying experience in 355 aircraft types. As an author, Barry has written over 1700 articles, and has a regular monthly column in AOPA Pilot magazine.

John Swanson was an All-American Fencer at the Air Force Academy, then became a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in Vietnam and Laos. Following his combat tours, he became a T-38 Instructor Pilot and a U-2 pilot in the Air Force, then flew for Delta Airlines. He now flies fractional jets.

Brigadier General Dale Stovall talks about his time in the Air Force as a combat rescue pilot, his Air force career, and his career as an airline pilot for Fedex following his military retirement.

After finishing up a 20-year career flying F-16s in the Air Force, Dan Hampton wrote the New York Times best-seller Viper Pilot, and followed that with three other award-winning books. 

Captain Ross "Rusty" Aimer has an entire closet full of airline uniforms, and has flown all over the world, including a stint as the pilot for the Shah of Iran. He is now a much-sought-after aviation safety expert for all of the news shows.

Mike Penketh was a Marine fighter pilot, warbird pilot, airline pilot, air race pilot and race car driver. Then after experiencing a terrible car crash and losing both of his hands, he regained his flying credentials and won an aerobatics competition. He is now a motivational speaker.

Steve Ritchie graduated first in his Undergraduate Pilot Training class in 1965, but he almost didn't even get into pilot training due to injuries sustained playing on the championship Air Force Academy football team. After graduation, he made a personal pilgrimage to see the chief Air Force Flight Surgeon, and was successful in making his case. After pilot training he flew the F-104 for a couple of years, then volunteered to fly the F-4 in Vietnam. At DaNang Air Base, he flew the first F-4 Fast-FAC (Forward Air Controller) mission. After completing his tour of duty in Vietnam, he attended the Top Gun "PhD of Fighter Pilots" Fighter Weapons School, then remained there as an instructor. But the war in Vietnam raged on, and Steve volunteered to go back. After a short detour, he ended up in the vaunted 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and shortly after he arrived Operation Linebacker was launched against Hanoi. Steve was selected to fly the MiG-CAP mission, and during the next four months downing 5 enemy MiG-21

Ron Rapp got the flying bug early, and started flying, and instructing, in every airplane he could find. In addition to basic and instruments, he taught aerobatics and formation. His formation flying led to his joining a sky typing team. He now flies a Gulfstream internationally, and runs the House of Rapp aviation blog.

Chad Hennings was an All-American football player in high school, and could have had his choice of any college in the country. He chose the United States Air Force Academy, where he was named Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.After graduation, although he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, he opted to serve his country as a fighter pilot, flying the A-10 on 45 combat missions during the Gulf War.After completing his active duty service commitment, he was again selected by the Dallas Cowboys, and went on to win THREE Super Bowls!

Blaine Jones was a commercial baker who started taking flying lessons in early September, 2001. Then the attacks of September 11th galvanized him to serve his country. He volunteered for the Air Force, and became a fighter pilot. Not just any fighter pilot - Blaine flew the F-15, the F-22, and was selected for the thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.

TOPGUN instructor Steve Harden developed the CRM training program for his new employer, Fedex, and now teaches CRM principles to the medical community.

Dick Powers was a pilot with Eastern Airlines during the Golden Age of Aviation. After Eastern went out of business, Dick resurrected his career as a freight pilot with FEDEX. He now conducts airline safety audits worldwide.

Patty Wagstaff has been an aerobatic champion for over three decades. In this episode of Ready For Takeoff, we learn about how she became an international champion.

Donnie Cochran became the first African-American member of the Navy Blue Angels aerial demonstration team, and later the first African-American Team Leader.

In this episode of the Ready For Takeoff podcast we talk to Dr. Sam Martin, "The Great Sambini", an Air Force fighter pilot who flew O-2A, A-37, A-10 and F-117 aircraft.

In this episode of the Ready For Takeoff podcast we talk to Brenda Robinson, the first African-American female to earn the wings of gold as a Naval Aviator. Following her service with the navy, Brenda flew for American Airlines for 17 years, then founded the non-profit Aviation Camps of the Carolinas, LLC.

In this episode of the Ready For Takeoff podcast we discuss high altitude physiology, including a discussion of the atmosphere, hypoxia, and evolved gas dysbarisms.

In this episode of the Ready For Takeoff podcast we talk to Shawn Akers, a pilot who worked his way up from flying 7-leg single-pilot night check deliveries to getting an airline job.

Walt Fricke has been a pilot since he was 12 years old. He flew helicopters in Vietnam, and was severely injured. As a result of his experiences as an injured veteran, he founded Veterans Airlift Command, a 501c(3) charity that provides air transportation to injured veterans.

Gary Heberlein is an air ambulance pilot who has worked his way up through the piloting ranks, flying a variety of aircraft, including Beech 18s carrying night freight.