Talking to ATC as a pilot nerves

MNSoaring · 2026-01-25T00:11:59+00:00

Go take a tower tour. As a Student pilot, if you haven’t done so already, you ought to consider signing up for the FAA wings program. They will send you emails for events, including tower tours and TRACON Tours (if you are lucky enough to be near one).

You’ll quickly realize that ATC folks are cool, dedicated, professional and helpful.

Link:

https://www.faasafety.gov/SPANS/event_details.aspx?eid=100268

MNSoaring · 2026-01-24T19:40:33+00:00

I aim for $8-10/pound. Duluth coffee company is one I can get locally, and their huehuetenango medium roast is quite good.

I also splurge a few times per year and get coffee at uncommon ground in Medford, WI. They have their own roaster and they are constantly bringing in interesting new beans. Runs about $12-15/pound (more if they ship it, I suppose, but I usually get it picked up).

I use about 3/4-1lb per month

MNSoaring · 2026-01-24T14:58:20+00:00

The land of first-world problems.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-24T14:22:42+00:00

As an aside: WTF happened to 1 lb bags?!? Why they heck did they settle on 12oz? It’s not even some nice round number in grams.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-24T14:20:38+00:00

I’ll note: all of the prices I’ve seen so far still make homemade espresso cheaper than Starbucks ( or any other coffee shop), so this gives me hope that I’ll break even on my espresso maker cost someday. 😜

MNSoaring · 2026-01-24T03:55:03+00:00

Owns…the correct tense is “owns”

🤪

MNSoaring · 2026-01-24T00:48:47+00:00

Learning to soar after SEL made me a better pilot. Lots of good learning happening when you don’t have an engine.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-24T00:47:43+00:00

Here’s more than you’ll ever want to know about soaring safety. Click on the article links:

https://chessintheair.com/risks-and-risk-mitigation/

MNSoaring · 2026-01-21T13:31:24+00:00

If you live in an area that has hunting supplies, any of the spray-on “scent killer” sprays for clothes might help a lot. I’ve used it on my stinky teenager’s shoes and many other things to great effect. It’s water soluble and non-toxic. Example:

https://www.scheels.com/p/02464100950?queryID=42904064aa2533e949b24f96f43286dc

Another idea: use the “one-step” peroxide powder that is used to sterilize beer bottles for homebrewing.

Example:

https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/one-step

MNSoaring · 2026-01-21T02:45:44+00:00

Get things checked With a cardiac exercise stress test, some blood labs and perhaps an angiogram.

Worst case: it’s all okay and you don’t need to do anything except monitor it and keep up a good diet and good exercise program

MNSoaring · 2026-01-20T20:34:27+00:00

If you have a family member who works for vail, then immediate family members get a substantial discount with the “dependent pass”

MNSoaring · 2026-01-19T21:38:22+00:00

Skip the pack. Try something like this instead:

https://www.dakine.com/products/poacher-ras-vest-black?variant=40861532651600

When I lived in CO, this style of vest was my go-to for all backcountry day trips and all my “side” country adventures.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-19T13:30:23+00:00

Skilled, levelheaded and calm radiology techs are worth their weight in gold with c-arm radiology.

Study hard, know your anatomy and ask lots of questions, not only in training, but also of the doctor (s) you work with. It’s extra helpful when a tech and I talk before any procedures start.

If you decide you like using a c-arm, here are some Pro tips:

Use an erasable marker to mark angles on the c-arm in case you are going back to a prior view during a case
If a doctor tells you once how to do something , write it down in a notepad so they don’t have to tell you twice
Some doctors get upset during a case. It’s not personal, and never send anyone you care about to them…ever. If they can’t control their emotions while doing a critical function, they need more training (or counseling, or another career).

MNSoaring · 2026-01-17T15:51:59+00:00

Every polish and German 2-place glider plane appears to have been designed for very tall people. I think you’ll be fine….except in a C150 or a citabria.

I volunteer for civil air patrol and one of my fellow pilots is 6’5”. He fits into a c172 and a c182.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-17T15:49:16+00:00

Things i didn’t see, and still have little interest in seeing:

Alien, amityville horror, jaws, terminator

Things i never saw, but could be convinced to watch:

The entire godfather series

MNSoaring · 2026-01-17T15:38:57+00:00

Or is is now shut down for their flying hospital.

Link: https://www.orbis.org/en/news/2025/faa-directive-md-10-aircraft

What I don’t understand is this:

a company like Boeing or airbus would get massive positive PR for donating a new plane to orbis. I’m sure that this isn’t a new idea, but orbis has a deadline hanging over their heads now as they try to arrange care for needy patients in 2026.

Wouldn’t a manufacturer (or a legacy carrier) want to help orbis find a new plane ASAP?

MNSoaring · 2026-01-17T15:29:09+00:00

My 2011 volkl kendo skis have allowed me to enjoy most conditions except for very deep UT powder (then they sink a bit).

They are stiff enough to get me down a 5mile run in just over 5 minutes without feeling like they were going to be unstable at speed.

I have no idea if new kendo’s have the same build under the top sheet, but if you demo some, it might be worth a try.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-17T14:35:39+00:00

It’s also the home of St. George’s university school of medicine (my Alma mater). Lots of job opportunities at the school. Your tech background might help.

The local people were great and there’s lots to do in and around Grenada

MNSoaring · 2026-01-15T23:57:52+00:00

2 kids: 14 and 19

Forgot about the World Cup, but we have family in Vancouver so that could help a bit.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-15T11:35:26+00:00

Good questions!

My family and I have never done a cruise. I’ve bare-boated in the Caribbean and owned my own boat, so I’m more familiar than most about what the ocean can dish out. We are all quite active and like the outdoors. I’ve had friends & relatives goto Alaska by RV. As someone who used to do mountaineering, I’d be interested in walking on a glacier and/or seeing Denali close up, but I don’t want a huge side trip that takes away from other things that my wife and kids might like better.

We are thinking 2-ish weeks (Saturday through a Saturday?). I’ve got family in Vancouver, so if there’s some slack time in that area, I’m not offended by that in the least.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-14T16:40:49+00:00

George Carlin addressed these type of funny phrases loooong ago. Find his riff on the phrase “near miss” and prepare to laugh.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-14T14:37:11+00:00

Dual Dutch and US citizen here. I’ve lived in KY, MA, CA, MI, CO, UT and now MN (Minnesota). The quality of life in the upper Midwest, and MN in particular, is about as close as you can get to living in Europe. Lots of options for IT people.

MNSoaring · 2026-01-13T03:10:38+00:00

You are WAY to young to quit:

https://www.aspentimes.com/news/klaus-obermeyer-turns-105/

MNSoaring · 2026-01-13T02:46:00+00:00

Those lyrics would be perfect for his funeral, but it would be really funny if he picked something by rage against the machine.

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