The Malibu Guru

Latest Episodes:

From Fighter Pilot to Bush Pilot: The Incredible Story of Don Watrous Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

From flying supersonic fighter jets to navigating the remote Alaskan wilderness, what keeps a pilot coming back for more after 45 years in the cockpit?

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with Don Watrous, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, test pilot, and current Alaska bush pilot with an extraordinary aviation career. From flying F-15s, F-16s, and F-18s to operating a turbine-powered de Havilland Otter on floats in Alaska, Don has experienced nearly every side of aviation.

Joe and Don discuss his remarkable career, the challenges of flying in Alaska's unpredictable weather, and the incredible experiences that come with exploring some of the most remote places on Earth.

But beyond the aircraft and adventures, Don shares a perspective that every pilot can appreciate: it's not about how high or fast you fly; it's about the love of flying itself.

Learn more about Emerald Air Service: https://www.emeraldairservice.com

Registration is now open for Fall 2026 M-Class!

Join us November 12–13 for two days of training, connection, and everything PA-46.

Reserve your spot today: https://flycasey.com/m-class/

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.

🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

A Culture Shift Is Coming to the PA-46 Market Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a $500,000 engine overhaul costs nearly as much as the airplane itself? Is the PA-46 community about to change the way we think about TBO?

The culture of aircraft ownership plays a major role in how we fly, maintain, buy, and sell our airplanes. But as more Piper Meridians and JetPROPs approach engine TBO, that culture may be on the verge of a major shift.

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe Casey sits down with Matt Courtney to discuss the evolving culture of PA-46 ownership and the decisions facing turbine owners as engine times climb and overhaul costs continue to rise.

Should owners overhaul their PT6 engines at the manufacturer's recommended TBO, or can proper maintenance, trend monitoring, and engine condition justify flying beyond it? And perhaps more importantly, how will these decisions affect aircraft values and the future PA-46 market?

Joe and Matt explore the differences between the King Air and PA-46 communities, engine maintenance programs, the economics of high-time engines, and why today's ownership decisions could reshape the market for years to come.

As the PA-46 fleet continues to age, one thing is certain: the culture we establish today will help determine how these airplanes are valued and operated tomorrow.

Registration is now open for Fall 2026 M-Class!

Join us November 12–13 for two days of training, connection, and everything PA-46.

Reserve your spot today: https://flycasey.com/m-class/

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.

🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

PMOPA Alaska 2026: The People Behind the Adventure Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a group of PA-46 owners point their airplanes north and take on Alaska?

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with several of the pilots from the 2026 PMOPA Alaska trip, along with some of their spouses, to hear the stories behind the adventure.

You’ll hear from Helen Cernik, Paul Stefaniak, Rusty and DawnElla Rust, Don Moore, Kenneth and Lori Van Ray, and finally Don Watrous of Emerald Air Service. They share what it was like flying their own airplanes through the Last Frontier, seeing Denali and massive glaciers from the air, fishing in Alaska, getting up close with bears, and experiencing Alaska from the cockpit of a PA-46.

Along the way, they talk about the challenges, lessons learned, favorite moments, and the friendships that made the trip just as memorable as the flying itself.

This is Alaska through the eyes of the people who made the journey.

Interested in joining Helen Cernick on an upcoming adventure? Learn more about future trips with Fly Boundless at https://www.flyboundless.com

Registration is now open for Fall 2026 M-Class!

Join us November 12–13 for two days of training, connection, and everything PA-46.

Reserve your spot today: https://flycasey.com/m-class/

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.

🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

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Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAviation

PMOPA Alaska 2026: Flying the Last Frontier in a PA-46! Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

There are flying trips, and then there’s flying a PA-46 to Alaska!

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe and Deanna Casey look back on the 2026 PMOPA Alaska adventure, led by Helen Cernick of Fly Boundless. This year’s trip included just four aircraft—two M600s, a Meridian, and a JetPROP—creating a smaller, more personal experience with more time to explore, fly, and take in Alaska's incredible scenery.

From Sitka to Talkeetna, Homer, and Ketchikan, the trip was packed with unforgettable moments: glacier flying, fishing, hiking, kayaking, views of Denali, a seaplane excursion, and up-close encounters with Alaskan brown bears.

Joe and Deanna also talk about what it really takes to fly a PA-46 to Alaska, including weather, terrain, fuel planning, remote airports, instrument approaches, and how the Meridian, JetPROP, and M600 handled the trip.

PMOPA Alaska 2026 was more than a destination. It was a chance to experience what these airplanes can really do, build friendships along the way, and see Alaska from a perspective few people ever get to experience.

Interested in joining Helen Cernick on an upcoming adventure? Learn more about future trips with Fly Boundless at https://www.flyboundless.com

Registration is now open for Fall 2026 M-Class!

Join us November 12–13 for two days of training, connection, and everything PA-46.

Reserve your spot today: https://flycasey.com/m-class/

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more aviation stories, PA-46 insights, and real conversations from the flying community.

🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

📱 Stay Connected
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyAviation

Matching the Machine to the Mission with Adam Weatherby Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

What do high-performance rifles and turbine airplanes have in common? For Adam Weatherby, it’s all about choosing the right tool for the mission, and sometimes that mission includes an elk that won’t fit in your airplane.

In this episode of the Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe welcomes Adam Weatherby, third-generation leader of Weatherby, Inc., for a conversation about aviation, hunting, faith, and the pursuit of performance. Adam shares the story behind his family’s firearms legacy, the company’s move to Wyoming, and how innovation continues to shape its rifles and cartridges. They also explore Adam’s progression from a Cessna 206 to a Piper JetPROP—and why a Twin Commander became the right fit for his next chapter. From remote hunting trips to business travel, Adam explains how his changing mission shaped his aircraft choices.

Whether you’re a pilot, aircraft owner, hunter, or Weatherby fan, this conversation brings together two worlds built around precision, performance, and purpose.

Explore Weatherby rifles, shotguns, and gear at: https://weatherby.com

🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

Aircraft Damage History: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Does an airplane's damage history make it a bad buy or a buying opportunity?

In this episode of the Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe and Eric Earle look beyond the “damage history” label to explore what an aircraft’s past means for buyers, sellers, and owners. Drawing on real examples from the PA-46 market, they discuss component replacements, structural repairs, and why understanding what happened—and how it was repaired—is essential to evaluating an airplane.

They also explain how repair quality, documentation, and time since an event can influence buyer confidence and resale value. They also cover what to look for in logbooks and FAA records, insurance considerations, and the importance of being upfront about an aircraft’s history.

Whether you’re considering an airplane with previous repairs or wondering how an incident could affect your own aircraft’s value, this conversation will help you ask better questions and make a more informed decision.

🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

PA-46 & TBM Accident Analysis: What the Data Reveals | Part 2 Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

In Part 2 of our PA-46 and TBM Accident Analysis, Joe and David Forster continue breaking down what the NTSB data reveals about stall/spin accidents, loss of control on the ground, hard landings, in-flight damage, and other critical accident factors.

More importantly, they examine what pilots can do about it. From flying the correct approach speed and maintaining coordinated flight to improving training, judgment, and checklist discipline, this final installment turns accident data into practical lessons every PA-46 and TBM pilot can use to fly safer.

To access the data David compiled, please visit the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/y96qrniksgl0uu9p589qo/AB7tdONBlsb_ducrzmBcQKY?rlkey=dl15pfxebxktqbqakrgkhnuko&dl=0

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- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

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PA-46 & TBM Accident Analysis: What the Data Reveals | Part 1 Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

What can hundreds of accident reports teach us about flying the PA-46 and TBM more safely?

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Joe sits down with David Forster, who reviewed and categorized every available NTSB accident report involving PA-46 and TBM aircraft. Together, they examine what the data reveals about emergency landings, engine failures, stall-spin accidents, spatial disorientation, and the critical role of pilot training.

They also discuss the limitations of accident data, the real people behind each report, and how learning from these events can help prevent the next accident.

Part 2 continues next week with additional accident categories and important safety lessons for PA-46 and TBM pilots.

To access the data David compiled, please visit the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/y96qrniksgl0uu9p589qo/AB7tdONBlsb_ducrzmBcQKY?rlkey=dl15pfxebxktqbqakrgkhnuko&dl=0

🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

Which PA-46 Works Best for Tall Pilots? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Are you too tall for a PA-46?

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with David Forester, a 6'5" pilot and JetPROP owner, to talk about something taller pilots know all too well: not every cockpit is built for you.

David shares his experience searching for a PA-46 that actually fit, including which models worked, which ones didn’t, and the small differences in seats, cushions, panels, and interior layouts that can make a huge difference when you’re over six feet tall.

Joe and David also compare their experiences as tall pilots, discuss why certain PA-46 models can be more challenging than others, and explain what taller buyers should look for before committing to an airplane.

Along the way, David shares some of his aviation background, his journey through several unique aircraft, and how he ultimately ended up flying a JetPROP from his home airpark.

If you’re a taller pilot considering a PA-46, this is an episode you’ll want to watch before you buy.

🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

Going All In: Justin Sybesma’s Journey to the TBM 850 Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Justin Sybesma’s path into aviation has been anything but slow. Since beginning his flying journey in 2020, he has continued to push himself through new ratings, new experiences, and eventually into ownership of a TBM 850.

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe Casey talks with Justin about stepping into the turbine world, adjusting to the TBM's speed and performance, and the importance of good training, mentorship, and the right partnership. Justin also opens up about how a serious injury changed his perspective and reinforced his desire to make the most of life, family, and the opportunities aviation can provide.

From learning to fly to tackling one of the most capable single-engine turboprops in general aviation, Justin’s story is about continuing to learn, taking on new challenges, and enjoying the journey.

🌐 Visit Us Online
- Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: https://flycasey.com
- PA46 Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.caseyaviationservices.com

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