So There I Was

Latest Episodes:

Southwest Airlines 1380 ~ She Hit Me Episode 35 Jan 07, 2023

Show notes

OAviators: Our Little Horror Story In This Gripping Episode, We Delve Into The Harrowing Tale Of Aviators Our Little Horror Story That Unfolded During The Infamous Southwest Airlines 1380 Flight. Join Us As We Explore The Courage And Skill Displayed By The Crew In The Face Of Adversity. The Story Of Southwest Airlines 1380 Is Not Just A Tale Of Survival But Also A Testament To The Resilience And Expertise Of The Crew. As The Aircraft Faced A Catastrophic Engine Failure, The Captain And First Officer Demonstrated Exceptional Airmanship, Bringing The Plane To Safety Against All Odds. This Episode Highlights The Critical Moments And Decisions That Defined This Aviators Our Little Horror Story. Throughout The Video, We Also Touch Upon The Broader Theme Of Women In Aviation Story. The Captain's Journey Is A Remarkable Example Of Breaking Barriers And Excelling In A Field Traditionally Dominated By Men. Her Story Is Not Only Inspiring But Also A Significant Part Of Aviation History. In Addition To The Serious Moments, We Share Some Funny Aviation Stories That Provide A Lighter Perspective On The Challenges Faced By Aviators. These Anecdotes Remind Us That Humor Often Plays A Crucial Role In Dealing With High-Pressure Situations. Connect With Us Website: Https://Sothereiwas.Us Twitter: Https://X.Com/There_i_was Facebook: Https://Facebook.Com/Sothereiwas.Us TikTok: Https://Tiktok.Com/Sothereiwas Spotify: Https://Open.Spotify.Com/Show/1zkdn0mqwinqzsbkcrspdc Apple Podcasts: Https://Podcastsconnect.Apple.Com/Analytics/Show/So-There-I-Was/1628848482/Overview 🎬 Video Chapters0:00:00Introduction To Episode 350:05:24Fleet Experiences And Instructors0:10:48Southwest Airlines Flight 13800:16:12Master Aviators And Heroes0:21:36VAQ 34 And A7 Training0:27:00Overcoming Gender Bias0:32:24Sabotaged Bombs And Humor0:37:48Pink Bombs Prank0:43:12Handling Setbacks With Grace0:48:36Lessons From AOCS0:54:00Navigating Squadron Politics0:59:24Final Reflections And GratitudeConclusion The Episode On Aviators Our Little Horror Story And The Events Surrounding Southwest Airlines 1380 Offers A Profound Insight Into The World Of Aviation. It Celebrates The Bravery And Skill Of Those Who Navigate The Skies, Ensuring The Safety Of Countless Passengers. This Is A Story Of Heroism, Resilience, And The Indomitable Spirit Of Aviators. ... SouthwestAirlines1380 #AviatorsOurLittleHorrorStory #WomenInAviation #AviationStories #FlightSafety #AirDisaster #PilotHeroes #AviationHistory #EmergencyLanding #CabinCrew #AirlineSafety #AviationDocumentary #TrueStory #Survival #Aviation

Nerves of Steel Episode 34 Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

We are joined by "Bonnie" who gained attention the hard way back in 2018 when she and her first officer saved the lives of 148 people after her Southwest Airlines 737 experienced an uncontained engine failure which shattered a window, fatally injuring a passenger. Her book about that day and her life experiences which prepared her to to meet the challenges she faced that day is called Nerves of Steel. Be aware though, that Bonnie is not self-aggrandizing when she uses that title. It was coined when the EMT who examined her after the jet was safely on the ground who asked her how she could be so calm. There is no more humble person than Bonnie. In this first of two shows with her (both to be released this week) she relates how she got into the Navy, became a flight instructor and got to the fleet where she was one of the first women to fly the F/A-18 Hornet in the US Navy. She talks about the pranks played on her and nearly having to eject just days before her wedding. Come along with us and hear what an amazing and gracious lady Bonnie is - and hear some of what prepared her for the greatest aviation challenge of her life.

Which Kid Is Your Favorite Episode 33 Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

This is the second show with Dos Gringos - Trip and Snooze joined us to talk more about their music, their experiences in combat and their latest project to help veteran performers and composers get a shot at a big break without having to quit their day job first! If you'd like to help out with this worthy cause, please visit them at Operation Encore. This is the last show of the year! Thank you for making 2022 so much fun for us. We hope you had as much fun as we did. Look forward to some great shows coming up - A hero captain who saved a severely crippled airliner with 149 souls on board; an Astronaut, a final hour with Lawman and many many more! CHECK SIX!

They Lack Judgment Episode 32 Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

This week, Dos Gringos join us for some discussion about their music and their flying careers in the F-16. It was fun to learn how they became the Dos Gringos and hearing about the "Highway of Tears." We also chatted about their time flying Southern Watch, Op Enduring Freedom, and Op Iraqi Freedom. We hear some of their songs during the show and some of the back stories to them. This episode is not for the easily offended!

Don't Do Anything Stupid Episode 31 Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

Our second hour with Coast Guard H-65 Pilot “Sticks” begins with a funny story about a wildly specific “target” for their Search & Rescue “SAR” mission. The things get real as he talks about 9-11 and how things went for them that week. What we (and most people) would consider wildly dangerous is just another Wednesday afternoon for your Coast Guard aviators. They do things every day as a matter of course that most of us would take a hard-pass on every time. Thank God for their skill and courage. Sticks describes how they almost went in the water at night - and it was so bad that the captain of the boat they were getting ready to rescue someone from called and asked if they were OK. It sounds like it was an impressive airshow! Sticks talks CRM (Crew Resource Management) and we get to hear some actual communications between him and his rescue swimmer and flight mechanic. Then we close out talking about a very unusual water-craft while they were assisting with Security for the Miss America Pageant. Big kudos and gratitude to Sticks for joining us and providing the art work on our web site. Thanks to Dave Hamilton at MacGeekGab for tech support and to Dos Gringos for the music. Thanks also to RobinsBirdBrainDesigns - our sponsor. Check Six!

Are You Sure It's Mine? Episode 30 Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

Coast Guard pilot and medical professional, "Sticks," joins us to talk about his path to a commission in the Coast Guard by way of the Merchant Marine Academy. He talks Leadership Training and some of the funny things that happened along the way; like losing his sword as the Regimental Executive Officer in his senior year - and totally gooning the drill commands - and how he recovered. After a couple years in the fleet he was off to flight school. This week's show title comes from a remark to his wife that came out wrong. He was totally focused on getting a clean bill of health for flight school when he got some bad news and some good news - and Fig and I took the opportunity to add, "it's mine?" to bust his chops a little. We spend some time talking about what it takes to get through API - Aviation PreFlight Indoctrination at NAS Pensacola; the training you must pass to get the opportunity to start flight school. There's lots of cool aviation physiology covered this week. We close out this week talking about getting through the primary phase and the "HT's" and one of the friendships he made there. Ultimately he talks of the loss of his friend and fellow pilot, Dale Taylor. More details about this are in the book , NIGHT FLIGHT The Courage and Calling of a Coast Guard Pilot, by Dale's widow, Teresa Taylor, and Mark Wyatt available on Amazon telling all about LCdr. Taylor. Our second hour with Sticks will cover real-life rescue missions and some of the extreme danger Coast Guardsmen regularly face; and call it a Tuesday at the office! Please Support Our Sponsor Robins Bird Brain Designs. And thanks also to Dos Gringos for the music!

He Left His Footprint on My Face Episode 29 Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

We are proud to welcome our first helicopter pilot, "GT" this week: Capt. Wayne Tunick USN (ret) author of the book "American Quest" The book is a fun read and traces the career of a young man who had never considered the military as he serves his country and his fellow man. GT had a successful career as a Navy Helicopter pilot who learned early on the seriousness of aviation in a crash that could have easily cost him his life and it changed the way he approached flying for the rest of his career. And, while everyone couldn't experience exactly what he did, GT tells us how he demanded exacting standards of his fellow aviators so they could be ready to meet any challenge they faced - expectedly or unexpectedly in the airplane. GT's experiences range from incredible to terrifying - and how he was fortunate enough to be able to learn from his experience and pass that on to other pilots throughout his career - including two tours as a Squadron Commander. Over the years GT came up with 18 Rules to live by. They are republished here: COMMANDING OFFICER, HSL-44 AIRCREW POLICY THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH BUSINESS. DON’T DIE BECAUSE YOU WERE STUPID. KNOW YOUR NATOPS-IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. KNOW YOUR TACTICS. YOU MUST KNOW HOW TO FIGHT WHEN CALLED UPON. TRAIN HARD. THE REAL THING WILL BE EASIER. DEVELOP STANDARD PRACTICES. DO THINGS THE SAME WAY. WHEN YOU GET RUSHED-YOU WILL STILL DO THEM THE SAME. BUT DON’T GET RUSHED. NEVER HESITATE TO SPEAK UP OR IF NEEDED, TAKE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. IF YOU HESITATE YOU WILL DIE. HAVE A BURNING DESIRE TO LEARN THE AIRCRAFT. INSTILL THAT DESIRE IN OTHERS. NEVER STOP LEARNING. PRACTICE RISK ASSESSMENT. ASK YOURSELF: “IS IT WORTH THE RISK?” DO NOT CONFUSE A HOSTILE AREA WITH A WAR. THERE ARE HOSTILE AREAS ALL OVER THE WORLD. OPERATIONAL NECESSITY RARELY, IF EVER, PRESENTS ITSELF DURING PEACETIME. USE THE BOOK. CHECKLISTS, PREFLIGHTS, BRIEFS, AND DEBRIEFS REQUIRE DEDICATED EFFORT. NEVER GET COMPLACENT. NEVER TAKE AN AIRCRAFT THAT DOESN’T “FEEL” RIGHT. NEVER GIVE IN TO PERCEIVED PRESSURE. ERR TO CONSERVATISM. BETTER TO COME BACK AND FIGHT ANOTHER DAY. USE YOUR CREW. IF YOU ARE THINKING IT. SAY IT. OTHERS ARE PROBABLY THINKING THE SAME THING. AW’S ARE ONE THIRD OF THE CREW. MONITOR THE NAV TABLE, ASK QUESTIONS, DO NOT LET THE PILOTS KILL YOU. YOU DON’T CRASH GOING UP. NIGHT DECENTS OVER WATER ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS THING WE DO. RESPECT THEM. LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES. THEN NEVER REPEAT THEM!!!! EXPERIENCE IS A TOUGH TEACHER, IT GIVES THE TEST FIRST AND THE LESSON AFTER. THE SH-60B HAS 3 FORECASTED CLASS “A” MISHAPS THIS FY. ARE YOU ONE OF THEM? THE ANSWER IS NO!!!

The Boss is HAM'N Episode 28 Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

What's the worst part about being a Blue Angel? Get the unbelievable answer here. And what's the best part? Lawman says it's completing a successful tour with the team. We say the corollary is the camaraderie that comes with professionals doing what appears to be impossible and making it look easy, all while holding each other to the highest standard, and of course tormenting each other relentlessly. You will howl at some of the practical jokes played on Lawman his first year with the team. Hear that and other crazy adventures this week as well. The show picks up where last week's show left off. This week is a little disjointed due to the order in which the interviews were mixed and we hear some fleet adventures in here as well - but you won't be disappointed. Deep appreciation to Dos Gringos for the music and the MacGeekGab for the support that helped make this show possible. Thanks also to our sponsor, Robin's Bird Brain Designs. Get amazing, custom Christmas and Holiday gifts this year now!

NEVER Talk to the Boss Again Episode 27 Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

Our third show with Lawman is a fun one. He opens the show describing how embarrassed he felt living the good life in Qatar while getting combat pay - though he did have to go to Afghanistan to prevent the outbreak of violence between the Marines and the Air Force! Then we back into how he was serving as the Full-Time Support (FTS) Officer for the Marine Reserve squadron in Willow Grove, PA. You will laugh out loud at the segment we call “An Approach Article Waiting to Happen” as Lawman tells about flying on a snowy night, unable to hear the pilot in the back seat, flying the second worst approach in the history of Naval Aviation; and then getting chewed-out because neither he nor the Major General in his back seat were qualified to fly that TA-4 that night! Lawman then tells how he applied to the Blue Angels to stay in a flying job for his next tour. Despite the pressure from his competition and the Monitor (the Marine who assigns your next duty station) to pull his application and forget it - Lawman was chosen to be a Blue Angel. Then the fun REALLY began! Whether it was pranks played on the FNG (Funny New Guy) or a steep learning curve, Lawman found out the hard way that initiative isn’t always worth the trouble. This week’s episode title was inspired when he tried to help the team and got yelled at on the radio for his efforts. No good deed goes unpunished! Getting selected to be a Blue Angel may be the "easy part." Once you're there you have to perform. We close out with Lawman wondering if he made the wrong choice - riding on his first practice airshow with the Blues he wasn't sure they would make it through their first maneuver! Thanks this week goes out to “Sticks” for our new website logo. Check the pilot’s visor. If you don’t get it, go look up the Far Side cartoon from February 2, 1983! And thanks also to Dos Gringos for the music we use on So There I Was.

Keep an Eye Out for Me Episode 26 Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

Fatty joins the show this week to talk about how he became a Guardsman - and the benefits thereof. He tells how plans went awry when the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure Commission) got rid of his F-15 Squadron while he was in flight school and how he managed to adapt and overcome. When he found himself in Afghanistan over Christmas of ~2010 Fatty found entertainment in providing roofies to his flight commander: You, dear listener, know that commander well! But they actually did some flying there as well - and you'll learn about air-drops to resupply the troops in the field and how that works. We close out with yet another amazing story of challenges overcome. Fatty's journey from knowing he'd lost his ability to do what he loved to overcoming every hurdle in front of him will inspire others to persevere when all hope seems lost. Music is again provided courtesy of Dos Gringos! Thank you! (NSFW)

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