Water Flying Aviation Podcast

Join Steve's guest Darren Tilman for a deep dive into aircraft exhaust system maintenance, and how dynamic propeller balancing will increase the reliability of your aircraft systems, potentially protect you from inflight failures and reduce your operational costs. Heat cycles, slip joints, vibration and aggressive throttle application and reduction all contribute to aircraft system and exhaust system failures. Exhaust systems have an average useful life that is probably much lower than most pilots assume. Listen and apply this discussion to save money and increase the reliability and life of your aircraft systems.

This week on the Water Flying Aviation Podcast Steve McCaughey sits down with Sandy Loutitt inside his impressive turbine Antonov AN-2 amphibious floatplane. This one of a kind monster is over 13 feet tall, has a wingspan of 60 feet, holds 1,200 gallons of fuel and has a 3,000 pound useful load. This isn't your average amphibious seaplane, it carries over 40 gallons of freshwater, has 2 generators , stove, heater, commercial refrigerator & freezer, carries an inflated tender with a 2 stroke outboard in a belly pod that launches it and so much more. Recorded on the shores of Priest Lake, Idaho from the cabin of the 2 Solitude An-2 this show is a blast. Learn more about the 2 Solitude Turbine AN-2 Amphibious Floatplane at www.2solitude.com [https://www.2solitude.com/]

Tom Hamilton sits down with Steve McCaughey to exclusively introduce the Apex 600 horsepower diesel aircraft engine. Tom has a long history in aviation, he famously founded Stoddard Hamilton Aircraft in which he designed and produced the high performance and highly popular Glasair and Glastar series experimental aircraft. Tom developed a product line of composite aircraft floats which Aerocet produces today. Tom also started Quest Aircraft to develop and produce the Kodiak ten-place turboprop aircraft. The Kodiak received an FAA type certificate in 2007, and the company has gone on to produce over 330 aircraft to date. Tom continues his career in aircraft design with several new projects including the Apex diesel engine and Reach Aviation's AC6 aircraft. Conversations with Tom Hamilton are always entertaining, educational and the announcement of the Apex engine is a really exciting opportunity for the aviation community.

All pilots want more performance from the airplanes they fly, especially seaplane pilots. In this episode of the Water Flying podcast Steve McCaughey sits down with Darren Tilman, President of Power Flow Exhaust Systems [https://www.powerflowsystems.com] to explore one of the best but perhaps least known ways to unlock more power, gain fuel efficiency and reduce overall wear on aircraft engines. So what’s the secret? Upgrade the technology, quality and surprising lack of performance engineering that is characteristic of the exhaust systems fitted to most factory aircraft. Steve's Super Cub recently was fitted with a new Leading Edge Exhaust Systems package from Power Flow Systems. It was during this process that Steve became so impressed with the manufacturing process, quality and dedication to the product and customer experience that is at the heart of Power Flow Systems approach to business that he insisted on doing a podcast to share what he has learned from Darren and his team. Save $150 Today! Mention this podcast and receive a $150 off any Power Flow Exhaust [https://www.powerflowsystems.com] system order until 12/31/2025.

In this episode of the Water Flying podcast, I have the great pleasure of sitting down with Darren Pleasance who recently became the CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), [https://aopa.org] the largest aviation non-profit advocacy organization in the world. It has rewarding working with Darren on numerous advocacy issues, and could not be more thrilled to share his vast experiences, passion and vision for the future of AOPA under his leadership with our listeners. Please take this opportunity to learn more about Darren. I am sure that you will be glad you did, and you will walk away with a massive appreciation for the captain at the helm of AOPA.