Episode

126. Slipping on the Slope of Safety

Podcast
I Learned About Flying From That
Published
Apr 8, 2026
Duration seconds
1358
Processing state
not_requested
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https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/FREIGHT3086121690.mp3?updated=1775667177
Audio
https://pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/FREIGHT3086121690.mp3?updated=1775667177
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/v1/public/podcasts/i-learned-about-flying-from-that-1370892/episodes/126-slipping-on-the-slope-of-safety
Markdown
/podcast/i-learned-about-flying-from-that-1370892/126-slipping-on-the-slope-of-safety.md

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Summary

In this episode of I Learned About Flying From That, host Carl Valeri sits down with veteran pilot Richard Sheffield to recount a harrowing incident from his early flying days in Texas. What started as a routine solo flight in an Aeronca Champ turned into a desperate struggle for control on a gravel ramp. Richard shares the terrifying moment his engine surged during a solo hand-prop start, sending the aircraft into a clockwise pivot toward a parked Beechcraft Bonanza. Whether you're a taildragger enthusiast or a student pilot, Richard’s story is a powerful reminder that safety often comes down to the simplest tools and the humblest preparations.