Learning to Travel by Light Airplane, with Tom Haines

By John Zimmerman
Aug 12, 2025
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Pilot's Discretion Podcast, episode 110

Learning to fly does not mean learning to travel by light airplane. In this episode, longtime aviation journalist Tom Haines shares tips he’s learned from a lifetime of cross-country flying in piston airplanes, including many he learned while flying with the late Richard Collins. Tom is also deeply involved in efforts to prevent poaching in Africa, so he describes the unique uses of CubCrafters airplanes in Namibia. In the Ready to Copy segment, Tom talks about flying the B-25, when he thinks unleaded avgas will be available, and his advice for new airplane owners.

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Quotes:

The key to traveling by light airplane: “You need to be flexible because you won't get there every time. There will be times when you'll have to delay or leave early.”
How technology makes flying easier: “The situational awareness we have in the cockpit today is just amazing. I mean, every time I'm flying, I actually get excited and appreciate the value that we have in the airplane.”
Trends in GA flying: “I do think that there is less cross-country flying happening in general aviation airplanes than there was decades ago.”
What to expect from MOSAIC: “I'd like to think the most visible impact will be access in the US to some of the amazing airplanes that we see flying in Europe.”
The value of writing in a video world: “When I really want to explore a subject and I really want to dive into it in more detail and really learn something, there's no better place than a well-written article or a book.”
Why ERP chose the NX Cub: “The upside is that a lot more pilots can fly it and don't have to maintain the same level of proficiency that you might for a tailwheel airplane.”
The impact of visiting a preserve: “It is a life-changing kind of thing. To be that close to the animals, to see them in their natural habitat is just remarkable.”
The rewards of volunteering with your airplane: “It is very rewarding and it's a great way to use a general aviation airplane and certainly puts a really positive spotlight on general aviation.”
The prospects for unmanned passenger aircraft: “Even if the technology worked really well, and I'm not sure we're quite there yet, I think the acceptance level by passengers to get in a totally autonomous airplane and fly any distance if at all is—I think we're quite a ways away from that.”
Why 100LL must be replaced: “Getting to an unleaded solution is the right thing because otherwise it's just going to be a black eye on us and a public relations nightmare forever.”
Advice for new airplane owners: “Go find a flight instructor who is experienced in that particular model of airplane and has really good track record in teaching people how to fly it.”