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Flight Chops Turns 4! The Good, the Bad & the Ugly on the Road to Here

June 12, 2017

Steve Thorne

There have been so many memorable moments on the journey to Year 4 and 100k subscribers!

Here is a look back on some of the moments that stick out in my mind

(click any image below to watch the episode it came from):

MOST PIVOTAL MOMENT

My First Solo (Again) – a.k.a. “Holy Sht, I’m alone in this thing.”*

This experience is what put me firmly on the path of turning my dream of flying vintage warbirds into reality.

My 1st Solo – AGAIN! – best + WORST landings back to back – Super Cub – Tail Wheel Flying

MOST GOOFY

Getting Slapped in the Face by Bradley Friesen

No explanation required…

Or is there?

Helicopter Landing: Edge of a Cliff – day in the life of Bradley Friesen – Mountain Flying

MOST EPIC

Being Hoist-Rescued by the US Coast Guard

No contest – the most epic thing I’ve ever done.

I was Hoist Rescued by the Coast Guard! MH65 Helicopter – Training VLOG – part 2

MOST PAINFUL

Pulling +6 and -3 G’s — a.k.a. “I need to be in better shape for this.”

This was intense and I quickly learned that I need to work out more often than never in order to be an aerobatic pilot!

Nearly Breaking my Neck Pulling +6 and -3 G’s: Pitts S2B – Competitive Aerobatics – Flight VLOG

SCARIEST MOMENT

Learning to understand air currents and their similarities to water – a.k.a. “The Scariest Thing We’re Going to Do Today”

Flying this close to ridges is very, very intimidating.

Flying Ridges and Mountain Passes – good training and prep cuts risks – California – ATC

MOST FUN

Getting to fly three models of CubCrafters in one day 🙂

3 Second TAKE OFF! CubCrafters HAT TRICK: 3 Planes; 1 moustached fool; happy wife. Flight VLOG

PINCH-ME MOMENT

Doing aerobatics in the L-39

COMING SOON – Full episode not yet published but you can get a taste of it here in the 2017 teaser:

Average Pilot FLYING everything! Fighters to Bush Planes to Choppers: 2017 Teaser

WHY I FLY

This one is all about chasing my childhood dreams. Soloing the DHC-1 Chipmunk was a very emotional experience, and brings me one step closer to flying a Spitfire like my Grampa did.

WOW MOMENT

The Fifi episode hits 1 Million Views

“The craziest place I’ve ever rigged GoPros”

Crawl through a B-29 Superfortress IN FLIGHT! + Real-Time procedures / ATC – Oshkosh AirVenture!

MOST REWARDING

Flying with fellow pilots that I have been lucky enough to meet through the FC Community and Patreon.

Like surprising Paul with a vintage military jet:

Flying Vintage Military Jets – SURPRISE for Air Force veteran! T-33 Flight VLOG

And flying over San Francisco with Elliott: (coming soon)

COOLEST MOMENT

The Youtube Channel hits 100,000 Subscribers!

Cheers to all of you who have stuck with me throughout this journey, and here’s to many more 🙂

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Huge thanks to all the Supporters on Patreon!

Check our Patreon page to find out how to be part of the Flight Chops Community.

Productions like this wouldn’t be possible without your help!

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Flight Chops is Proudly Supported by:

I’m a Private Pilot, doing my best to stay current and learn. I fly for fun and might just be the least cocky pilot on the internet! My self analysis videos can seem self deprecating at times, but I am trying to learn from the small mistakes to avoid making a big one; I’m happy to share and find it rewarding to help other pilots or aspiring aviators in any way that I can. How does the saying go? “Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards”. And in aviation, not all tests are survivable.

My virtual “ride-along” flying videos are aimed and sharing my experiences and giving back to the aviation community which has been so helpful to me. I shoot multi-camera angles, get detailed real time instrument panel shots, and have radio intercom audio. I respect people’s time, so I put a fair bit of work into editing to keep the videos concise and engaging; I add animations and further graphics and voice overs where needed to add context and explanations.

My hope is to continue to grow and evolve the “Flight Chops” project with input and support from the aviation community!

Steve Thorne, aka "Flight Chops"

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Flight Chops Disclaimer

I am a “weekend warrior” private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience – I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve…. Having the GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share.

Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.