John Pipkin – 30,000 Hours of Responsibility

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00:00:47: Hello and welcome everybody!

00:00:49: This is Episode twenty nine of our Aviation Quest podcast.

00:00:55: my name is Stefan Lorenz.

00:00:56: I'm one As always, I'm not alone.

00:01:07: I

00:01:11: put some pressure on me, huh?

00:01:12: Oh yeah.

00:01:13: By the way aviation quest to see is the name of our podcast but Stefan was still right.

00:01:19: we are both right here.

00:01:20: Aviation Quest Podcasts is a YouTube channel and before you forget because it will get enthusiastic in a minute What's video today?

00:01:31: Because You Are The FS Clips Creator.

00:01:36: Have a lot of your professional YouTuber, so to say.

00:01:39: No you're a professional pilot but you are experienced and well established.

00:01:45: Hobby YouTuber.

00:01:45: I said this way Stefan?

00:01:47: This is correct!

00:01:49: And Your work can also be seen at our AviationQuest podcast YouTube channel.

00:01:55: So what's the flight today?

00:01:57: Yes like You said we always have flights in the background.

00:02:00: Today it's a flight that i've done few times myself.

00:02:04: We are flying with Eurowings today, never done that before on the Airbus Italy- Twenty and we're flying from Düsseldorf to Bologna in Italy.

00:02:14: Very nice flight across the Alps very beautiful approach!

00:02:20: Oh yeah... And if you allow I got some hopefully very beautifull.. Yeah he deserves it.

00:02:27: He deserves it.

00:02:30: Adventure & courage to live it.

00:02:33: That's what todays guest represents Bush pilot, Glacier pilot.

00:02:38: Mission pilot airline captain flying for the US Marines and later business jets for global figures from film sport and politics.

00:02:49: more than thirty thousand hours in the air And today his eighties still flying serving as an airborne deputy for a sheriff's department.

00:03:02: Yes, absolutely.

00:03:04: So his name is John Pipkin and if you never heard of him then You should listen out because he has an Absolutely amazing career behind him.

00:03:15: Jürgen has already mentioned some Of the highlights but believe me there's a lot more.

00:03:20: luckily He took us through His entire airline career And not just airline career aviation career which was I mean i Was listening to the podcast he kept pulling out of the hat and then I did this, oh yeah!

00:03:37: And then I flew there.

00:03:38: Oh yeah!

00:03:38: Then i remember...and it was like

00:03:40: Jesus!!

00:03:41: This guy has done

00:03:43: everything!!!

00:03:44: So if you want to hear the story of a guy who seems to have covered every single corner of aviation not just in flying..you know?

00:03:52: Like FAA and running airlines You are in for a treat.

00:03:58: He is super interesting guy, really great interview by the way you and congratulations.

00:04:03: I absolutely enjoyed listening to

00:04:14: it!

00:04:24: Welcome in comments on our YouTube channel.

00:04:27: I mentioned aviation-quest podcast or there is also a discord server Also to me private or private so to say professional private.

00:04:38: on LinkedIn.

00:04:40: you will find all the addresses in the teaser.

00:04:43: Please comment, it'd be interesting if they are superlative.

00:04:47: for an aviation legend There is no title that, so to say covering everything.

00:04:56: John Pipkin would you agree Stefan?

00:04:58: I mean thirty thousand hours alone.

00:05:02: it's insane.

00:05:03: It's crazy!

00:05:04: Just awesome

00:05:06: Yeah and not just thirty thousands of hours flying on a particular thing from helicopters to airliners to crop dusting to transporting injured people animals I don't know, when i was listening it was really... I do think

00:05:26: whatever you can do in aviation name it.

00:05:29: John did.

00:05:29: Yes

00:05:30: exactly and the crazy thing is he's still going!

00:05:33: He's not really retired because he loves so much.

00:05:37: So he's very much involved in aviation Like I said.

00:05:42: Jürgen an amazing interview And yeah, I'm just looking forward to hearing it again.

00:05:53: John welcome!

00:05:54: Yeah first of all It's an honor to have you with us sir i mean even though You've said call me john but a lifetime in aviation stands behind and still the story continues Where does aviation find you today?

00:07:35: Because my age now they're looking for them that we can Give you just an idea on a mission.

00:08:35: and at night And we're feet in the mile-and-a-half in the handicapped party.

00:08:50: We've got a pretty good camera system.

00:08:52: So it's this, you know to help get the criminals majority of stuff with.

00:09:02: I been doing that for often that now.

00:09:10: so yeah still Supporting the people underground busy or aviation work.

00:09:15: certainly

00:09:18: Yes chase where no is there trying to run away from these?

00:09:42: But John,

00:10:18: if you allow let's go back to your very beginning.

00:10:23: What first drew you toward aviation and at what age?

00:11:02: who was registered of deeds, and he had three actually living on the farm.

00:11:12: And Jack has a same age in this planes.

00:11:29: all that when he was very, you know, Earl Blenberg lying?

00:11:55: I can just remember some of it.

00:12:00: as I said yes!

00:12:02: So He said Rick and I house...and we didn't really go see my mother.

00:12:13: We went kind of hid in the bushes behind The House and then came back and told Jack to go flying.

00:12:21: It's around Easter time.

00:13:21: So you mean, your started right off with low level flying.

00:13:25: that required precision and discipline certainly?

00:13:54: going into mission work or becoming a pastor, thinking well.

00:14:05: Seventeen years old one day a week so I'm in the week and then preach on Sunday.

00:14:20: exactly that way i did become a crop to become a missionary.

00:14:25: uh real job.

00:14:28: nineteen sixty library method of sport emissions flying assessed in the one eighty sixty nine.

00:14:38: So I didn't become a chain bay uh and a missionary Did.

00:14:47: And Then Later On Mission Aviation.

00:14:52: For Then I uh Missionary Young Missionary Pilot Had A Bit Of Mission Work Missionary Work.

00:15:23: But Tonya, allow me a missionary flying question.

00:15:26: How does flying change when the mission truly matters?

00:15:30: You know beyond the cockpit.

00:16:36: I

00:17:41: can imagine this is much more than flying people from A to B. But what happens next

00:18:23: in your career?

00:21:09: I mean,

00:21:43: I see you flying hopefully for decades but yeah.

00:21:48: Let's switch topics a little bit.

00:21:50: You were not only so quote unquote, very versatile pilot.

00:21:56: you also played the role in the airline industry as an airline founder.

00:22:01: can you tell us about this part of your career?

00:22:22: He got hired by nineteen sixty and he said yeah I'll hire you beach ninety-nine.

00:22:42: that year i went into king air fifteen or king here and MD-AD start this airline up, they were using seven thirty sevens.

00:24:55: And a friend of mine that I've flown with working for the army force as our director training an uh...and i'd been there about three since so all left their lives in.

00:25:36: that's when it got operating at everything on the seven twenty seven and now i did dad and to the people who are starting out jet train he see my hands into training manuals or seven different airlines.

00:26:35: Unfortunately, most of them went out to business.

00:26:38: But that's the way it happens when you have a startup airline.

00:26:41: if they're underfunded They don't usually make it too long.

00:26:44: Some will make up for some of this within six months with different airlines.

00:27:00: When and where would the airline call initial copy?

00:27:25: You keep a little bit better people That can.

00:27:35: so I

00:27:40: mean your airline founder chief chief pilot And also in key positions for the FAA.

00:27:46: That's incredible.

00:29:17: Yeah I

00:29:37: hope this was a joke.

00:29:39: I think you did good work there and overall, they are responsible for the safest deviation system

00:30:42: in

00:31:07: John if you allow me to segue back a few minutes because what just caught my attention was Helicopter and President's helicopter or something like this.

00:31:18: can You give us a little bit an overview about your helicopter career?

00:31:22: When did these happen?

00:31:26: for things that I learned how to fly in Columbia, South Carolina.

00:31:37: Rating back then you could get your doctor and you didn't have the training.

00:31:48: so i did that...I couldn't even spell it out into helicopters!

00:32:22: And when I was at Myrtle Beach some of them were down there and they did long light me on those helicopters.

00:32:50: They got my type rating and the S-Sixty Waking the Builders and Helicopter gave me my ATP rating and helicopter rating

00:33:45: John and what you mentioned more than one time in the last minutes was or before that was net chats.

00:33:55: Yeah, What was it for?

00:33:57: You to fly this business jets.

00:33:59: And I think he got into nice company there

00:34:06: when they started Italy eggs and Chetson.

00:34:15: then Warren's company or something like twenty eight millions, two million dollars playing that he's an eight-million dollar product.

00:35:30: Yes I'm still there and out you know

00:35:34: running

00:35:34: out of words here.

00:35:36: it seems they were really also involved in the whole company?

00:35:41: Yeah anyway so I entered for them.

00:35:48: yeah because i played the boards.

00:35:52: then when we got up on that type fifty thousand dollars somebody had to pay for the type rating and a course on flight safe net jets named later to use in.

00:36:24: somebody would say, this chain nine-and-a half year.

00:36:44: And uh, thirteen and a half hours and it had fifteen hours of people that were.

00:37:36: they needed them much than I said.

00:37:45: if you've been here three percent of my pay was ninety three thousand dollars a year per three years plus all my insurance which they paid one hundred percent out of it.

00:38:12: now other benefits of the dollar five thousand.

00:38:44: and that program just nine years, I retired.

00:38:57: Retired?

00:39:01: I mean quote unquote.

00:39:04: you're still flying John!

00:39:05: You are still flying!

00:39:08: Yeah well Pete...I've already retired and it's cool flying.

00:39:17: that says well with the job i'm doing my hotel and then if i have to do something..i'll have to fly days off.

00:39:53: but when we approached him he said yeah would love.

00:40:02: I'm the type of person working up lazy and if i don't have something to do, normally go to the weather's bed like three days a week.

00:40:44: A really good

00:41:02: life i think!

00:41:04: You are definitely an icon for aviation and allow me with over thirty thousand hours behind you in the air certainly what is your take on this question?

00:41:16: What separates a competent pilot from

00:41:53: So they can?

00:43:01: rather skills and

00:45:13: versatile aviation experience are still the foundation of so to say, an excellent pilot or a great pilot.

00:45:45: And he says in an airplane if you get low and slow, that's the difference.

00:46:41: Altitude is safety!

00:46:43: This what my glide instructor put into my brain.

00:46:47: It's altitude speed is safety.

00:46:50: But John we are getting towards end of this interview.

00:46:55: If a young pilot is listening today could take one piece advice from you besides sticking rather skill or what you just shared with us.

00:47:06: What would it be?

00:47:07: You know, if somebody is listening now dreaming of a career in aviation maybe In high school age...what Would you tell him Or her?

00:47:17: All right If the way to have an aviation training they give you Is found that the guy who came up through the OTC Spend your time and military.

00:48:07: The military is Marines to duty.

00:48:18: He doesn't ever leave the court, aren't enlightened and light to go?

00:48:31: then that you don't have college degrees anymore in trend of a time college degree?

00:48:46: Doesn't make you a better pilot thing if he can do it unless You just don't want to go into military If you can Do is now he's retired.

00:49:29: flying little airplanes are Brigadier General but he stayed involved in eight out of the military.

00:49:52: like The idea Of being a pilot hard.

00:50:00: It Is Just To Get A Prize When You get That Life.

00:50:12: You know, seventy to eighty percent of the things that Eric and Nicola pay for a week.

00:50:28: My dad said you want to eat your lunch?

00:50:35: I'll eat my lunch at school.

00:50:36: so he gave me twenty cents a day to buy mine.

00:50:39: That was another dollar twenty.

00:50:41: Sneak into the kitchen at night make a sandwich then have my lunch.

00:50:45: I'd save that money eight dollars an hour.

00:50:49: do about once a month give up enough money ride my bicycle to fourteen fifteen years old or take lessons And my Dad would not sign.

00:51:06: You had to have your parents signature, but he let me join.

00:51:09: the Marine Corps Regulations said if you're a member of an active officers reserve.

00:51:15: He don't have to have joined their reserves.

00:51:23: my senior year I was home and he says today Well how did it sign for you?

00:51:35: do that plane?

00:51:36: Will you Let Me Join The Marines.

00:51:38: And That gave me what anybody ever kept.

00:51:49: sometimes there's physical blind they can't see.

00:51:54: you can't find airplane major medical because i got hit in the eye with A baseball.

00:52:07: then i found way Of getting around It.

00:52:16: i just never

00:52:55: John, I was dreaming last night from a great interview.

00:53:00: The dream came true and... So many questions are left.

00:53:05: I think we have to somehow come up with the second part sooner or later, maybe a third but it's just your wealth of wisdom and its been a pleasure talk you.

00:53:17: Thank You for every minute sir And one more time It is just incredible.

00:53:23: thankyouforyourtime and i hope u fly until your hundred plus.

00:53:29: lets leave

00:53:33: like this.

00:53:35: And the thing is, religious person I guess you'd call it.

00:53:46: and if he told me.

00:53:57: He says this guy You like to talk?

00:54:03: He wants to do an interview.

00:54:06: my dad told Me says you can only learn something When your listening because when you're talking you say something that already know.

00:54:23: Thank

00:54:25: you John.

00:54:26: thank you for the interview.

00:54:28: as i said i hope we Can make a part two three so your stories they would last for I don't know, ten-twenty podcasts.

00:54:39: Great!

00:54:41: Okay and that brings us to the end of the interview.

00:54:44: how was it?

00:54:45: For you again listening to it again?

00:54:49: yeah It's amazing as you said i mean Stefan.

00:54:54: imagine John Bipkin running his own podcast with solo episodes publishing one every week for decades.

00:55:08: If you make, I mean every it's especially in the last minute but all over the place i mean if you make deep dives into everything he just covered this would be a podcast on its own a John Pipkin podcast only solo episodes no guests and or somebody interviewing him maybe?

00:55:30: But This will Be A John Pipkim Podcast For Decades.

00:55:34: Yeah, absolutely.

00:55:36: Amazing guy!

00:55:37: And at this point I would really like to say thank you to Kristo Paryshevsky who sort of introduced us to John and recommended that we... He's established the contact between us and John and i'm really glad he did so because a really nice interview.

00:55:57: Just one personal note from my point of view.

00:56:01: towards the end, John was talking about dreams and memories And I actually thought that there was a great way to look at life How you walk through your life?

00:56:14: There is also very beautiful ways of putting his life philosophy.

00:56:19: That for me it's been an amazing part.

00:56:24: I

00:56:27: mean, i want to say to Christoph Paszewski you already recognized it with the voicemails we exchanged.

00:56:34: Stefan he became a little bit like a mentor behind our podcast.

00:56:39: so many guest connections and I remember Christoph wrote me something along the lines of, i got a guest for you but it's impossible to cover his life in a podcast.

00:56:52: Yeah he proved we've been right.

00:56:53: uh Christoph Barshevsky himself is more as a guest on episode fourteen.

00:56:58: He certainly our seaplane enthusiast an instructor And he captured John Pipkin More than remarkable life in his German book Traumberuf Belod, das unglaubliche Fliegerleben des John Pipkin.

00:57:16: And more about the books you find on Christoph's home pages it is either bushpilot.at or aviator.at Some of those homepage.

00:57:28: if your control F and then pipkin you will get to the book and otherwise write me, I'll lead you to Christoph Books.

00:57:38: It may be also published in English, but I think we will keep you up to date here on the podcast anyway.

00:57:50: Because as it looks by now Christoph is our mentor and i'll get first hand information about what's going because after this podcast many listeners want or would like to read it in english.

00:58:11: And like we said in the intro, you know when people say this guy has done it all.

00:58:17: It's a phrase that is used quite often.

00:58:20: I think This guy has really done it all.

00:58:25: It's a remarkable man, remarkable career and I was really glad we got him on the podcast that he took some time out of his busy schedule And i'm also very happy to hear That He is still very much involved in aviation because it seems To be His lifelong love and passion.

00:58:46: So glad to see He Is Still In The Skies.

00:58:53: him all the best and maybe a couple of more appearances at Aviation Quest to see.

00:58:59: Speaking about dreams, this would be our dream coming true?

00:59:04: Yes absolutely!

00:59:06: There were certain aspects where he just glossed over... ...where I thought oh I'd really like hear more about it.

00:59:13: It doesn't suffice back side-take!

00:59:17: Yeah, it's really interesting parts of his life that I would have loved to hear more.

00:59:22: But you know we only have so much time and don't want occupy our guests for hours.

00:59:28: So we are always grateful when people take the time to talk with us And also on my behalf even though i wasn't at the interview.

00:59:36: a big thank-you to John For taking this time for giving us this time to talk to us.

00:59:43: So that was great and once again, you're an amazing interview.

00:59:46: thank you so much for organizing it and for doing it.

00:59:50: And yeah I hope everybody enjoyed as much as i did!

00:59:56: Yeah...I guess we will say goodbye now from my side.

01:00:01: Thank You very much for listening.

01:00:03: We look forward hearing in the next podcast.

01:00:06: Jürgen do u wanna see anything else?

01:00:09: A little side note from my side, Stefan if you allow.

01:00:13: Because it's a Thursday at two p.m.. This means in an hour from now The next mental coaching article of mine will be online or column of mind at LinkedIn.

01:00:26: It's on my linkedin profile every Thursday afternoon normally So around three PM because I also have sometimes schedules, but give me thirty minutes plus or minus.

01:00:41: Around three PM a new article is online speaking of mental strength.

01:00:47: certainly it takes much more to be mentally strong and become a John Pipkin if you are struggling with the nerves in a cockpit or an interview before a sim check.

01:01:01: I'd be happy to help, but Stefan knows that i'm working really hard on this realm of mental coaching at the moment and yeah...I think I am approachable.

01:01:14: just check out the coaching button on our homepage Approachable for free, non-obligational initial consultation.

01:01:25: Complicated wording here to explore your needs and how I can help you.

01:01:32: also on LinkedIn take a look at my LinkedIn page And yeah i'd be happy to read from you.

01:01:40: but other than that stay on AviationQuest to see.

01:01:46: maybe subscribe also the YouTube channel.

01:01:49: please subscribe and in one go certainly also to Stefan's youtube channel FS Clips because already on next episode it is a birthday episode, thirty podcasts of aviation quest to see.

01:02:06: We have really special guest we just no spoiler but there are something special coming up, so we have special after special in the moment.

01:02:19: This was super-special from John.

01:02:22: thank you John.

01:02:23: for all of my heart it's yeah.

01:02:26: It was a pleasure hope to have your back but also podcast thirty is more than worse listening Absolutely.

01:02:33: And before I let you go, Jürgen for those of you who are new to the channel maybe this is the first time You were listening to us in terms of Jürgens credential In terms Of coaching.

01:02:45: if you either listen To episode one where we introduce ourselves or If you just look up Jürgans career?

01:02:55: You will not come across any other person who has more experience with mental coaching than Jürgen because of his absolutely outstanding background in Korea.

01:03:07: So I would highly recommend you look at that and take him up on this offer!

01:03:20: Let's keep it grounded, check out my LinkedIn page or Google for me and make your own opinion.

01:03:26: And this was Stefan's Opinion.

01:03:28: I am more than flattered thank you.

01:03:33: No problem

01:03:34: here again!

01:03:34: Well

01:03:35: i really look forward to talking with you again soon.

01:03:38: next time we will introduce our next guest episode thirty Really special like you said and I really look forward to talking with you again.

01:03:48: I wish all the best, talk to you soon!

01:03:57: Thank You for listening to Aviation Quest

01:04:00: CC

01:04:01: stories from above.

01:04:03: For more information about this episode visit our homepage aviation-quest.cc.

01:04:11: We appreciate your time & support

01:04:14: and

01:04:14: we'd love.

01:04:17: Until then, stay safe.

01:04:19: Stay curious and keep your passion for aviation flying

01:04:23: high!