Fly Cool Shit - An Aviation Podcast About Flying Cool Shit

Mark Pollard & Jeff Petrocelli

An aviation podcast where I talk about flying cool planes, and talk to cool pilots who fly cool planes. I will talk about aerobatics, warbirds, experimental aircraft and more! Sometimes I will just ramble by myself and sometimes we will have guests!

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Episode 166: SnF 2024 + LIFT Aviation
12-04-2024
Episode 166: SnF 2024 + LIFT Aviation
Hello all! We are back this week with Sun N Fun 2024 well underway. The biggest news so far of Sun N Fun for us is that the LIFT AV2.1 helmet is officially available for purchase! Also available is the Elevated apparel series from LIFT. Go check both of them out! We talk about performers like RJ Gritter and Greg Koontz flying Decathlons and Xtreme Decathlons respectively. Both are great acts. We talk about airshow performers, the good old days, sponsorships, etc. This was a fun episode and we save the best for last, a long overdue interview with Todd and Braydn Lentz from LIFT Aviation. We talk about helmet development, communication setups, the Elevated apparel line, and so much more. We really hope you enjoy this one! Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head over to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT for 25% off most items!Thank you to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off the entire website!

Episodes

Episode 166: SnF 2024 + LIFT Aviation
12-04-2024
Episode 166: SnF 2024 + LIFT Aviation
Hello all! We are back this week with Sun N Fun 2024 well underway. The biggest news so far of Sun N Fun for us is that the LIFT AV2.1 helmet is officially available for purchase! Also available is the Elevated apparel series from LIFT. Go check both of them out! We talk about performers like RJ Gritter and Greg Koontz flying Decathlons and Xtreme Decathlons respectively. Both are great acts. We talk about airshow performers, the good old days, sponsorships, etc. This was a fun episode and we save the best for last, a long overdue interview with Todd and Braydn Lentz from LIFT Aviation. We talk about helmet development, communication setups, the Elevated apparel line, and so much more. We really hope you enjoy this one! Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head over to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT for 25% off most items!Thank you to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off the entire website!
Episode 165: Corey Gerulis
29-03-2024
Episode 165: Corey Gerulis
Welcome back! This week we have Corey Gerulis freshly back from the Snowbird Classic contest in Florida. Snowbird kicks the season off and we wanted to get Coreys’ breakdown. We talk about the contest, people moving up in categories, and a bunch of other stuff. We also get into the best aerobatic airplanes for intermediate, and so much more. We hope you enjoy it! Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT for 25% off most itemsThank you to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO for 10% off the entire website!
Episode 164: Camp Get Right
22-03-2024
Episode 164: Camp Get Right
Welcome back! We are so happy we were able to squeeze out this episode! Jeff just got back from an intensive camp in Union City TN and Mark attended the Wings Over Solano Airshow at Travis AFB. We talked about all the fun stuff associated with last weekend. We hope you enjoy it! Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT for 25% off most itemsThanks to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off the entire website
Episode 163: New Monoplane, Who Dis?
08-03-2024
Episode 163: New Monoplane, Who Dis?
Welcome back! This week we talk about a bit of the drama that unfolded this last couple weeks regarding the Extra 330SX and a lack of footage of showing it flying. Thankfully, we have seen a bit of footage and we hope to see more! We brainstorm a bit on teams that might get the SX, and some potential issues, like if the SC still remains the dominant unlimited monoplane at WAC. Will we see an SX this year at WAC? Fly Good Merch is giving away four, 25 dollar gift certificates! For this week, the first person to message Jeff or Mark with the answer to the question of, what was the airplane Rob Holland flew in his first airshow, will get 25 dollars to Fly Good Merch! Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head over to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT at checkout for 25% off most items on the website!Thank you to Fly Good Merch! Head over to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO for 10% off the entire website!
Episode 162: What’s in the Box!?
01-03-2024
Episode 162: What’s in the Box!?
Welcome back! This week we shoot the shit on Jeff gearing up for his first unlimited camp, and the roadmap to WAC. The year is flying fast and before you know it, the Unlimited Team will be in Poland! We talk about a bunch of other random stuff as well. Hope you enjoy it! Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head over to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT at checkout for 25% off most items Thank you to Fly Good Merch! Head over to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off the entire website!
Episode 161: Tien Luu
16-02-2024
Episode 161: Tien Luu
Welcome back! This week we get a late start but we talk about some aerobatic airplanes and their worst and best qualities, and it is something we will wrap up next week maybe. We then had another potential intern, Tien Luu on the podcast to chat. Tien is an MSU team member, and he shares his story. He was super fun to have on. We hope you enjoy it! Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT for 25% off most items!Thank you to Fly Good Merch! Head over to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off the entire website!
Episode 160: Giggity
09-02-2024
Episode 160: Giggity
Welcome back! This week just Jeff and Mark talk about random stuff. Pilots are shaking the dust off and gassing airplanes up to start practicing for the season. We talk about Mark’s broken airplane, Jeff’s plane in annual, camps, the French and so much more! Thanks to LIFT Aviation! Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT at checkout for 25% off most items!Thanks to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off your entire order!
Episode 159: Internity
02-02-2024
Episode 159: Internity
Welcome back! This week we have on a potential FCS intern, Chase Jones. Chase is an Air Force Crew Chief, and CFI for a major airline pathway program. He is interested in becoming a Fly Cool Shit intern to help the show out. We get to know Chase and talk about all kinds of fun stuff. This was a fun one, and we hope you enjoy it!
Episode 158: Balancing Act
19-01-2024
Episode 158: Balancing Act
Welcome back! This week Mark and Jeff are both “enjoying” the beautiful winter weather on their respective coasts and not doing much flying. This week we talk about setting goals, pacing yourself, content creators and influencers, and so much more! We also get into life balance and managing flying with a family, work, etc. Hope you enjoy it! Thanks to LIFT Aviation! Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT at checkout for 25% off most items.Thanks to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off the entire website!
Episode 157: Happy New Year!
12-01-2024
Episode 157: Happy New Year!
Welcome back! We missed you all! This week it’s just Mark and Jeff and we catch up on what has been going on over the last couple of weeks, how Christmas and New Year’s were for us and the fam etc. We talk about New Year resolutions and goals, as well as some predictions in 2024 for WAC, Nationals and Advanced team selections, aircraft choices, etc. Mark and Jeff talk about the 330SX, the GB1, and their place in aerobatics. We hope you enjoy the episode!Thank you to LIFT Aviation for supporting the podcast. Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT at checkout for 25% off most items. Thank you to Fly Good Merch! Head over to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off the entire website!
Episode 156: FCS Holiday Special
22-12-2023
Episode 156: FCS Holiday Special
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This week, we have two very special and important guests back on the show, Michael Goulian and Rob Holland! We talk about airplanes, airshows, contests, and so much more! This was a really fun episode, and we appreciate Rob and Mike so much. We hope you all enjoy it! Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT at checkout for 25% off most items on the website.Thank you to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off your entire order!
Episode 155: Luke Penner
08-12-2023
Episode 155: Luke Penner
Welcome back! This week we have on Canadian Advanced Team member Luke Penner. Luke is the freaking best ever. We talked about his season and journey getting to WAAC, the team dynamic, and how the team did overall. Luke fills us in on the struggles they faced at WAAC, and much more. Hope you all enjoy it! Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head over to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT at checkout for 25% off most items.Thank you to Fly Good Merch! Head over to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off. Buy some FCS shirts! www. flycoolshit.com/merch
Episode 154: Altitudes and Attitudes
01-12-2023
Episode 154: Altitudes and Attitudes
Welcome back! This week Jeff and Mark talk about some safety concepts related to aerobatics. The NTSB prelim on the crash that took friends Stan and Scott was released, and we give some thoughts related to flying aerobatics down low. We also talk about UPRT and spin recovery, as well as practicing botched maneuvers. We also look at how Jeff handles moving up a category with regard to altitude. We get into all kinds of other stuff! Thanks to LIFT Aviation! Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT at checkout for 25% offThanks to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off
Episode 153: Grant Nielsen
17-11-2023
Episode 153: Grant Nielsen
Welcome back! This week we sit down with airshow performer and competitor, Grant Nielsen. We talk about WAAC 2022, his Cap 232, and the decision to go with a 330SC. We get into all kinds of fun stuff and it was a great conversation. Grant is a fantastic human being, so make sure you follow him on social media! This episode is dedicated to Scott McDonald and Stanley Hales. Blue skies gentlemen. Thank you to LIFT Aviation! Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT at checkout for 25% off. Thank you to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off the website. Go buy some shirts! www.flycoolshit.com/merch
Episode 152: Post WAAC Clarity
10-11-2023
Episode 152: Post WAAC Clarity
Welcome back! This week we recap some thoughts on WAAC. Congrats on the French National Team on another victory! We break down some highlights of WAAC and look at how radically different the judging was in Jean NV this year. Very interesting results. Thanks for listening! Thanks to Fly Good Merch! www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% Buy shirts! www.flycoolshit.com/merch
Episode 151: WAAC Week 1
27-10-2023
Episode 151: WAAC Week 1
Welcome back! This week we talk about WAAC so far. It officially started on the 24th, with the first flights commencing yesterday. Some canopies shattered, mechanical issues, and weather have hit the event so far. We will continue to monitor the flights and report back! Thanks to Fly Good Merch! www.flygoodmerch.com, use the promo code AKRO at checkout for 10% off the entire website!
Episode 150: WAACro 2023
20-10-2023
Episode 150: WAACro 2023
Welcome back! This week we talk about WAAC 2023 in Jean NV. Pilots are arriving and practicing with the first official day starting on the 24th. We also talked about the bizarre and confusing start to Air Race X which concluded the first “flying” event this past weekend. We look at the teams registered and weigh in a bit on some of the dynamics that the teams can face.
Episode 149: Rob Holland
13-10-2023
Episode 149: Rob Holland
Welcome back! We have our favorite guest coming back on, Rob Holland! Rob is your 2023 Unlimited National Champion. We talk about his perspective of Nationals, and having Jeff on the team as a new member. We also get into all kinds of fun stuff, we talk about aircraft support in the U.S., WAAC and so much more!Go show him some love! www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO for 10% off the entire website. Buy some shirts! www.flycoolshit.com/merch
Episode 148: The First Order (of Flight)
06-10-2023
Episode 148: The First Order (of Flight)
Welcome back! This week we get Jeff back from Nationals to break down some of the things that went on. Jeff is now a U.S. Unlimited team member which is so awesome. We talk about Advanced and Unlimited, amazing flying, and so much more! Thanks to LIFT Aviation! Head to www.liftaviationusa.com and use the promo code FLYCOOLSHIT for 25% off most items. Thanks to Fly Good Merch! Head to www.flygoodmerch.com and use the promo code AKRO for 10% off the entire website!
Episode 147: U.S. Nationals Short Recap Episode II
29-09-2023
Episode 147: U.S. Nationals Short Recap Episode II
Second short solo recap of Thursday. Enjoy!