CC Pocock — 950 Pilots Trained: Rethinking How Backcountry Flying Is Taught

CC Pocock — 950 Pilots Trained: Rethinking How Backcountry Flying Is Taught

Author: JB July 29, 2026 Duration: 1:32:32
CC Pocock has spent over two decades flying in some of the most remote, unimproved terrain in the world, and now runs a one-man flight school in the Nevada desert that's trained more than 950 pilots. He's the author of Bush and Mountain Flying, now in its third edition, and just launched his own podcast and YouTube channel, Bush Air. We get into the real distinction between "bush flying" and "backcountry flying" — a line most pilots blur — and where CC thinks formal flight training falls shor...

You know that moment when a pilot leans back and starts with, "There I was..."? That's the signal you're about to hear something real, a tale from the ragged edges of the map where runways are dirt strips and decisions matter. Backcountry Aviation Radio is built on those moments. Host JB connects with pilots, builders, and adventurers who operate where the pavement ends, diving into the specific skills, candid stories, and unique mindset needed to fly into the wilderness. In this podcast, you'll hear the unvarnished details of planning for a remote airstrip, the sound of gravel pinging against the fuselage on landing, and the quiet reflections from a campfire after a day spent deep in the backcountry. It’s less about polished procedure and more about the lived experience-the problem-solving, the camaraderie, and the sheer freedom of off-airport flying. Each conversation feels like hanging around the hangar after a long flight, swapping truths and lessons learned the hard way. If your idea of aviation involves more mountains than control towers, this is the conversation you've been waiting to join.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 39

Backcountry Aviation Radio
Podcast Episodes
National STOL & eSTOL 2026 Events with Cam Walton & Ryan Dembroski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:48
This episode is with the voices of National STOL Cam and Ryan. We talk about what they've been up to since the last episode, the 2026 National STOL calendar, and then dive DEEP into eSTOL. You'll love this episode becaus…
Lukasz Czepiela lands the Red Bull Carbon Cub ANYWHERE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:57
This episode is a really fun look at what the Carbon Cub platform is capable of in extreme cases with a professional aerobatics champion at the controls. Do NOT try this at home...professional pilot at work. Luke talks a…
Tanmoy Ganguly feeds Michigan RAF Volunteers at North Fox Island [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:45
Tanmoy, or Tan, is one of the RAF's state liaisons for Michigan. He's known as the guy who feeds the crowds of volunteers who show up and work at airstrip work parties. Many a volunteer has asked if he's bringing the kab…
Dave Wyckoff talks Kansas Backcountry and Arkansas Adventures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:45
Dave Wyckoff from Kansas started a YouTube channel to meet backcountry pilots in Kansas and beyond! That endeavor has created a local community that builds local strips, host events, and exports beyond the state. His pro…
Tres Clinton of C3 AIR talks Texas Backcountry Flying [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:10
This episode is with Tres Clinton from Burnet, Texas and C3 Air. Tres teaches a wide range of aviation students but loves to teach backcountry flying in tailwheel aircraft and float planes. He has some amazing stories an…
Cayla McLeod explores Idaho and re-invents Plane & Pilot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:01
This episode is with Cayla McLeod, the editor-in-chief of Plane & Pilot magazine. We talk about her aviation start with what is now called the Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program, where kids earn flight hours working on…
Al Clayton, The RAF, and an airstrip at CHILDS GLACIER [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:38
This week I talk to Al Clayton, the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) State Liaison for the State of Alaska, who spearheaded the efforts to create the airstrip at Childs Glacier. This is an amazing story of how the…