Matt Dearden is "Flying from Shangri-La" which is also the "Worst Place to be a Pilot"

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.