A Pilot, a Professor, and a Purpose-Driven Mission | John Moalli

A Pilot, a Professor, and a Purpose-Driven Mission | John Moalli

Author: Casey Aviation July 3, 2026 Duration: 1:15:25

In this episode of The Malibu Guru Podcast, Joe sits down with John Moalli from Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands to talk about his aviation journey, his transition from Mooney to Baron to Cessna 206 and eventually into a JetPROP, and how aviation has shaped nearly every part of his life.

John shares what it is like to live and fly from the San Juan Islands, why aviation is such an important part of island life, and how his JetPROP became the perfect airplane for his mission between Friday Harbor and Stanford. He also talks about his background in forensic engineering, his teaching at Stanford, his work helping students design solutions for people with disabilities, and the powerful role general aviation played in changing one young man’s life.

This conversation is about much more than airplanes. It is about using aviation with purpose, continuing to grow as a pilot, and finding the right aircraft for the mission.

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Hosted by Casey Aviation, The Malibu Guru is a conversation for a specific corner of the sky, centered entirely on the world of the PA46 aircraft, like the Malibu and Mirage. It’s less a formal broadcast and more like hanging around the hangar, listening in as seasoned owners and pilots share what they’ve learned the hard way. You’ll hear unvarnished discussions about the realities of buying one of these complex machines, the nuances of training, and the ongoing puzzle of maintenance and ownership. The focus here is on practical wisdom, drawn directly from the community that flies these planes every day. This podcast thrives on those real-world stories-the unexpected cross-country adventure, the troubleshooting tip that saved the day, the personal insights that manuals never provide. It’s for anyone with a hands-on interest, whether you’re actively searching for your own PA46, you’re already logging hours in the left seat, or you simply appreciate deep dives into aviation’s more niche passions. The dialogue is grounded, specific, and driven by the people who know these aircraft inside and out, making it a unique resource within aviation media.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Malibu Guru
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