Episode Details

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday — what really happens when the engine quits and there's no runway in sight? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the real Huntington Beach beach landing that had pilots buzzing, then dig into aviation history to explain why golf courses keep showing up as emergency landing spots. The hosts cover:

• The real mayday call and engine failure behind the Huntington Beach beach landing near the 2026 U.S. Open of Surfing
• Harrison Ford's 2015 emergency landing at a Venice, California golf course, and the mechanical failure that caused it
• Why golf courses sit next to so many airports and what makes them ideal emergency landing zones, including a 2025 Riviera Country Club landing
• A former insurance adjuster's take on seatbelts, shoulder harnesses, and why proper installation can be the difference between walking away and not

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, or general aviation enthusiast, this episode is a real-world look at emergency decision-making, aircraft safety equipment, and why staying calm under pressure can turn a crisis into a story you get to tell.

The Fly to Success Scholarship closes August 28th, with the winner announced at the Ascend Flight Training Summit in Dallas, September 8-10.

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