Two issues in — if you're new here, this is the between-episodes companion to Backcountry Aviation Radio and JB Flys. Let's get into this week's flying.

This week's episode is live — Justin Meaders.

The part that stuck with me most wasn't the racing résumé, it was the culture shift he described moving from pylon racing into National STOL. Pylon racing is cutthroat — eight airplanes wingtip to wingtip, everybody wants to win. STOL, he says, is the opposite: everybody wants to see you do good too. That reframe — competing against yourself instead of the guy next to you — changes how he flies, how he preps, even how he talks about the sport.

And for a guy who custom-engineers every hand control on his airplanes from scratch, there's one part of the build process he says he genuinely dreads: picking a paint scheme. Mechanically, nothing fazes him. Color and graphics? He's asking AI for help same as anybody.

Listen on Apple Podcasts HERE or Spotify HERE

Next week we've got a two-for-one — Erin and Paul…or should it be “Paul and Erin”? I asked 😜

This dream team built a Bearhawk 5 and are flying to all 50 states…yes, all 50 (I had questions as one of those could be tricky). And so far they are my favorite guests to date…first, they’re awesome and second, they dropped into GA2 (Peach State Aerodrome) for an in-person interview. They set the new standard…sunshine, aircraft fly-bys, and recording under the wing of their Bearhawk 5 (with the Scout behind me 😎). All in all a great conversation with some energetic aviators showing you the daily life of aircraft ownership and living…literally living out of an airplane. Can’t wait to post this one.

Set a reminder, or just watch this space — it'll be right here in next week's Scout Report.

Production's rolling. A lot of hours in the hangar and in the edit bay this month, and I wanted to give you a preview of what's coming.

Episode 2 picks up right where the origin story leaves off. I tracked every single dollar of the first ninety days of owning this airplane, and I'm giving you the real number. Not an estimate. The honest, all-in total, broken down so you can see exactly where it went. If you've ever wondered what a fifty-year-old airplane actually costs to own, not the sticker price, the real cost, this one's for you.

Right behind it, Episode 3 takes the Scout somewhere the pavement doesn't go. We fly out to a barrier island most people never get access to see, and I'll walk you through what backcountry access actually looks like when it's done right.

Beyond those two, there's a running list of ideas I'm chewing on for future episodes. A panel upgrade project. A trip that pushes into new terrain, mountains and gorges instead of the flat country you've seen so far. A deeper look at tires and what actually holds up off-airport. Nothing locked yet, but all of it's in the mix.

So here's my ask. What do you want to see next? Ownership stuff, more trips, more teaching content, something else entirely? Hit reply and tell me. I read all of it, and it shapes what gets made. Not a vlog, always a lesson or take-away.

See you out there.

We’re getting close. If you want a front-row seat, [subscribe here → JB FLYS] so you don't miss it.

Places on my list. Here's what's confirmed and what's still penciled in:

Know an event that should be on this list? Reply and let me know.