Smart Pilots, Dumb Mistakes: What 100 Safety Reports Taught One Airline Captain About Flying Safer with Jeffrey Madison

What if the smartest pilots are the ones willing to admit their dumbest mistakes? In this eye-opening episode of The Pilot Network Podcast, airline pilot and author Jeffrey James Madison shares how overconfidence, complacency, and fatigue often sneak into even the sharpest flight decks. From being inspired by Tuskegee Airmen at 35, to nearly running out of fuel for a friend’s dream plane, Jeffrey explains why learning from others’ mistakes can be just as powerful as your own experience. His book Yikes! captures 100 real pilot stories that could save lives—and funds the Victor Kilo Fund to help the next generation take flight. Jeffrey’s humor, humility, and honesty make this episode a must-listen for anyone serious about flying safer and smarter.