Air Race Classic

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This podcast is brought to you by Avstar Fuel Systems. Did you know that Avstar Fuel Systems has been advancing GA Piston Fleet Fuel System Safety and Innovation for more than 25 years?

SPEAKER_2 (0:10)

That's right. Avstar manufactures precision fueling components for certified general aviation piston singles, including carburetors and fuel servos.

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And Avstar Fuel Systems have accumulated more than 30 million flight hours in service across the global fleet.

SPEAKER_2 (0:27)

Wow, more than 30 million flight hours in service. That is a significant amount of operational time.

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But what sets them apart is Avstar's process using CNC machined components that result in consistent fuel metering for reliable engine performance, while other fuel system manufacturers use legacy casting processes.

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Another thing to keep in mind, whether you're an aircraft owner, maintenance technician or FBO, is that Avstar also overhauls fuel servos, carburetors and other fueling components for the GA fleet.

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So next time you think about your aircraft fuel delivery system, think about the experts at Avstar.

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Give them a call at 561-575-1560, or fill out the contact form online at avstarfuelsystems.com.

SPEAKER_1 (1:15)

That's avstarfuelsystems.com.

David O'Leary (1:20)

For AOPA and the Air Safety Institute, I'm David O'Leary, and this is There I Was.

Before we get to today's episode, we wanted to take just a moment to say thanks to you for supporting this podcast. This is our 100th episode. Over nine years, we've shared 100 There I Was stories from aviators of all stripes, all with one goal in mind, to help us all become better, safer pilots. All of us at AOPA and the Air Safety Institute are proud of our work and appreciate your support by listening, watching and sharing all of our aviation safety videos and podcasts. If you'd like to learn more about supporting AOPA or the Air Safety Institute to make more of this work possible, please go to aopa.org. And thanks.

And now, here's today's episode.

Travasha Runyon (2:11)

We were feeling really good and all of a sudden the engine kind of died back. We heard the power decrease and it just continued to power down.

David O'Leary (2:22)

Welcome to another edition of There I Was, a podcast where we put you in the cockpit with pilots in demanding situations and we learn how they flew out of them. For the Air Safety Institute and AOPA, I'm your host, David O'Leary.

Today, we'll meet Travasha Runyon. Travasha actually got her start in aviation as a flight attendant for a major airline. Eventually, a fellow flight attendant friend who was a pilot sparked her interest in getting her private license, which she did in May of 2023 She's got her commercial, multi, CFI and CFII, as well as seaplane rating. She's been an instructor since September of 2024, and she's here to tell us about a complete engine failure she experienced while flying as a crew of three in an air race event. Travasha, welcome to There I Was.

Travasha Runyon (3:14)

Hi, it's great to be here.

David O'Leary (3:15)

I think you said you grew up on the backside of aviation. Tell us about that, because I know you have other aviators in your family.

Travasha Runyon (3:22)

Yes. So I'm actually the first pilot in my family. And what I mean by the backside of aviation is, I was born in an Air Force base. My parents are Air Force veterans, but they didn't fly.

And then when my dad got out of the Air Force, he started working for the FAA. He's an electronic engineer, and he's moved up the ranks there, and is just doing great. He's still in aviation, working for the FAA today. And then my bonus mom, my stepmom, she is a flight attendant. So through growing up, I like to say that I grew up as an unaccompanied minor flying to see my parents. And so that's what I mean when I say the backside of aviation. I didn't really grow up at the air shows and the small municipal airports.

David O'Leary (4:16)

Hanging around airports.

Travasha Runyon (4:17)

Yeah, I grew up at towers and trade cons.

David O'Leary (4:20)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. How long have you been a flight attendant?

Travasha Runyon (4:24)

I am in my 12th year, so I'm almost 12 years.

David O'Leary (4:29)

And I wonder, are there many flight attendants, many of your colleagues who are also private pilots? It seems like it's two completely different worlds. As it turns out, you had a friend who was a colleague who was a pilot, and that's how you get into flying yourself. But are there a lot of pilots among flight attendants?