Josh Flowers

“I’m not sure if I’m a pilot who happens to make films, or if I’m a filmmaker who is also a pilot,” says Flowers, a YouTube producer also known as Mr. Aviation 101. His channel, aviation101, is a delightful mix of travel, lessons, retrospection, and safety advice. His mission wasn’t clearly defined in the beginning. His father had been an active Cessna 172 pilot when Flowers was very young, but had hung up his headset when his family of four and life made their demands. When his son decided to learn to fly, Bob Flowers was right there, recording the introductory flight. “My parents did video as a side gig. Weddings and such. I watched them film and then was there through the editing process. Filming and storytelling is as deep a passion of mine as flying,” Flowers says.

His evolution to become Mr. Aviation 101 was gradual. He started simply by sharing his flying experiences, but as he earned ratings and turned from student to CFII (he helped his father earn his instrument rating) and the father/son duo bought another Cessna 172, Flowers found his purpose: to set a good example and be a role model by chronicling his growth in aviation. “I do believe that social media is a new way to get young people into aviation,” he says. “This is a way for me to show off the beauty of GA, to show that flying is a blast, that flying can get you to see friends and family. It’s also a creative outlet for my filmmaking, but as a safe pilot—the rules and regulations are set in blood.” Flowers despairs that many social media influencers do stunts and unsafe practices simply for notoriety. “I strive not to produce for clicks,” he says.

He just completed two months of travel and gathering stories, flying his 172 from Oshkosh up and down the East Coast, and back to his base in San Marcos, Texas. “My job is to make it look fun and glamorous, but after we gather all the stories, I’ll be in front of my computer drinking a lot of coffee trying to stay alive.”

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YouTube: Aviation101