Flying the Cessna Caravan: One of My Favorite Airplanes

Flying the Cessna Caravan 208, a single engine turboprop corporate airplane, to Findlay, Ohio for the day. After sitting in the FBO for 10 hours, I fly The Cessna 208 back to the Spirit of Saint Louis airport for a night landing. Portions of the preflight and the takeoff and landings with the pilot cockpit view are included. In addition the Air Traffic Control conversations with other aircraft are included.
Pilot Vlog 238
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Music:
Andrew Applepie "Saying Goodbye"

[@f3nd13y]

Been watching you since before I started my career to now being the Chief Pilot of a medium-large NE company. One of the best quotes I remember from an old video that I have taught many people is "Make sure you like the snacks you put in your plane, one day that will be your lunch" SO TRUE

[@TobyMcVinn]

Yeah I didn’t have a license when I started watching these, now I’m headed to captain upgrade training in the 767!

[@mourdecais4202]

Amen Brother, too many times have I found myself raiding the snack basket!

[@timmholzhauer3342]

10 hours later???!!! OMG!! You REALLY have to love flying the Caravan or they must pay you top $$$

[@hashemhamed4430]

I liked what he said but didnt get it😅

[@lutherlewis6792]

Old old pilot. Been joying your videos for a long, long time. Thank you. Never seen more always smooth landings .

[@Adam_Gray]

Love the sound of the Caravan when one flies by overhead 💙🛩

[@michaelquillen2679]

I generally fly a Cessna 150 or 172 with my club. A number of years ago, a company I worked for had a Caravan. The company pilot, knowing I had my private ticket, let me have a go at the Caravan on several occasions. The Caravan is a dream to fly! Things happen a little quicker than they do on a 172, but it is a very easy plane to fly. Thanks for the video.

[@joshdalton6186]

Capt. .... Seeing your videos pop up has truly made my day. So glad you're back! Your videos, as odd as it may seem, help me get away from the every day chaos life can dish out. Thank you! Stay safe

[@confiinfo3274]

Sir. The Cessna 208 has to be my favorite aircraft. It’s versatility, in my opinion, is unmatched. Thank you for sharing your journey. Very inspiring.

[@jamesburns2232]

The nice thing about Captain Moonbeam is that he doesn't let his ego get in the way of flying. Wish more people were like him. 🤠

[@jesusgomezcanada7169]

The best thing is....how well you take life.....I love it. Lo mejor es ....lo bien que te tomas la vida.....me encanta. 😊

[@vanallen9453]

thanks again for sharing.. with all of us.. Capt...and please keep em coming..

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks LR. Will do.

[@johncillis3431]

You remind me so much of a former colleague of mine, who served in the Air Force and admired me for learning how to fly under Light Sport, though those aircraft are smaller than the ones you share with us. What I enjoy the most about your videos is the dialog with ATC, so much a part of pilotage. I had a scanner which I bought as an adult in Napa and also a shortwave radio which could pick up aircraft communicating with Oceanic over the Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific. I could hear some aircraft on the shortwave close to their European destinations depending on "skip" of their comms. Nowadays there are websites that allow people to listen to live ATC and Oceanic. I enjoyed most your Napa video--the hotel you stayed in was badly damaged in the '14 Napa quake which was the Bay Area's strongest quake since the '89 Loma Prieta quake, which we felt quite strongly in Napa. The '14 quake damaged Napa's control tower but the damage was fixed. Now Napa's First Street has two more hotels like the one you stayed in. I used to be a hotel manager at a Napa hotel and another resort in St. Helena, and our room rates went up because the TV series Falcon Crest brought higher tourism to Napa. Your videos are interesting because they share the city pairs biz jets and business t-props offer those who lease them along with pilots like you, vs. booking an airline. Your videos show how professional you are and I feel your passengers must appreciate that.

[@666mrgene]

Excellent vid. Love the full cockpit action showing all that you do. And low level scenery much better then 30K feet !

[@elkabong6429]

Wow. Sun in your eyes in both directions! I love the Caravan, great looking aircraft. Thanks for bringing us aboard!

[@alexanderwalley2639]

Especially with the add-on cargo pod. I think its the nicest looking single engine turboprop. A bit on the slow side, i overtook one in my Complex 200HP Piper 28R-200 going 160 Mph

[@elkabong6429]

@@alexanderwalley2639 I also like the looks of the TBM-850, a very handsome turboprop.

[@calvinnickel9995]

@alexanderwalley2639 Then that Caravan was throttled back. They are a solid 170 knot (190 MPH) bird. My EX will go through the 175 knot Vne in cruise if it’s low and cool enough.

[@wolfganghofmann3977]

Love watching the Caravan, it’s a cool machine.thanks for the video.

[@gtr1952]

I always loved the 'turbine suburban', the PT6 makes everything better. Wow, they made you wait 10 hours!! That would make me go hunting chocolate chip cookies and ice cream!! LOL 8) --gary

[@Cat-Branchman]

Hi Capt. Instrument student here. I'm training on the G1000 (no AP) and I love to watch how easy you make it look. I know it's going to take time, but my goal is to be as smooth and calm as you one day. Its a pleasure watching, thank you!

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks Cat. The instrument rating is a great one to get. I always told my students, even if you don't plan on being a professional pilot, go for the instrument rating. Think of it as an insurance policy for those days The weather takes an unexpected turn.

[@IrishDave]

that seat configuration is so sweet. Love your videos, glad you're more active again. I appreciate the amount of how hard that goes into video production.

[@IrishDave]

also 10 hours at the FBO is rough.

[@rockydabull1711]

Great video! I had the opportunity to fly the Caravan in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Of all the aircraft I’ve flown, It quickly became one of my all time favorites!

[@thecrazymd]

You should check out a Kodiak 😉

[@rockydabull1711]

@@thecrazymd I would love to! Looks to be an amazing aircraft!

[@madisonromero3529]

I love seeing a pilot video where the pilot is actually EYES OUT OF THE AIRPLANE. real pilot

[@Klaatu-ij9uz]

One GREAT captain in one GREAT aircraft.

[@rodneycichon5993]

What a beautiful airplane, one of my favorites, my hats off to you captain

[@mikemaxwell2591]

Always a pleasure watching you work with the smooth flow of a landing you always pull off. Be well.

[@W1RMD]

Thank you "capitan" for having us ride along! Great looking plane. Kind of bad luck you had to fly both legs of the trip into the sun, but great views anyway!

[@Luuk3333]

Love the Caravan. Nice flying and nice videos, absolute gifts!

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks

[@markbidus4570]

That is a gorgeous aircraft!

[@heaye]

T.P.C camera view..is very helpfull. Thank you.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing your flight.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

That was nice you pulled one of the visors over to shield you from the sunlight when you were coming back. I 😂 laughed a little. Because you keep holding up up hand!! I said wait a minute then you moved one!!! Thank God!! 😂 Hahaha.

[@GermanLibertarian]

always good to see you capt!

[@medosil]

Magic Cessna Caravan.208.

[@Cosme422]

I love that airplane! I fly it in my SIM all the time. Hope one day to see a real one.

[@krflyguy2117]

what a pretty plane and paint scheme. Looks great sitting on the ground.

[@N6941G]

Nice to see you’re still doing videos captmoonbeam. Seeing them brings me back to when I was fueling planes at TacAir. Blue skies to ya!

[@waholoopesorry74]

Love the Caravan.

[@GarryFishermusic]

Caravan great aircraft perfect short haul aircraft thank you again for the ride along . Blessings

[@kevincollins8014]

Cool you was fairly close to my house on this trip. Glad to see you getting a little change of pace and staying current in the Caravan. As always thanks for bringing us along with you and I'll see you in the next video.

[@bagels377]

Its nice to see come caravan videos again!

[@catabaticanabatic3800]

Another superb offering. Cheers.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I have researched this plane and love it after seeing the passenger fly and land it in FL, after the pilot was incapacitated. ADS-B Exchange, I saw a Fedex 208 cargomaster fly near my house. A lot of cargo planes land here in San Bernardino (former Norton AFB) and Ontario. Seen C-17 and C-5 to / from Edwards AFB. Air corridor right near my house used by FEDEX and UPS. at about 5k feet when I see them very clearly. Also at 7:50 AM CHP plane is flying right on top of all the local freeways about 2k feet. CHP T206 Turbo.

[@psjasker]

Most likeable pilot on KZbin

[@SauloMogi]

How often people fly these aircraft, i love them!!!

[@scotts.7662]

Hi Jim, Yeah b/c 3 cups keeps me awake at night!

[@nicholasr82]

Brilliant video.

[@captmoonbeam]

Thanks

[@RenePicus-pg9xp]

Hi Jim, just watch this video flying the Cessna Caravan, exceptional aircraft it is.

[@aviatornoah]

Havent seen you in quite a while, nice to see you're back at it. Never realized I wasn't subscribed until now

[@BillUtah]

Thank you for the flying and ATC parts! Stay safe

[@stan1951ful]

Love the C208!!!!

[@45searay]

Beautiful Bird !

[@PaulGarthAviation]

19:01 - "Chirp... Chirp..." Fun video to watch.

[@dereksellars]

Thanks for the video! Love watching and look forward to more. :) Hurry Up! LOL

[@FRRitter]

Caravan's sure have a massive windshield - great views! Super video Cptn, thanks for taking us along!

[@captmoonbeam]

It literally has the best visibility and coldest AC of any aircraft I've flown.

[@brucethompson1879]

Amazing video from you once again!

[@air1066]

I love watching your video awesome pilot

[@denault3985]

Good looking Caravan, it seems Mr. Moonbeam flies everything...

[@Captndarty]

When I was flying the caravan, I enjoyed it, but I was eager to get out of it. Now I miss it. Much simpler days….

[@AlicesWondereland]

I'm a little disappointed you did't Call the Ball. hahaha

[@Jay-hr3rh]

I'm currently looking for a job as a Cessna 208 pilot. I have over 2,000 hours flying on Microsoft Flight Simulator. 😊

[@Real_Natural]

Beautiful plane.

[@harryhellerman474]

Great flights - thanks.

[@scottytissue73]

Good to see you in my neck of the woods! I am SO sorry you had to kill 10 hours in Findlay. Thank you for not filming any ground time there. Not leaving the FBO was the wise choice.

[@jg4242]

I think Diestch Bros is worth a quick trip in the crew car….

[@shonrainey3946]

I was in Findlay on Thursday getting a return load of Campbells soup going to Quincy, you definitely had the better ride

[@dalemullins4562]

sun gotcha comin and goin!

[@Newberntrains]

After watching this found out southern airways express flies one out of MKL near me so i HAVE to try this cool plane

[@mitchberger2691]

I used to fly a Caravan c208 A model back in 1987 for Ameriflight. Flies like a 172 at lower speeds and a 182 at higher speeds. Sucks badly when it comes to icy conditions. Other than that, it is a great plane. Only 1 time out of 9 months did the plane have a mechanical. It was due to a pinched tube and nothing else. The performance charts thou for altitude are way off IMO. Took it up to 16,500 once with a very light load and it was out of its element. It flies better at 6-10k ft.

[@scottallen2190]

Great video! My dream job right there.👍👍

[@mikemas91]

Poor Jim caught the sun in both directions lol

[@trav8s]

Wait, you worked for Trans States? What years? I was Chief Dispatcher from 94 to 05 there. The Brasilia was my favorite to dispatch. Big heavy plane, plenty of fuel, 30,000ft ceiling, big radar dish, and the most experienced crews. You guys made stormy midwestern summer evenings bearable. Unlike the J32 desks.

[@matthewpiatt]

Got my instrument rating at KSUS. Miss that airport.

[@rkspdx]

Great videos! Thx for posting…

[@nashguy207]

Nice trip and video Jim!

[@donlantrip1400]

You came to the fbo I work at in Little Rock Arkansas love your videos.

[@Vagabondo-fs6qu]

Nice landings both ends 🛩

[@austinresing]

I wish to fly a caravan some day soon. Hopefully I see you taxing it around one day, I happen to fly survey out of there too!

[@fourwheelcamper5491]

Hello from Colorado

[@WheezySalmon]

You know its St louis when you can hear gunshots at the crack of dawn🤣

[@mikercflyer7383]

Love the Caravan. Just nice to see a prop. 😂

[@jamesavery6015]

The 208,”ice magnet.”

[@nbptpilot]

Ditto. Kodiak was my first turbine.

[@LaVieBoheme517]

Falcon 20 must have been amazing to fly!

[@cosmich2o122]

Nice landing good video

[@caca121112]

regards from Brazil....

[@captmoonbeam]

Good to have you here Jose.

[@swainlach4587]

Nice vid. Wish I could hear the turbine startup though, through cabin mic.

[@chaguine4384andrei]

i like your videos

[@jeffc.5449]

I have the privilege of flying “backseat” in one all the time for a local police agency. Amazing aircraft!!!

[@josbren8943]

Love the Caravan videos! Where is the GS on the PFD? I didn’t see it in the pic.

[@TimHayes74]

Love the video! I saw my house also!

[@maritestaylor8458]

❤❤❤❤❤❤ it thanks

[@Ljet600]

It is interesting to see what the main door (passenger and cargo door) of the Cessna Caravan on the right is.

[@niklaspilot]

Respect that you stayed in the FBO for 10 hours! I'd have gone into a hotel for sure, and if just to put my feet up a little bit :D

[@grayrabbit2211]

Sometimes the client doesn't know how long it will be. It may be two hours or can extend to two days or more. I had a "while you're out of town, could you swing by this address on your.way back?" turn into a 4 month project away from home.

[@niklaspilot]

@@grayrabbit2211 Sure, but at some point I'd have said, I'll be in the hotel, if you want to leave let me know and we meet at the airport in 30min, or so. Besides, staying in the FBO and then still conducting another flight would be hella illegal for me here :D

[@petesmith9472]

ATC accidentally pronounces G’day the way Australians say it and most Americans struggle

[@tomneese]

A jet just flew over my farm on the West side of Brommelseik Park landing daft Spirit at 8:12AM. Was that you ?

[@dannycnoble]

wonder if i crossed path with this captain? i worked for TWExpress in St Louis in the late 90s. the Brasilia had left the fleet by the time i started and was replaced by the J-41.

[@carlmanning6707]

Nice airplane I wish I could get my license but I’m at 375 lbs and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get into them training planes

[@ronmoore5827]

Another nice one sir. How did you mange not to burn your retinas out with the sun in your face both ways?

[@patrickk5370]

Where is home base?

[@orangecitrus_6705]

❤

[@antirestoration8652]

The only thing I wish you would add more of is how long the flight was from takeoff to land. Why do you like the Caravan over the jets?

[@Cosme422]

Could you please go-pro your main glass during take-offs and landings?, it would be very helpful.

[@fredcanavan3864]

Tactical dehydration.

[@Stikibits]

It's a single, but at least it's a PT6.

[@felipealbertofadr]

Me too

[@coynekrupske4721]

Looks like a microsoft flight simulator video.