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New podcast tells of aviation’s darker side

By Ben Sclair · August 29, 2020 ·

Drug smugglers have often used mechanized tools to move drugs from places of manufacture to distribution. Aircraft, like other modes of transportation, merely serve a purpose.

A new podcast, Fly by Night, shares the “stories of pilots who used their skills to smuggle drugs in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, and the people who chased them.”

The first season of eight episodes tells the story of Drew Thornton, a Lexington, Kentucky, narcotics cop turned drug runner.

Fly by Night is researched, produced, and narrated by Charles Stites, an aviation photographer and writer.

If Charles’ name is familiar, he’s also the founder of Able Flight.

And he assured me that Fly by Night is a personal project for his “spare” time and Able Flight is not “on the back burner in any way.”

Fly by Night is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.

About Ben Sclair

Ben Sclair is the Publisher of General Aviation News, a pilot, husband to Deb and dad to Zenith, Brenna, and Jack. Oh, and a staunch supporter of general aviation.

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