127. The Blue Button Lifesaver

127. The Blue Button Lifesaver

From I Learned About Flying From That by Flying Magazine

April 22, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

Pilot David Segel shares a harrowing night flight experience that turned into a lesson in survival.

In this episode of I Learned About Flying From That, host Carl Valeri sits down with pilot David Segel to discuss a seemingly routine night flight that quickly turned into a harrowing lesson in survival. While attempting to regain his night currency at Alpine Airpark in Wyoming, David took off expecting a bright, full-moon lit sky to safely illuminate the surrounding 10,000-foot peaks. Instead, moments after leaving the runway, he was met with pitch-black darkness caused by an unexpected lunar eclipse. As severe spatial disorientation set in and his autopilot began blaring "Terrain! Pull Up!" warnings, David had to fight his own senses and rely on a critical piece of technology—the Garmin autopilot's "blue button"—to navigate his way out of danger. Owner: www.avemco.com/8705-ownerNon-Owner: www.avemco.com/8705-nonowner

People in this episode

Host: Carl Valeri

Guest: David Segel

Topics covered

  • night flight
  • survival
  • spatial disorientation
  • aviation technology
  • lunar eclipse

Keywords

  • night flight
  • survival
  • spatial disorientation
  • Garmin autopilot
  • lunar eclipse

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Garmin autopilot

Places: Alpine Airpark, Wyoming

More episodes of I Learned About Flying From That

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the I Learned About Flying From That podcast page.