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Caleb St. John

@calebsj01

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✈️ 🩺 🎺 ☁️ 🐋
WMU ✈️ SAU BioChem 🧪 🩺 💉
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🫀 Transplant
Aviation & Travel ✈️ 🌎 @calebs_aviation

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✈️ Back on September 27, 2025, my mate (that’s Aussie for “friend”) Byron Waller, better known online as @teenpilotdownunder made a special stop to visit me at my home airport — Jackson, Michigan (KJXN).

Byron’s visit was part of his massive journey flying a Sling TSi around the world 🌎 — from Australia through Asia, across Europe and the Atlantic to America, and then home over the Pacific to Brisbane! Even more incredible, he’s been raising money and awareness for kids and teens living with chronic illnesses like Crohn’s disease, which he battles himself.

Byron’s story is beyond inspiring. He’s been in and out of hospitals more times than most people can imagine — yet here he is, flying around the world, chasing his dreams, and proving what’s possible.

It meant so much to see him here in Jackson. We got to hang out for a few hours during his quick stop, reminiscing about when we last met at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, where we filmed interviews about overcoming medical challenges in aviation.

For those who didn’t know, I was born with HLHS, a congenital heart defect, and received a heart transplant in 2022. Like Byron, I’ve spent a lot of time in hospitals over the years. Both of us share a unique bond — not just through our love of aviation, but through the shared experience of facing serious medical challenges and long hospital stays. It’s truly special to have a friend like Byron who understands that journey — and I know the feeling is mutual.

As of this October, Byron’s made it safely back home to Brisbane after completing his round-the-world flight.
Way to go, mate — truly inspiring stuff! 👏💪✈️

Keep an eye on both our socials, for more adventures soon also, I will soon be flying all the way around the world to all 7 continents. More to come…

Also, if anyone is interested here is the link to the full video of Byron stopping in Michigan:
https://youtu.be/0s_oj-SRXPg

#ByronWaller #TeenPilotDownUnder #CalebStJohn #CalebsAviation
#Aviation #PilotLife #SlingTSi #TeenPilotDownUnder #AroundTheWorldFlight #AviationCommunity #AvGeek #HeartTransplant #ChronicIllnessAwareness #PilotsOfInstagram #FlyWithPurpose #AviationFriends #Resilience #FlyForHope taken in Jackson County Airport by @calebsj01

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a year ago

Still can’t believe this trip was real. 🎄🚢✨

Back in December 2024, I spent 8 days cruising down the Danube River through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary during the Christmas season — and it honestly felt like stepping into a movie.

From wandering through Christmas markets in Munich and Salzburg, to seeing Vienna lit up at night, to standing along the Danube in Budapest with the Parliament building glowing across the river… every stop felt surreal in its own way.

This trip was also a huge first for me because it was my very first river cruise and my first time creating a cinematic travel-style video instead of my usual aviation content. It pushed me creatively in a really fun way, and I’m genuinely proud of how it turned out.

There’s something really special about Europe during Christmas — the lights, the history, the music, the atmosphere, the old architecture, and just slowing down enough to take it all in.

The full video from the trip is now live on my YouTube channel if you want to come along for the journey. ✈️🎥

Would you ever do a Christmas river cruise through Europe? 👀

: taken in Danube River, Linz, Austria by @calebsj01

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5 months ago

Delta A321 Comfort+ DTW To ATL | #60SecondTripReport

Welcome to my first 60-Second Trip Report on a Delta A321 in Comfort Plus from Detroit to Atlanta!

On this short 1 hour 20 minute flight, we’ll take a quick look at the seat, the snacks, and the views.

I was supposed to be in First Class, but lost my upgrade to Comfort+ because I tried to standby for an earlier flight on my way to AvCon, the first-ever aviation content creator convention in Atlanta.

A full video about AvCon is coming soon, as well as the Boeing 717 trip report linked to this video once it’s published!

#60SecondTripReport #Delta #A321 #ComfortPlus
©️ Caleb’s Aviation 2026 by @calebsj01

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6 months ago

February 3, 1959 — “The Day The Music Died.”

February 3rd marked one of the most tragic days in music history. The world lost three rising stars: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson).

Shortly after midnight, their chartered Beechcraft Bonanza departed from Mason City Municipal Airport, bound for Fargo during the grueling Winter Dance Party tour. Winter weather had moved in — low ceilings, snow, strong winds, and limited visibility.

Just minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into a frozen field near Clear Lake, killing everyone on board, including pilot Roger Peterson.

Investigators later determined the probable cause to be spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions combined with a lack of training for IMC conditions and familiarity with the avionics and the Beechcraft Bonanza.

A tragic reminder of how unforgiving weather and unfamiliar equipment can be, especially in an era before the advanced avionics and training standards we rely on today.

As an aviation enthusiast, photographing a V-tailed Bonanza hits differently knowing the history attached to this aircraft type. A beautiful airplane… forever linked to a heartbreaking chapter in both music and aviation history.

Gone, but never forgotten.
#BeechcraftBonanza #VTailBonanza #DoctorKiller by @calebsj01

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8 months ago

#OTD On October 4th, 1992 El Al Flight 1862 Crashed In Amsterdam!

On this day on October 4th, 1992 an El Al Cargo Boeing 747-200F crashed shortly after takeoff from Amsterdam into a crowded residential apartment complex just shy of AMS Schipol Airport! This crash was a direct result of defective “fuse pins” inside the aircraft’s engine pylon attachment system. Check out this short video to see how it all happened…

Footage from National Geographic “Seconds From Disaster” Amsterdam Air Crash!

#OTD #ElAl #ElAlFlight1862 #Boeing747200F
©️ Caleb’s Aviation 2025 taken in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol by @calebsj01

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a year ago

Sept 11th, 2001 - Sept 11th, 2025
24 Years Later, Never Forget
#911Memorial #TwinTowers #Sept11th by @calebsj01

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a year ago

40 Years Since the Tragedy of JAL Flight 123 ✈️🇯🇵

On August 12th, 1985, Japan Air Lines Flight 123 set out on what should have been a routine domestic journey from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Osaka Itami Airport. Just 12 minutes into the flight, tragedy struck. A catastrophic failure in the rear pressure bulkhead — the result of a flawed repair seven years earlier — led to explosive decompression. The B747SR’s tail section was torn open, severing critical hydraulic systems.

For the next 32 harrowing minutes, Captain Masami Takahama, First Officer Yutaka Sasaki, and Flight Engineer Hiroshi Fukuda fought valiantly to control the crippled aircraft, using only engine thrust to guide it. In the cabin, passengers — knowing their fate — wrote final messages to loved ones on scraps of paper, in what would become some of the most heartbreaking artifacts in aviation history.

The aircraft ultimately crashed into Mount Takamagahara in Gunma Prefecture, killing 520 of the 524 souls on board. It remains the deadliest single-aircraft accident in aviation history.

The loss shook Japan to its core, forever changing its approach to air safety and engineering oversight. Memorials now stand at the crash site and in communities across Japan, ensuring that those who perished are never forgotten.

Today, 40 years later, we honor the memory of those 520 lives — passengers, crew, mothers, fathers, children, and friends — whose journey was tragically cut short. We remember the extraordinary bravery of the crew, the quiet courage of passengers in their final moments, and the lessons learned that continue to save lives.

May they rest in peace, and may their memory always remind us that behind every safety regulation, every inspection, and every repair, there are lives depending on it.

And, as one last thought — can we all just acknowledge that the JAL 747 in that classic red-and-white crane “tsurumaru” retro livery was spectacular? It was an icon of the golden age of air travel, a sight that embodied elegance and national pride. Here’s hoping JAL brings that timeless look back on one of their modern flagships — maybe even the beautiful new Airbus A350-1000.
#JAL123 #B747SR #Japan
. taken in Tokyo Haneda International Airport by @calebsj01

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a year ago

Today, the world bids farewell to Captain Jim Lovell—a man whose calm resolve in the most harrowing moments embodied the best of human courage and ingenuity. As the commander of Apollo 13, he faced what could have been a tragedy and steered it into a triumph of perseverance and teamwork. His understated voice—uttering the now-iconic, “Houston, we’ve had a problem”—became a testament not only to his leadership, but to the power of human innovation when the odds are against us .

Beyond Apollo 13, Lovell helped propel humanity’s greatest leaps: Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8—the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon—and then Apollo 13, where he and his crew turned near-catastrophe into a “successful failure.” He logged over 715 hours in space, twice journeyed to the Moon, and though he never walked its surface, his legacy walks among the stars .

Deeply admired for his quiet wit and steadfast optimism, Jim was known affectionately as “Smilin’ Jim,” always ready with a grin or a clever remark—even under tremendous pressure . In retirement, he remained humble and grounded, transitioning into the business world, blessing his loved ones with warmth, humor, and unwavering encouragement. As his family lovingly said, what meant the most to them was that, to them, “he was our Hero” .

Rest in peace, Captain Lovell. Your optimism, bravery, and quiet strength will continue to guide future generations of explorers—on Earth, to the Moon, and beyond. by @calebsj01

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a year ago

Hey, I’ve got a HOT & CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION: Does flying over a state, territory or country count as a visit? I’ve heard people say “I’ve been to Idaho because I flew from Atlanta to Seattle” which flies over Idaho in this example. Also we’re talking strictly a first time new visit to a state, does flying over a state count??

What do you think? I know there will be debate about this comment and vote in the poll below ⬇️ Once we have a majority say I’ll share the results as I genuinely think they’ll be interesting. by @calebsj01

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Was Gonna Fly Today But… #AviationWeather

Weather Had Other Plans 👀 ⛈️
#Thunderstorm #SummerStorms #PilotLife #Cessna172 #AviationWeather
©️ Caleb’s Aviation 2025 taken in Jackson County Airport by @calebsj01

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a year ago

Last Night’s Weather P2 #Thunderstorm #Tornado taken in Spring Arbor, Michigan by @calebsj01

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a year ago