FLYING Magazine Max Impact

Flying Tails: Rescuing Animals One Fight at a Time

Ken Wayne’s true passion comes through when he talks about saving the lives of cats and dogs.

Friday, June 05, 2026 at 08:54 AM ET

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Wildlife rescuers Ken Wayne and his wife, Carole Moshetti, and their dog Mango. [Credit: Flying Tails]

Key Takeaways:

"Flying Tails Animal Rescue" is a new 13-episode PBS show featuring former TV news anchor Ken Wayne, who uses his Cessna 182 to fly various animals in need of rescue.
Wayne left a decades-long career in television news to pursue his passion for animal rescue full-time, finding the work more emotionally fulfilling than reporting on difficult news.
His nonprofit, Flying Tails, transports a wide array of animals—from wild species to cats and dogs—often saving them from euthanasia in overcrowded shelters, with hopes that the TV show will attract funding for expansion.

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I’m always surprised there aren’t more television shows featuring small, general aviation airplanes. I have vague recollections of watching Sky King reruns as a child. And I loved watching Flying Wild Alaska, which ran about 15 years ago. But I’m hard pressed to remember other shows in which a four- or six-seat airplane was prominently featured.

So I was delighted to learn about Flying Tails Animal Rescue, a new 13-episode TV show which has been picked up to air on 176 PBS stations in 40 states. The premise is simple: A man uses his Cessna 182 to fly animals that need rescuing.

Max Trescott is the host of the popular Aviation News Talk podcast, which focuses on GA and safety. He’s a Cirrus Platinum CSIP and SF50 type-rated pilot who often helps buyers fly their aircraft home. He’s also the 2008 National CFI of the Year.