Flight Training Australia Podcast

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Today on the show I’m delighted to be joined by Aaron Kaplan — a seasoned aviation professional with deep experience in the helicopter sector and industry advocacy. Aaron is currently the Deputy HOO with United Aero Helicopters, where he’s built his career around helicopter flight training and operational excellence.

Check out Aaron's LinkedIn profile here

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Phil’s been flying since 1976. He’s competed in aerobatics since the 80s. He co-founded Action Aerobatics and helped produce around 40 state and national champions.

He formed the Skyaces formation aerobatics team, flown everything from Harvards to jets, served as Chief Pilot and CFI at the Royal Newcastle Aero Club, runs Phil Unicomb Aviation, and in 2025 was awarded the Col Pay Award for Lifetime Service to General Aviation at the CASA Wings Awards.

Phil Unicomb Aviation YouTube Channel

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Imagine you’ve just lifted off.

You’re passing 200 feet. Everything feels normal.

Then the engine note changes.

Not silence…
not failure…
just a rough, struggling loss of power.

The aircraft is still climbing — but barely.

Do you keep going?

Turn back?

Land ahead?

In the next few seconds, the wrong decision can be fatal.

Today we’re talking about the emergency we train for the least…
yet one th...

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You might already hold a night VFR rating, be working towards an instrument rating, or be planning to start one soon. And at some point in your training, someone will tell you that once you’re qualified, you’re “allowed” to fly at night.

But today I want to challenge that idea.

Because being allowed to fly at night, and being genuinely ready to fly at night — especially on instruments — are not the same thing.

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Every flight instructor has faced the same moment.

You see a student starting to unravel. Directional control is slipping, workload is climbing, and things are heading in the wrong direction. Instinct kicks in — you reach for the controls to “help”.

That moment — the decision to assist rather than decisively take over — sits at the centre of a recent Australian court case that ended in a training aircraft crash, the loss of a student’s flying career, and almost $800,000 in damages awarded against a fl...

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I’ve been asking pilots a simple question: how well did your training actually prepare you for real-world flying?

The answers have been confronting. Not because they’re emotional — but because they’re consistent.

This episode isn’t about naming names. It’s about listening to what students are telling us, identifying the patterns, and asking whether we’re truly training pilots… or just getting them through tests.

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Today we’re going to break down what CFIT and LOC-I actually mean, why they’re still such a stubborn problem, what the leading causes look like across airlines, helicopters, and general aviation, and how we train to mitigate them — including the tricky bit: risk versus reward in training, and where simulators genuinely move the needle.

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Back in 2023 I spoke with our guests UPRT Australia's Shane Tobin and Jeremy Miller about UPRT training as a whole. Today we are going to talk specifically about stalling and stalling accidents, and the differences from the Day VFR Syllabus and the current Part 61 MOS and instructors understanding.

UPRT Australia Website

Up, Forward, In - Formation book by Jeremy Miller - click here!

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I recap my Broome trip, Answer your questions plus an Exercise Pitch Black update for 2026 and your chance to win 1 of 10 free digital logbooks!

GELP vs AELP

Which Pathway is best for you?

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In this episode we’re talking about something a little closer to home: Tropical Cyclone Fina, which has just passed through Darwin Nov 22nd.

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Who can certify a logbook?

RPL endorsements

Best tips for CPL hour building

And a few questions about me!

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Air North Brasilia accident ATSB Report

E55 Baron accident ATSB Report

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The CAR 5 licensing system served Australian pilots for decades. But it’s now officially closed. As of 1 September 2025 CASA set this as the end of the simple conversion process. So if you haven’t converted, what now?? Plus I’ll run you through the process digital licences and medicals I’ll run you through the process.

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Too many pilots are being trained to pass a test, not to survive the real world. And that, my friends, is a serious problem.

Today we’re talking Scenario-Based Flight Training — what it is, why it matters, and how we can implement it across all levels of flight training from recreational to commercial, IFR, and even instructor development.

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In a short but significant ruling, Australia’s High Court has dismissed Corporate Air Charter’s appeal against a Full Federal Court decision confirming that standby duty is considered “work” and must be factored into a pilot’s average weekly hours. So what does this mean for pilots and operators?

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We discuss and train for inflight emergencies all the time. But have you ever really thought about what you would do in the event of an emergency or crash. landing? Do you have enough food and water? Do you know how to operate an ELT or EPIRB??

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Today we’re diving into a topic that every pilot, from the brand-new student to the most seasoned airline captain, deals with every single flight: checklists, flows, and memory items. These tools are the backbone of cockpit discipline and standardisation—but when do you use a flow? When do you pull out the full checklist? And what about those memory items for emergencies? 

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Today we’re talking about something every single one of us can relate to — how to be a better pilot. Whether you’ve just passed your RPL, or you’ve been flying for decades, the truth is: none of us ever really stop learning. And that’s exactly what this discussion is about. What are the habits, the skills, and the attitudes that separate “average” pilots from the truly great ones?

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Today we’re diving into job interviews for general aviation — what operators are really looking for, the top tips to stand out, and the technical questions you’ll need to be ready for and the most common mistakes being made.

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Australian Aviation Summit Review

Aviation Aviation Awards for 2025

Coomalie Creek VJ Day Anniversary Fly-in

CASA Wings awards nominations are now open for 2025

https://www.australianflying.com.au/wings-awards

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CTAF radio calls – Mandatory vs Recommended

Flight Training Cadetships – are they worth it?

Plus a few bits on the side!

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In this episode we’re going to talk about something we all learn early in our flight training… but might not always apply as well as we think — and that’s Visual Meteorological Conditions, or VMC.

Link to the CASA Airspace structure PDF - CASA Airspace Structure and VMC Guidance

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Whether you’re training at a country airstrip or taxiing out at Sydney International, understanding aerodrome lighting isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. So today, we’re going to break it all down: from the humble pilot-activated lighting at your local strip to the full lighting suite at major international airports.

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Understanding the ATIS and AWIS when starting out can be quite overwhelming. And even for seasoned pilots sometimes some new info pops up which can cause confusion. In this episode I'll break down examples of both to help make your life easier whether you are starting out or just need a refresher!

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Struggling to fly a tidy circuit?
Does your final approach feel more like guesswork than precision?
Or maybe your base turns are more like a coin toss — literally.

Today, we're breaking down how to fly accurate circuits and consistent landings — no matter what aircraft you’re in and start flying like a pro.

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Australian Aviation Awards Finalists Announced for 2025

Darwin Airport Landing Fee increase

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What would you do if you had a complete electrical failure? No radios, no gear power, no flaps, nothing!! 

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Have you had issues with your flight school?

Struggled to get lessons booked in regularly?

Can’t get a flight test date?

Struggling to get an exam date?

Looking to change flight schools?

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Broome recap

What’s a CIRIS Report?

G500 and 1000 screen failures and

What are the things that make HOO’s say no instantly to an applicant?

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Preparing for a flight review when rusty

Discussing career progression with your employer

Single or Multi engine instrument rating first

And what exactly is the airspeed velocity of an unladen African sparrow???

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We've had an incredible few weeks ferrying and consolidating in the DC3 around Darwin! I share some highlights and update you on when operations will commence.

Plus some pet peeve for 2025, or should I call it Robbo's Rants?!?! Let me know what you think.

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My guest today is the director of BVR Performance, a qualified flying instructor with the Royal Australian Air Force, and an aviation performance coach. Storm brings a wealth of experience to the table, currently specializing in advanced pilot training on the Pilatus PC-21 aircraft.

 Throughout his career, he’s been a strong advocate for continuous improvement – encouraging pilots to learn from the mistakes of others, actively seek feedback, and set daily goals to stay sharp and focused. Today, we’re diving into the mindset and discipl...

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This week I'm looking into an investigation currently before the courts with a pilot's licence hanging in the balance. Plus what every pilot needs to understand about decision-making, risk and strict liability.

ATSB Report here

Plus CASA Wings 2024 Winners

Strike Aviation Pilot Maintenance course, registration and info here!

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In this episode, I’ll explore what it takes to be an airshow pilot, the level of training and discipline required, and how human factors come into play. More importantly, I’ll discuss how this applies to every pilot, from private and commercial pilots to flight instructors and airline captains. Because no matter what you fly, precision, training, and discipline matter. 

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In this episode I want to discuss one of the most insidious threats to pilots—spatial disorientation. We’ll break down a recent ATSB report on a serious incident, explore the human factors behind disorientation, and discuss how we as pilots can prevent and recover from it.

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I chat about my recent trip to Broome and today we’re talking about retractable undercarriage aircraft, the risks of landing gear-related accidents, and how to avoid them.

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I chat about my recent trip to Broome and today we’re talking about retractable undercarriage aircraft, the risks of landing gear-related accidents, and how to avoid them.

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Circling approaches are one of the most dangerous manoeuvres an IFR pilot can fly, however most have never flown one in actual circling conditions before. Solid Understanding of the procedures to be followed and how to fly the aircraft safely are prudent – day or night! In this episode, I review the whole process including the upcoming changes to the AIP published late March soon.

AIC H09/25

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The holding point. Sometimes a single yellow solid and dashed line, sometimes a double. There could be flashing lights, stop bars, taxiway signage, or painted markings. Some airports there’s nothing at all! But what do they actually mean, and why is failing to understand or respect them so dangerous?

We’re also going to talk about what it really means when a pilot reports "ready" for departure.

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Mayday, mayday, mayday! It’s the call every pilot hopes they never have to make. But when things go wrong, no matter what you’re flying, your training, knowledge, and experience are all that stand between you and possible disaster. Will you rise to the challenge—or become another cautionary tale? And when the dust settles, how will the world judge your actions? Today, we’re talking about the fine line between training and real-world experience… and why pilots should think twice before casting judgment on their peers.