Aviation Mentors
🚀 We are The Aviation Mentors, a weekly podcast dedicated to creating an amazing space where we aviators can hang out and enjoy a wide range of conversations about anything aviation. We're aviators, we're mentors, and we're entrepreneurs. Whether you're a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or just an AV Geek like us, this is the podcast for you! 🌎 Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying! Sponsored by Stratus Financial www.stratus.finance
Don't Change Your Fuel Plan Mid-Flight: Why I Regretted It Twice in One Weekend (Part 2)
⛽ What happens when everything's going right, so you skip the fuel stop you planned?
In this episode, Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez finish the story of Brandon's ferry flight in an ICP Savannah S light sport airplane from Texas to California. With the right tank still not feeding, Brandon walks through how he replanned every leg, how they got fuel at an airport that had none, and the moment he broke his own rule over the desert.
🔹 Flying with a fuel system problem and why every leg was capped at 1.5 hours 🔹 Getting stranded at an airport...
Fuel Planning in an Unfamiliar Airplane: Why the Owner's 5 GPH Estimate Was Wrong
⛽ What happens when the fuel burn you were promised isn't the fuel burn you get?
In this episode, Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez break down part one of Brandon's ferry flight in an ICP Savannah S, a light sport airplane he had never flown, from Georgetown, Texas toward California. Brandon walks through how he planned fuel for an unfamiliar aircraft, why he didn't trust the owner's numbers, and the moment over the Arizona desert when one tank stopped feeding.
🔹 Why a 5 GPH fuel burn estimate didn't hold up, and what the airplane actually burned 🔹 Planning for weig...
What Actually Happens in a 2-Year Flight Review, From Stalls to Steep Turns
✈️ Flight review coming up? Brandon walks through his 2-year flight review in a twin, from stalls to steep turns to one very human radio mistake.
Co-host Carson Vasquez is out this week, so Brandon Martini takes the mic solo for an episode built around his own flight review. He covers what he practiced, what felt rusty, and what it taught him about staying proficient.
What a 2-year flight review looked like in a twin: power-on and power-off stalls, slow flight, and steep turnsWhy steep turns feel different when you move from a slower airplane to a fast...How Much Fuel Reserve Do You Actually Need?
Fuel starvation kills more pilots than mechanical failure ever will, so why do so many still skip the fuel stop? ⛽
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down real fuel exhaustion accidents pulled straight from recent aviation news, then share a personal story of nearly running dry over the desert in an Icon A5. They unpack the exact planning mistakes that turn a routine cross country into a fuel emergency, and the mindset shift that prevents it.
Why fuel starvation, not mechanical failure, is the leading pilot-error cause of fatal GA ac...Plan for the Unexpected: A Real-World Cross Country Flight in a New Light Sport Aircraft
✈️ What does it take to plan a cross-country flight when almost nothing is certain?
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon shares his in-progress cross-country trip to Austin, Texas to pick up a brand-new-to-him ICP Savannah light sport aircraft, flying it home to California with his friend Herb. Brandon and Carson break down the real-time decision-making that goes into a flight like this, including:
Route options for crossing the Rocky Mountains in a small airplane, from the northern route to the Albuquerque corridorRestricted airspace, MOAs, and density altitude considerations that shape where you can and...Flight School Rate Hikes, Checkride Delays & Crosswind Limits: Pilot Q&A
Should you switch flight schools if your rates just went up? Is 45 hours without a checkride sign-off normal, or a red flag? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle four listener questions that hit close to home for every student pilot working through primary training. From navigating rising flight school costs to knowing when a CFI's caution is protecting you (not stalling you), the hosts break down what real flight training progress actually looks like. They cover:
Whether switching flight schools mid-training helps or hurts your progressHow to tell if a slow...From Glider Pilot to Flight Test Engineer: Adriana on Soaring Records, Gulfstream, and the FlyORKA App
✈️ What does it take to flight test a brand-new aircraft before it's ever earned its wings?
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson sit down with flight test engineer and glider champion Adriana, who holds 34 soaring records and built the FlyORKA app. She shares her path from reading test pilot biographies as a teenager to flight testing prototypes for Gulfstream, plus why gliders make pilots sharper and more disciplined in the cockpit:
How flight testing a brand-new aircraft actually works, from envelope expansion to meeting certification requirementsWhy flying gliders builds stronger rudder skil...Can AI Get You Through Your Checkride?
Can an AI really get you through your checkride, or is it setting you up to fail? 🤖✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Carson flies solo to break down the fast-growing wave of AI tools built for checkride and ground school prep. He walks through what's actually useful, what's overhyped, and where trusting the wrong answer could cost you more than a bad grade.
How Sporty's new AI suite (ChatCFI, ChatFAR, and an oral exam simulator) compares to just using free ChatGPT or ClaudeWhy Lime's AUTO, an AI digital pilot examiner, claims an edge with av...When There's No Runway: Beaches, Golf Courses, and the Huntington Beach Mayday
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday — what really happens when the engine quits and there's no runway in sight? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the real Huntington Beach beach landing that had pilots buzzing, then dig into aviation history to explain why golf courses keep showing up as emergency landing spots. The hosts cover:
The real mayday call and engine failure behind the Huntington Beach beach landing near the 2026 U.S. Open of SurfingHarrison Ford's 2015 emergency landing at a Venice, California golf course, and the mechanical failure that caused itWhy golf course...Buying or Selling a Plane? Here's the $50,000 Mistake to Watch For
Buying or selling a plane? There's a costly mistake hiding in the logbooks that most people never see coming. ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the real process behind buying and selling an airplane, using Carson's recent sale of his Icon A5 as a live example. They cover:
Why a pre-buy inspection is non-negotiable, even on a $20,000 airplane, and what mechanics actually look forHow incomplete logbooks and "pencil whipped" ADs can lead to a surprise engine or propeller overhaul costing $10,000 to $50,000What happens legally if you fly an aircraft that...What It's Really Like to Fly Into Oshkosh and Camp Under Your Wing
What does it really cost to experience the biggest airshow in the world? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down everything pilots need to know about EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, from ticket and membership costs to what it's really like to fly in and camp under your wing. With this year's event just days away, the hosts share firsthand stories and answer the questions most first-timers have:
What EAA AirVenture Oshkosh actually costs, including AA membership, wristband pricing, and camping vs. hotel logisticsWhat it's like to fly a small plane into Oshk...Part 107 Drone Rules Every Pilot Needs to Know in 2026
Flying a drone near an airport? The rules might surprise you. 🛸
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down Part 107 and what every pilot, student, and CFI needs to know about sharing the airspace with drones. From personal drone stories to real FAA enforcement cases, the hosts cover:
The difference between recreational (TRUST test) and commercial (Part 107) drone rulesRegistration, weight limits, and how LAANC authorizations actually workReal federal cases where drone pilots faced fines and criminal chargesThe FBI's drone crackdown at the 2026 World Cup and what it means for future regulation🚀...
You Failed Your Checkride. Now What?
🌍 Failed a checkride? You're not alone, and it's not the end of your aviation journey. ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down what a checkride failure or discontinuance actually means for student pilots, plus dig into the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, why general aviation airports keep shutting down, and why fewer people are flying just for fun these days. The hosts cover:
What happens after a failed checkride or discontinuance, and why it's more common than you thinkPart 61 vs Part 141: the real differences in structure, stage checks, and exa...What Is the Pentagon's 1260H List and Why Is Cirrus On It?
A Chinese-owned aircraft maker just landed on the Pentagon's radar, and Cirrus pilots want to know what it means for them.
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the news that Cirrus's parent company, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has been added to the Pentagon's list of Chinese military-linked companies operating in the US. The hosts walk through what the designation actually means, who else got named alongside Cirrus, and why this story is surfacing now. They cover:
What the Pentagon's blacklist designation is and why it's not the...Cirrus Is a Chinese Company? Plus CO Risk and DPE Shortage
Is Cirrus secretly owned by a Chinese company, and could carbon monoxide be hiding in your training aircraft right now? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle a stacked listener Q&A covering the biggest questions general aviation pilots are asking right now. Carson also catches Brandon off guard with breaking news about Cirrus. They cover:
Carson asks Brandon if he's heard the news: the Pentagon just added Cirrus to its list of Chinese military companies, and Brandon's reaction says it allWhether carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk in training airc...The State of Flight Training in 2026: Hiring, Pipeline, and What the Data Actually Shows
Flight training in 2026 — is it still worth it, and what do the numbers actually say? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Carson delivers a data-driven state of the union for flight training in 2026. Real numbers pulled from FAA records, industry surveys, and airline hiring reports. Carson breaks down:
The real state of airline hiring in 2026, with actual numbers from American, United, and DeltaWhy 2025 was a pause and not a collapse, and what the rebound looks like right nowStudent pilot pipeline data, CFI supply, and what the competition actually looks likeThe true cost of flight traini...Can You Fly Without Aviation Insurance? Skywatch Answers for Students, CFIs, and Flight Schools
Can you fly without aviation insurance and what happens if you do? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson sit down with Tomer Kashi, CEO and co-founder of Skywatch, and Stephanie Kleeberg, head of sales and customer service, to break down everything pilots need to know about aviation insurance. They discuss:
What renters insurance actually covers and why every student pilot needs it before their first soloHow flight school fleet policies work and why schools require students and CFIs to carry their own coverageThe difference between renter policies, CFI policies, and aircraft owne...AeroSummit 2026 Recap: AI Caught the Instructor Breaking Planes and a $10,000 Scholarship Is Open Now
Putting all your squawks into Claude and comparing it with flight data and seeing who's breaking the planes. ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson just got back from AeroSummit 2025 in Miami and break down everything that happened, from a heated on-stage FAA debate to a live $10,000 scholarship announcement. The hosts discuss:
How AI is now being used in flight schools to identify which instructors are damaging aircraftWhy over-speeding flaps is a serious problem and what it does to an airplaneThe heated on-stage debate over FAA Part 141 modernization and what it means for...Why Student Pilots and CFIs Should Attend AeroSummit 2026
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down everything you need to know about AeroSummit 2026, happening May 20 through 22 at the JW Marriott Turnberry in Aventura, Florida. From the session lineup to networking opportunities, here's what's in store:
Dedicated tracks for student pilots, CFIs, and flight school ownersKeynote speaker Stephanie Goats and panels on the future of flight trainingSessions covering FAA Part 141 modernization and the Mosaic ruleHow to fund your flight training, including military VA benefitsAirline recruiters on site for resume reviews and career matchmakingKit Darby's 2026 airline pilot job market and salary dataA charity...Runway Incursions and Airline Collapses: What Happens to Your Pilot Career?
Runway incursions, airline bankruptcies, and what it all means for your future in the cockpit. ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the latest aviation headlines and what student pilots and aspiring airline professionals need to understand about a rapidly shifting industry. From a shocking runway collision at LaGuardia to Spirit Airlines ceasing operations, the hosts cover:
The LaGuardia runway incursion where a commercial aircraft struck an airport fire truck on takeoffWhy PAPI lights and situational awareness are non-negotiable skills for every pilotSpirit Airlines shutting down and the financial mismanagement behi...Is an Aviation Degree Still Worth It? Plus Drones and Flight Fear
Do you really need a degree to fly for a major airline, or is that advice completely outdated? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle a packed listener Q&A covering some of the most common questions student pilots are asking right now. From airline hiring requirements to managing fear between lessons, this one hits close to home for anyone in flight training:
Whether an aviation degree is still required to get hired at a major airlineSolo study vs. group study: which approach works best for student pilotsThe best flight training apps...The Smelly Cockpit Problem
Hygiene in the cockpit — it's the conversation nobody wants to have, but every pilot, CFI, and flight school owner eventually faces. 🛩️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle the awkward, hilarious, and surprisingly serious topic of cockpit hygiene — and it goes both ways. From smelly students to unprofessional instructors, the hosts break down:
How smelly students AND smelly CFIs affect trust and performance in the cockpitHow to have a difficult hygiene conversation without crushing a student's love of flyingThe "compliment sandwich" technique for addressing hygiene at the flight school levelWhy a student w...War, Fuel Prices, and GPS Spoofing
War, fuel prices, and GPS threats—how is global conflict reshaping general aviation right now? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the real-world impact of rising fuel costs and geopolitical conflict on pilots, flight training, and the GA community. From Middle East airspace closures to GPS jamming over the US, this episode connects the headlines to your cockpit:
How sustained fuel price spikes are driving up flight training costs and what to budget for in 2026Which aircraft and engine types actually make sense to fly when fuel stays expensiveWhether Middle...Are Pilots AI-Proof? Answering Your Biggest Flight Training Questions
Are pilots truly safe from AI replacing their jobs — and how do you actually make flight training work in real life? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle some of the most pressing questions student pilots are asking right now. From the debate over AI and automation in aviation to the real costs of learning to fly, the hosts cover:
Why pilots remain AI-proof and the timeline challenges of autonomous aircraftHow to handle flight training fuel surcharges and what's a fair rateThe guilt of spending big money on flight training — and how to r...Pizza Delivery to Phenom 300: Shaun Dawson's Pilot Story
From delivering pizzas as a teenager to earning a Phenom 300 type rating — Shaun Dawson's pilot journey is one every GA pilot needs to hear. ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon sits down with San Diego-based software engineer, GA pilot, and NFlight owner Shaun Dawson to talk about what it really takes to grow from student pilot to type-rated aviator. The conversation covers:
How Microsoft Flight Simulator helped Shaun solo in just 4.5 hours (and the bad habits it created)A near-midair collision during his first solo flight outside the airport environment and the mental reset...Flight Training Is Hard: Here's How to Handle the Obstacles Most Students Face
Flight training costs, location choices, and bouncing back from bad lessons—your biggest questions, answered. ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle a fresh round of listener questions for student pilots navigating the realities of flight training today. From rising instructor rates to post-lesson frustration, the hosts share honest advice and real-world perspective on:
How to afford flight training when CFI rates have climbed past $100 an hourWhy location matters more than you think when choosing where to trainThe smartest ways to stay productive when weather cancels your lessonHow to mentally bounce back a...Mayday in a Warzone: When ATC Can't Save You
Mayday calls, closed airspace, and no place to land — what do you do when ATC tells you "I don't know what to tell you"? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down a real-world airline crew's nightmare flight during the Middle East airspace crisis triggered by the Iran conflict. A routine 30-minute trip turned into a fuel emergency with nowhere to land, and the lessons apply to every pilot at every level. The hosts cover:
How a flight crew added 2.5 tonnes of extra fuel — and still nearly ran outWhat happens when UAE, Kuw...From $7,300 in 9 Months to $100K: The Real Airline Pilot Salary Story
From $7,300 in 9 months to breaking $100K. What does the real airline pilot career path actually look like? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon sits down with Chad Freeman, a major airline pilot with 7 type ratings and founder of MHP Investors, a mobile home park investment company focused on building passive income and financial stability outside the cockpit. Chad shares his unfiltered journey from scraping by at a regional airline to flying the Boeing 787 internationally, and why he turned to real estate to protect himself from aviation's unpredictability. They discuss:
What it's really like flyi...The Real Reason 80% of Student Pilots Never Finish Training
Flight training is tough — but are student pilots set up to fail before they even start? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle the most pressing student pilot concerns of 2026, answering real listener questions about the financial and practical challenges of learning to fly. The hosts break down:
Why 80% of student pilots quit — and why funding may be the real deciding factorHow to protect yourself financially if your flight school goes out of business mid-trainingThe truth about CFI turnover and how to pick an instructor who won't leave you strandedWhat checkride pass rat...Do You Actually Need an ATP to Fly Commercially? The Answer Might Surprise You
Do you actually need an ATP to fly commercially? The answer depends on how you're flying — and it might surprise you. ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down one of the most misunderstood regulatory questions in aviation after a real JSX flight from Scottsdale sparks the debate. They cover:
Why Part 121 requires both pilots to hold an ATP, Part 135 requires only the captain, and Part 91 requires neitherHow JSX uses Part 380 and Delux Public Charter to legally operate 30-seat jets under Part 135 instead of Part 121 — and why Southwest is fighting to shut it...Is the DPE Shortage a Myth? PilExOS CEO Adam Shimmens Reveals What's Really Happening
Is there really a DPE shortage, or is aviation facing an efficiency problem? And how is technology transforming flight training and check rides? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson sit down with Adam Shimmens, CEO of PilExOS and 20-year private pilot, to explore the intersection of aviation technology and flight training. From the DPE scheduling crisis to AI-powered cockpit tools, this conversation digs into what's really happening behind the scenes in general aviation:
The DPE shortage myth—why roughly 400 examiners are doing over 80% of check rides nationwide, and why the real issue...You Know You're A CFI When... (Part 5)
Should CFIs stay silent or intervene? Paper charts or electronic flight bags? When's the right time for turning stalls? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson debate the most controversial topics in flight training. From stall techniques to tailwheel timing, the hosts challenge conventional wisdom and share strong opinions about how pilots should really learn to fly, including:
When students should learn turning stalls vs. level flight stalls in primary trainingWhy spin training should (or shouldn't) be required for private pilots againThe case for introducing tailwheel flying during private pilot training—not afterA...Listener Questions (Part 13)
Should student pilots pay extra for glass cockpit trainers, or stick with steam gauges to save money? What about learning Class Bravo procedures early? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson answer critical listener questions that every student pilot and low-time pilot faces during their first 250 hours. The hosts tackle real-world training decisions and share lessons learned about:
Whether modern glass cockpit trainers are worth the premium cost vs. traditional six-pack aircraftWhat pilots wish they'd done differently in their first 250 hours—from saving money to logging PIC time strategicallyAre used avionics upgrades worth...FAA Medical Certification with Dr. Daniel Monlux: What Every Student Pilot Needs to Know
FAA medical certification—what every pilot needs to know before their first (or next) aviation medical exam. ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson welcome Dr. Daniel Monlux, FAA Senior HIMS AME, board-certified in family medicine and aerospace medicine, and former F-18 naval aviator with 3,500+ flight hours. Dr. Monlux, medical director of Wingman Med, breaks down the FAA medical certification process and dispels common myths that keep pilots grounded:
The truth about medical denials: 90%+ of pilots get certified on the spotWhy transparency and honesty are your best strategy on MedXPress applicationsHow to handle...Garmin Autoland's First Real Emergency: Right Decision or Dangerous Precedent?
Aviation history was made—but should it have been? The first real emergency Autoland sparks massive debate. ✈️
On December 20, 2025, Garmin's Emergency Autoland system completed its first-ever real-world emergency landing when a Beechcraft King Air 200 experienced rapid depressurization at 23,000 feet. But here's the controversy: the two pilots were fully conscious, wearing oxygen masks, and capable of flying—yet they chose to let the computer land the plane.
In Episode 208 of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Carson breaks down this groundbreaking and controversial event that's dividing the aviation community:
What happened: The complete timeline from depressurization to autonomo...Captain Curt's Journey: From Working 3 Jobs to Flying Gulfstreams | Aviation Success Story
Flight training costs, career timelines, and generational wisdom—what does it really take to make it as an airline pilot? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon sits down with Captain Curt, a third-generation airline pilot and current Gulfstream captain, in Curt's brand-new podcast studio. They dive deep into the realities of building an aviation career, including:
Why every year you delay flight training costs you $500,000+ in lost career earningsThe $2 million impact of seniority numbers on your lifetime airline salaryCaptain Curt's journey: working 3 jobs, paying cash for flight school, and surviving the 2008 financial crisisWhy studen...Winter Flying Safety for Pilots: Frost, Icing, FIKI Aircraft, and IFR Considerations
Winter flying, icing, fog, and cold-weather decision-making—how do pilots actually manage the risks when temperatures drop? ❄️✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive deep into winter flying realities, sharing real-world stories, hard lessons learned, and practical guidance every pilot should know. From scraping frost off windshields to flying IFR through icing conditions, this episode covers:
• The dangers of frost, ice, and snow on aircraft before takeoff
• Real pilot experiences with in-flight icing and how to escape it safely
• The difference between FIKI-certified a...
Listener Questions (Part 12)
Navigating thunderstorms, aircraft maintenance, and in-flight decision-making—what really happens behind the controls when things get tense? ⚡✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dig into real-world scenarios that every pilot can learn from. From forecasting convective weather to navigating point-of-no-return decisions over the Rockies, the hosts break down:
• How to determine if a forecasted thunderstorm is safe to navigate around
• What really happens when you get too close to convective activity
• Brandon’s intense near-storm experience with family onboard—and what he’d do differently tod...
The Aviation Side of Pearl Harbor: Surprises, Warbirds, and GA Takeaways
Pearl Harbor, aviation history, and real lessons for today’s pilots—how does a two-hour attack from 1941 still shape the way we fly today? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into the aviation side of the Pearl Harbor attack, exploring how 353 Japanese aircraft caught the U.S. by surprise and what modern pilots can learn from the event. From warbirds like the P-40 Warhawk, B-17 Flying Fortress, the Dauntless, and the Japanese Zero, to breakdowns in communication and readiness, the hosts connect one of history’s most significant aviation-driven moments to...
Listener Questions (Part 11)
What’s the right way to tell your CFI you’re confused? Should student pilots buy their own headset early? And is it normal to feel like you’re getting worse before you get better? ✈️
In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into real student-pilot frustrations and answer top questions pulled from Reddit and listeners, including:
• Why regressing during flight training is completely normal—and how to push through it
• How to stop overthinking your landings and build true pilot instinct
• Whether to trust school-pr...
