Aviation Mentors

🎙️ What do student pilots really need—fancy flying clubs or structured schools? How can you build cross-country time without wrecking your wallet? In this high-energy episode, Brandon and Carson tackle the top aviation questions from Reddit, challenge conventional wisdom, and drop gold nuggets on discovery flights, syllabi, and digital vs. paper logbooks (spoiler: green ink might be involved). Whether you’re just taxiing into trai...

🎙️ In this 50th episode, Brandon hands the mic to a surprise guest—11-year-old Rex, son of Stratus’ customer service lead and a long-time flight school regular. From hangar hijinks and airshow thrills to his very first flight in a Cessna 172, Rex recounts his aviation adventures with charm and surprising clarity. It’s part nostalgia, part inspiration—and fully delightful. Tune in to witness the joy of flight through the eyes of a ...

🎙️ Power-on or power-off landings? Mandatory flight following or just a “nice to have”? And should spin training REALLY wait ‘til you’re commercial?

In this no-holds-barred episode, Brandon and Carson dive into the great aviation training debates—with a dash of sarcasm, golf course confessions, and the occasional jab at Piper aircraft. Whether you’re a student pilot or a seasoned flyer, this episode might just challenge what you t...

🎙️ Think becoming a pilot means drowning in debt? Think again. In this episode, we break down the real cost of flight training — and how to afford it without selling your soul (or your car).From hidden expenses and smart budgeting to co-borrowers, scholarships, and why “pay as you go” might just ruin your dream — we’re laying it all out. Plus, the truth about pilot salaries, logging hours the right way, and how Stratus Financial i...

🎙️ Flying into chaos? Brandon and Carson are here to navigate it—with zero oil pressure, surprise coyotes, and some FAA test nightmares along the way. In this no-holds-barred listener Q&A episode, they tackle real pilot dilemmas: What to do when your gear won’t go up (or down), how to survive the busiest uncontrolled fly-ins, and why ChatGPT might be your best study buddy. Packed with personal stories, wild in-flight surprises...

🎙️ Ever wondered if you’re logging PIC time the right way—or if your instructor really needs a medical? Buckle up, because in this episode of Aviation Mentors, Brandon and Carson pull back the curtain on FAA Letters of Interpretation (LOIs). These hidden gems are the FAA’s way of saying, “Here’s what we actually meant…” From spin training without a parachute to using your private pilot hours for your instrument rating (yes, really...

🎙️ Strap in as Brandon and Carson take a nosedive—intellectually—into the wild world of Reddit aviation questions. From mastering radios and taming turbulence to debating AI air traffic controllers and the shocking realities of multi-engine training (yes, you actually turn the engine off mid-air), this episode is a rollercoaster of pilot wisdom, real talk, and just the right amount of sarcasm. Whether you’re 10 hours in or 10 year...

🎙️Ever wonder what really happens behind the badge at big airports? ✈️ In this episode, Brandon shares his first-hand adventure getting SIDA badged at Long Beach — from intimidating security tests to why you might get stuck behind a gate (yikes!). Tune in and get the inside scoop on taxiing, security zones, and what GA pilots need to know before wandering into the wrong part of the ramp. Trust us… it’s not just about flashing a ba...

🎙️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, host Carson flies solo as he interviews Ryan Bliss—commercial pilot, certified flight instructor, and founder of the Vermont Aviators Association. Ryan shares his inspiring journey into aviation, which began at age 40, and how he turned his passion into a mission to make flying more accessible in Vermont and beyond.

Learn how the Vermont Aviators Association evolved from casual han...

🎙️In this episode of The Aviation Mentors, Brandon and Carson flip the script, get a little heartfelt, and crack each other up while diving into another round of listener questions! From mastering night flight like a ninja in the dark to turning road trips into ATC drills using phonetic license plates, this is one wild and surprisingly educational ride.

They'll share how to stay sharp during flight downtimes, geek out over pilot-co...

🎙️Looking for the best aviation headset for your cockpit?In this episode of AviationMentors, Brandon and Carson unbox the Lightspeed Delta Zulu and give you a pilot’s-eye view of its most talked-about features — from built-in carbon monoxide detection to in-app audio recording. They also compare it head-to-head with popular models from Bose and David Clark, breaking down comfort, clarity, tech innovations, and TSO certification.

Wh...

Is America’s air traffic control system stuck in the past?

🎙️In this episode of Aviation Mentors, Brandon and Carson take a grounded look at the challenges facing U.S. air traffic control — from outdated technology (yes, floppy disks are still in use) to ongoing staffing shortages, especially at contractor-run facilities like those operated by Serco.

They break down the Department of Transportation’s newly proposed $12.5 to $18.5 bi...

🎙️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors podcast, we dive into another round of listener questions—and things get entertaining fast. From navigating unexpected weather to decoding ATC conversations, Brandon and Carson share real-life stories, expert tips, and one hilarious email involving a bald eagle and some unexpected radio banter. It’s part practical, part ridiculous, and fully worth the listen. You never know what’s coming ...

🎙️ In this episode of Aviation Mentors, Brandon dives into three of the biggest questions pilots are asking: How can you finance your flight training without racking up overwhelming debt? Are flight simulators really worth the hype—or do they cause more harm than good? And what are the best ways to manage cockpit workload during solo flights? It’s real talk, packed with practical tips, and it’s Aviation Mentors at its absolute bes...

🎙️ Strap in for the thrilling conclusion of our CFI debate trilogy! In Part 3, Brandon and Carson dive into the eternal battle between FAA minimums and true proficiency, debate scenario-based vs. maneuver-based training, and settle the score on whether being a CFI is a career or just a stepping stone. With sharp insights, laughs, and a few strong opinions, this finale delivers a smooth touchdown to an unforgettable series.

🚀 We ar...

🎙️Buckle up for another round of aviation arguments as Brandon and Carson dive 🛬 headfirst into the go-around gospel, engine-out realism, and the age-old question: when should a CFI actually take the controls? From sneaky gear failures to simulated chaos mid-flight, this episode balances edge-of-your-seat scenarios with big laughs and sharp wisdom. Part 2 brings even more altitude and attitude—just when you thought it couldn’t ge...

🎙️ Welcome to Part 1 of a fiery 3-part series where Brandon and Carson dive into the cockpit controversies that CFIs just can’t agree on. From the automation vs. stick-and-rudder smackdown to whether ground school belongs on the ground (spoiler: it does), nothing’s off-limits. Expect bold takes, FAA shade, and plenty of laughs. This isn’t your average flight school chatter—it’s unfiltered, unapologetic, and just getting started.

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🎙️ Welcome to Part 1 of a fiery 3-part series where Brandon and Carson dive into the cockpit controversies that CFIs just can’t agree on. From the automation vs. stick-and-rudder smackdown to whether ground school belongs on the ground (spoiler: it does), nothing’s off-limits. Expect bold takes, FAA shade, and plenty of laughs. This isn’t your average flight school chatter—it’s unfiltered, unapologetic, and just getting started.

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🎙️ In this episode, Brandon and Carson dive headfirst into four of the most asked questions in aviation: What are the most common checkride mistakes? How do you find a trustworthy flight instructor? When are you really ready to carry passengers? And how do you plug into the aviation community without being that airport bum? It’s candid, it’s packed with real-world advice, and of course—it’s Aviation Mentors at its finest.

🚀 We are...