The Student Pilot Cast

The Student Pilot Cast

Follow Bill as he progresses through his flight training. This is the audio only feed. The audio podcasts are not the same content as the video podcasts, so if you want all the content, please check out both. The video feed is mostly available on Youtube, now (inlcuding the back catalog), and you can find it by searching for "Student Pilot Cast" there or use this link: https://www.youtube.com/@studentpilotcast. The audio feed is more tied to the student experience, in cockpit training, with a few features and special events.

Episodes

June 30, 2025 44 mins

In Episode 85, we join Bill and Kent as they talk about how to expand the envelope of your flying. In other words, how to fly good and not suck...or at least get better and reduce your personal minimums.

Links:

Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot ...

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In Episode 84, we join Bill and Kent again for another Beyond the Checkride segment. In this one we talk about getting out there on the proverbial open road, and going places with GA, in whatever airplane you have access to. Hope you enjoy our discussion on cross country flying and expanding your comfort zone a bit.

Links:


Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks...

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In Episode 83, we go back to the days of the Pilotcast. Due to the tragic events of the past weekend, we wanted to re-release a Pilotcast Episode from 2018 where Kent, Tiffany, and Bill interview Aerobatic Champion and Airshow start Rob Holland. Rob tragically was killed this in an aviation accident a few days ago and since the Pilotcast is no longer hosted anywhere, we wanted to get this content back out and available to the worl...

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Welcome back SPC listeners and Merry Christmas! In this special Christmas day episode, hosts Bill and Kent delve into the pilot's lifeline – checklists. Episode 82 of the Student Pilot Cast titled 'Making a List and Checking it Twice...or Never' brings forth a comprehensive discussion on the importance of good checklist habits beyond the checkride. They debate the utility and design of checklists, discuss personal anecdotes, and of...

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December 18, 2024 51 mins

In Episode 81 Bill goes on location to interview some of the guys who started a new flight school recently. Legion Air wants to teach people to be the best aviators they can be, so let's find out what makes them tick, what their approach is, and how to turn a large fortune into a small fortune in aviation.

Links:

  • Private Pilot ACS - Mentioned in the episode, this is the Airman Certification Standards document that is the ro...
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December 13, 2024 73 mins

In Episode 80 of the Student Pilot Cast we reunite with Nick Smith from Part Time Pilot to discuss the latest developments in his online ground school platform. We explore the addition of new features, such as an IFR ground school and a mobile app, and delve into the challenges of aviation training. Host Bill shares his journey to becoming a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), offering insights and updates along the way. Tune in ...

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December 5, 2024 95 mins

In Episode 79, we join Bill and guest host Tiffany Wolf as they navigate the flight path of AI with an interview with Alex List of FlyShirley.com. Fly Shirley is a tech startup dedicated to using AI for aviation. While we are in the infancy of this technology as it pertains to aviation, the conversation with Alex is very interesting as we dive into the possibilities, where they are currently at with their product, and what's to co...

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In Episode 78, we go back in time a bit. Back when Bill was a brand new pilot and was transitioning into a couple of new airplanes. The Cessna 182 has become one of my favorites and because it's coming up again for me right now, it got me thinking about my original transition into the 182 and my High Performance endorsement. I explain in the episode why, but I wanted to revisit that training during my transition for a couple of epi...

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September 12, 2024 68 mins

Join us in this 'Beyond the Checkride' only episode of the Student Pilot Cast with hosts Kent Shook and Bill Williams as they delve into the intricacies of logging Pilot in Command (PIC) time. They discuss the nuances of FAA regulations, personal flying experiences, and scenarios like instructor flights, safety pilot roles, and questions around cross-country time. Learn how to navigate the complex rules and ensure your logbook entr...

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September 5, 2024 62 mins

In Episode 76 of The Student Pilot Cast, host Bill recounts a challenging

instrument training flight under the guidance of instructor Eddie. The flight

proved difficult due to busier-than-usual airport conditions, turbulence, and

Bill's struggle to stay ahead of the airplane. Flying under the hood, Bill

faced issues with altitude management and task saturation, emphasizing the

importance of staying current and proficient. Despite the he...

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August 29, 2024 74 mins

In Episode 75, we join Bill as he does another instrument training flight, more instrument pattern flying for practice, and an all new Beyond the Checkride Segment about buttoning up the airplane when doing cross country flying, or even at home. Enjoy.

Links:

Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact fo...

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In Episode 74, we join Bill as he finishes up his first "under the hood" instrument training flight. We also include a 'Beyond the Checkride' segment on fueling your airplane which is something many new pilots were never taught before the checkride.

Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form o...

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August 15, 2024 55 mins

In Episode 73, we join Bill as he starts his training under the hood for simulated IMC. We also introduce a new segment in this week's episode, "Beyond the Checkride". In this edition of the segment a special guest and I will talk about our first topic for actual, real-world flying that maybe weren't taught in flight school.

Links:


Hope you enjoy ...

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August 7, 2024 55 mins

In Episode 72, we join Bill as he embarks on his instrument rating. This is the first flight lesson in that endeavor as he gets familiar with the airplane and a new instructor.

Links:

Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast...

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In Episode 71, we join Bill as he as he catches up with Nexair Avionics after 15 years, and we talk about the G3 Cirrus SR-22 Turbo that they've updated and have for sale.

Links:

Video Version of the Episode: https://youtu.be/WvtUix8JLmY

Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website ...

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July 18, 2024 19 mins

In Episode 70, sit down with Bill and talk all about some upcoming plans for Airventure, for the podcast, and this episode includes a BIG announcement, so enjoy.

This episode has a video version as well which can be found HERE.

Links:

Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or ...

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July 9, 2024 62 mins

In Episode 69, we join Bill as he finishes up his flight review after a long hiatus from flying and is once again legal to fly. Watch out as the world's okayest pilot starts hitting altitude again. I definitely needed a lot more practice, but I knew I was headed directly into my instrument training so I would get plenty of that before I went solo, most likely.

Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC websit...

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In Episode 68, we join Bill as he finishes flight one of his Flight Review with Ryan on his way back to being a pilot.

Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an...

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June 25, 2024 43 mins

In Episode 67 we join Bill as he becomes a pilot again after an 11-year break from flying. This is the first part of his first flight review flight back after the hiatus. It's full of re-learning and discovery, and we're happy to have you back along with me in the cockpit as I try to shake off the cobwebs and get back to it.

Links:


Hope you enjoy the episode and...

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September 29, 2022 21 mins

Today we talk about legacy, and legends of aviation. I recently found some old audio in the SPC archives from OSH 2011, and it brought me back, got me thinking about the legacy of some of the people we sometimes get to cross paths with. Some are important to the world and some are important more to us and a few others. In any case, I wanted to let you guys hear this audio, too. I hope you like it.

Some notes from the show.

  • ...
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