Best DPE Podcasts (2024)

1
Decoding the Private Pilot ACS | Part 3 53:59

1M ago53:59

53:59

Welcome back to VSL Aviation's series, where we delve into the intricacies of the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS)! I'm Seth Lake, your guide on this journey to mastering aviation standards. In Part 3 of our series, we'll dive in-depth into Task C - Weather Information. This episode covers the essential weather knowledge every pil…

1
Deon Mitton on Aviation Photography, AI, and Adventure Flying 59:12

5M ago59:12

59:12

In this captivating episode, we embark on a journey with Deon Mitten, an aviation photographer, skilled pilot, and inspiring mentor, whose passion for flying and technology illuminates our discussion. From Newark Airport, Deon shares his unique path from the tech world to the cockpit, revealing how his love for flying took flight after a decade-lon…

1
Confession of an Aircraft Insurance Broker 1:10:04

5M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Immerse yourself in the captivating journey of Joe Ryan, an expert in aircraft insurance. From his humble beginnings to achieving authority status in the field, Joe addresses all your questions about aviation insurance. Join us on this journey as we explore his unique perspective on various training aircraft and extreme flying conditions. --- Suppo…

1
Decoding the Private Pilot ACS | Part 2 56:28

7M ago56:28

56:28

Welcome back to VSL Aviation's series where we delve into the intricacies of the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS)! I'm Seth Lake, your guide on this journey to mastering aviation standards. In Part 2 of our series, we'll continue unraveling the complexities of Airworthiness Requirements. Building on the foundation laid in our firs…

1
Decoding the Private Pilot ACS | Part 1 47:46

8M ago47:46

47:46

Welcome to the first episode of our new series at VSL Aviation! I'm Seth Lake, an experienced FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, and in this video, I'm going to break down the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS) like never before. This series aims to provide detailed insights and practical tips for aspiring pilots. Whether you're a stude…

1
DPE Ultimate Pilot Q&A: Mastering Check Rides, STCs, ACS vs PTS, and More! 1:03:56

10M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Join Seth Lake, a designated pilot examiner, in this comprehensive Q&A session where we delve into key topics every aspiring pilot needs to know for their check ride and beyond. Packed with insights from my extensive experience, this video is an invaluable resource for pilots at all levels. Chapters: [01:35] - Inop Equipment for Checkride [02:55] -…

1
Mastering FAA Ramp Inspections: Your Step-by-Step Guide 28:52

10M ago28:52

28:52

In this highly informative video, we equip you with the essential know-how to confidently navigate an FAA ramp inspection. Whether you're a private pilot, commercial aviator, or part of an aviation team, understanding the FAA's ramp inspection checklist is crucial for a successful evaluation. Using the FAA Order 8900.1 as our compass, we take you t…

1
F16 Instructor Pilot Shares his First Solo Cross-Country 57:55

11M ago57:55

57:55

Join us on this episode as we delve into the captivating journey of Colonel Dennis Daley, a retired Air Force F-16 instructor pilot with over 1,000 sorties and combat experiences. From growing up on a farm in Illinois to soaring the skies in F-16s and even transitioning to a career as a Delta pilot, Colonel Daley's story is one of determination, pa…

1
Flight Attendant to Captain: Inspiring Journey of Marinella Ballesteros 41:46

11M ago41:46

41:46

Join us on this episode of the Aviator Zone podcast as hostCaptain Felipe Santiago interviews the female aviator Marinella Ballesteros. Marinella’saviation journey is truly one of determination and resilience. From startingher career as a flight attendant to becoming an airline pilot, her story isboth unique and inspiring. In this episode, Marinell…

1
Mike Shiflett discusses his experiences as a DPE and explains how he supports new CFIs through CFI Bootcamp 1:07:30

1+ y ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Welcome to Aviator Zone podcast episode #6! In this podcast, we sit down with Mike Shiflett who has a diverse background in engineering, physics, human factors, and more. With experience as a satellite engineer for weather and communication satellites, as well as an engineer specialized in night vision system, Mike has incredible stories to share a…

1
Adventures of a Helicopter Pilot and Glider Enthusiast 1:30:04

1+ y ago1:30:04

1:30:04

Welcome to our latest interview with Nelson Brandt, an experienced pilot who has flown helicopters for the US Coast Guard and gliders all over the world.In this captivating interview, Nelson shares his stories and insights from his many years of flying. He discusses everything from the technical aspects of flying to the emotional impact of being a …

1
Episode 5 - Failing a Checkride...Now What? 42:18

1+ y ago42:18

42:18

Although not the outcome we hope for on a checkride, let's talk about it! We cover what happens on the exam, and more importantly what next. What will this do to the future of my flying and potential aviation career? I talk to a major airline Captain that also conducts interviews for his airline to get his perspective on what a failure means for an…

1
Airworthiness Directives - An Introduction 37:32

1+ y ago37:32

37:32

Join Seth Lake and Josh Campbell from @FreePilotTraining in a discussion on FAA Airworthiness Directives. This topic is a stumbling block for many new pilots, and our discussion will help you understand ADs better. Check out @FreePilotTraining for a ton of great free content! Check out the podcast website to find the interactive ACS for both commer…

1
Multi Engine Basics - Part 2 1:01:50

1+ y ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Join me as I continue the multi-engine add-on series. In this episode, I continue the discussion of the commercial ACS and how I use it to conduct the commercial multi-engine add-on checkride. Check out the podcast website to find the interactive ACS for both commercial and instrument. https://vsl.aero/podcast Check my new Patreon page, where I wil…

1
From Flight Instructor to First Officer: Garrett Shares his Story 49:01

1+ y ago49:01

49:01

Welcome to our latest episode of the Aviation Zone Podcast, where we bring you insights and stories from the world of aviation. In this episode, we are joined by a guest who was a former flight instructor at our academy. He has been in the commercial aviation industry for just over a year and a half, and has recently been promoted to First Officer …

1
Multi Engine Basics - Part 1 58:41

2y ago58:41

58:41

Join me as I start the multi-engine add-on series. In this episode, I cover the training required for the multi-engine rating. I also get into the commercial ACS and how I use it to conduct the commercial add-on checkride. Check out the podcast website to find the interactive ACS for both commercial and instrument. https://vsl.aero/podcast Check my…

1
What Happens If You Fail A Checkride? 35:44

2y ago35:44

35:44

Join me as I discuss the disapproval process, more commonly known as failing your checkride. Failure is always a significant cause for concern; however, I think the more you know about something, the less scary it is. No one wants this outcome, but it happens and is simply a part of being a pilot. Luckily, it’s usually not a big deal and will have …

1
Episode 4 - Top 5 Tips to Help with Your Checkride 28:47

2y ago28:47

28:47

This episode we cover my Top 5 tips to help with your next checkride....or even your next flight! A guest airline Captain weighs in on the topic. We take a question or two from our listeners as well.

1
Commercial Pilot ACS Review - Part 4 31:28

2y ago31:28

31:28

Join me as I complete the Commercial Pilot ACS Series. The commercial pilot checkride is just like any other FAA practical test and uses the Airman Certification Standards. This test evaluates your knowledge and skills as a pilot to make sure you have what it takes to fly for compensation. In the fourth and final episode of the series, I discuss th…

1
It's Never Too Late...If You Are Willing 1:14:26

2y ago1:14:26

1:14:26

Meet Michael (Mike) Stoklosa! Mike is a retired mechanic shop owner who never really though he wanted to be a pilot. He shares his story of walking around what is now runway 9L at Miami Executive Airport, the land his father lost to eminent domain year ago. After retirement he decided he wanted to learn to fly, and that is how we met. We talk about…

1
Commercial Pilot ACS Review - Part 3 48:17

2y ago48:17

48:17

Join me as I continue the Commercial Pilot ACS Series. The commercial pilot checkride is just like any other FAA practical test and uses the Airman Certification Standards. This test evaluates your knowledge and skills as a pilot to make sure you have what it takes to fly for compensation. In the third episode of the series, I discuss Area of Opera…

1
From a Cessna 152 to the Military Pilot 49:33

2y ago49:33

49:33

Curious about what is takes to become a military pilot? Check out our interview with Will as he shares his timeline. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aviatorzone/support

1
Buying an Airplane with no Pilot Certificate 1:12:33

2y ago1:12:33

1:12:33

Join us as we interview Georg and find our his recently experience of aircraft ownership with no license. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aviatorzone/support

1
Commercial Pilot ACS Review - Part 2 49:25

2y ago49:25

49:25

Join me as I continue the Commercial Pilot ACS Series. The commercial pilot checkride is just like any other FAA practical test and uses the Airman Certification Standards. This test evaluates your knowledge and skills as a pilot to make sure you have what it takes to fly for compensation. In the second episode of the series, I discuss Aera of Oper…

1
Commercial Pilot ACS Review - Part 1 41:09

2+ y ago41:09

41:09

Join me as I start the Commercial Pilot ACS Series. The commercial pilot checkride is just like any other FAA practical test and uses the Airman Certification Standards. This test evaluates your knowledge and skills as a pilot to make sure you have what it takes to fly for compensation. In this first episode of the series, I discuss Area of Operati…

1
GPS/WAAS/RNAV/RNP - An Introduction 28:14

2+ y ago28:14

28:14

Join me as I discuss the alphabet soup of terminology surrounding the world of GPS/RNAV. I know these terms can cause more than a little confusion for the new instrument pilot. I’m hoping that this short explainer helps introduce the new instrument pilot. Checkout Max Trescott’s excellent podcast on the different kinds of RNAV approaches here: Avia…

1
TERPS – Obstacle Departure Procedures (Instrument Checkride Prep) 26:11

2+ y ago26:11

26:11

Join me as I discuss non-standard takeoff minimums, ODPs, and TERPS. It’s also a topic that might come up in your instrument checkride, and being prepared to answer questions on non-standard takeoff minimums and ODPs is a must! Check out the VSL Aviation YouTube videos! Email: seth@vsl.aeroBy Seth Lake

1
ForeFlight and your Instrument Checkride 37:07

2+ y ago37:07

37:07

Join me in this episode, where I discuss how you can use ForeFlight to help you be successful during your Instrument Checkride! Did you know the FAA doesn’t produce the FAR/AIM? Did you know that ForeFlight has a cloud-based server containing everything the paper commercial FAR/AIM does? Learn how to set up your ForeFlight documents library and som…

1
Instrument Pilot ACS Review - Part 3 1:32:23

2+ y ago1:32:23

1:32:23

This is part 3 of a 3 part series on the Instrument Pilot ACS. Join me as I take a deep dive into the ACS from an examiner's perspective and discuss how I use this document to conduct an instrument checkride. If you plan to take your instrument practical test, you don't want to miss this! https://www.youtube.com/c/SethLakeDPE https://www.facebook.c…

1
Instrument Pilot ACS Review - Part 2 45:07

2+ y ago45:07

45:07

This is part 2 of a 3 part series on the Instrument Pilot ACS. Join me as I take a deep dive into the ACS from an examiner's perspective and discuss how I use this document to conduct an instrument checkride. If you plan to take your instrument practical test, you don't want to miss this! https://www.youtube.com/c/SethLakeDPE https://www.facebook.c…

1
Episode 3 - Examiner's Perspective 47:52

2+ y ago47:52

47:52

In this episode, I speak with a fellow DPE, Mark Robey, about a range of topics. We cover pilot training demand, and common errors he sees on checkrides. We even hit on the topic of being pilot in command during the exam from the last episode, and get his thoughts. And as always, I answer a few questions from our pilot audience as well!…

1
Instrument Pilot ACS Review - Part 1 45:27

2+ y ago45:27

45:27

This is part 1 of at least a 3 part series on the Instrument Pilot ACS. Join me as I take a deep dive into the ACS from an examiner's perspective and discuss how I use this document to conduct an instrument checkride. If you plan to take your instrument practical test, you don't want to miss this! https://www.youtube.com/c/SethLakeDPE https://www.f…

1
2 Planes in 1 Day - King Air and Cessna 210 ride-along 40:33

3y ago40:33

40:33

In this episode, the VSL team brings you along in the cockpit of a King Air 200 and a Cessna 210. Our full day of flying includes discussions on two different aircraft types, how to use flight service, and some in-flight decision making on a diversion for an early fuel stop. We had a great time putting this one together so I hope you enjoy it!…

1
Navlog for your checkride – What you should know 42:03

3y ago42:03

42:03

In this episode of the VSL Aviation podcast, I detail what you should know for the navigation tasks you will have to perform during your private pilot checkride. Most applicants I see don't fully understand that pilotage and dead reckoning have to be used during the checkride. I hate seeing the panicked look in the applicant's eyes when I inform th…

1
VSL Aviation Podcast EP5 - Want to be a part-time Air Force Pilot? Here are two ways to do it! 41:39

3y ago41:39

41:39

In this episode, I switch gears a little bit and have a conversation with my friend Josh Campbell about getting into the Air Force Reserves. Josh and I are both flying the C-130 in the Reserves. We also both happen to be active in the General Aviation community. We thought it would be interesting to do a podcast/video about our paths into the servi…

1
VSL Aviation Podcast EP4 - Priavte Pilot ACS breakdown by a DPE part 4 27:54

3y ago27:54

27:54

In this episode, I finish up the 4 part series on the Private Pilot ACS. Let me know what you think! I hope this series helps you get prepared for your Private Pilot checkride. Let me know if you have any questions or have any tips for future episodes!By Seth Lake

1
VSL Aviation Podcast EP3 - Private Pilot ACS breakdown by a DPE part 3 41:29

3y ago41:29

41:29

In this episode, I cover areas of operations 5 through 7. I discuss performance maneuvers, clearing turns, and simulated instrument flight. I hope you enjoy this episode!By Seth Lake

1
VSL Aviation Podcast EP2 - Private Pilot ACS breakdown by a DPE part 2 48:31

3y ago48:31

48:31

In this episode, I cover areas of operations 2 through 4. I also discuss how perfection isn't the standard when completing the checkride. I hope you find this insightful!By Seth Lake

1
VSL Aviation Podcast EP1 - DPE thoughts on the ACS 40:08

3y ago40:08

40:08

In this episode, I get some introductions out of the way and cut straight to the content. I have a lot of applicants struggle to understand how to use the ACS when preparing for your checkride. Don't make the same mistake! Listen up for tips straight from a DPE!By VSL Aviation

1
Episode 2 - Pilot in Command 35:54

3y ago35:54

35:54

On Episode 2, I discuss and breakdown being Pilot in Command for your checkride, or next flight, and what the examiner is looking for as well. We chat with CFI, Ned Parks, and hear his insight and thoughts on the PIC topic. We take a few checkride questions, and much more!

1
PilotCheckride - The Intro 33:51

3y ago33:51

33:51

On this 1st episode, we discuss the overall goal of the podcast and what topics and subjects our podcast will cover. In addtion to introducing myself as your host, I will cover a few common questions I've received and the required format of a checkride. We will also take a question from a CFI, and much more!…