Best Flighttraining Podcasts (2024)

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

4M 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

4M 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

6M 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

6M 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
Airworthiness Directives - An Introduction 37:32

1y 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

1y 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
Multi Engine Basics - Part 1 58:41

1+ y 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

1+ y 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
Commercial Pilot ACS Review - Part 4 31:28

1+ y 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
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
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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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

2y 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 33: Peter Zaccagnino - Reno Air Race Hall of Famer, Author & Aviation Business Owner 53:54

2+ y ago53:54

53:54

Peter Zaccagnino went to Embry Riddle for an engineering degree. While he was learning about aerospace engineering, he was taking flight training and was getting to amass experience with flying sky-divers and getting tailwheel experience initially in a Pitts Biplane and then a Cessna 195, with a rotary engine. He was 19 when used that Pitts to get …

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

2+ y 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

2+ y 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
Episode 32: Audrey Menezes - A Woman Pilot, Originally from Mumbai, Discusses Flight Training, Regional Airlines and Flying Part 135 48:56

2+ y ago48:56

48:56

Born in Mumbai, India. Moved to New York when she was a little girl. Her first love was music and she can play 7 instruments. Audrey fell in love with aviation at 16 and started going to Embry Riddle to be an aerospace engineer. That’s where she learned she actually wanted to fly and left Embry Riddle to pursue her flying career. She did her Privat…

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

2+ y 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

2+ y 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

2+ y 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

2+ y 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

2+ y 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 31: Mike Geyer - From Flight Instructor & C5 Load Master to Regional Airline Captain 59:17

2+ y ago59:17

59:17

Mike Geyer First was introduced to flying by his father, while he was stationed in Japan for the Navy. His father gave Mike his first discovery flight as a present for his 11th birthday and this was the ‘fish-hook’ moment for him for wanted to become an aviator. After high school he decided to attend an aviation university in Louisiana but after tw…

1
Episode 30: Hunter Dunlop - Gets His Commercial License 42:16

3y ago42:16

42:16

Hunter Dunlap-Getting Commercial during Covid This guest has been on the show before during the 2018 Oshkosh Air show, were recorded under the wing. The reason Hunter has returned to the show is that he has reached a major aviation milestone and earned his Commercial pilots license. As a non-career aviator, Hunter explains his passion and reason fo…

1
Episode 29: James Onieal - Owner of Raven Career Development & Pilot for Navaid Certification 1:03:15

3y ago1:03:15

1:03:15

In this episode, our guest is James Onieal who has a wide variety of pilot experience from flight instructing at Embry Riddle, flying turbo-props at Colgan Air, Embraers 170s at Republic as well as being the youngest pilot hired and subsequently furloughed from Netjets. He currently does navaid verification flight checks as well as an entrepreneur,…

1
E31 IFR & VFR Flight Plans: How Do You Get Them, File Them, Activate Them and Cancel Them? 59:06

3y ago59:06

59:06

In this episode Kevin and Rob talk about picking up those IFR and VFR Clearances and they talk about the advantages of using Flight Following when not using a flight plan. This Episode is packed full of good knowledge from experiences and useful information that hopefully makes it a bit easier fro you to understand the clearances and how to pick th…

1
Episode 28: Austin Kaminski - Regional Airline Captain 38:32

3+ y ago38:32

38:32

This episode’s guest is Austin Kaminski, who is a native of Northern Virginia and is now a captain at a regional airline. Austin discusses how the National Air and Space Museum really inspired him to pursue aviation as a career. As a child, his father would also take him down to Gravelly Point, which is an area within the National Park Service's Ge…

1
Episode 27: Covid-19 = A Year In Review 2020 47:24

3+ y ago47:24

47:24

COVID-19 Follow up Episode. In this show Peter Teuten and I look back at our initial predictions of how the Corona Virus would affect the aviation industry back in March of this year. Now in October, we saw that the TSA passenger numbers hit over 1 million in a given day for the first time since the pandemic began. We discuss how it has effect the …

1
Episode 26: Bill Sivley - Newly Certified Flight Instructor & His First In-Air Emergency 56:15

4y ago56:15

56:15

This episode’s guest is Bill Sivley, who at age 53, recently earned his Flight Instructors License. The very next day, Bill was flying an aircraft he is part owner in, and experienced an in-air emergency. The engine of his C182 stopped functioning properly. Bill describes what happened in the 5 minutes and 33 seconds that followed and the training …

1
Episode 25: Tyler Dodson - Regional Airline Captain by Age 24 37:32

4y ago37:32

37:32

This show’s guest is Tyler Dodson, a Captain that I recently flew with at a Regional Airline. He got his start in flying in high school and perused his aviation career by flight instruction and flying King Airs. He was hired as a regional pilot on his 21st birthday. He made captain by age 24 and is currently writing a book about his aviation advent…

1
E30 Transition to Multi-Engine Airplanes: Engine Start Up to Shutdown 1:00:33

4y ago1:00:33

1:00:33

In this episode Kevin and Rob talk about making the transition from flying single engine airplanes and moving forward with the transition to multi-engine airplanes. Rob shares his experiences with students and some of his own personal stories from his days flying piston twins while flying for a few charter outlets before moving to his current roll …

1
Episode 24: Will Kool - Regional Airline Captain and Life During COVID-19 32:49

4y ago32:49

32:49

Will Kool joins us this episode to discuss how he got into aviation and how in his quest to achieve this dream of flying, took him to many places around the country and to many different jobs, so aviation some not. He also goes on to discuss his unique perspective of the COVID-19 virus, since his spouse is a medical doctor. Will goes on to give som…

1
E29 Aviation in a Pandemic: Aviation Surviving COVID-19 41:36

4y ago41:36

41:36

In this episode, Kevin and Rob chat about how this Pandemic (COVID-19) is affecting aviation. Rob chats with us on what it's like to be in the flight deck during this time and what it's like traveling the country while the airports are basically empty. Kevin tells you how the gate and ticket agent life is affected along with the flight instructing …

1
Episode 23: (Special Edition) Corona Virus [COVID-19] and Its Effects on Aviation 27:10

4y ago27:10

27:10

Welcome to the first special edition of Time In Flight. During this episode, I bring back my former flight instructor and friend, Peter Teuten, to discuss the various effects the Corona Virus (COVID-19) has had on both fractional ownership and Part 121 commercial flying. We take a look at what we have learned and the trends that have been already c…

1
Episode 22: Tom Gavin - Growing Up With An Aviation Father 34:16

4y ago34:16

34:16

Tom Gavin grew up in Western Massachusetts and remembers during his formative school years what it was like to have his father learn how to fly in the late 1970’s but how aviation was such a strong community for him and his father for the remainder of his father’s life. Even though Tom did not take up aviation himself, he has very fond memories of …

1
E28 Ski Plane Weekend: Flying Ski Planes and Whats coming Up 30:11

4y ago30:11

30:11

1
Episode 21: Michael Ancel - Earning Aviation Ratings while Starting College 42:38

4+ y ago42:38

42:38

By Hunter Bevis

5y ago23:35

23:35

In this episode, Rob takes the lead as he leads this interview with Matt Younkin and his beautiful Twin Beech 18 Magic by Moonlight. He talks about his 1943 Twin Beech and a the history behind it. Rob and I talk with Matt about his routine and his AMAZING night show. We also take the time to talk with Jeff Gibbs his crew chief as well and he talked…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Flighttraining Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide