CFI Hour Myths, MEI ROI, and Avoiding Illegal Charter: Live Q&A
The VSL Aviation Podcast
In this live Q&A edition of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake dives into a wide range of topics submitted by the aviation community. From the myths around required CFI ground training hours to advice on whether getting your MEI is worth the investment, Seth provides practical, experience-based insights. He also tackles how to avoid inadvertently participating in illegal charter ops, how commercial pilots can understand operator responsibility, and answers listener questions about time-building, hypoxia training, and spatial disorientation. If you're a student pilot, a CFI, or a...
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Logging Time, Checkride Tips & Pilot Questions
The VSL Aviation Podcast
In this episode, we celebrate new pilot certifications 🎉, tackle common logbook questions 📘, explain how ForeFlight sources winds aloft 🌬, and clarify cross-country time rules 🗺. We also walk through a real listener landing scenario at KVNY 🛬, give a quick weather symbol refresher 🌦, cover what to do if ADS-B is inoperative 📡, and answer listener questions ❓. Stick around to the end for shout-outs and closing notes! 👉 Join the Discord for more discussions: vsl.aero 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app! ⏰ Chapters 00:00 🎙 Episode Introduction...
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Runway Excursions, Non-Standard Climb Gradients, and Weather Radar Tips
The VSL Aviation Podcast
In this week's episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, we dig into three real-world flying topics pilots must know: Runway Excursion Mitigation: A deep dive into Advisory Circular 91-79B, how to avoid overruns, and a real-world discussion led by Ryan Bow about common landing errors and risk factors. Non-Standard Climb Gradients: Learn how to spot non-standard missed approach climb requirements, how to calculate if your aircraft can meet them, and why ignoring climb gradients is reckless even under Part 91 operations. Weather Radar Layers Explained:...
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Wet vs Dry Leases, Second Opinions, and Manifold Pressure Myths
The VSL Aviation Podcast
This week on the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth dives into three major topics that affect pilots across the training and professional spectrum. First, he breaks down the difference between wet and dry leases — why it's critical to understand operational control, how to avoid illegal charter situations, and what lease paperwork needs to be in place. Then he addresses a crucial question: should you get a second opinion before a checkride? (Spoiler: Yes.) Finally, he tackles a deep-dive into manifold pressure gauge requirements, clearing up widespread confusion using ECFR archives and FAA history....
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Accidents, Digital Avionics, and Required Equipment: What Every Pilot Should Know
The VSL Aviation Podcast
In this episode, Seth dives into three critical areas for every pilot: what to do after an accident, how modern digital avionics like MEMS sensors work, and a practical breakdown of maintenance responsibilities and required equipment. You'll get clear, no-nonsense guidance on pilot responsibilities at the scene of an accident, how to interpret complex avionics systems, and how to stay legal when things go wrong in the airplane. Pulled straight from Discord and real-world checkride experiences, this episode is a must-listen. Chapters: 03:11 - Defining an accident 10:12 - Initial steps after an...
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Runway Incursions, Practical Test Tips, and Live Q&A
The VSL Aviation Podcast
In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth Lake dives into runway incursion avoidance, a critical focus area for the FAA and a common checkride discussion point. He shares insights from the FAA’s From the Flight Deck initiative and explains how this content can help applicants prepare—especially for CFI-level checkrides. The second half features a live Q&A pulled from the VSL Discord and YouTube chat, covering a range of real-world aviation questions from the community. Chapters: 02:50 – Topic 1: Runway Incursion Avoidance & FAA’s “From the Flight Deck” 07:42 -...
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Don’t Log That! FAA Time-Building Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The VSL Aviation Podcast
In this week’s VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth dives deep into three critical topics for pilots and instructors alike. First, he breaks down how to get involved with the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) and make the most of the WINGS Program. Next, he explains the real why behind airspace design—offering a fresh approach for CFIs to improve student understanding beyond rote memorization. Then, he tackles an alarming Reddit story about improperly logged SIC time that cost a pilot their airline job. As always, Seth answers live listener questions, covering topics like logging PIC as a student pilot,...
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ADS-B Pitfalls, Mastering Forward Slips, and What CFIs Are Missing
The VSL Aviation Podcast
Welcome back to the VSL Aviation Podcast! I'm your host, Seth Lake, a CFI and DPE here to help you navigate checkrides and general aviation topics. This weekly podcast is recorded live on Discord, with additional streaming on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch. In this episode, we dive into three major topics before opening the floor to listener questions: 01:04 ✈ ADS-B Compliance and Common Pitfalls How ADS-B has improved situational awareness but also led to complacency in traffic spotting. The dangers of assuming all aircraft are ADS-B equipped and a real-world...
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Illegal Charters, Emergency Procedures, and Checkride Prep – VSL Aviation Podcast
The VSL Aviation Podcast
VSL Aviation Podcast – Episode Recap In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake dives into key aviation topics, answers listener questions, and shares insights from real-world flying experiences. Topics Covered: Chapters: 02:30 Understanding Part 135 Operators – How to verify if an employer is legally operating under Part 135, using FAA records to check approved aircraft, and avoiding illegal charter flights. 10:45 Truth in Leasing Agreements & Operational Control – Discussion of Advisory Circular 91-37B, how leasing agreements affect legal flight operations, and...
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Avoid These Pilot Errors! | 2025 FAR Changes, CFI Privileges & TEM Explained
The VSL Aviation Podcast
In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth Lake covers a variety of key aviation topics and answers listener questions. We kick things off with Threat and Error Management (TEM) and how to apply it in your daily flying. Then we dive into clarifying CFI responsibilities, discuss updates to the 2025 FAR/AIM, and wrap up with insights on CFI privileges. Whether you're a student, instructor, or experienced pilot, there's something here for you. Chapters: 01:30 TEM 11:37 What should I be teaching as a CFI? 28:48 Stall and Spin awareness training 34:34 Alternate Static Source Info 40:33 2025...
info_outlineI would love to hear your feedback on the shows. If you have anything you would like to share please email me at: [email protected] I look forward to hearing from you!