CFI Hour Myths, MEI ROI, and Avoiding Illegal Charter: Live Q&A
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 seasoned commercial pilot brushing up on the regs, this episode is packed with value. Don’t miss the tips on interpreting Part 135 eligibility and how to recover after a long flying hiatus. 📌 Key Topics Covered: Regulatory Knowledge Misunderstandings around minimum CFI ground training hours How to validate endorsements with AC 61-65J Clarification on operational control vs. holding out (AC 120-12A) What Part 119.1(e) actually allows without a certificate Tips on checking if an aircraft is listed under a Part 135 certificate Professional Development Cost/benefit analysis of pursuing an MEI How to maintain continual learning as a pilot FAA CAMI training options: hypoxia chamber, PROTE, vestibular illusions Career Guidance Time-building strategies that airlines value Stage check failures: how to report and recover Advice for applicants to the DPE program Practical Scenarios Instrument checkride failure from altimeter misreading Transitioning back to flying after a year-long break Risk of complacency in experienced pilots
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1:00:44
Logging Time, Checkride Tips & Pilot Questions
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 & Shout-outs 02:16 🎉 Celebrating New Pilot Certifications 03:42 📘 Logging PIC Time: Common Questions 06:22 🌬 How ForeFlight Sources Altitude Winds 09:44 🗺 Who Can Log Cross-Country Time 18:42 🛬 Listener Landing Scenario at KVNY 24:27 🌦 Quick Refresher on Weather Symbols 26:40 📡 ADS-B Inop 30:30 ❓ Q & A ➤ Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/46zt3N8ckx ➤ FAA ADS-B Deviation Tool: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/equipadsb/adapt ➤ UND Magneto Trainer: https://aero.und.edu/aviation/current-students/trainers.html ➤ ForeFlight Winds Aloft Article: https://support.foreflight.com/hc/en-us/articles/203313449-How-are-winds-aloft-used-in-NavLog-calculations ➤ FAA Legal Interpretations (Gebhart, Hillard): Gebhart: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FAA000000000LEGALINTPR2009024PDF.0001 Hillard: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FAA000000000LEGALINTPR2009033PDF.0001
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1:19:31
Runway Excursions, Non-Standard Climb Gradients, and Weather Radar Tips
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: Understand the differences between composite radar and lowest tilt radar on ForeFlight, and how they impact your decision-making in-flight. As always, we wrap up with a live Q&A from Discord and YouTube covering logbook tips, Starlink for in-flight weather, advice for new commercial pilots, and power-off 180 strategies. 🔗 Join our free Discord for exclusive podcast companion threads, Q&A access, and a trusted CFI network: https://vsl.aero Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 03:33 – AC 91-79B: Runway Excursion Mitigation Overview 12:41 – Guest Discussion with Ryan Bow on Landing Risk Factors 15:50 – Applying Runway Excursion Risk Management to GA 18:48 – Understanding Precision vs Accuracy in Landings 24:40 – Non-Standard Climb Gradients Explained (RAIL Approach Example) 32:19 – Objective Area Analysis with ForeFlight 37:44 – Radar Layers: Composite vs Lowest Tilt on ForeFlight 46:18 – Live Q&A: Logbook Comments, Starlink for Weather, Networking for Low-Time Pilots 52:36 – Commercial Checkride Tips: Power-Off 180s and Flap/Slip Techniques 57:45 – IFR Taildragger Training Challenges 59:47 – How to Get a Tower Tour (Operation Raincheck Discussion) 01:02:22 – Closing and Aftershow Invitation Links: Link to Discord: https://vsl.aero FAA AC 91-79B https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-79B_FAA.pdf FAA Weather Handbook https://www.faa.gov/regulationspolicies/handbooksmanuals/aviation/faa-h-8083-28a-aviation-weather-handbook FAA Safety Team website: https://www.faasafety.gov Optional: Link to the Part 135 operator list download if you want to include that too https://www.faa.gov/about/officeorg/headquartersoffices/avs/faa-certificated-aircraft-operators-legal-part-135-holders
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1:08:12
Wet vs Dry Leases, Second Opinions, and Manifold Pressure Myths
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. Other topics include: Tips for MEI and Commercial Multi Add-On Checkrides Minimum takeoff fuel logic for commercial ops Partial panel IFR approaches: realistic failures Required checkride stall scenarios and types of hypoxia Thoughts on aviation YouTube channels Scenario-based checkride prep advice Join us live on YouTube or Discord next time, and submit your own questions at https://vsl.aero! Discord: https://discord.gg/YnkV4pxm Chapters: 00:00 – Intro & John’s Co-Host Introduction 03:10 – Wet Lease vs Dry Lease Explained 12:48 – How Lease Agreements Can Protect You from Certificate Action 14:36 – Truth-in-Leasing Questions Pilots Should Ask 17:32 – Why Every Student Pilot Needs a Second Opinion Before a Checkride 22:12 – Virtual Mock Checkrides & New Coaching Services 23:26 – Manifold Pressure: Who Needs the Gauge and Why 28:02 – How Turbochargers & Superchargers Actually Work 41:46 – Using Historical ECFR to Find Manifold Requirements 50:20 – MEI and Multi Add-On Checkride Tips 01:01:32 – Logging Approaches: VMC vs IMC Clarified 01:03:46 – Commercial Checkride Scenario: Minimum Takeoff Fuel 01:10:46 – Partial Panel: What’s Realistic Today? 01:16:20 – Stalls in Turns vs Straight Flight – What the ACS Requires 01:18:47 – Hypoxia Types: What You Actually Need to Know 01:21:00 – Closing Thoughts & Post-Show Discord Hangout Links: Truth in Leasing – AC 91-37B https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-37B.pdf Flying Light Twins Safely https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2015/Nov/FAA_P-8740-66.pdf Airplane Flying Handbook – Chapter 13 (Multi-engine operations) https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/14_afh_ch13.pdf FAA Info for Operators 150-12 (IFR Approach Logging) https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/InFO15012.pdf
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1:31:18
Accidents, Digital Avionics, and Required Equipment: What Every Pilot Should Know
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 accident 18:51 - Digital avionics 22:57 - MEMS Video 28:23 - TMR Video 32:54 - Maintenance and required equipment 39:14 - AC 91-67A 40:23 - Maintenance Manual Intro 42:45 - Flying with a cracked windshield? 46:28 - Maintenance acceptable methods of repair 48:20 - Q&A 49:59 - MEMS failure modes 53:11 - TAA or Complex time without doing the landing 55:21 - Switch to ground without being told by tower? 1:00:20 - Chris the controller, answers a question 1:01:46 - Practice approach and missed approach 1:10:41 - Written test question Links: NTSB 830: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/part-830 NTSB Form 6120: https://www.ntsb.gov/Documents/6120_1_Form.pdf Inside a MEMS: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/29ifw1AVgcI TMR Description: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PMbN0PVyy0 How MEMS work: https://jewellinstruments.com/support/how-does-a-mems-sensor-work/ AC 91-67A: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-67A.pdf Cessna 172 Maintenance Manual Page 18-4: http://www.aeroelectric.com/Reference_Docs/Cessna/cessna-maintenance-manuals/Cessna%20172%20&%20Skyhawk%20Series%20Service%20Manual%20(1969%20-%201976).pdf https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/FAA-H-8083-31B_Aviation_Maintenance_Technician_Handbook.pdf
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