Aviation Mentors

War, fuel prices, and GPS threats—how is global conflict reshaping general aviation right now? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the real-world impact of rising fuel costs and geopolitical conflict on pilots, flight training, and the GA community. From Middle East airspace closures to GPS jamming over the US, this episode connects the headlines to yo...

Are pilots truly safe from AI replacing their jobs — and how do you actually make flight training work in real life? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle some of the most pressing questions student pilots are asking right now. From the debate over AI and automation in aviation to the real costs of learning to fly, the hosts cover: Why pilots remain AI-proof...

From delivering pizzas as a teenager to earning a Phenom 300 type rating — Shaun Dawson's pilot journey is one every GA pilot needs to hear. ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon sits down with San Diego-based software engineer, GA pilot, and NFlight owner Shaun Dawson to talk about what it really takes to grow from student pilot to type-rated aviator. The conversation covers...

Flight training costs, location choices, and bouncing back from bad lessons—your biggest questions, answered. ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle a fresh round of listener questions for student pilots navigating the realities of flight training today. From rising instructor rates to post-lesson frustration, the hosts share honest advice and real-world pers...

Mayday calls, closed airspace, and no place to land — what do you do when ATC tells you "I don't know what to tell you"? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down a real-world airline crew's nightmare flight during the Middle East airspace crisis triggered by the Iran conflict. A routine 30-minute trip turned into a fuel emergency with nowhere to land, and t...

From $7,300 in 9 months to breaking $100K. What does the real airline pilot career path actually look like? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon sits down with Chad Freeman, a major airline pilot with 7 type ratings and founder of MHP Investors, a mobile home park investment company focused on building passive income and financial stability outside the cockpit. Chad shares h...

Flight training is tough — but are student pilots set up to fail before they even start? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle the most pressing student pilot concerns of 2026, answering real listener questions about the financial and practical challenges of learning to fly. The hosts break down: Why 80% of student pilots quit — and why funding may be the re...

Do you actually need an ATP to fly commercially? The answer depends on how you're flying — and it might surprise you. ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down one of the most misunderstood regulatory questions in aviation after a real JSX flight from Scottsdale sparks the debate. They cover: Why Part 121 requires both pilots to hold an ATP, Part 135 require...

Is there really a DPE shortage, or is aviation facing an efficiency problem? And how is technology transforming flight training and check rides? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson sit down with Adam Shimmens, CEO of PilExOS and 20-year private pilot, to explore the intersection of aviation technology and flight training. From the DPE scheduling crisis to AI-powe...

Should CFIs stay silent or intervene? Paper charts or electronic flight bags? When's the right time for turning stalls? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson debate the most controversial topics in flight training. From stall techniques to tailwheel timing, the hosts challenge conventional wisdom and share strong opinions about how pilots should really learn to fly...

Should student pilots pay extra for glass cockpit trainers, or stick with steam gauges to save money? What about learning Class Bravo procedures early? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson answer critical listener questions that every student pilot and low-time pilot faces during their first 250 hours. The hosts tackle real-world training decisions and share lesso...

FAA medical certification—what every pilot needs to know before their first (or next) aviation medical exam. ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson welcome Dr. Daniel Monlux, FAA Senior HIMS AME, board-certified in family medicine and aerospace medicine, and former F-18 naval aviator with 3,500+ flight hours. Dr. Monlux, medical director of Wingman Med, breaks down...

Aviation history was made—but should it have been? The first real emergency Autoland sparks massive debate. ✈️ On December 20, 2025, Garmin's Emergency Autoland system completed its first-ever real-world emergency landing when a Beechcraft King Air 200 experienced rapid depressurization at 23,000 feet. But here's the controversy: the two pilots were fully conscious, wearing oxygen masks, and capab...

Flight training costs, career timelines, and generational wisdom—what does it really take to make it as an airline pilot? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon sits down with Captain Curt, a third-generation airline pilot and current Gulfstream captain, in Curt's brand-new podcast studio. They dive deep into the realities of building an aviation career, including: Why every y...

Winter flying, icing, fog, and cold-weather decision-making—how do pilots actually manage the risks when temperatures drop? ❄️✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast , Brandon and Carson dive deep into winter flying realities , sharing real-world stories, hard lessons learned, and practical guidance every pilot should know. From scraping frost off windshields to flying IFR through icing...

Navigating thunderstorms, aircraft maintenance, and in-flight decision-making—what really happens behind the controls when things get tense? ⚡✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dig into real-world scenarios that every pilot can learn from. From forecasting convective weather to navigating point-of-no-return decisions over the Rockies, the hosts break down: • Ho...

Pearl Harbor, aviation history, and real lessons for today’s pilots—how does a two-hour attack from 1941 still shape the way we fly today? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into the aviation side of the Pearl Harbor attack, exploring how 353 Japanese aircraft caught the U.S. by surprise and what modern pilots can learn from the event. From warbirds like th...

What’s the right way to tell your CFI you’re confused? Should student pilots buy their own headset early? And is it normal to feel like you’re getting worse before you get better? ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast , Brandon and Carson dive into real student-pilot frustrations and answer top questions pulled from Reddit and listeners, including: • Why regressing during flight train...

Keeping an airplane clean isn’t just about appearance—it’s a key part of aviation safety, professionalism, and building trust with students and passengers. ✈️✨ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into the critical but often overlooked world of aircraft cleanliness. They break down why a clean airplane matters, how it impacts safety and perception, and what eve...

Flying for currency, reconnecting with your flight school roots, and keeping safety at the center of aviation growth—this episode covers it all. ✈️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson kick things off with fresh flying stories: short-approach fun in the ICON A5, a post-office moment that turned into an impromptu A5 fanboy encounter, and getting the RV back in the air...

In this special milestone episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez celebrate 200 episodes of inspiring stories, mentorship, and aviation community growth. 🥂 From humble beginnings recording in a noisy RV at Oshkosh to becoming one of aviation’s most engaging podcasts, Brandon and Carson reflect on their journey, share behind-the-scenes stories, and revisit...

Flying VFR? Understanding IFR traffic is critical for safety even at non-towered airports. In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon Martini and Carson explore IFR approaches, shared airspace, and practical VFR safety tips. Using examples from Corona Airport (KAJO) and nearby VORs, they explain how VFR and IFR operations coexist, how to anticipate faster instrument traffic, and what...

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson catch up in their brand-new studio to talk about Brandon’s long-hidden Cessna 120 and the challenges of bringing it back to life. They share stories about aircraft maintenance, the true cost of airplane ownership, and why so many planes end up sitting idle in hangars. Brandon dives into his personal experience with m...

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson discuss aviation news, insights, and trends shaping the general aviation industry. ✈️ From Brandon’s flight to Camarillo to the Burbank Tower’s temporary ATC shutdown, they cover what pilots need to know to stay safe and confident in non-towered operations. They also break down public reactions to the Mosaic rule cha...

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez share an inspiring story of resilience, rediscovery, and passion for flight as Carson takes to the skies again after more than two years away from the cockpit . Join Brandon and Carson as they relive Carson’s first flight back on September 19, 2025 , in a Cessna 182 , marking his return to flying since Februa...