More Right Rudder

In this More to the Story episode of More Right Rudder, we explore the perspective of flight instruction without power—just heat, wind, and a whole lot of planning. Beth Stanton, NAFI's Director of Publications, sits down with Kim and Adam Magee, co-founders of The Balloon Training Academy and recent Mentor magazine contributors, to discuss the unique world of hot air ballooning. They dive into th...

The sky is changing—and so is the role of the flight instructor. In this episode of More Right Rudder, we’re joined by Chris Penningroth, former Air Force pilot and leader of NAFI’s eVTOL and Powered Lift Special Interest Group. Penningroth brings his unique perspective to a conversation about the emergence of eVTOL and powered-lift aircraft and what they mean for the future of flight training. We...

Join us for a deep dive into SimVenture 2025, PilotEdge’s immersive virtual re-creation of flying into EAA AirVenture! This summer’s event, scheduled for July 11–13, puts you right in the cockpit as you fly the Fisk Arrival complete with landing on the colored dots, flagmen, parking, and departure. Throughout the event you'll receive air traffic instructions from the actual Oshkosh air traffic con...

In this inspiring episode of More Right Rudder, host Sarah Staudt sits down with Guinness World Record holder, and NAFI member, Rodrigo Silvestre Molina Diaz. This conversation is facilitated with translation assistance from Gus Sanchez of Stratus Financial. Diaz's record is the most flying hours by a flight instructor (male). From his early days in aviation to the milestones that earned him a pla...

Join NAFI today: https://nafimentor.org 🎉 100,000 Downloads: A Milestone Reunion 🎉 To celebrate reaching 100,000 downloads, current podcast hosts Sarah Staudt, NAFI's program development manager, and Beth Stanton, NAFI's director of publications and editor, are joined by podcast founder John Niehaus. We reflect on the origins of the podcast, how it all began, and the unexpected journey that’s un...

In this episode, host and NAFI editor Beth Stanton sits down with renowned flight instructors Barry and Brian Schiff for an engaging conversation about their decades of experience. From memorable student stories to evolving training techniques, the Schiffs share insights, lessons learned, and a few laughs along the way. Plus, Brian Schiff announces his exciting new column, CFI Care, focused on pra...

If you aren't already a member, please consider joining NAFI: https://nafimentor.org New and returning members can safe $5 on their NAFI membership with code PODSAVE5  In this episode, we sit down with Wayne Bailey, an experienced Part 107 pilot, entrepreneur, and leader of the NAFI Drone Special Interest Group, to explore how flight instructors can successfully break into the booming drone indust...

This episode is the third and final installment in our series on upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT). Andrea Germanetti, an experienced airline captain and UPRT instructor, walks us through the benefits of instructors getting UPRT training and the lessons they can take back to their customers no matter what aircraft they're flying including resilience, competency, and confidence. The con...

In the second episode in this three part series, this episode starts us on a journey of understanding the the ground theory portion of upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT). Leading this discussion is Andrea Germanetti, an experienced airline captain and UPRT instructor. This broad discussion includes flight dynamics, threat and error management, the element of surprise, and the importance...

The first in a three part series, this episode starts us on a journey of understanding the concepts, theories, and benefits of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT). Leading this discussion is Andrea Germanetti, an experienced airline captain and UPRT instructor. In this first episode, we explore what is UPRT, what is an upset, the value of flight instructors seeking UPRT, and how to selec...

Thank you to Avemco and iCom for sponsoring this episode!   In this episode of The Writers Behind the Stories, NAFI Director of Publications and Editor Beth Stanton is joined by Joe Clark. With a lifelong passion for writing, Clark has been a frequent contributor to Mentor magazine. Listen to him tell his story on how he combined his passions of writing, flying, and teaching into a long career. Th...

If you aren't a NAFI member yet, please join us at https://www.nafinet.org. Podcast listers receive a $10 discount on their new or renewal membership. The code is at the end of the episode. In this episode of More Right Rudder we welcome Kim Skipper from Avemco Insurance Agency. Skipper has been with Avemco since 1987 and is highly credentialed in the insurance industry. She's seen a lot of insura...

In this episode of the More Right Rudder podcast we are joined by Julean Thorpe. She is the manager of flight training security programs at the TSA. Thorpe and her team joined us at NAFI Summit in January 2025 at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. This episode was recorded live at the event. This conversation starts with a brief history of flight training security rule...

Thank you to AOPA for sponsoring this episode.  In this episode of More Right Rudder, we are joined by Justin Moore. Moore is an Army fixed and rotorwing pilot who transferred to the Coast Guard to pursue instructional opportunities. He's also a civilian flight instructor. Moore shares with us his five tips to improve your instruction. There is also lively conversation about our different experien...

Thank you to the sponsors of this episode, ASA and AOPA! If you aren't already a NAFI member, please consider joining us to support the continued production of this content. Podcast listeners receive $10 off their membership using code POD49 at https://www.nafinet.org . In this episode of the Writers Behind the Stories, NAFI Director of Publications and Editor Beth Stanton is joined by Cambrie Fos...

If you aren't already a member, consider joining NAFI to support this and other great content: https://www.nafinet.org . Podcast listeners get $10 off a new or renewal NAFI membership with code POD49 on the NAFI website.  Thank you to AOPA and Avemco for sponsoring this episode.   https://www.aopa.org https://www.avemco.com In this episode of More Right Rudder we explore the FAA's new medical poli...

Thank you to Avemco and AOPA for sponsoring this episode!   Podcast listeners save $10 on your new or renewing NAFI membership with code POD49 at checkout on https://www.nafinet.org. It's been a busy year here at NAFI. Joining this episode of More Right Rudder are Karen Kalishek, our board chair, and Paul Preidecker, NAFI's president. In this fast-paced conversation we cover a lot of ground on wha...

Thank you to the sponsor's of today's episode: AOPA and Icom!       Join NAFI: https://www.nafinet.org Podcast listeners receive a $10 discount with code POD49 at checkout.  In this episode of More Right Rudder we are joined by aviation professor Collin McDonald for an in-depth look at departure briefings. Most of us are doing the minimum, or no briefing at all, without realizing how critical thes...

Thank you to the sponsors of this week's episode:   Over the past few months the FAA has announced two new final rules, revised several Advisory Circulars, issued a new Advisory Circular, and we're still waiting on official policy to update for DPEs and ASIs. Join NAFI Board Chair Karen Kalishek and NAFI Program Development Manager, Sarah Staudt, your usual host of More Right Rudder, as they explo...

Join NAFI today! Listeners to More Right Rudder receive $10 off their new and renewal NAFI membership. Use the code POD40 at checkout on https://www.nafinet.org.   Thank you to Sporty's and AOPA for sponsoring this episode of More Right Rudder.  https://www.sportys.com/ https://aopa.org/   In this episode of the Writers Behind the Stories, NAFI Director of Publications and Editor Beth Stanton is j...

Join NAFI: https://www.nafinet.org Thank you to the sponsors of this episode of More Right Rudder, AOPA and Avemco. In this episode we're joined by Adriana Barragan who is a CFI and advocate of CFIs who want to start or run their own teaching business. She's the co-founder of ORKA, a service that provides CFIs with a learning, scheduling, and business management system for creating and sharing the...

Episode 110 of More Right Rudder is sponsored by AOPA. In this episode we'll meet with two members of AOPA's Air Safety Institute. Jodee Patten is the chief flight instructor, eFIRC and Paul Deres is the Vice President, Operations at ASI. This episode is about the eFIRC and how the dollars CFIs spend on the course are directly reinvested into aviation safety. The eFIRC offers CFIs elective module...

Join NAFI: www.nafinet.org Podcast listeners can get a $10 discount to NAFI memberships by using discount code POD49 at checkout on the NAFI website. This episode is sponsored by: Sporty's Learn more about the NAFI member discount at Sporty's on our Member's Discount page. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for joining us for another episode of More Right...

Join NAFI: www.nafinet.org Podcast listeners can get a $10 discount to NAFI memberships by using Discount Code: POD49 Thank you to the generous sponsors of this episode, AOPA and Lightspeed.        Check out AOPA's website for all the information on how they support CFIs. Be sure to visit Lightspeed's website to learn all about their exclusive offer for NAFI members.  -----------------------------...

Join NAFI: www.nafinet.org Podcast listeners can get a $10 discount to NAFI memberships by using Discount Code: POD49 This episode is sponsored by: Sporty's Learn more about the NAFI member discount at Sporty's on our Member's Discount page. ------------------------------------------------------------------- In this episode of the Writers Behind the Stories, NAFI Publications Directors Beth Stanto...