Pilots Say What?

We sit down with Casey Talbot, a flight instructor at Thrust Flight, to talk about her journey from working as a flight attendant at Delta to becoming a certified flight instructor. Casey shares what it was really like to leave a stable airline career, start flight training in her mid-30s, and commit fully to aviation while raising two kids. We dive into fear, motivation, study habits, Part 141 fl...

Getting stuck in the FAA medical process is one of the most frustrating—and least talked about—parts of becoming a pilot. In this episode, Tyler shares what it was really like having his medical deferred, waiting nearly a year with no clear timeline, and pushing through the uncertainty without quitting. We talk about what happens when your paperwork is “just sitting in line,” how medical delays af...

There’s a moment in flight training when things finally click—when you stop second-guessing and start trusting what you’ve been taught. In this episode of Pilots Say What?, Zach sits down with Austin, a flight instructor at Thrust Flight, to talk about how that confidence shift happens. They discuss the role instructors play in building trust, why first solo is such a turning point, how community...

What does flight training really look like once the honeymoon phase is over? In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Zane, who started flight training from zero time in January 2024 and quickly worked his way through the program to become a CFI and Assistant Chief Instructor. Since his last appearance on the podcast, Zane has gained a completely new perspective—one that goes far beyo...

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, Zach sits down with Justin, a former mechanical engineer who spent years working in the oil field before making the leap into full-time, accelerated flight training. Justin shares what pushed him to change careers, how he navigated finances and family support, and what it’s like transitioning from Instrument to Commercial training in a fast-paced Part 141 envir...

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Sean — a former high school teacher and coach who completely changed careers at 32 to pursue aviation. Sean opens up about discovering flight training later in life, learning from scratch with no aviation background, navigating the financial and emotional challenges of switching careers, and balancing flight school with being a husband and fath...

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Tyler Brown, a Thrust Flight CFI whose path into flying wasn’t traditional — but it proves something every new pilot needs to hear: your mindset matters far more than having everything perfectly figured out.

Today on Pilots Say What? we sit down with Don to hear a pilot story with a totally different perspective — one that shows just how meaningful flying can be, even outside the traditional career path. Don shares how he got into aviation, what drew him to flying in the first place, and how owning and flying an aircraft opened doors in his life, helped him overcome huge travel challenges, and gave hi...

In today’s episode, we sit down with Nate — a pilot whose aviation path is one of the most unconventional we’ve ever featured. He started as a CFI, moved into the regional airlines, jumped into the Air Force Reserve flying C-17s, then returned to major airline flying… all while building Backseat Pilot, a training resource used by CFIs around the country.

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Caitlin, who started flight training under Part 61, stalled out at 80 hours, and then transformed her entire training journey after switching to Part 141. She became Thrust Flight’s very first Finish Line student — and went from stuck to fully rated (Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI) in under a year.

In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, Austin shares his incredible journey from pursuing veterinary school to becoming a Certified Flight Instructor at Thrust Flight. He talks about how he made the leap into aviation, balancing family life during training, and what it’s like teaching the next generation of pilots. If you’ve ever thought about switching careers or wondered what it’s really like to...

This week, we sit down with Jamail, the FAA’s Ambassador for Aviation and Space Education and founder of AviationStart.org , to talk about the growing aviation workforce crisis — and why it could actually be the opportunity of a lifetime for anyone considering a career in aviation. From pilot and mechanic shortages to ATC hiring surges, Jamail breaks down what’s really happening behind the numbers...

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we talk with a Thrust Flight student who’s progressed through instrument, commercial, and CFI training on his way to becoming an instructor. Matt shares how flight training has shaped him — from mastering new skills to building confidence and finding purpose in aviation. He also talks about the value of community, overcoming challenges, and what keeps him motiv...

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Drew to hear how he went from high school graduate to private pilot in just a few months. Drew opens up about nearly going to college instead of flight school, the moment he realized aviation was for him, and how learning to network completely changed his confidence.

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, Zach talks with a Thrust Flight student pilot who was born in Brazil and came to the U.S. through an exchange program—long before she ever thought about aviation. After her first flight at 21 years old, she realized she wanted to be in the cockpit, not just a passenger. Now she’s in Texas, working through her instrument rating and sharing how she discovered a p...

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Ian, a former Tesla and Lucid Motors employee who left the car industry behind to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. Ian shares his journey from being passionate about engines and design to making the leap into aviation. He talks about the spark that pushed him toward flight training, the challenges of financing and medical requirements, and...

What happens when your dream of becoming a pilot almost ends before it begins? In this episode, Mac shares his journey from working at Lockheed Martin to pursuing flight training—despite a year-long struggle to get his FAA medical approved. Whether you’re curious about FAA medicals, exploring flight training, or just want to hear an inspiring story of perseverance, this conversation is packed with...

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Kobe Evans, Operations Manager at Thrust Flight’s Denison campus, who’s not only helping run the school but also training to become a pilot himself. Kobe shares his unique perspective as both a student and leader in flight training. From the challenges of balancing long days of work and flying, to lessons learned about aviation medicals, connec...

What makes someone choose flight school over college? In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, Zach sits down with Jaxton, a recent high school graduate who decided to pursue aviation instead of a traditional degree. Jaxton shares his journey from taking a discovery flight to completing his multi-engine checkride, the challenges of accelerated training, and how Thrust Flight’s Zero Time to Airline pr...

What does the future of flight training really look like? In this episode of "Pilots Say What?", Thrust Flight CEO Patrick Arnzen shares his perspective on where pilot training is headed, the challenges schools face, and how innovation is reshaping aviation education. Whether you’re considering becoming a pilot, currently in training, or just curious about the industry’s future, this episode gives...

Ever wondered what airline pilot life is really like behind the scenes? In this episode of Pilots Say What? , we sit down with retired Captain Philip Stromer to uncover the highs and lows of an aviation career. From the excitement of getting hired to the burnout that comes later, Philip shares raw, unfiltered stories from decades in the cockpit.

Is becoming a pilot really about the paycheck — or the passion? In this episode of Pilots Say What?, Gregory shares his journey from theater to aviation, and why he believes passion, not money, is the only way to survive flight training and succeed as a pilot. We dive into the challenges of private pilot training, strategies for avoiding burnout, and the mindset needed to truly enjoy the grind of...

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we talk with Nick about his journey from a long training delay at his first flight school to completing ratings faster through Thrust Flight’s Finish Line Program. Nick shares why he made the tough decision to switch schools, the challenges of transferring hours, and how our in-house check rides and accelerated training helped him move forward without losing mo...

In this episode of Pilots Say What?, AJ shares his powerful story of walking away from flight training for two years—then risking everything to come back. From ministry to the cockpit, AJ talks through the fear, the finances, and the fire that never went away. We get into what it’s like to take out a huge loan, restart flight training after years off, and why he believes it’s never too late if you...

What's it really like flying into the world's biggest aviation event for the first time? In this episode, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor Chisholm Brewer shares his first experience at Oshkosh — from landing at the legendary Fisk Arrival to representing Thrust Flight at our first-ever booth. He breaks down why Oshkosh is called the “Woodstock of Aviation,” what makes it so powerful for pilots, a...