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...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Jason Blair's recent article,  "Things I Propose We Change in Initial Commercial Pilot Certification Standards and Experience Requirements" (🔗 Read it here ). I break down his key points, share my thoughts, and discuss why I completely agree with his take. From there, we opened up the conversation to our live audience—answering questions and having a grea...

In this episode of Pilot Logbook , we dive into essential and intriguing topics every pilot should consider. We clarify the nuances of PDPIC and explore the proper ways to log PIC and Cross-Country time as a safety pilot. Next, we tackle the psychology of flying under pressure by analyzing two real-world cases of pilots panicking during emergencies. For a unique twist, we discuss the unconventiona...

Join professional pilot and DPE Seth Lake as he dives deep into the questions and concerns that pilots, instructors, and aviation enthusiasts bring to the table. Each episode features honest, no-nonsense discussions covering everything from FAA guidance and training best practices to advanced techniques and real-world insights. Whether you're working on your next certificate, preparing for a check...

Welcome to the revamped weekly edition of the podcast! In this episode, I tackle listener questions about MEI (Multi-Engine Instructor) privileges and share tips for preparing for a multi-engine add-on rating. I also dive into a couple of engaging discussions from r/Flying Reddit threads that I've recently commented on. This new weekly format adds regular, bite-sized content between episodes of th...

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake dives into Cross Country Flight Planning, a critical task in the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS). Seth breaks down the 2024 ACS updates, including the use of electronic flight bags (EFBs) like ForeFlight, and how to navigate the challenges of VFR flight planning. He also shares insights on risk management, altitude sele...

Welcome back to VSL Aviation's series, where we delve into the intricacies of the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS)! I'm Seth Lake, your guide on this journey to mastering aviation standards. In Part 3 of our series, we'll dive in-depth into Task C - Weather Information. This episode covers the essential weather knowledge every pilot needs to ensure safe and effective flight opera...

Welcome back to VSL Aviation's series where we delve into the intricacies of the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS)! I'm Seth Lake, your guide on this journey to mastering aviation standards. In Part 2 of our series, we'll continue unraveling the complexities of Airworthiness Requirements. Building on the foundation laid in our first episode, we'll dive deeper into the critical asp...

Welcome to the first episode of our new series at VSL Aviation! I'm Seth Lake, an experienced FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, and in this video, I'm going to break down the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS) like never before. This series aims to provide detailed insights and practical tips for aspiring pilots. Whether you're a student pilot, an instructor, or just an aviation enthu...

Join Seth Lake, a designated pilot examiner, in this comprehensive Q&A session where we delve into key topics every aspiring pilot needs to know for their check ride and beyond. Packed with insights from my extensive experience, this video is an invaluable resource for pilots at all levels. Chapters: [01:35] - Inop Equipment for Checkride [02:55] - ACE Inop Equipment Guide [04:47] - Flight Manual...

In this highly informative video, we equip you with the essential know-how to confidently navigate an FAA ramp inspection. Whether you're a private pilot, commercial aviator, or part of an aviation team, understanding the FAA's ramp inspection checklist is crucial for a successful evaluation. Using the FAA Order 8900.1 as our compass, we take you through each stage of the inspection process, outli...

Join Seth Lake and Josh Campbell from  @FreePilotTraining  in a discussion on FAA Airworthiness Directives. This topic is a stumbling block for many new pilots, and our discussion will help you understand ADs better. Check out  @FreePilotTraining  for a ton of great free content! Check out the podcast website to find the interactive ACS for both commercial and instrument. https://vsl.aero/podcast...

Join me as I continue the multi-engine add-on series.  In this episode, I continue the discussion of the commercial ACS and how I use it to conduct the commercial multi-engine add-on checkride.  Check out the podcast website to find the interactive ACS for both commercial and instrument.  https://vsl.aero/podcast Check my new Patreon page, where I will be adding a lot of exclusive content.  https:...

Join me as I start the multi-engine add-on series.  In this episode, I cover the training required for the multi-engine rating.  I also get into the commercial ACS and how I use it to conduct the commercial add-on checkride. Check out the podcast website to find the interactive ACS for both commercial and instrument.  https://vsl.aero/podcast Check my new Patreon page, where I will be adding a lot...

Join me as I discuss the disapproval process, more commonly known as failing your checkride.  Failure is always a significant cause for concern; however, I think the more you know about something, the less scary it is.  No one wants this outcome, but it happens and is simply a part of being a pilot.  Luckily, it's usually not a big deal and will have few impacts on your long-term flying career.  I...

Join me as I complete the Commercial Pilot ACS Series.  The commercial pilot checkride is just like any other FAA practical test and uses the Airman Certification Standards.  This test evaluates your knowledge and skills as a pilot to make sure you have what it takes to fly for compensation.  In the fourth and final episode of the series, I discuss the Commercial ACS Appendix, which has some ampli...

Join me as I continue the Commercial Pilot ACS Series.  The commercial pilot checkride is just like any other FAA practical test and uses the Airman Certification Standards.  This test evaluates your knowledge and skills as a pilot to make sure you have what it takes to fly for compensation.  In the third episode of the series, I discuss Area of Operations 5-11.  These areas cover Performance Mane...

Join me as I continue the Commercial Pilot ACS Series.  The commercial pilot checkride is just like any other FAA practical test and uses the Airman Certification Standards.  This test evaluates your knowledge and skills as a pilot to make sure you have what it takes to fly for compensation.  In the second episode of the series, I discuss Aera of Operations 2-4.  These areas cover preflight, takeo...

Join me as I start the Commercial Pilot ACS Series.  The commercial pilot checkride is just like any other FAA practical test and uses the Airman Certification Standards.  This test evaluates your knowledge and skills as a pilot to make sure you have what it takes to fly for compensation.  In this first episode of the series, I discuss Area of Operation I. Preflight Preparation which is what DPEs...

Join me as I discuss the alphabet soup of terminology surrounding the world of GPS/RNAV.  I know these terms can cause more than a little confusion for the new instrument pilot.  I'm hoping that this short explainer helps introduce the new instrument pilot.   Checkout Max Trescott's excellent podcast on the different kinds of RNAV approaches here:  Aviation News Talk EP146   Contact me at seth@vsl...

Join me as I discuss non-standard takeoff minimums, ODPs, and TERPS.  It's also a topic that might come up in your instrument checkride, and being prepared to answer questions on non-standard takeoff minimums and ODPs is a must! Check out the VSL Aviation YouTube videos! Email: seth@vsl.aero

  Join me in this episode, where I discuss how you can use ForeFlight to help you be successful during your Instrument Checkride!  Did you know the FAA doesn't produce the FAR/AIM?  Did you know that ForeFlight has a cloud-based server containing everything the paper commercial FAR/AIM does?  Learn how to set up your ForeFlight documents library and some tactics you can use during your checkride t...

This is part 3 of a 3 part series on the Instrument Pilot ACS.  Join me as I take a deep dive into the ACS from an examiner's perspective and discuss how I use this document to conduct an instrument checkride.  If you plan to take your instrument practical test, you don't want to miss this! https://www.youtube.com/c/SethLakeDPE https://www.facebook.com/VSLAviation https://vsl.aero

This is part 2 of a 3 part series on the Instrument Pilot ACS.  Join me as I take a deep dive into the ACS from an examiner's perspective and discuss how I use this document to conduct an instrument checkride.  If you plan to take your instrument practical test, you don't want to miss this!   https://www.youtube.com/c/SethLakeDPE   https://www.facebook.com/VSLAviation   https://vsl.aero

This is part 1 of at least a 3 part series on the Instrument Pilot ACS.  Join me as I take a deep dive into the ACS from an examiner's perspective and discuss how I use this document to conduct an instrument checkride.  If you plan to take your instrument practical test, you don't want to miss this!   https://www.youtube.com/c/SethLakeDPE   https://www.facebook.com/VSLAviation   https://vsl.aero