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Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez

🚀 We are The Aviation Mentors, a weekly podcast dedicated to creating an amazing space where we aviators can hang out and enjoy a wide range of conversations about anything aviation. We're aviators, we're mentors, and we're entrepreneurs. Whether you're a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or just an AV Geek like us, this is the podcast for you! 🌎 Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying! Sponsored by Stratus Financial www.stratus.finance

Aviation Mentors

✈️ Flight review coming up? Brandon walks through his 2-year flight review in a twin, from stalls to steep turns to one very human radio mistake.

Co-host Carson Vasquez is out this week, so Brandon Martini takes the mic solo for an episode built around his own flight review. He covers what he practiced, what felt rusty, and what it taught him about staying proficient.

 • What a 2-year flight review looked like in a twin: power-on and power-off stalls, slow flight, and steep turns
 • Why steep turns feel different when you move from a slower airplane to a faster one, and how small control inputs swing your altitude
 • The wrong radio frequency mistake, and why "just recover and fix it" is the right response
 • Highlights from the Ascend Flight Training Summit in Dallas, including a Level D simulator and why showing up to events leads to job offers

Student pilots, private pilots, and CFIs, keep showing up, keep flying, and keep learning. 🚀

🌐 New episodes of Aviation Mentors drop every week, wherever you listen.

What Actually Happens in a 2-Year Flight Review, From Stalls to Steep Turns

Fuel starvation kills more pilots than mechanical failure ever will, so why do so many still skip the fuel stop? ⛽

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down real fuel exhaustion accidents pulled straight from recent aviation news, then share a personal story of nearly running dry over the desert in an Icon A5. They unpack the exact planning mistakes that turn a routine cross country into a fuel emergency, and the mindset shift that prevents it.

 • Why fuel starvation, not mechanical failure, is the leading pilot-error cause of fatal GA accidents
 • Real accident cases, including a 508 nautical mile cross country that crashed with 38 gallons on board
 • How to plan fuel stops instead of trusting your fuel gauge or cutting it close on reserves
 • When to declare a fuel emergency, and why waiting until you hit reserve minimums can already be too late

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, or CFI, this episode hands you the fuel planning habits that could save your flight, and possibly your life.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday. Join us, learn, and stay safe out there.

This episode is brought to you by Stratus Financial (stratus.finance), proud sponsor of Aviation Mentors and dedicated to helping the next generation of pilots finance their aviation training.

How Much Fuel Reserve Do You Actually Need?

✈️ What does it take to plan a cross-country flight when almost nothing is certain?

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon shares his in-progress cross-country trip to Austin, Texas to pick up a brand-new-to-him ICP Savannah light sport aircraft, flying it home to California with his friend Herb. Brandon and Carson break down the real-time decision-making that goes into a flight like this, including:

 • Route options for crossing the Rocky Mountains in a small airplane, from the northern route to the Albuquerque corridor
 • Restricted airspace, MOAs, and density altitude considerations that shape where you can and can't fly
 • What changes when you're flying an unfamiliar aircraft with a pilot you've never flown with before
 • Why planning for the unexpected, weather, fuel stops, and personal minimums matters more than the flight plan itself

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, or general aviation enthusiast, this episode gives you a real look at how experienced pilots think through cross-country planning, contingency routes, and risk management before wheels ever leave the ground.

This episode is brought to you by Stratus Financial, dedicated to supporting the next generation of future aviators with student loans built for aspiring pilots. Also, catch Brandon at the Ascend Flight Training Summit in Dallas, September 8th through 10th, use code MENTORS for $100 off your ticket.

Plan for the Unexpected: A Real-World Cross Country Flight in a New Light Sport Aircraft

Should you switch flight schools if your rates just went up? Is 45 hours without a checkride sign-off normal, or a red flag? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle four listener questions that hit close to home for every student pilot working through primary training. From navigating rising flight school costs to knowing when a CFI's caution is protecting you (not stalling you), the hosts break down what real flight training progress actually looks like. They cover:

 • Whether switching flight schools mid-training helps or hurts your progress
 • How to tell if a slow checkride sign-off is normal caution or a red flag
 • Whether your training aircraft (Cessna 172 vs. Diamond DA40) really matters long-term
 • How to judge when a crosswind crosses the line from good practice into "not today"

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot weighing your training aircraft, working through a checkride plateau, or just trying to build better crosswind judgment, this episode delivers practical, real-world guidance for every stage of flight training.

This episode is brought to you by Stratus Financial, dedicated to helping the next generation of pilots finance their aviation education with competitive rates and flexible repayment plans built specifically for flight training. And if you're headed to Dallas, catch the Aviation Mentors team at the Ascend Flight Training Summit, use code MENTORS for $100 off your ticket.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

Flight School Rate Hikes, Checkride Delays & Crosswind Limits: Pilot Q&A

✈️ What does it take to flight test a brand-new aircraft before it's ever earned its wings?

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson sit down with flight test engineer and glider champion Adriana, who holds 34 soaring records and built the FlyORKA app. She shares her path from reading test pilot biographies as a teenager to flight testing prototypes for Gulfstream, plus why gliders make pilots sharper and more disciplined in the cockpit:

 • How flight testing a brand-new aircraft actually works, from envelope expansion to meeting certification requirements
 • Why flying gliders builds stronger rudder skills, energy management, and stick-and-rudder fundamentals that power pilots often miss
 • How Adriana's flight test background shaped the FlyORKA app, built to help pilots build up their skills step by step, learn more at 
flyorka.com • Her advice for student pilots and CFIs who feel behind or discouraged in their training

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, CFI, glider enthusiast, or aspiring flight test engineer, this episode is packed with real-world insight into flight testing, glider flying, and building better pilot fundamentals.

This episode is brought to you by Stratus Financial, helping student pilots fund their aviation dreams with the Fly to Success Scholarship, and the Ascend Flight Training Summit in Dallas, September 8th through 10th.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday, join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

From Glider Pilot to Flight Test Engineer: Adriana on Soaring Records, Gulfstream, and the FlyORKA App

Can an AI really get you through your checkride, or is it setting you up to fail? 🤖✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Carson flies solo to break down the fast-growing wave of AI tools built for checkride and ground school prep. He walks through what's actually useful, what's overhyped, and where trusting the wrong answer could cost you more than a bad grade.

 • How Sporty's new AI suite (ChatCFI, ChatFAR, and an oral exam simulator) compares to just using free ChatGPT or Claude
 • Why Lime's AUTO, an AI digital pilot examiner, claims an edge with aviation-specific training data
 • A real 2024 chatbot lawsuit against Air Canada, and what it means for AI liability in aviation
 • Why ASA, the publisher behind the oral exam guide series, is now printing warnings about AI-generated study content

🚀 Whether you're studying for your private checkride, prepping for an instrument rating, or just curious how AI fits into modern flight training, this episode gives you a clear-eyed rundown of what to trust and what to double-check with your CFI.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday. Don't forget to check out the Fly to Success Scholarship from Stratus Financial: $10,000 for qualifying students, entries close August 28th. And catch the Aviation Mentors team at the Ascend Flight Training Summit in Dallas, September 8th–10th.

Can AI Get You Through Your Checkride?

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday — what really happens when the engine quits and there's no runway in sight? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the real Huntington Beach beach landing that had pilots buzzing, then dig into aviation history to explain why golf courses keep showing up as emergency landing spots. The hosts cover:

 • The real mayday call and engine failure behind the Huntington Beach beach landing near the 2026 U.S. Open of Surfing
 • Harrison Ford's 2015 emergency landing at a Venice, California golf course, and the mechanical failure that caused it
 • Why golf courses sit next to so many airports and what makes them ideal emergency landing zones, including a 2025 Riviera Country Club landing
 • A former insurance adjuster's take on seatbelts, shoulder harnesses, and why proper installation can be the difference between walking away and not

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, or general aviation enthusiast, this episode is a real-world look at emergency decision-making, aircraft safety equipment, and why staying calm under pressure can turn a crisis into a story you get to tell.

The Fly to Success Scholarship closes August 28th, with the winner announced at the Ascend Flight Training Summit in Dallas, September 8-10.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday — join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

When There's No Runway: Beaches, Golf Courses, and the Huntington Beach Mayday

Buying or selling a plane? There's a costly mistake hiding in the logbooks that most people never see coming. ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the real process behind buying and selling an airplane, using Carson's recent sale of his Icon A5 as a live example. They cover:

 • Why a pre-buy inspection is non-negotiable, even on a $20,000 airplane, and what mechanics actually look for
 • How incomplete logbooks and "pencil whipped" ADs can lead to a surprise engine or propeller overhaul costing $10,000 to $50,000
 • What happens legally if you fly an aircraft that's out of compliance, and where the line between an honest mistake and a serious violation sits
 • What actually determines whether an airplane holds its value, gains value, or depreciates over time
 • The paperwork trail required to transfer ownership, from bills of sale to FAA registration and lien releases

🚀 Whether you're a first-time buyer, a seller weighing your options, or a student pilot curious about aircraft ownership, this episode gives you a practical, real-world walkthrough of the entire process, including the $50,000 mistake that can catch anyone off guard.

This episode is brought to you by Stratus Financial. The Fly to Success Scholarship closes August 28th, with the winner announced at the Ascend Flight Training Summit in Dallas, September 8-10.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

Buying or Selling a Plane? Here's the $50,000 Mistake to Watch For

What does it really cost to experience the biggest airshow in the world? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down everything pilots need to know about EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, from ticket and membership costs to what it's really like to fly in and camp under your wing. With this year's event just days away, the hosts share firsthand stories and answer the questions most first-timers have:

 • What EAA AirVenture Oshkosh actually costs, including AA membership, wristband pricing, and camping vs. hotel logistics
 • What it's like to fly a small plane into Oshkosh and camp under your wing, including a real story of a 23-hour solo cross-country in a maxed-out Cessna 172
 • Can't-miss moments at the show, from warbird flybys to the night airshow's wall of fire
 • Why the connections made at Oshkosh are worth the cost, even for student pilots mid-training

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, or general aviation enthusiast, this episode is packed with practical advice and firsthand insight for anyone considering their first trip to Oshkosh.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

What It's Really Like to Fly Into Oshkosh and Camp Under Your Wing

Flying a drone near an airport? The rules might surprise you. 🛸

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down Part 107 and what every pilot, student, and CFI needs to know about sharing the airspace with drones. From personal drone stories to real FAA enforcement cases, the hosts cover:

 • The difference between recreational (TRUST test) and commercial (Part 107) drone rules
 • Registration, weight limits, and how LAANC authorizations actually work
 • Real federal cases where drone pilots faced fines and criminal charges
 • The FBI's drone crackdown at the 2026 World Cup and what it means for future regulation

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, CFI, or drone operator, this episode is packed with practical guidance on staying legal and safe in shared airspace.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

🌐 Protect your aircraft and your flying with Skywatch Aviation Insurance. Get a quote at skywatch.ai, and check out our exclusive partner offer at skywatch.ai/partners/mentors

 Apply for the Stratus Financial Fly to Success Scholarship: stratus.finance/scholarship-2026/Learn more about the Ascend Flight Training Summit: ascendflighttrainingsummit.com

Part 107 Drone Rules Every Pilot Needs to Know in 2026

Are you ready to take your career as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) to the next level?

Join Aviation mentor Brandon Martini as he provides the tips and tricks you need to become a great CFI. In this episode, Brandon will discuss the qualifications and requirements to become a CFI, the importance of continuing education, and how to establish yourself as an authority in the aviation community. He will also share his own personal experiences of becoming a successful flight instructor and offer advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps.

Tune in now to get the inside scoop on becoming a great CFI!

🚀 We are The Aviation Mentors, a podcast dedicated to creating an amazing space where we aviators can hang out and enjoy a wide range of conversations about anything aviation. We're aviators, we're mentors, and we're entrepreneurs. Whether you're a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or just an AV Geek like us, this is the podcast for you!

🌎 Join us twice weekly every Wednesday and Friday as we share our passion for flying!

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

S01E23: Becoming a Great CFI

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