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Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst 

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

✈️ 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

🌍 Failed a checkride? You're not alone, and it's not the end of your aviation journey. ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down what a checkride failure or discontinuance actually means for student pilots, plus dig into the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, why general aviation airports keep shutting down, and why fewer people are flying just for fun these days. The hosts cover:

 • What happens after a failed checkride or discontinuance, and why it's more common than you think
 • Part 61 vs Part 141: the real differences in structure, stage checks, and examining authority
 • Why airports like Santa Monica, Rialto, and Huntington Beach have shut down, and what it means for GA's future
 • The declining number of people learning to fly purely for fun, and how the cost compares to other hobbies

🚀 Whether you're preparing for your own checkride, weighing Part 61 vs Part 141 training, or just care about the future of general aviation airports, this episode has practical insight and real talk for student pilots and GA enthusiasts alike.

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

You Failed Your Checkride. Now What?

A Chinese-owned aircraft maker just landed on the Pentagon's radar, and Cirrus pilots want to know what it means for them.

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the news that Cirrus's parent company, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has been added to the Pentagon's list of Chinese military-linked companies operating in the US. The hosts walk through what the designation actually means, who else got named alongside Cirrus, and why this story is surfacing now. They cover:

 • What the Pentagon's blacklist designation is and why it's not the same as a flight ban
 • Why Cirrus parent company AVIC was added, and how it ties back to a 2011 ownership deal
 • What it means for the Department of Defense's procurement contracts starting June 30th
 • Continental Aerospace Technology and Align Aerospace, the two other aviation suppliers named in the same update
 • Why this surfaced now, including Cirrus's 2024 Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing and shifting US policy on foreign-owned companies

🚀 Whether you fly a Cirrus, train in one, or just want to understand how geopolitics can intersect with general aviation, this episode breaks down what pilots actually need to know, and what they don't need to worry about.

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

What Is the Pentagon's 1260H List and Why Is Cirrus On It?

🎙️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into listener questions that cover everything from finding the ideal flight instructor (hygiene and all!) to navigating cockpit camaraderie with headstrong personalities. ✈️ Packed with laugh-filled insights and aviation truths, they share real stories, candid advice, and a few rants—particularly about audio gear misadventures! Whether it’s rookie mistakes to avoid or finding your perfect instructor, this episode is loaded with aviation gems. So buckle up, tune in, and get ready to take your flight training to new heights! ✈️

🚀 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 every Friday as we share our passion for flying!

Zoom Livetrak - 1:25

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

www.stratus.finance

S02E14: Listener Questions (Part 2)

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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