What’s the right way to tell your CFI you’re confused? Should student pilots buy their own headset early? And is it normal to feel like you’re getting worse before you get better? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into real student-pilot frustrations and answer top questions pulled from Reddit and listeners, including:

• Why regressing during flight training is completely normal—and how to push through it

• How to stop overthinking your landings and build true pilot instinct

• Whether to trust school-provided headsets or invest in Bose, Lightspeed, or David Clarks early

• How to confidently tell your CFI you don’t understand something (without feeling embarrassed)

• The best weekly flight-training schedule for faster progress and lower overall cost

They also share personal stories—from Brandon learning instrument scan embarrassingly late to Carson’s early headset upgrade and even a tangent about parachutes, spins, burnout, and staying healthy enough to stay current.

🚀 If you’re a student pilot, a new private pilot, or someone trying to learn smarter—not harder—this episode is packed with practical tips, relatable training struggles, and humor from the cockpit.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—follow, subscribe, and keep leveling up your aviation journey.

— Sponsored by Stratus Financial, supporting the next generation of pilots.

Keeping an airplane clean isn’t just about appearance—it’s a key part of aviation safety, professionalism, and building trust with students and passengers. ✈️✨

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into the critical but often overlooked world of aircraft cleanliness. They break down why a clean airplane matters, how it impacts safety and perception, and what every pilot, renter, CFI, and aircraft owner should expect from a well-maintained fleet.

They cover:

• Why aircraft cleanliness directly affects safety, visibility, and first impressions

• Which parts of an airplane are neglected most—and why they matter

• Proper techniques for cleaning windshields, belly panels, static ports, and leading edges

• The best products, tools, and materials for safely cleaning general aviation aircraft

• What high-quality flight schools do to maintain their airplanes

• Major red flags in aircraft care—and when it’s time to switch schools

🚀 Whether you’re a student pilot, private pilot, or aircraft owner, this episode is packed with practical, real-world insights to help you fly safer, protect your aircraft, and uphold the standards of aviation professionalism.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—learn, improve, and stay inspired with Aviation Mentors.

Flying for currency, reconnecting with your flight school roots, and keeping safety at the center of aviation growth—this episode covers it all. ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson kick things off with fresh flying stories: short-approach fun in the ICON A5, a post-office moment that turned into an impromptu A5 fanboy encounter, and getting the RV back in the air after months on the ground. From taxiing tips to hangar-shuffling adventures, the hosts share what real general aviation days look like.

Then, they dive into the featured topic: scaling a flight school without sacrificing safety standards. Drawing from years of experience running a busy training environment, they break down:

• Why a solid operational foundation matters before you scale

• What preflight, post-flight, and cleanliness standards should never be skipped

• How safety documents and clear minimums protect pilots and schools

• The role of a dedicated safety manager as student numbers grow

• Real-world examples of training deficiencies—and how to fix them early

• The hidden costs schools face, from insurance to maintenance cycles

Whether you’re a student pilot, an instructor, a flight school operator, or simply passionate about safe flying, this episode delivers practical insights on building aviation programs the right way—without cutting corners.

🚀 Perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about flight school operations, aviation safety systems, and what it truly takes to run a high-quality training environment.

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

In this special milestone episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez celebrate 200 episodes of inspiring stories, mentorship, and aviation community growth. 🥂

From humble beginnings recording in a noisy RV at Oshkosh to becoming one of aviation’s most engaging podcasts, Brandon and Carson reflect on their journey, share behind-the-scenes stories, and revisit their favorite moments and guests.

💬 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How the podcast started — from scripted beginnings to genuine hangar talk

• The inspiration behind Aviation Mentors and the power of mentorship in aviation

• Favorite moments, guests, and community stories from the past 200 episodes

• Lessons learned about podcasting, persistence, and connection

• A heartfelt message to listeners and fellow aviators around the world

🎙️ Aviation Mentors Podcast is where pilots, student pilots, and aviation enthusiasts come together to learn, laugh, and share their passion for flying. Whether you’re just starting flight training or deep into your aviation career, there’s always something new to discover.

🌎 Join us every Friday as we share real stories from the cockpit, the classroom, and beyond.

Subscribe, leave a comment, and celebrate 200 episodes with us!

🛫 Listen to more episodes:

www.aviationmentors.com

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Flying VFR? Understanding IFR traffic is critical for safety even at non-towered airports.

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon Martini and Carson explore IFR approaches, shared airspace, and practical VFR safety tips. Using examples from Corona Airport (KAJO) and nearby VORs, they explain how VFR and IFR operations coexist, how to anticipate faster instrument traffic, and what to watch for when flying in general aviation environments.

Key topics include:

IFR approaches and handoff procedures for VFR pilots

Recognizing speed and pattern differences between aircraft

Airspace awareness and safety strategies for student pilots

🚀 Aviation Mentors Podcast is dedicated to helping pilots and aviation enthusiasts improve skills, safety, and career growth. Whether you’re a student pilot, professional pilot, or GA enthusiast, this podcast is for you!

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—tune in and elevate your pilot awareness!

www.aviationmentors.com

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Sponsored by Stratus Financial

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In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson catch up in their brand-new studio to talk about Brandon’s long-hidden Cessna 120 and the challenges of bringing it back to life.

They share stories about aircraft maintenance, the true cost of airplane ownership, and why so many planes end up sitting idle in hangars. Brandon dives into his personal experience with maintenance delays, expensive repairs, and how quickly costs can add up—even for a vintage tailwheel like his.

The hosts also discuss risk tolerance, flight readiness, and decision-making when returning to flying after time away. Packed with humor, personal insight, and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for any pilot thinking about owning, maintaining, or reviving their own aircraft.

🚀 The Aviation Mentors Podcast is your space to connect with passionate aviators, learn practical insights, and stay inspired in aviation. Whether you’re a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or AvGeek, this episode is packed with knowledge and perspective.

🌎 Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying!

www.aviationmentors.com

www.stratusaerosummit.com

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

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In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson discuss aviation news, insights, and trends shaping the general aviation industry. ✈️

From Brandon’s flight to Camarillo to the Burbank Tower’s temporary ATC shutdown, they cover what pilots need to know to stay safe and confident in non-towered operations. They also break down public reactions to the Mosaic rule changes, debunk cost misconceptions in flight training, and discuss how new regulations could make flying more accessible and affordable.

🚀 The Aviation Mentors Podcast is your space to connect with passionate aviators, learn practical insights, and stay inspired in aviation. Whether you’re a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or AvGeek, this episode is packed with knowledge and perspective.

🌎 Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying!

www.aviationmentors.com

www.stratusaerosummit.com

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

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In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez share an inspiring story of resilience, rediscovery, and passion for flight as Carson takes to the skies again after more than two years away from the cockpit.

Join Brandon and Carson as they relive Carson’s first flight back on September 19, 2025, in a Cessna 182, marking his return to flying since February 12, 2023. From preflight jitters and rusty radio calls to picture-perfect landings, this episode is packed with lessons for student pilots and general aviation enthusiasts alike.

Brandon, speaking from his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) perspective, shares valuable insights on how instructors can help returning pilots rebuild their confidence, while Carson reflects on the emotions, muscle memory, and satisfaction of regaining proficiency after time away.

Whether you’re a student pilot taking your first steps, a lapsed aviator thinking about getting current again, or just someone who loves the journey of flight, this episode reminds us that once aviation is in your heart—it never truly leaves.

🚀 We are the Aviation Mentors, a podcast dedicated to creating an amazing space where aviators can hang out and talk all things 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 AvGeek like us, this is the podcast for you!

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us and be part of the journey.

🔗 www.aviationmentors.com

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

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