Cirrus Is a Chinese Company? Plus CO Risk and DPE Shortage

Cirrus Is a Chinese Company? Plus CO Risk and DPE Shortage

Author: Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez June 22, 2026 Duration: 22:08

Is Cirrus secretly owned by a Chinese company, and could carbon monoxide be hiding in your training aircraft right now? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle a stacked listener Q&A covering the biggest questions general aviation pilots are asking right now. Carson also catches Brandon off guard with breaking news about Cirrus. They cover:

  • Carson asks Brandon if he's heard the news: the Pentagon just added Cirrus to its list of Chinese military companies, and Brandon's reaction says it all
  • Whether carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk in training aircraft, including a real ATC story that shows why CO sensors matter
  • How the DPE shortage is affecting checkride scheduling and training timelines for student pilots
  • Whether you can really afford to own an airplane, and why the dream isn't as out of reach as people think
  • What basic med actually requires, and whether it's a better option than a regular FAA medical for most GA pilots
  • Where the unleaded fuel transition for general aviation actually stands today

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, or CFI, this episode breaks down real questions affecting your training, your aircraft, and the industry news you need to know about.

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

Sponsored by Stratus Financial: stratus.finance/scholarship-2026/ Ascend Flight Training Summit: ascendflighttrainingsummit.com


Every Friday, Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez settle in for a conversation that feels like hanging out in the best kind of pilot lounge. Their Aviation Mentors podcast is built on the idea that the world of flight is vast, connecting everything from engineering and history to personal stories and global culture. They bring their own perspectives as active aviators, mentors, and entrepreneurs to each discussion, creating a space that’s as welcoming to a first-time student pilot as it is to a seasoned airline captain or someone who just loves the sound of a radial engine. You’ll hear episodes that dive into the nuances of technique, the stories behind iconic aircraft and airports, and the broader ways aviation shapes our society and sense of place. It’s a weekly exploration driven by genuine passion, moving far beyond textbook talk to capture the real conversations aviators have when they’re just sharing their love for flying. Tune in for thoughtful, wide-ranging dialogues that remind you why the aviation community is so uniquely compelling.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Aviation Mentors
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