S02E43: Aviation Without Limits

S02E43: Aviation Without Limits

Author: Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez May 31, 2025 Duration: 20:27

🎙️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, host Carson flies solo as he interviews Ryan Bliss—commercial pilot, certified flight instructor, and founder of the Vermont Aviators Association. Ryan shares his inspiring journey into aviation, which began at age 40, and how he turned his passion into a mission to make flying more accessible in Vermont and beyond.

Learn how the Vermont Aviators Association evolved from casual hangar cookouts into large-scale aviation events featuring aircraft displays, food truck fly-ins, helicopter rides, and workshops. Discover how Ryan is helping high schools implement AOPA’s aviation STEM curriculum to create career pathways for aspiring pilots.

🚀 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!

www.aviationmentors.com

www.vermontaviators.org

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

www.stratus.finance

#AviationPodcast #AviationMentor #PilotInspiration #GeneralAviation #VermontAviators #STEMinAviation


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: 220

Aviation Mentors
Podcast Episodes
S02E33: Pilot Deviation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:54
🎙️ Think a “ticket in the sky” sounds dramatic? Wait till the FAA gives you that phone number to call. 📞 In this episode, Brandon and Carson unpack what pilot deviations really are, how to avoid them (hint: fewer iPads,…
S02E32: F.I.R.C [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:13
🎙️🚀 CFI renewal just got a makeover! Whether you’re a seasoned flight instructor or a student pilot wondering what happens if your instructor forgets their renewal (spoiler: it’s not pretty), this episode unpacks the lat…
S02E31: The Get-There-Itis Trap: A Real-Life Aviation Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:29
🎙️ A perfect weekend, a smooth flight, ✈️ and a well-planned trip—what could go wrong? In this episode, Brandon shares a real-life aviation dilemma that put his decision-making skills to the test 😱. From a suspicious gau…
S02E30: AI and Digital Marketing with Tim Jedrek [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:37
🎙️ Ever wondered how some flight schools dominate the digital space while others struggle to get noticed? 🤔 In this episode, we sit down with Tim Jedrek of Right Rudder Marketing to uncover the marketing magic that helps…
S02E29: Flying With Confidence with Tammy Barlette [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:43
🎙️ Struggling with perfectionism in flight training? Ever wondered how fighter pilot mindset can boost your flying skills? In this powerhouse episode, Tammy Barlette—retired USAF fighter pilot, mental performance expert,…
S02E28: Planes Need Homes Too [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:50
🎙️ Ever thought about what goes into building a hangar—let alone 300 of them? In this episode of Aviation Mentors, Brandon pulls back the hangar doors (literally) to share his ambitious journey of trying to develop 300 a…
S02E27: No Mission, Just Fun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:22
🎙️ In this episode of Aviation Mentors, Brandon shares his experience of getting back into flying for pure enjoyment. 🎉 After a period away from multi-engine flying, ✈️ he takes a refresher flight in the Beechcraft Duche…
S02E26: California Fires [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:20
🎙️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle the devastating California wildfires 🔥🚒 and the critical role aviation played in combating the crisis ✈️. From heroic firefighting missions 🧯…
S02E25: Listener Questions (Part 5) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:12
🎙️ In this installment of the Aviation Mentors Listener Questions segment, Brandon and Carson tackle your aviation dilemmas with expert advice and a dash of humor! 😂 From proving you're ready to solo and navigating the b…
S02E24: Crossing the Line [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:30
🎙️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors, Brandon and Carson explore the ins and outs of FAR violations—what they mean, how they happen, and what they can do to your insurance and career. With personal anecdotes, tips…