S02E55: Pilot Currency vs. Proficiency: What Every Pilot Should Know

S02E55: Pilot Currency vs. Proficiency: What Every Pilot Should Know

Author: Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez August 30, 2025 Duration: 22:58

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast 🎙️, Brandon and Carson share their recent flying adventures and the lessons that came with them. From splash-and-go landings in an Icon A5 near Long Beach Harbor to touch-and-gos at Chino and Riverside, they dive into what it really means to be a current—and proficient—pilot.

This isn’t just about logging the FAA’s minimums. Brandon and Carson explore the real difference between currency and proficiency, and why staying sharp with regular practice is essential for safe, confident flying.

Along the way, they discuss: How getting current again builds both skill and confidence The joy of flying as a “happy place” Digitizing logbooks for modern pilots Brandon’s goal of earning his ATP multi rating Carson’s anticipation (and nerves!) about getting back to flying

And to top it off, we’re celebrating a huge milestone: 100,000 downloads of the Aviation Mentors podcast! 🎉 Thank you for flying with us every week.

🚀 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.

đź”— www.aviationmentors.com

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

đź’» www.stratus.finance


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
S02E42: Listener Questions (Part 9) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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🎙️In this episode of The Aviation Mentors, Brandon and Carson flip the script, get a little heartfelt, and crack each other up while diving into another round of listener questions! From mastering night flight like a nin…
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S02E40: From Outdated to Upgraded: The $18B ATC Transformation Plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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S02E39: Listener Questions (Part 8) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:34
🎙️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors podcast, we dive into another round of listener questions—and things get entertaining fast. From navigating unexpected weather to decoding ATC conversations, Brandon and Carson…
S02E38: Listener Questions (Part 7) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:12
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S02E37: You Know You’re a CFI When… (Part 3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:18
🎙️ Strap in for the thrilling conclusion of our CFI debate trilogy! In Part 3, Brandon and Carson dive into the eternal battle between FAA minimums and true proficiency, debate scenario-based vs. maneuver-based training,…
S02E36: You Know You’re a CFI When… (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:34
🎙️Buckle up for another round of aviation arguments as Brandon and Carson dive 🛬 headfirst into the go-around gospel, engine-out realism, and the age-old question: when should a CFI actually take the controls? From sneak…
S02E35: You Know You’re a CFI When… (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:38
🎙️ Welcome to Part 1 of a fiery 3-part series where Brandon and Carson dive into the cockpit controversies that CFIs just can’t agree on. From the automation vs. stick-and-rudder smackdown to whether ground school belong…
S02E35: You Know You’re a CFI When… (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:38
🎙️ Welcome to Part 1 of a fiery 3-part series where Brandon and Carson dive into the cockpit controversies that CFIs just can’t agree on. From the automation vs. stick-and-rudder smackdown to whether ground school belong…
S02E34: Listener Questions (Part 6) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:06
🎙️ In this episode, Brandon and Carson dive headfirst into four of the most asked questions in aviation: What are the most common checkride mistakes? How do you find a trustworthy flight instructor? When are you really r…