You Know You're A CFI When... (Part 5)

You Know You're A CFI When... (Part 5)

Author: Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez January 31, 2026 Duration: 40:08

Should CFIs stay silent or intervene? Paper charts or electronic flight bags? When's the right time for turning stalls? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson debate the most controversial topics in flight training. From stall techniques to tailwheel timing, the hosts challenge conventional wisdom and share strong opinions about how pilots should really learn to fly, including:

  • When students should learn turning stalls vs. level flight stalls in primary training
  • Why spin training should (or shouldn't) be required for private pilots again
  • The case for introducing tailwheel flying during private pilot training—not after
  • Accelerated stalls: commercial maneuver or essential private pilot skill?
  • Electronic flight bags vs. paper charts: which should flight schools require from day one?
  • When CFIs should intervene and when they should let students learn from mistakes
  • Ground school vs. hands-on learning: classroom whiteboard or straight to the airplane?

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot navigating training decisions, a CFI refining your teaching approach, or a general aviation pilot interested in safety and technique, this debate episode challenges the status quo with practical insights about flight training methods, risk management, and what really makes better pilots.

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


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: 100

Aviation Mentors
Podcast Episodes
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…
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…