SMAC358 Life Of An FAA Inspection Pilot

SMAC358 Life Of An FAA Inspection Pilot

Author: Carl Valeri September 15, 2026 Duration: 44:33
What does an FAA Flight Inspection Pilot actually do, and how does this specialized work help keep the National Airspace System safe? In this episode of the Stuck Mic AvCast, Carl Valeri interviews Russ Roslewski about his career as an FAA Flight Inspection Pilot. Russ takes us behind the scenes of flight inspection missions and explains how pilots and mission specialists evaluate the navigational facilities, instrument procedures, and systems used by aircraft throughout the aviation system. We discuss the qualifications needed to pursue this unique aviation career, the FAA hiring process, the aircraft and equipment used during missions, and what a typical flight inspection assignment may involve. Russ also shares memorable experiences from his career and offers practical advice for pilots interested in working for the FAA or exploring aviation careers beyond the airlines.

There's a particular sound that fills the cockpit when the microphone key is held just a bit too long-a soft hum of shared connection and stories waiting to be told. That's the spirit captured in Stuck Mic AvCast, an ongoing conversation led by Carl Valeri and a seasoned crew of co-hosts including Victoria Neuville, Rick Felty, and Eric Crump. This isn't a sterile technical lecture, but a hangar-floor chat that spans the entire journey from that first spark of curiosity to a lifetime spent in the air. You'll hear from pilots like Tom Frick, Russ Roslewski, and Larry Overstreet as they dig into the real-world nuances of training, the unexpected challenges of cross-country flights, and the simple, enduring joy that keeps them returning to the runway. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair among friends who get it, discussing everything from gear and regulations to the philosophy of flight itself. Tune in for a podcast that celebrates every facet of aviation, where the passion is as clear as a controller's instruction and the stories are as varied as the skies above.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Stuck Mic AvCast - An Aviation Podcast About Learning to Fly, Living to Fly, and Loving to Fly!
Podcast Episodes
SMAC338 Go Around [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:21
Runway Incursions, unstable approaches, and simple misjudgment during landing are the main reasons we need to go around, but are you ready to execute a go-around maneuver properly? In my over 25 years of instructing recr…
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Duration: 26:33
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SMAC336 Fuel Management [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:40
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SMAC335 Aircraft Ownership The Good, The Bad, and The Unusual [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:26
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SMAC334 James Spearman DFC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:15
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SMAC333 Paramotor Flying [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:55
Want to truly feel like a bird and fly with the wind rushing by your face? You should try powered paragliding today! Our guest Noah will explain that it is easier and less expensive than you might think. Noah runs the Al…
SMAC332 Stepping Up To Twins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:35
SMAC332 Stepping Up To Twins Considerations for Flying, Training, and Maintaining Proficiency. Why fly multi-engine aircraft? When a twin is safer than a single. When is a twin more dangerous than a single? Consideration…
SMAC331 Holiday Gift Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:13
Are You trying to decide what to get your favorite aviators for the holidays? This episode is for you. The team at Stuck Mic AvCast has thought long and hard to come up with gifts you can buy your favorite aviators this…
SMAC330 Successful Flight Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:48
The flight review is a requirement but is also an opportunity to enhance your skills and increase your and your passenger's safety. In this episode, we take you beyond the basic FAA requirements and promote what we call…
SMAC329 FIA Denise Dull [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:37
SMAC329 How To Run A Successful Airshow with Denise Dull President Of Florida International Airshow If you like exciting action-packed airshows that give back to the local community you will love the Florida Internationa…