Aviation Mentors

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 allWhether carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk in training aircraft, including a real ATC story that shows why CO sensors matterHow the DPE shortage is affecting checkride scheduling and training timelines for student pilotsWhether you can really afford to own an airplane, and why the dream isn't as out of reach as people thinkWhat basic med actually requires, and whether it's a better option than a regular FAA medical for most GA pilotsWhere 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

Should student pilots pay extra for glass cockpit trainers, or stick with steam gauges to save money? What about learning Class Bravo procedures early? ✈️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson answer critical listener questions that every student pilot and low-time pilot faces during their first 250 hours. The hosts tackle real-world training decisions and share lessons learned about:Whether modern glass cockpit trainers are worth the premium cost vs. traditional six-pack aircraftWhat pilots wish they'd done differently in their first 250 hours—from saving money to logging PIC time strategicallyAre used avionics upgrades worth it in 2026, or should you wait for new technology?When student pilots should start practicing IFR-style flying (hint: earlier than you think)Class Bravo procedures—should students learn them now or wait until later in training?🚀 Whether you're deciding between flight schools, managing training costs, or planning your path from student to private pilot, this Q&A episode delivers practical guidance based on real experience.🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

Aviation history was made—but should it have been? The first real emergency Autoland sparks massive debate. ✈️On December 20, 2025, Garmin's Emergency Autoland system completed its first-ever real-world emergency landing when a Beechcraft King Air 200 experienced rapid depressurization at 23,000 feet. But here's the controversy: the two pilots were fully conscious, wearing oxygen masks, and capable of flying—yet they chose to let the computer land the plane.In Episode 208 of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Carson breaks down this groundbreaking and controversial event that's dividing the aviation community:What happened: The complete timeline from depressurization to autonomous landingThe technology: How Garmin's Autoland actually works and why it won the Collier TrophyThe controversy: Did the pilots make the right call or misuse the system?The debate: Industry reactions from both sides—proper emergency management vs. dangerous precedentThe future: What this means for aviation automation, pilot training, and single-pilot operationsThe investigation: FAA and NTSB response to this historic eventBuffalo River Aviation CEO Chris Townsley defended the crew's decision, citing IMC conditions, mountainous terrain, active icing, and unknown failure causes. But critics argue Garmin explicitly states Autoland is "designed ONLY for pilot incapacitation"—and these pilots weren't incapacitated.So what do YOU think? Was this smart use of certified safety technology, or automation dependency gone too far?🎙️ This deep dive explores the technical details, pilot decision-making under pressure, the role of automation in modern aviation, and what this precedent-setting event means for the future of flight.Whether you're a pilot, student pilot, aviation professional, or technology enthusiast—this episode raises critical questions about human judgment vs. machine capability in emergency situations.🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—subscribe to join the conversation and stay current on the biggest stories in aviation.

Winter flying, icing, fog, and cold-weather decision-making—how do pilots actually manage the risks when temperatures drop? ❄️✈️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive deep into winter flying realities, sharing real-world stories, hard lessons learned, and practical guidance every pilot should know. From scraping frost off windshields to flying IFR through icing conditions, this episode covers:• The dangers of frost, ice, and snow on aircraft before takeoff• Real pilot experiences with in-flight icing and how to escape it safely• The difference between FIKI-certified aircraft and non-approved airplanes• Deicing systems explained: boots, heated wings, fluids, and carb heat• Why “just a little ice” can quickly become a life-threatening problem• How cold weather affects engines, oil viscosity, and aircraft starting• Fog types, winter METARs, ceilings, and visibility considerations• Decision-making, get-there-itis, and winter risk management for pilots🎯 Whether you’re a student pilot, private pilot, or instrument-rated aviator, this episode provides clear answers and actionable insights to help you fly smarter—and safer—during winter operations.🌎 New episodes drop every Friday. Join Aviation Mentors and stay confident, informed, and prepared for real-world flying challenges.

Pearl Harbor, aviation history, and real lessons for today’s pilots—how does a two-hour attack from 1941 still shape the way we fly today? ✈️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into the aviation side of the Pearl Harbor attack, exploring how 353 Japanese aircraft caught the U.S. by surprise and what modern pilots can learn from the event. From warbirds like the P-40 Warhawk, B-17 Flying Fortress, the Dauntless, and the Japanese Zero, to breakdowns in communication and readiness, the hosts connect one of history’s most significant aviation-driven moments to general aviation today.They discuss:• How the attack unfolded and the timeline of the first and second waves• Why only a handful of U.S. aircraft were able to get airborne• The roles of Zeros, Kates, and Vals—and their impact on the fleet• Situational awareness lessons student pilots can apply today• Communication breakdowns, ATC parallels, and traffic awareness• Aircraft limitations, density altitude, V_NE, and pilot decision-making• How warbirds demonstrate performance, energy management, and aircraft handling• Personal insights, travel stories, and the importance of readiness in GA🚀 Whether you’re a student pilot, history buff, or general aviation enthusiast, this episode blends real aviation knowledge with one of the most dramatic moments in military history—offering practical flying insights, safety takeaways, and a fascinating warbird breakdown.🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us, learn, and stay inspired on your aviation journey.