The VSL Aviation Podcast

CFI ACS Task B Explained: The Learning Process | FOI Series Ep. 2

In Episode 2 of our CFI ACS series, we work through Area of Operation 1, Task B: The Learning Process. This is the biggest task in the Fundamentals of Instruction — 16 kn

Breaking: 2025 Airman Statistics Reveal a Pilot Pipeline Nobody Expected

The 2025 FAA Civil Airmen Statistics just dropped — and the numbers tell a story that contradicts nearly everything you've heard about the pilot shortage. Seth Lake, FAA

CFI ACS Task A Explained: Human Behavior & Communication Made Simple

This episode focuses specifically on Area of Operation I, Task A of the CFI ACS: Effects of Human Behavior and Communication on the Learning Process We're not coverin

Illegal Charter, Operational Control, and Protecting Your Certificate – with Attorney Edward Hadley

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth sits down with aviation attorney and pilot Edward A. Hadley of AeroLegal Advocates to talk about the legal traps commerc

Legal or Illegal? The Real Rules Behind Pilot Compensation

In this episode of The VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth lays the groundwork for understanding one of the most confusing topics in aviation: pilot compensation and illegal chart

Professionalism and Culture in Aviation: Building a Safer Cockpit Environment

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth dives into two closely connected themes: professionalism and culture in aviation. Using relatable analogies like librari

Bird Strikes: Lessons, Tools, and Survival Strategies

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake shares a live seminar from the North Little Rock Airport on the realities of bird and wildlife strikes. Drawin

More Than Skin Deep: Enhanced Preflight Inspection for GA Pilots | Seth Lake Safety Seminar

In this detailed safety seminar, DPE and CFI Seth Lake walks pilots through an enhanced preflight inspection process—going beyond the surface-level checks most pilots per

Live Q&A: CFI Renewals, MEI Training Tips, Wet vs Dry Leases, Aircraft Ownership & More

In this live Q&A session of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth Lake tackles a wide range of pilot questions from Discord, Instagram, and YouTube. Topics include:     CFI Go

Checkride Insights Ep. 4 — Jeremy Lashbrook on Airworthiness, Checkride Errors, and CFI Rolls

In this episode, Seth sits down with Jeremy Lashbrook, a seasoned pilot and Designated Pilot Examiner with over 26 years of U.S. Army aviation experience. Jeremy brings u

High Altitude Ops: Oxygen Systems & Pressurization Explained

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth takes a deep dive into high altitude operations, breaking down FAA requirements, oxygen systems, and cabin pressurizatio

Checkride Insights Ep. 3 — Nick Adcock on Preparation, Common Pitfalls, and Checkride Mindset

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake interviews Nick Adcock, a designated pilot examiner (DPE) with a rich background in military and commercial av

Checkride Insights Ep. 2 — Adam Boyd on Airworthiness, Instruction, and Checkride Readiness

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth interviews Adam Boyd, a designated pilot examiner (DPE) with extensive experience in aviation. They discuss the imp

Checkride Insights Ep. 1 — Tom Guillebeau on Setting Expectations and Avoiding Pitfalls

In the premiere episode of Checkride Insights, Seth sits down with Tom Guillebeau, a seasoned Designated Pilot Examiner and C-130 instructor pilot with the Arkansas Air N

Personal Minimums, Risk Management, and 135 Checkrides: What You Need to Know

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth dives deep into the often-misunderstood topic of personal minimums—how to build them, stick to them, and apply them on c

Decoding the ACS | Part 5 - Mastering Airspace: Private, Commercial, and CFI-Level Scenarios

This is Episode 5 in the Decoding the ACS series, where we break down the Airman Certification Standards one task at a time. In this episode, we cover Area of Operation

CFI Hour Myths, MEI ROI, and Avoiding Illegal Charter: Live Q&A

In this live Q&A edition of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake dives into a wide range of topics submitted by the aviation community. From the myths around required

Logging Time, Checkride Tips & Pilot Questions

In this episode, we celebrate new pilot certifications 🎉, tackle common logbook questions 📘, explain how ForeFlight sources winds aloft 🌬, and clarify cross-country time

Runway Excursions, Non-Standard Climb Gradients, and Weather Radar Tips

In this week's episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, we dig into three real-world flying topics pilots must know:     Runway Excursion Mitigation: A deep dive into Advis

Wet vs Dry Leases, Second Opinions, and Manifold Pressure Myths

This week on the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth dives into three major topics that affect pilots across the training and professional spectrum. First, he breaks down the diff