The Student Pilot Cast (mp3): Recent Episodes
Bill Williams
Learning to fly…in front of the world. A Podcast about flight training. Follow Bill as he progresses through his flight training. This is the audio only feed. The audio podcasts are NOT the same content as the video podcasts, so if you want all the content, please subscribe to both. The audio feed is more tied to the student experience, in cockpit training, with a few features and special events. The video feed includes in-cockpit video sometimes, but is more feature oriented and does not typically coincide as closely with the training.
In episode 94 of the Student Pilot Cast, Bill recounts an unplanned start to AirVenture 2026 after the engine in his Jabiru quit over far southeastern Colorado on July 18, forcing an off-airport landing in a cornfield with his son Trey; both were unhurt and the airplane remains repairable with minor gear damage and an unresolved engine issue. Rather than a debrief, Bill focuses on gratitude for the “rings” of people who helped: Trey’s calm, useful cockpit support; his wife Crystal’s steady response, prayer, and communication with worried family; airline crews relaying the mayday on guard; ATC/FAA personnel tracking him down by phone; local deputies and responders; fire chief Everett and his wife Becky transporting and hosting them; friend Kent flying a Mooney rescue to continue to Oshkosh; and the broader aviation community at Oshkosh that shared support, stories, and connections.
This is not the debrief of the emergency...that comes later. This is arguably more important...the human side.
Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions
Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
It's Thursday night at Camp Scholler, day four of days not mattering, and Kent and I sat down with one goal: be smart-asses about a few things we'd seen at AirVenture.
So we get into it. Textron had us all convinced this was the year the Pipistrel Panthera would finally get certified under MOSAIC — and instead we got another two-seat trainer. The Camp Scholler bathhouse has quietly relocated the towel hooks inside the shower. The night air show is still the best thing in aviation, but somebody counted down "two minutes to hack" and then made us wait ten more for two drones and a flag. Also, everybody please sit down and stop filming it.
Then Bob Bittner wandered into the conversation and blew up our whole gripe session, because the 2026 AirVenture Cup — the one Kent has rechristened the SmokeVenture Cup — turned out to be a much better story than anything we were complaining about.
We tried to be snide. We learned things instead. That's episode 93.
Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions
Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief
Links:
Links MentionedThe AirVenture Cup
- AirVenture Cup Race — official site
- 2026 race course
- 2026 results — EAA Hangar Flying
- Wildfire smoke postpones the race (WSAW)
- The race finally launches from smoky Wausau skies (WSAW)
- Learn Build Fly — Wausau youth aviation program
Bob's airplane
- Cozy Mark IV
- Rutan VariEze — where the canard family started
- Long-EZ (EAA)
Textron, Pipistrel & MOSAIC
- Pipistrel (a Textron eAviation company)
- Pipistrel Panthera
- Textron buys Pipistrel, 2022 (AOPA)
- FAA MOSAIC rule
- MOSAIC explained — FAQ (AOPA)
Other things we talked about
- SubSonex personal jet kit (Sonex Aircraft)
- Camp Scholler (EAA)
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 92, we join Bill and Trey talking briefly about their upcoming trip to OSH in a light sport aircraft, Lil' Rue. B
Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions
Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 91, Bill teaches a simple aeronautical decision-making framework for go/no-go and continue/divert decisions built around three simple questions: can the airplane do it? Can I do it? And is it legal? He breaks each question into three lenses—aircraft performance/envelopes/condition; pilot proficiency/physiology/capability under pressure; and legal airworthiness/mission-specific regs/paperwork—highlighting how pilots can miss risks or rationalize. He adds a “three strikes” rule where three “yellow” factors stacked together mean a no-go, and recommends post-flight learning with five quick debrief questions. He shares a headwind-induced fuel stop example, offers a free two-page PDF at studentpilotcast.com/threequestions, and invites listeners to connect, including at Oshkosh.
Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions
Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 90, Beyond the Checkride, Bill and Kent reflect on the 2009 Colgan Air 3407 crash near Buffalo and how it drove regulatory changes including the 1,500-hour rule and the FAA-required ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP). They discuss what ATP-CTP is, how provider and instructor quality can vary, and what Kent experienced taking it independently (about $4,000) with nearly 3,000 hours and single-engine turbine Part 135 time. They outline regulatory requirements (30 hours ground, 10 hours simulator) covering high-altitude aerodynamics, weather radar, air carrier operations, and CRM/leadership, emphasizing lessons from accidents like Air France 447, Tenerife, United 232, and American 965. Kent describes key sim takeaways such as high-altitude stall recovery requiring nose-down and significant altitude loss, automation differences, EGPWS/windshear maneuvers, and the importance of mindset, SOPs, checklists, and professionalism.
Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions
Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 89, we join Bill as he introduces everyone to his airplane, a 2008 Jabiru J230. Come along on a flight with him and he'll tell you all about the plane, but also dive into some of the interesting things from the flight. This is part of the Cockpit Series where we go on a flight together, learn what we can, and have a little fun.
Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions
Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 88, Bill welcomes Jason Miller, two-time FAA Western Pacific CFI of the Year and founder of The Finer Points, to discuss how his platform evolved into an flight training app that models real-world lessons with briefings, flights, and debriefs across five courses. They talk about uneven student preparation, the 2015–2023 “explosive growth” period that left inexperienced CFIs training newer pilots, and signs of degraded proficiency and safety concerns, alongside the FAA’s overhaul of written tests to reduce memorization and align questions with the ACS. Jason explains the free CFI Club’s mentorship focus, monthly meetings, and “CFI Handbook” videos, and why he chose a career instructing path. They cover technology’s impact—YouTube safety content, EFB benefits and distractions, and best practices—plus thoughts on AI’s current limits and targeted uses. Miller also describes his mountain/canyon “airplane camp” adventure training emphasizing risk management and survival planning. This is Student Pilot Cast episode 087, Powered by Human Intelligence; A Conversation with Jason Miller.
Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions
Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief
Links:
- Join The Finer Points on our Adventure Flying Trips
- The Finer Points – Become a better pilot
- Join The Finer Points CFI Club!
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 87, we join Bill and Kent as they discuss forced induction in general aviation, contrasting normally aspirated engines with superchargers, turbochargers, and turbo-normalizers, and explaining how turbos use exhaust-driven turbines and wastegates (automatic, manual—separate or throttle-linked—and fixed) to manage boost. They cover turbocharged vs turbo-normalized manifold pressure, the role of intercoolers in cooling compressed intake air, and operational considerations like avoiding overboost on takeoff/go-arounds, critical altitude (example: Seneca around 12,000 feet), and high-altitude issues including cooling challenges, pressurized mags, and pilot oxygen needs. They recommend FAA hypoxia training (including nitrogen-based options and a spatial disorientation simulator) and discuss descent and shutdown considerations, including turbo cool-down and the debate around shock cooling. Finally, they outline why pilots choose turbos (terrain, takeoff/climb performance, speed on long legs, weather/icing avoidance) and why some shouldn’t (cost, shorter TBO, more fuel burn, maintenance complexity, limited benefit on short legs, and discomfort using oxygen), using a Mooney vs Mooney Bravo comparison to illustrate time vs fuel tradeoffs.
Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions
Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 86, we join Bill as he relaunches the podcast. Four distinct series, a new look, and more bad puns. I do a Briefing Room episode to launch things back off, and explain how things are changing, how they're staying the same, and what we want to focus on.
Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions
Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief
Links:
- Radio Check – The Student Pilot Cast
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 85, we join Bill and Kent as they talk about how to expand the envelope of your flying. In other words, how to fly good and not suck...or at least get better and reduce your personal minimums.
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 84, we join Bill and Kent again for another Beyond the Checkride segment. In this one we talk about getting out there on the proverbial open road, and going places with GA, in whatever airplane you have access to. Hope you enjoy our discussion on cross country flying and expanding your comfort zone a bit.
Links:
- Video of this Episode - Video version of Episode of SPC #84.
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 83, we go back to the days of the Pilotcast. Due to the tragic events of the past weekend, we wanted to re-release a Pilotcast Episode from 2018 where Kent, Tiffany, and Bill interview Aerobatic Champion and Airshow start Rob Holland. Rob tragically was killed this in an aviation accident a few days ago and since the Pilotcast is no longer hosted anywhere, we wanted to get this content back out and available to the world, so I'm releasing it again, in it's entirety, as a throwback SPC episode. We hope you enjoy it. Remember, fly good and don't suck.
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
Welcome back SPC listeners and Merry Christmas! In this special Christmas day episode, hosts Bill and Kent delve into the pilot's lifeline – checklists. Episode 82 of the Student Pilot Cast titled 'Making a List and Checking it Twice...or Never' brings forth a comprehensive discussion on the importance of good checklist habits beyond the checkride. They debate the utility and design of checklists, discuss personal anecdotes, and offer insight on the pros and cons of electronic versus paper checklists. This episode is a must-listen for both new and experienced pilots who want to improve their safety and efficiency in the cockpit. Join the conversation and share your thoughts!
Links:
- Goose, your Digital Co-Pilot
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 81 Bill goes on location to interview some of the guys who started a new flight school recently. Legion Air wants to teach people to be the best aviators they can be, so let's find out what makes them tick, what their approach is, and how to turn a large fortune into a small fortune in aviation.
Links:
- Private Pilot ACS - Mentioned in the episode, this is the Airman Certification Standards document that is the roadmap to the Private Pilot checkride.
- Airline & Commercial Pilot Training Programs / ATP Flight School - Since it's mentioned several times, if you want to know more about ATP, this is your link to their official website.
- Legion Air - Find out more about the new flight school, Legion Air.
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 80 of the Student Pilot Cast we reunite with Nick Smith from Part Time Pilot to discuss the latest developments in his online ground school platform. We explore the addition of new features, such as an IFR ground school and a mobile app, and delve into the challenges of aviation training. Host Bill shares his journey to becoming a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), offering insights and updates along the way. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of aviation education and learn how Part Time Pilot is making flight training more accessible and efficient.
See the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/97O5VzO1kZc
Links:
- Video Version of Episode 80
- Part Time Pilot Online Flight Training & Ground School - Check out Nick's excellent ground school.
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 79, we join Bill and guest host Tiffany Wolf as they navigate the flight path of AI with an interview with Alex List of FlyShirley.com. Fly Shirley is a tech startup dedicated to using AI for aviation. While we are in the infancy of this technology as it pertains to aviation, the conversation with Alex is very interesting as we dive into the possibilities, where they are currently at with their product, and what's to come.
Links:
- FlyShirley by Airplane.team - Check out the company and the FlyShirley product.
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 78, we go back in time a bit. Back when Bill was a brand new pilot and was transitioning into a couple of new airplanes. The Cessna 182 has become one of my favorites and because it's coming up again for me right now, it got me thinking about my original transition into the 182 and my High Performance endorsement. I explain in the episode why, but I wanted to revisit that training during my transition for a couple of episodes.
This episode also includes a Beyond the Checkride segment where Kent and Bill dive into descent planning for pilots. In this episode, they cover crucial techniques, from using avionics and EFBs to understanding rules of thumb and managing passenger comfort. Whether it's the mathematics involved or leveraging tools like Foreflight, get ready for a some tips on making your descent smooth and safe. Perfect for both seasoned aviators and those just starting their journey. See the video version of the segment here.
Links:
YouTube link for this episode's Beyond The Checkride segment on Descent Planning: https://youtu.be/Q19Drsd3xfg
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
Join us in this 'Beyond the Checkride' only episode of the Student Pilot Cast with hosts Kent Shook and Bill Williams as they delve into the intricacies of logging Pilot in Command (PIC) time. They discuss the nuances of FAA regulations, personal flying experiences, and scenarios like instructor flights, safety pilot roles, and questions around cross-country time. Learn how to navigate the complex rules and ensure your logbook entries are accurate. Perfect for student pilots and seasoned aviators alike, this episode is essential for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of flight logging. See the video version of this segment here: https://youtu.be/BGtVT_Sn9Qo
Links:
- Link to the Video of this Beyond the Checkride Segment
- ForeFlight - Integrated Flight App for Pilots - We talk a bit about using Foreflight Logbook for logging flights.
- Federal Register :: ECFR - This is the link to the online federal regulations, including the FARs.
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 76 of The Student Pilot Cast, host Bill recounts a challenging
instrument training flight under the guidance of instructor Eddie. The flight
proved difficult due to busier-than-usual airport conditions, turbulence, and
Bill's struggle to stay ahead of the airplane. Flying under the hood, Bill
faced issues with altitude management and task saturation, emphasizing the
importance of staying current and proficient. Despite the hectic experience,
Bill reflects on the essential lessons learned about maintaining focus,
prioritizing tasks, and the constant need for practice in aviation.
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 75, we join Bill as he does another instrument training flight, more instrument pattern flying for practice, and an all new Beyond the Checkride Segment about buttoning up the airplane when doing cross country flying, or even at home. Enjoy.
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 74, we join Bill as he finishes up his first "under the hood" instrument training flight. We also include a 'Beyond the Checkride' segment on fueling your airplane which is something many new pilots were never taught before the checkride.
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 73, we join Bill as he starts his training under the hood for simulated IMC. We also introduce a new segment in this week's episode, "Beyond the Checkride". In this edition of the segment a special guest and I will talk about our first topic for actual, real-world flying that maybe weren't taught in flight school.
Links:
- Aviation Performance Solutions | Upset Prevention & Recovery Solutions
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 72, we join Bill as he embarks on his instrument rating. This is the first flight lesson in that endeavor as he gets familiar with the airplane and a new instructor.
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 71, we join Bill as he as he catches up with Nexair Avionics after 15 years, and we talk about the G3 Cirrus SR-22 Turbo that they've updated and have for sale.
Links:
Video Version of the Episode: https://youtu.be/WvtUix8JLmY
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 70, sit down with Bill and talk all about some upcoming plans for Airventure, for the podcast, and this episode includes a BIG announcement, so enjoy.
This episode has a video version as well which can be found here:
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 69, we join Bill as he finishes up his flight review after a long hiatus from flying and is once again legal to fly. Watch out as the world's okayest pilot starts hitting altitude again. I definitely needed a lot more practice, but I knew I was headed directly into my instrument training so I would get plenty of that before I went solo, most likely.
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 68, we join Bill as he finishes flight one of his Flight Review with Ryan on his way back to being a pilot.
Links:
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Copyright 2008-2024, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
In Episode 67 , we join Bill as he becomes a pilot again after an 11 year break from flying. This is the first part of his first flight review flight back after the hiatus. It's full of re-learning and discovery, and we're happy to have you back along with me in the cockpit as I try to shake off the cobwebs and get back to it.
Links:
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee - Wikipedia
- Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ)
Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".
Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.
Today we talk about legacy, and legends of aviation. I recently found some old audio in the SPC archives from OSH 2011, and it brought me back, got me thinking about the legacy of some of the people we sometimes get to cross paths with. Some are important to the... Read more »
Today we talk about legacy, and legends of aviation. I recently found some old audio in the SPC archives from OSH 2011, and it brought me back, got me thinking about the legacy of some of the people we sometimes get to cross paths with. Some are important to the... Read more »
Welcome back, SPC listeners. I’m super happy to bring you a chat with Dan Justman from the airplane Owners and Pilots Association, or AOPA, about their program designed to help part 61 students and instructors with their training. AOPA is trying to tackle what is likely part of the reason... Read more »
For this episode I got a chance to talk to Nick Smith from Part Time Pilot, an online private pilot ground school that packs a lot of personalized value into a rather inexpensive service. Learn about how he’s taking a more personal approach to online training and also learn how... Read more »
This is the audio version of the Student Pilot Cast audio Episode 63. The video version of this can be found in the video feed of this podcast, or in highest resolution on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/-GhDPNoQcj4 In this episode I get to talk to Mark Palm, the CEO and Co-Founder... Read more »
The state of Oklahoma has gotten serious about aviation, STEM education, and the whole aeronautics industry. I talk here briefly with Grayson Ardies, Director of the Oklahoma Aeronautical Commision, about what the state is doing to further aviation education and aeronautics in general in the state. This is the audio... Read more »
The state of Oklahoma has gotten serious about aviation, STEM education, and the whole aeronautics industry. I caught up with a High School teacher in Oklahoma, Chris Eckler, to talk about what he’s doing in his school district with regard to Aviation Education and how he fell in love with... Read more »
In this episode I have an impromptu conversation with Celia Oakley of Opener. We had been hearing about their electric STOL aircraft but hadn’t planned on doing a feature on it until my crew took a spin in their 3D simulator and we found the evolution and the atypical flight... Read more »
In this episode I catch up with Laura and Jay of Infinite Flight to talk about their flight simulator. We cover what it is, how it started, is it a tool or a game, and what’s coming next. This is a fun discussion about something I hadn’t really been keeping... Read more »
We finally make it to Showlow the morning after our diversion to Payson. I categorized this flight as a grateful nod to aviation and I dive into how I was feeling at this point in my flying career. I hope you enjoy this flight.
This one is awesome for me. I got to take my wife on our first mission together to the high country of Arizona for a weekend away with friends. Being the PIC on these flights was teaching me a lot, and on this day I had some weather decisions to... Read more »
Back to a cockpit audio episode this week, but you may be asking what it is since I finished my primary training episodes. Well, this is an Oshkosh arrival, the part two to the departure we did last week in episode 55. More explanation when we get into the episode…but... Read more »
Back to a cockpit audio episode this week, but you may be asking what it is since I finished my primary training episodes. Well, this is an Oshkosh departure and next week we’ll do an arrival…and yes, in that order. More explanation when we get into the episode…but I hope... Read more »
This episode is an interview with Stu Stevenson, Co-Owner of Thrust Flight, an ab initio flight school in the Dallas area with additional locations on the horizon. Stu is also one of the co-hosts and the creator of A Pilot’s Journey Podcast, and is a CFI, ATP, and generally great... Read more »
Welcome back SPC listeners. Big day today…time for my check ride. It’s finally here…and after all these years, we’ll finally figure out if I made it or not. Hope you enjoy Episode 53, “Checking my Ride.” Yup, the time had finally come to see if I had learned what I... Read more »
Back to my training, we’ll be doing the second half of my makeup flight. This is the continuation of the flight from Episode 50. Enjoy episode 52, “Am I Ready Yet?” I was only a few days from me rescheduled check ride, and I was getting even more nervous and... Read more »
This week week’s episode is something a little different. We’ll get back to part two of my Instrument make-up flight next week, but I wanted to throw in the audio from a sit-down I had with an old friend and colleague, Tim Omta, when we recently re-connected after several years... Read more »
This is episode 50, where you may have been expecting an episode about my check ride, but alas, there was a bit of a snag, so you can get all of the information in this week’s episode. This episode will include part one of some makeup flying and we even... Read more »
In this episode we’ll cover a quick flight to get the additional .3 hours I needed to be ready for my check ride. The previous day I had 3 flights (see episodes 46, 47, and 48 for those). Today I would do this one flight, and be studying like crazy... Read more »
For this episode we’ll be doing a dual flight with Lary, getting some of that hood time I needed, and practicing a takeoff under the hood. We’d be flying in N81658. Keep in mind this is now my 3rd training flight of the day and the fourth in the past... Read more »
In this episode I’ll be taking you along for my fourth and final stage check with one of the chief pilots. This stage check, if successfully completed, would mark the end of my primary training and I would then be ready for my check ride with an examiner. Of course,... Read more »
Welcome back SPC listeners…this flight was the day after my dual flight with Lary from the last episode, episode 45, and I would be some solo practice on the same things, short and soft takeoffs and landings. I’d be staying in the pattern for this solo. Hope you enjoy Episode... Read more »
In this episode, just three days after my last solo covered in episode 44, I was back in the cockpit with my instructor, Lary, and along for the ride on this one was my oldest Son who was around 10 at the time. We would stay in the pattern for... Read more »
Today I’d be flying in 2148Y on a solo flight to practice ground reference maneuvers as well as practicing some short and soft field landings. In fact, according to my part 141 training curriculum, this would just be my second to last solo flight before my check ride. We will... Read more »
Dropping episode 43 today, where I take you a long on a dual flight with Lary, my instructor, but I have two small visitors today as well. This episode is a bit nostalgic for me as I had my two youngest kids with me; ages 8 and 6. Of course,... Read more »
Wow…what is this? Another episode of the Student Pilot Cast?!?! After all this time? Well, yes…let’s at least get through my primary training before another hiatus, shall we? Actually, I’ve got some plans even after that, so let’s see how it goes. In this episode I’ll take you along on... Read more »
Hello, everyone. This is episode 40 of the Student Pilot Cast, The Anonymous CFI. This is a bit more brief than most episodes because I never got permission from the CFI I flew with this day to publish the content, so I’m sorry to say that any cockpit audio with... Read more »
Look! Less than a week and another episode! This is my return flight on my long solo cross country flight from Prescott (KPRC) to Chandler (KCHD) via Wickenburg (E25). I transition a bit of the southern portion of the PHX Class B airspace as well. This was a great flight.... Read more »
I’m back releasing podcast after my much too long hiatus. Sorry for the delay, everyone. This is the first part of my long solo cross country flight which followed my stage III check. I fly from Chandler (KCHD) west and north through the PHX class B airspace, and then on... Read more »
Welcome back, SPC listeners. I’m glad to be back with you for another experience on my road to becoming a private pilot. Today you’ll be coming along as I complete my 3rd stage check out of four. As you know from my previous few episodes, I’d been preparing for this. ... Read more »
This is episode 37 of the Student Pilot Cast. Join me as I take a solo makup flight in some windy conditions the morning of my Stage III Check. In this flight I stay in the pattern and practice performance landings and takeoffs. As the flight went on, the wind kept... Read more »
It’s that time again…now that we’re home from Oshkosh, it’s time to share this year’s edition of Podapalooza. This was recorded live on EAA Radio on Friday, July 30th, 2010. Enjoy.
Welcome to episode 35, finally, of the Student Pilot Cast, “Stage III Check Prep, Hijacked”. I’m Bill Williams, and I’m learning to fly in front of the world. Come join me as I prepare for my Stage III Check with a different instructor. This has been updated to point to... Read more »
Hello again SPC listeners. Today’s episode takes us on a solo training flight on a very busy day to practice performance landings and takeoffs (shorts and softs). We have everything from FOD to go-arounds in this episode, so enjoy. I was nearing the end of stage III in my training,... Read more »
This is part II of my night dual cross country flight. This part takes us from Marana Airport in the far northern part of Tucson back to Chandler. [KAVQ-KCHD] I mentioned the Remos GX LSA flight from Oshkosh in this episode. Here is the link to the Airspeed episode that... Read more »
This is part II of Podapalooza 2009, the part of the show that was not broadcast live on EAA Radio. This took place at Oshkosh, July 31st, 2009. If you are thinking about learning to fly, check out Air Freddy’s Learning to Fly Guide, an e-book that will answer many... Read more »
Hello, everyone! Here is the first part of the audio from Podapalooza 2009 from Airventure in Oshkosh, July 31st, 2009. This part contains the audio from the show that was broadcast live on EAA Radio. After the radio station had to cut away, we continued Podapalooza and I will bring... Read more »
We continue my coverage of EAA Airventure with episode 30. Today I present an interview with David Fetherston of Nexair Avionics about their new airplane, the Saratoga NX. The NX is a rebuild from spinner to tail of Piper’s Saratoga, but with all new avionics, speed mods, etc. It’s a... Read more »
Airventure 2009 is over, but I’ve got a bit of good material from Oshkosh that I’ll be publishing. This is the first of it. In this episode, I confirm why everyone loves Oshkosh so much with a quick discussion with John and Christine Halbrook around the campsite one evening. Obviously,... Read more »
Hello SPC listeners! Today we will follow my outbound leg of my dual night cross country. I had to take a couple of weeks off because of extensive travel, including some family vacations. I’m back now, though, but headed to Oshkosh this week. This means lots of content coming up... Read more »
This episode chronicles my return flight to Chandler from Tucson international, and is the second part of my first solo cross-country flight during my training. There’s some interesting things that happen, and another bonehead move on my part with the radio. Please enjoy this flight as I learn to fly... Read more »
Today’s episode is a very special one as we’ll cover my first solo cross country. It was a simple flight from Chandler to Tucson International, but a giant step for me in my training. Join me as a learn to fly in front of the world in podcast episode 26... Read more »
This episode is the conclusion of my long dual cross-country training flight, or the last two legs. We went from Prescott (KPRC) to Sedona (KSEZ) and shut it down to go have a late breakfast at the excellent restaurant. Then it was on home to Chandler (KCHD). I hope you... Read more »
Hello, everyone. I’m pleased to release audio episode 24 of the Student Pilot Cast, Across the Hills. Follow me on the first leg of my long dual cross country from KCHD to KPRC right through the middle of Phoenix. We’ve got a busy airspace in Phoenix and a really busy... Read more »
In episode 23 we cover the return flight from Tucson International Airport (KTUS) to Chandler (KCHD) as part of my first dual cross country. Leaving a class C airport was a bit different than working in my usual class B airport. Busier airspace, bigger airplanes, departure controllers, approach controllers, and clearance... Read more »
Hello again, everyone. I’m back with episode 22 about my first dual cross country flight during my primary training. It was fantastic as I hope you’ll be able to tell from this episode. I went from KCHD to KTUS, or Tucson International. I also mentioned Scenario Based Training in this... Read more »
I’m back SPC listeners! I’ve had no time to produce new episodes for a while, but I forced myself tonight…and put off some other stuff. So what we have is another training episode, Episode 21, “Good Freakin’ Flight”. This is a solo flight that I took after returning from my... Read more »
I’m back, after an exclusive one month tour of Europe, Scandinavia, and…no, that’s not true. In fact, I’ve just been really busy, and haven’t had a chance to finish this episode up and send it out on the feed. Bad me, I know. So, we skipped September in the podcast…I’ll... Read more »
Hello patient Student Pilot Cast listeners. I’m back again with a training flight, which happens to be my first night flight…as well as a few other firsts. We basically to take a tour of the Phoenix Valley at night. Very cool. I broke this into two parts because it was... Read more »
Here is the last part of Podapalooza 2008 from Oshkosh. I hope you enjoy. Thanks for listening, and please don’t forget to let me know you’re out there. Leave me some feedback using the contact link near the top of the page.
Hello everyone. I’m happy to release part 1 of the 2008 edition of Podapalooza, which was recorded in Oshkosh at EAA Airventure. Podapalooza is the gathering of aviation podcasters in Oshkosh each year. As well as being released on this and many other feeds, this year it was broadcast live... Read more »
Hello everyone. I’m reposting this as I just discovered that it was lost somehow. My episode 16 from Oshkosh 2008 where I announced that I had achieved my private pilot.
Shooting ’em out rapid-fire, now, folks. Here’s another episode of the Student Pilot Cast, number 15, about a flight in which we focused on VORs and Simulated Instrument Conditions (The Hood). I had passed my Phase II Check, and I was starting on Phase III. I hope you enjoy.
Episode 14 is here! Today we’ll follow a dual lesson that I had to prep for the Stage II Stage Check. Now that I had been introduced to shorts and softs, and had some time to practice, it was time to finish stage II. Before I could do this stage... Read more »
This is an episode about a solo flight I took to practice ground reference maneuvers. I also take the opportunity to share portions of an email I received from David Allen, a future pilot who’s email summarized in an eloquent way what several people have said to me since I... Read more »
Okay, we’re back to the lessons. As you can see from the title, at this point in my training I have started learning the performance takeoffs and landings sometimes referred to as “Shorts” and “Softs”. Within 4 day’s time I had three dual lessons on these performance landings and takeoffs. ... Read more »
We have a very special episode of the audio cast today. Yesterday, Jerry O’Sullivan from the Virginia Student Pilot podcast completed his first solo flight! Well, we had a chance to talk today while it was fresh in his mind, and that’s the cast we have today. The second big... Read more »
Hello, everyone. I’ve just returned from my little vacation Scuba Diving with my buddies in the Channel Islands, and I’m releasing episode 10. This episode documents a very memorable flight for me; a flight that helped me remember why I’m doing this. This flight may end up being even more... Read more »
Episode 9 is completely different. We’ll get back to the regular podcasts momentarily, but for this episode, we have the pleasure of hearing from Pilot PJ, a relatively new pilot who shares his wisdom with us. PJ and I talk about everything from multiple “discovery flights” to finally taking passengers... Read more »
Here is Episode 8 of the Student Pilot Cast, “Movin’ on Up”. Join me as I document a dual flight I had where we worked on partial panel instrument flying, ground reference maneuvers, and crosswind landing. I’ve got a lot of good stuff coming up, and I’m going to start... Read more »
Another episode. This week I get to finish up recounting the story of my first solo, and then the very next day, my second solo. There was a lot of good experience to be had, and I try to sum it up in this episode. Enjoy, and let me know... Read more »
In this episode we catch up in my training through my phase 1 phase check, a change of my CFI, and of course, my first solo. This is a big episode, and includes an event that I will always remember. I’m including a couple of pictures from the big event... Read more »
Another episode in the cast is released! In Episode 5 I start to include much more in cockpit audio, by popular demand. This makes the cast a bit longer than usual, so I hope you don’t mind. We cover several lessons, up to but not including my Phase 1 Stage... Read more »
In episode 4 we talk about the continuation of training after my vacation, some things my wife and I saw in Seattle. We also cover recording in cockpit, landings, and where I’m at with training. I’ve got 6.6 hours now. I apologize for the long delay of over two weeks,... Read more »
In episode 3 we talk about my first week of training. Two flights and some ground work. I’ve got 2.2 hours, and two more flights this week before I have to go out of town. I also talk abou a B-17 that came to our local airport. Thanks for listening. ... Read more »
…or, How to Choose a Flight School or CFI Okay, on to the second episode. Its been over ten days since my last episode because I had a snag starting my training. Because the school I chose was so busy, I had some scheduling issues, but we’ve worked those out,... Read more »
Here it is…the first real episode…you know, with planes involved. Listen to a bit of our first flight, some funny stuff from my friend, Trent, and more. As promised in the audio, here are the links to another show from the student’s perspective, the Student Pilot Flight PodLog by Will... Read more »
This is the first episode in the endeavors of a regular guy getting his private pilot certificate. I’m starting flight training next week, and I’ve decided to chronicle this thing for the enjoyment of anyone who cares…and me. Take a listen to the introduction, Episode Zero. Music for this episode is... Read more »