Aviation Mentors

Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez

๐Ÿš€ We are The Aviation Mentors, a weekly podcast dedicated to creating an amazing space where we aviators can hang out and enjoy a wide range of conversations about anything aviation. We're aviators, we're mentors, and we're entrepreneurs. Whether you're a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or just an AV Geek like us, this is the podcast for you! ๐ŸŒŽ Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying! Sponsored by Stratus Financial www.stratus.finance

  1. What Is the Pentagon's 1260H List and Why Is Cirrus On It?

    20h ago

    What Is the Pentagon's 1260H List and Why Is Cirrus On It?

    A Chinese-owned aircraft maker just landed on the Pentagon's radar, and Cirrus pilots want to know what it means for them. In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the news that Cirrus's parent company, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has been added to the Pentagon's list of Chinese military-linked companies operating in the US. The hosts walk through what the designation actually means, who else got named alongside Cirrus, and why this story is surfacing now. They cover: What the Pentagon's blacklist designation is and why it's not the same as a flight banWhy Cirrus parent company AVIC was added, and how it ties back to a 2011 ownership dealWhat it means for the Department of Defense's procurement contracts starting June 30thContinental Aerospace Technology and Align Aerospace, the two other aviation suppliers named in the same updateWhy this surfaced now, including Cirrus's 2024 Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing and shifting US policy on foreign-owned companies๐Ÿš€ Whether you fly a Cirrus, train in one, or just want to understand how geopolitics can intersect with general aviation, this episode breaks down what pilots actually need to know, and what they don't need to worry about. ๐ŸŒŽ New episodes drop every Fridayโ€”join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

    18 min
  2. Cirrus Is a Chinese Company? Plus CO Risk and DPE Shortage

    5d ago

    Cirrus Is a Chinese Company? Plus CO Risk and DPE Shortage

    Is Cirrus secretly owned by a Chinese company, and could carbon monoxide be hiding in your training aircraft right now? โœˆ๏ธ 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 today๐Ÿš€ 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. ๐ŸŒŽ 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

    22 min
  3. The State of Flight Training in 2026: Hiring, Pipeline, and What the Data Actually Shows

    Jun 13

    The State of Flight Training in 2026: Hiring, Pipeline, and What the Data Actually Shows

    Flight training in 2026 โ€” is it still worth it, and what do the numbers actually say? โœˆ๏ธ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Carson delivers a data-driven state of the union for flight training in 2026. Real numbers pulled from FAA records, industry surveys, and airline hiring reports. Carson breaks down: The real state of airline hiring in 2026, with actual numbers from American, United, and DeltaWhy 2025 was a pause and not a collapse, and what the rebound looks like right nowStudent pilot pipeline data, CFI supply, and what the competition actually looks likeThe true cost of flight training from private pilot to CFI in today's marketWhy waiting to start could cost you more than financing nowThe checkride examiner bottleneck and how it is quietly adding thousands to your training billWhether starting flight training today, in June 2026, is actually the right call๐Ÿš€ Whether you are a student pilot weighing the investment, a CFI waiting on the airline rebound, or just trying to cut through the noise on the pilot shortage debate, this episode gives you the honest, unfiltered picture. ๐ŸŽ“ Apply for the Aviation Mentors $10,000 Scholarship (25+ flight hours required): stratus.finance/scholarship-2026/ โœˆ๏ธ Ascend Flight Training Summit โ€” Dallas, September 8-10: ascendflighttrainingsummit.com ๐ŸŒŽ New episodes drop every Friday โ€” join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

    30 min
  4. Can You Fly Without Aviation Insurance? Skywatch Answers for Students, CFIs, and Flight Schools

    Jun 5

    Can You Fly Without Aviation Insurance? Skywatch Answers for Students, CFIs, and Flight Schools

    Can you fly without aviation insurance and what happens if you do? โœˆ๏ธ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson sit down with Tomer Kashi, CEO and co-founder of Skywatch, and Stephanie Kleeberg, head of sales and customer service, to break down everything pilots need to know about aviation insurance. They discuss: What renters insurance actually covers and why every student pilot needs it before their first soloHow flight school fleet policies work and why schools require students and CFIs to carry their own coverageThe difference between renter policies, CFI policies, and aircraft owner insuranceHow hours, make and model experience, and certificates directly affect your premiumWhy you no longer need to wait weeks for a policy and how to get covered same dayWhat aircraft owner insurance covers, from hail and hangar rash to in-flight liabilityThe difference between in-motion, not-in-motion, and storage-only coverage explained๐Ÿš€ Whether you're a student pilot waiting on your first solo, a CFI looking for the right coverage, or an aircraft owner wanting to protect your investment, this episode gives you a clear and practical breakdown of aviation insurance from two industry experts. ๐ŸŒŽ New episodes drop every Friday, join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation. ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ This episode is sponsored by Skywatch Aviation Insurance. Learn more at skywatch.ai or get your personalized quote today at skywatch.ai/partners/mentors

    37 min
  5. AeroSummit 2026 Recap: AI Caught the Instructor Breaking Planes and a $10,000 Scholarship Is Open Now

    May 30

    AeroSummit 2026 Recap: AI Caught the Instructor Breaking Planes and a $10,000 Scholarship Is Open Now

    Putting all your squawks into Claude and comparing it with flight data and seeing who's breaking the planes. โœˆ๏ธ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson just got back from AeroSummit 2025 in Miami and break down everything that happened, from a heated on-stage FAA debate to a live $10,000 scholarship announcement. The hosts discuss: How AI is now being used in flight schools to identify which instructors are damaging aircraftWhy over-speeding flaps is a serious problem and what it does to an airplaneThe heated on-stage debate over FAA Part 141 modernization and what it means for flight trainingHow AeroSummit grew from 300 to 430 attendees and what to expect next year in CaliforniaThe new Ascend Flight Training Summit coming to Dallas September 8 through 10 in partnership with NAFI๐Ÿš€ Whether you're a student pilot, flight instructor, or flight school owner, this episode is packed with real-world insights from one of general aviation's fastest-growing industry events, plus a $10,000 scholarship you can apply for right now if you have over 25 flight hours. ๐ŸŒŽ New episodes drop every Friday, join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

    35 min
  6. Why Student Pilots and CFIs Should Attend AeroSummit 2026

    May 16

    Why Student Pilots and CFIs Should Attend AeroSummit 2026

    In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down everything you need to know about AeroSummit 2026, happening May 20 through 22 at the JW Marriott Turnberry in Aventura, Florida. From the session lineup to networking opportunities, here's what's in store: Dedicated tracks for student pilots, CFIs, and flight school ownersKeynote speaker Stephanie Goats and panels on the future of flight trainingSessions covering FAA Part 141 modernization and the Mosaic ruleHow to fund your flight training, including military VA benefitsAirline recruiters on site for resume reviews and career matchmakingKit Darby's 2026 airline pilot job market and salary dataA charity golf tournament benefiting Aviators for AutismThe AeroQuest welcome reception featuring aircraft from Cessna, Piper, and more๐Ÿš€ Whether you're a student pilot trying to break into the industry, a CFI looking to sharpen your skills, or a flight school owner building airline partnerships, AeroSummit 2026 has a track built for you. This is one of the most valuable networking events in general aviation, and Brandon and Carson are both speaking. ๐ŸŒŽ New episodes drop every Friday. Join us, keep learning, and stay inspired in aviation. Learn more and register at https://stratusaerosummit.com/

    28 min
  7. Runway Incursions and Airline Collapses: What Happens to Your Pilot Career?

    May 9

    Runway Incursions and Airline Collapses: What Happens to Your Pilot Career?

    Runway incursions, airline bankruptcies, and what it all means for your future in the cockpit. โœˆ๏ธ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson break down the latest aviation headlines and what student pilots and aspiring airline professionals need to understand about a rapidly shifting industry. From a shocking runway collision at LaGuardia to Spirit Airlines ceasing operations, the hosts cover: The LaGuardia runway incursion where a commercial aircraft struck an airport fire truck on takeoffWhy PAPI lights and situational awareness are non-negotiable skills for every pilotSpirit Airlines shutting down and the financial mismanagement behind its collapseWhat happens to airline pilots when their carrier goes out of businessHow the seniority system works and why it has major consequences for your aviation careerWhy the long-term pilot career outlook remains strong despite recent industry turbulence๐Ÿš€ Whether you're a student pilot, private pilot, or aspiring airline professional, this episode delivers real talk on aviation safety, airline industry realities, and what it takes to build a lasting career in the cockpit. ๐ŸŒŽ New episodes drop every Fridayโ€”join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

    16 min
  8. Is an Aviation Degree Still Worth It? Plus Drones and Flight Fear

    May 1

    Is an Aviation Degree Still Worth It? Plus Drones and Flight Fear

    Do you really need a degree to fly for a major airline, or is that advice completely outdated? โœˆ๏ธ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson tackle a packed listener Q&A covering some of the most common questions student pilots are asking right now. From airline hiring requirements to managing fear between lessons, this one hits close to home for anyone in flight training: Whether an aviation degree is still required to get hired at a major airlineSolo study vs. group study: which approach works best for student pilotsThe best flight training apps worth paying for, including ForeFlight, Shepard Air, and BrainscapeHow to deal with fear and anxiety that creeps in between flight lessonsShould you tell your CFI about training-related anxiety, or keep it to yourselfWhether student pilots should learn to fly drones alongside traditional flight trainingAre stick-and-rudder skills still relevant with the rise of drones and unmanned systems๐Ÿš€ Whether you are a student pilot just starting out or a private pilot building toward your next certificate, this episode gives you honest, experience-backed answers to questions every pilot in training eventually asks. ๐ŸŒŽ New episodes drop every Friday. Subscribe now and never miss a lesson from the cockpit.

    27 min
See All (230)

4.7
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

๐Ÿš€ We are The Aviation Mentors, a weekly podcast dedicated to creating an amazing space where we aviators can hang out and enjoy a wide range of conversations about anything aviation. We're aviators, we're mentors, and we're entrepreneurs. Whether you're a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or just an AV Geek like us, this is the podcast for you! ๐ŸŒŽ Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying! Sponsored by Stratus Financial www.stratus.finance

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    230
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ยฉ 2022 The Aviation Mentors podcast authors. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Aviation Mentors

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