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PODCAST

Aviation Mentors

Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez

🚀 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! 🌎 Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying! Sponsored by Stratus Financial www.stratus.finance

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All Episodes

0:55

Garmin Autoland's First Real Emergency: Right...

Aviation Mentors ·

2026/01/03

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

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38:37

Captain Curt's Journey: From Working 3 Jobs to Flying...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/12/27

Flight training costs, career timelines, and generational wisdom—what does it really take to make it as an airline pilot? ✈️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon sits down with Captain Curt, a third-generation airline pilot and current Gulfstream captain, in Curt's brand-new podcast studio. They dive deep into the realities of building an aviation career, including:Why every year you delay flight training costs you $500,000+ in lost career earningsThe $2 million impact of

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31:06

Winter Flying Safety for Pilots: Frost, Icing, FIKI...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/12/19

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

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26:40

Listener Questions (Part 12)

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/12/12

Navigating thunderstorms, aircraft maintenance, and in-flight decision-making—what really happens behind the controls when things get tense? ⚡✈️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dig into real-world scenarios that every pilot can learn from. From forecasting convective weather to navigating point-of-no-return decisions over the Rockies, the hosts break down:• How to determine if a forecasted thunderstorm is safe to navigate around• What really happens when you get

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28:57

The Aviation Side of Pearl Harbor: Surprises,...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/12/08

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

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22:09

Listener Questions (Part 11)

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/11/29

What’s the right way to tell your CFI you’re confused? Should student pilots buy their own headset early? And is it normal to feel like you’re getting worse before you get better? ✈️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into real student-pilot frustrations and answer top questions pulled from Reddit and listeners, including:• Why regressing during flight training is completely normal—and how to push through it• How to stop overthinking your landings and build true

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17:52

Overlooked Aircraft Cleaning Tips That Improve Safety

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/11/22

Keeping an airplane clean isn’t just about appearance—it’s a key part of aviation safety, professionalism, and building trust with students and passengers. ✈️✨In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into the critical but often overlooked world of aircraft cleanliness. They break down why a clean airplane matters, how it impacts safety and perception, and what every pilot, renter, CFI, and aircraft owner should expect from a well-maintained fleet.They cover:• Why

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25:02

Ep 201 - The Hidden Risks in Flight Schools—and How...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/11/15

Flying for currency, reconnecting with your flight school roots, and keeping safety at the center of aviation growth—this episode covers it all. ✈️In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson kick things off with fresh flying stories: short-approach fun in the ICON A5, a post-office moment that turned into an impromptu A5 fanboy encounter, and getting the RV back in the air after months on the ground. From taxiing tips to hangar-shuffling adventures, the hosts share what real

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43:34

Celebrating 200 Episodes – Aviation Mentors Reflect...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/11/08

In this special milestone episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez celebrate 200 episodes of inspiring stories, mentorship, and aviation community growth. 🥂From humble beginnings recording in a noisy RV at Oshkosh to becoming one of aviation’s most engaging podcasts, Brandon and Carson reflect on their journey, share behind-the-scenes stories, and revisit their favorite moments and guests.💬 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:• How the podcast started — from

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23:44

S02E63: VFR Safety & IFR Traffic Awareness –...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/11/02

Flying VFR? Understanding IFR traffic is critical for safety even at non-towered airports.In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon Martini and Carson explore IFR approaches, shared airspace, and practical VFR safety tips. Using examples from Corona Airport (KAJO) and nearby VORs, they explain how VFR and IFR operations coexist, how to anticipate faster instrument traffic, and what to watch for when flying in general aviation environments.Key topics include:IFR approaches and handoff

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12:04

S02E62: Hidden Airplanes, Tailwheel Flying & The Real...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/10/25

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson catch up in their brand-new studio to talk about Brandon’s long-hidden Cessna 120 and the challenges of bringing it back to life.They share stories about aircraft maintenance, the true cost of airplane ownership, and why so many planes end up sitting idle in hangars. Brandon dives into his personal experience with maintenance delays, expensive repairs, and how quickly costs can add up—even for a vintage tailwheel like

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25:11

S02E61: Reacting to Your Comments Part 1: MOSAIC, GA...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/10/17

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson discuss aviation news, insights, and trends shaping the general aviation industry. ✈️From Brandon’s flight to Camarillo to the Burbank Tower’s temporary ATC shutdown, they cover what pilots need to know to stay safe and confident in non-towered operations. They also break down public reactions to the Mosaic rule changes, debunk cost misconceptions in flight training, and discuss how new regulations could make flying

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27:05

S02E60: Back in the Left Seat – Carson’s First Flight...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/10/12

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez share an inspiring story of resilience, rediscovery, and passion for flight as Carson takes to the skies again after more than two years away from the cockpit.Join Brandon and Carson as they relive Carson’s first flight back on September 19, 2025, in a Cessna 182, marking his return to flying since February 12, 2023. From preflight jitters and rusty radio calls to picture-perfect landings, this episode is

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31:31

S02E59: Mentorship, Aviation Publishing & Inspiring...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/10/05

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon Martini is joined by two incredible guests: Jacob Peed, founder of Aviation Nation Magazine, and Sean Starker, host of the Future in Flight Podcast.They dive into the power of aviation publishing, podcasting, and youth mentorship programs. Learn how Jacob and Sean are inspiring the next generation of aviators through community engagement, storytelling, and hands-on programs like Tram Talk and American Dream Tours.From the birth of Aviation

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22:13

S02E58: Sport Pilot Certificates & MOSAIC Updates –...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/09/27

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson dive into Sport Pilot Certificates and the recent MOSAIC rule changes that are making them more accessible than ever. ✈️They cover everything from eligibility requirements and medical options to flight training minimums and checkride expectations. With MOSAIC updates, Sport Pilots can now fly four-seat aircraft like Cessna 172s, enjoy night flying with endorsements, and expand their privileges—offering a

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20:00

S02E57: Pilot Demand Is Soaring – Boeing’s 20-Year...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/09/20

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez break down Boeing’s latest 20-year aviation industry forecast—and the numbers are staggering.The industry will need:660,000 new pilots710,000 new technicians1 million cabin crew worldwideFrom the true cost of pilot training (around $81,000 in the U.S.) to airline signing bonuses of $50K–$150K, Brandon and Carson discuss the market forces, retirements, and global trends shaping aviation careers. They also share

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22:56

S02E56: Brandon Martini Named NBAA 40 Under 40 –...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/09/05

In Episode 56 of the Aviation Mentors Podcast 🎙️, Brandon Martini celebrates being named one of NBAA’s 2025 “40 Under 40” award recipients, an incredible milestone for Brandon and the Stratus Financial team!Brandon and Carson reflect on the journey to this recognition, the importance of networking and mentorship, and exciting opportunities at NBAA-BACE 2025. They also highlight Stratus Financial’s continued growth and the role of persistence and connections in building a successful aviation

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22:58

Pilot Currency vs. Proficiency: What Every Pilot...

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/08/30

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast 🎙️, Brandon and Carson share their recent flying adventures and the lessons that came with them. From splash-and-go landings in an Icon A5 near Long Beach Harbor to touch-and-gos at Chino and Riverside, they dive into what it really means to be a current—and proficient—pilot.This isn’t just about logging the FAA’s minimums. Brandon and Carson explore the real difference between currency and proficiency, and why staying sharp with regular practice is

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13:58

S02E54: Oshkosh 2025 (Part 3)

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/08/23

🎙️ From humble beginnings to milestone moments. We’re proud to announce Sean Galloway as the winner of our $10,000 Stratus Fly to Success Scholarship. His passion and creativity reminded us why we love supporting the next generation of aviators. In this episode, Brandon reflects on his first podcast recording at Oshkosh in 2016, the same year he also started his flight school. What began under the wing of a Cessna has grown into nearly 200 episodes of Aviation Mentors. In these simple moments,

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15:03

S02E53: Oshkosh 2025 (Part 2)

Aviation Mentors ·

2025/08/15

🎙️ The FAA just dropped a game-changer—and we’re diving straight into it. In this episode of Aviation Mentors, Brandon and Carson break down the long-awaited MOSAIC rule and why it’s about to shake up general aviation in the best way possible. From flying a 172 with just a driver’s license to new privileges that make becoming a pilot easier (and cheaper!) than ever, this isn’t just another update—it’s a revolution. If you’re a student pilot, weekend warrior, or just aviation-curious, buckle

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209 results

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