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PODCAST

Pilots Say What?

The ultimate podcast for aviation! Join us as we dive into the world of aviation, with each episode featuring candid conversations with real students and pilots from Thrust Flight! From sharing invaluable advice to recounting thrilling tales from their journeys in the sky, our guests offer unique perspectives on the challenges of becoming or being a pilot!If you"re interested in becoming a pilot, visit our website: Thrustflight.com! We will get you there!Social ChannelsYouTube:

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All Episodes

52:08

Ep. 105: From Student to CFI: What No One Tells You

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/04/10

In this episode of Pilots Say What, Cole Collins shares what it was like to start flight training, deal with the stress of checkrides, push through tough days, and eventually become a CFI at Thrust Flight. He talks about why slowing down matters, how chair flying can make a huge difference, what helped him get through plateaus, and what changed when he went from being a student to teaching others.

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53:06

Ep. 104: He’s Not an Airline Pilot Yet… But Already...

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/04/03

In this episode of Pilots Say What, Zach talks with Wil Black about becoming an Envoy Cadet Instructor while still working as a CFI at Thrust Flight. One of the biggest surprises in the episode is that he already has flight benefits before even reaching the airlines. They break down how the Envoy cadet pathway works, what it means to build time as an instructor, how airline partnerships can help open doors, and why this kind of opportunity can make the path to the airlines feel a lot more real.

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61:07

Ep. 103: He Quit His Corporate Job to Become a Pilot

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/03/27

In this episode of Pilots Say What, Travis shares how he left the corporate world and committed to becoming a pilot. He talks about what pushed him to finally make the change, what flight training was really like in the beginning, the setbacks he faced during private pilot training, and how those lessons helped shape his path from student to assistant chief pilot.

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51:19

Ep. 102: He Spent $25,000 Just to Get His Medical

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/03/20

What happens when the path to becoming a pilot gets way harder than expected? In this episode of Pilots Say What?, Zach talks with Mike, a Thrust Flight student who went from working as a pilot scheduler at American Airlines to pursuing flight training full time. Mike shares how a past DUI led to a brutal FAA medical process that took over two years and cost him around $25,000, why he still refused to quit, what private pilot training was really like for him, and how faith, pressure, setbacks, and

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43:40

Ep. 101: Tips for Passing Your Private Pilot Rating

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/03/13

In this episode of Pilots Say What, we talk with Adrian, a student pilot at Thrust Flight who recently completed his Private Pilot License (PPL) and is now starting instrument training. Adrian’s aviation journey started on the maintenance side. After working as an A&P aircraft mechanic, he decided to pursue flying and eventually made the leap into full-time flight training. In this conversation, he shares what pushed him to start training and what the private pilot experience is really like from

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56:44

Ep. 100: Career Advice from a Pilot Who Flew 38 Years...

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/03/06

What does a 38-year career at American Airlines actually teach you about becoming a pilot? In this special 100th episode of Pilots Say What, we sit down with Bill Peterson, a retired American Airlines pilot who now mentors students and instructors at Thrust Flight. Bill shares insights from decades in aviation including airline hiring cycles, the realities of pilot lifestyle, how new pilots should approach their careers, and the biggest mistakes aspiring airline pilots make. Whether you're

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44:51

Ep. 99: Is It Too Late to Become a Pilot?

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/02/27

What does it actually look like to start flight training later than most students? In Episode 99 of Pilot’s Say What?, we sit down with Tim — a newly minted CFI who made the decision to leave a stable tech career and pursue aviation full-time.

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41:59

Ep. 98: From Business Degree to Airline Dreams

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/02/20

Ashley didn’t grow up planning to be a pilot. She was on track for a business and healthcare degree — until one discovery flight completely changed her life. In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, Ashley shares what it’s really like transitioning from a Part 61 flight school to an accelerated Part 141 program, overcoming comparison, surviving commercial checkride pressure, and preparing for CFI training.

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26:14

Ep. 97: Building an Aviation High School from Scratch

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/02/13

What if high school wasn’t just about checking boxes… but actually launching careers? In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, we sit down with Scott Meehan, founder of Rising Aviation High School at Addison Airport. Scott shares how he built an aviation-focused high school from scratch — and why putting teenagers in real airplanes can be life-changing.

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53:00

Ep. 96: Why I Walked Away From a 9-5 for Flight Training

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/02/06

Jordan shares her journey from college classrooms to the cockpit as she works through commercial pilot training. In this episode, we talk honestly about choosing aviation over a traditional 9–5, what flight training actually feels like as a new student, and the mental challenges that come with private, instrument, and commercial training. This episode is perfect for anyone considering flight training, feeling overwhelmed early on, or wondering if aviation is really for them.

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39:47

Ep. 95: You Don’t Truly Understand Flying Until You...

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/01/30

Most pilots think learning stops once you pass a checkride — but the real understanding often begins when you start teaching. In this video, we talk with a flight instructor about why becoming a CFI forces pilots to move beyond memorization and into true understanding. Teaching aviation concepts exposes gaps in knowledge, sharpens aeronautical decision making, and builds confidence in a way that flying alone never can.

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55:12

Ep. 94: What It’s Really Like Interviewing for the...

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/01/23

What is it really like interviewing for a regional airline once you hit 1,500 hours? In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, we sit down with a Thrust Flight CFI who recently crossed the 1,500-hour mark and started interviewing for the regionals. He breaks down the full process — from preparing your application and résumé to studying for the interview, managing nerves, and understanding what airlines are actually looking for.

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53:10

Ep. 93: From Delta Flight Attendant to Flight Instructor

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/01/16

We sit down with Casey Talbot, a flight instructor at Thrust Flight, to talk about her journey from working as a flight attendant at Delta to becoming a certified flight instructor. Casey shares what it was really like to leave a stable airline career, start flight training in her mid-30s, and commit fully to aviation while raising two kids. We dive into fear, motivation, study habits, Part 141 flight training, checkrides, failures, and what helped her push through moments of doubt—especially during

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60:13

Ep. 92: My Experience With a Deferred FAA Medical

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/01/09

Getting stuck in the FAA medical process is one of the most frustrating—and least talked about—parts of becoming a pilot. In this episode, Tyler shares what it was really like having his medical deferred, waiting nearly a year with no clear timeline, and pushing through the uncertainty without quitting. We talk about what happens when your paperwork is “just sitting in line,” how medical delays affect motivation, and why patience becomes part of the pilot journey whether you expect it or not.

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46:06

Ep. 91: When You Finally Trust Your Training

Pilots Say What? ·

2026/01/02

There’s a moment in flight training when things finally click—when you stop second-guessing and start trusting what you’ve been taught. In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, Zach sits down with Austin, a flight instructor at Thrust Flight, to talk about how that confidence shift happens. They discuss the role instructors play in building trust, why first solo is such a turning point, how community impacts student success, and why most pilots are far more capable than they think.

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41:16

Ep. 90: From Zero Time to Assistant Chief

Pilots Say What? ·

2025/12/26

What does flight training really look like once the honeymoon phase is over? In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, we sit down with Zane, who started flight training from zero time in January 2024 and quickly worked his way through the program to become a CFI and Assistant Chief Instructor. Since his last appearance on the podcast, Zane has gained a completely new perspective—one that goes far beyond just flying airplanes.

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45:04

Ep. 89: Switching Careers to Become an Airline Pilot

Pilots Say What? ·

2025/12/19

In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, Zach sits down with Justin, a former mechanical engineer who spent years working in the oil field before making the leap into full-time, accelerated flight training. Justin shares what pushed him to change careers, how he navigated finances and family support, and what it’s like transitioning from Instrument to Commercial training in a fast-paced Part 141 environment.

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57:14

Ep. 88: Why He Changed Careers at 32 to Become a Pilot

Pilots Say What? ·

2025/12/12

In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, we sit down with Sean — a former high school teacher and coach who completely changed careers at 32 to pursue aviation. Sean opens up about discovering flight training later in life, learning from scratch with no aviation background, navigating the financial and emotional challenges of switching careers, and balancing flight school with being a husband and father.

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53:01

Ep. 87: The Mindset Every New Pilot Needs

Pilots Say What? ·

2025/12/07

In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, we sit down with Tyler Brown, a Thrust Flight CFI whose path into flying wasn’t traditional — but it proves something every new pilot needs to hear: your mindset matters far more than having everything perfectly figured out.

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35:21

Ep. 86: Flying Became the Key to His Success

Pilots Say What? ·

2025/12/06

Today on Pilot’s Say What? we sit down with Don to hear a pilot story with a totally different perspective — one that shows just how meaningful flying can be, even outside the traditional career path. Don shares how he got into aviation, what drew him to flying in the first place, and how owning and flying an aircraft opened doors in his life, helped him overcome huge travel challenges, and gave him a sense of independence that most people never experience.

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106 results

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