A podcast on all things General Aviation from the team at VSL Aviation.
The VSL Aviation Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Seth Lake
5.0(164 reviews)
58 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
51
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality65
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement91
Podcast Overview
A podcast on all things General Aviation from the team at VSL Aviation.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
5/25/2017
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51
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality65
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement91
8
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2
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9
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excellent
Episode Length
1h 0m
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212 reviews (5.0/5.0)
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needs improvement
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Every 28 days
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Recent Episodes
May 2, 2026
CFI ACS Task B Explained: The Learning Process | FOI Series Ep. 2
<p>In Episode 2 of our CFI ACS series, we work through Area of Operation 1, Task B: The Learning Process. This is the biggest task in the Fundamentals of Instruction — 16 knowledge topics, 3 risk management elements, and 3 skills — all drawn from Chapter 3 of the Aviation Instructor's Handbook.<br /> I walk through every knowledge element, break down the concepts using real-world analogies and examples from my experience as a DPE and 20-year instructor, and then tie it all together with a realistic scenario covering all three skill elements — the kind of scenario you might get on your CFI practical test.</p> <p>If you're preparing for your CFI checkride, stop memorizing the FOIs. Start learning how to use them. That's what this series is about.<br /> If you haven't seen Episode 1 covering Task A (Human Behavior & Communication), go back and watch that first.</p> <p>Resources:<br /> Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9), Chapter 3<br /> VSL ACE Guide: https://vsl.aero/aceguide<br /> Join the VSL Aviation Discord: https://discord.gg/4BMChDbbxC</p> <p>#CFI #FlightInstructor #ACS #FOI #PilotTraining #VSLAviation #ScenarioBasedTraining #FlightTraining #DPE #checkride </p> <p>Chapters:<br /> 0:00 — Intro & Series Overview<br /> 2:07 — ACE Guide Walkthrough & ACS Structure<br /> 4:15 — K1: Definitions of Learning<br /> 5:01 — K2A: Behaviorism (T-37 Story)<br /> 9:02 — K2B: Cognitive Theory (Lego & Car Analogies)<br /> 17:02 — K3: Perceptions & Insight (Element of Threat)<br /> 23:28 — K4: Acquiring Knowledge (Math Analogy)<br /> 30:55 — K5: Laws of Learning<br /> 47:19 — K6: Domains of Learning (Cognitive, Affective, Psychomotor)<br /> 1:04:21 — K7: Characteristics of Learning<br /> 1:14:47 — K8: Scenario-Based Training (D&D Comparison)<br /> 1:20:01 — K9: Acquiring Skill Knowledge & Learning Plateaus<br /> 1:32:06 — K10: Types of Practice<br /> 1:37:04 — K11: Evaluation vs. Critique<br /> 1:39:20 — K12: Distractions, Interruptions, Fixation & Inattention<br /> 1:42:08 — K13: Errors<br /> 1:48:30 — K14: Memory (Penguins on an Iceberg)<br /> 1:23:57 — K15: Retention of Learning (Peppermint Story)<br /> 1:27:47 — K16: Transfer of Learning<br /> 1:31:13 — Risk Management (R1, R2, R3)<br /> 1:31:38 — Skills Scenario: The Returning Bonanza Pilot<br /> 1:40:04 — Wrap-Up</p>
April 8, 2026
Breaking: 2025 Airman Statistics Reveal a Pilot Pipeline Nobody Expected
<p>The 2025 FAA Civil Airmen Statistics just dropped — and the numbers tell a story that contradicts nearly everything you've heard about the pilot shortage. Seth Lake, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and airline pilot, digs into the raw data to show why record pilot production and declining airline hiring opportunity can exist at the same time, what it means for anyone working toward an airline career, and why your checkride record matters more now than it has in years. Interactive tools, the pilot retirement projection spreadsheet, and the raw FAA source data are all available at <a class= "underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://www.vsl.aero">https://www.vsl.aero</a> — check the numbers yourself.<br /> <br /></p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> <strong>Chapters</strong></p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 00:00 — Introduction & why this episode is different</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 01:30 — The DPE wait time complaint: what prompted this research</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 03:00 — Record pilot production: the data DPEs are actually putting out</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 04:13 — FAA reform: what's changing with the examiner system</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 06:03 — The core argument: it's a demand spike, not a DPE shortage</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 07:10 — Pilot production is unsustainable: the math</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 07:21 — The retirement & hiring data: 12 major airlines, 2025–2035</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 10:12 — The three things airlines need to grow (demand, airplanes, infrastructure)</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 13:00 — Pilot hiring by growth scenario: 0%, 2%, and 5%</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 14:07 — The underlying issue nobody's talking about: the pilot training gold rush</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 15:16 — The blog & interactive tools at vsl.aero</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 16:03 — The 55,000 commercial pilot problem explained</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 17:08 — Walking through the queue calculator live</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 19:59 — Running the worst-case scenario: 20,000 pilots/year</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 21:38 — What the queue looks like by 2035</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 23:01 — Context: commercial production doubled in 10 years</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 24:13 — The traffic jam analogy: DPE shortage vs. demand spike</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 25:46 — What this means for pilots pursuing an airline career</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 26:14 — The historical norm: 11–12 years was always standard</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 27:07 — Closing thoughts: the data, not doom and gloom</p> <p class= "font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"> 28:10 — Final advice: clean record, be well-rounded, keep going</p>
March 28, 2026
CFI ACS Task A Explained: Human Behavior & Communication Made Simple
<p>This episode focuses specifically on Area of Operation I, Task A of the CFI ACS:</p> <p>Effects of Human Behavior and Communication on the Learning Process</p> <p>We're not covering all of the FOIs here. Instead, this is a targeted breakdown of how human behavior and communication directly impact your effectiveness as an instructor—and how examiners expect you to apply this on a checkride.</p> <p>If you're preparing for a CFI checkride, this is one of the most important areas to understand. It's also one of the most misunderstood.</p> <p>This episode connects the FOIs to real-world instruction and shows how to actually use them when teaching, not just memorize them.</p> <p>What we cover:</p> <p>How human behavior affects learning in aviation training<br /> Barriers to effective communication<br /> Instructor responsibilities in managing student behavior<br /> Why teaching is more than just delivering information<br /> How this task shows up during a CFI checkride</p> <p>Resources:</p> <p>Join the VSL Aviation Discord: https://discord.gg/4BMChDbbxC<br /> ACE Guide: https://vsl.aero/aceguide<br /> Podcast available on all major platforms</p> <p>Chapters</p> <p>00:00 – Intro<br /> 00:30 – Scope of This Episode (Task A Only)<br /> 01:30 – Where Task A Fits in the CFI ACS<br /> 03:00 – Why Human Behavior Matters in Training<br /> 06:00 – The Instructor's Role in the Learning Process<br /> 10:00 – Barriers to Communication<br /> 15:00 – Miscommunication in Aviation Training<br /> 20:00 – Understanding Student Behavior<br /> 26:00 – Building Effective Communication Habits<br /> 32:00 – Real-World Instruction Examples<br /> 38:00 – Common Mistakes CFI Applicants Make<br /> 44:00 – How Examiners Evaluate Task A<br /> 50:00 – Key Takeaways</p>
58 total episodes available with 25 transcripts
Recent guests on The VSL Aviation Podcast
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Nick Adcock
Guest
Adam Boyd
Guest
Tom Guillebeau
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- What is The VSL Aviation Podcast?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
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This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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