More to the Story: Comparing Flight Training and Musical Mastery | More Right Rudder Ep. 155

Join NAFI today to gain access to exclusive content, mentoring opportunities, and a community of dedicated CFIs. Join here: https://nafimentor.org/become-a-member/ What do flight instruction, medical education, and professional music have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of More Right Rudder, Beth Stanton sits down with Ed Stefan, Gold Seal CFI, accomplished musician, and principal timpanist with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, to explore the surprising parallels between mastering music and mastering aviation. The conversation expands on Ed's Mentor magazine article, Instrument Approach: Comparing Flight Training and Musical Mastery, and complements the July/August 2026 Mentor feature, Teaching for Judgment: Shared Lessons from Medical Education and Flight Training, by Erin Dabney and the late Dr. Victor Vogel. Together, they discuss: - Why great instructors do far more than teach technical skills - How deliberate practice builds lasting expertise - The importance of finding the right instructor and developing a productive student-teacher relationship - What aviation can learn from music and medical education about judgment, feedback, and continuous improvement - The concept of "mastering mastery" and why learning how to learn is one of the most valuable skills any pilot can develop - How experienced professionals transfer lessons between seemingly unrelated disciplines Whether you're a flight instructor, student pilot, aviation mentor, or lifelong learner, this conversation offers practical insights into becoming a better teacher, a better learner, and ultimately a better aviator. #FlightTraining #FlightInstructor #CFI #Aviation #LearnToFly #ProfessionalDevelopment #NAFI #MoreRightRudder