Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Student Pilot Cast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Bill Williams
This is a podcast for anyone interested in aviation. While it started as a podcast to follow Bill's primary training, it has evolved into a podcast about how all of us can continually improve our flying. This is the audio only feed. The audio podcasts are not necessarily the same content as the video podcasts, so if you want all the content, please check out both. The video feed is mostly available on Youtube, now (including the back catalog), and you can find it by searching for "Student Pilot Cast" there.
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- 3 weeks ago52 min
SPC095 [HS] Pull Early, Pull Often — Inside Cirrus Training
At AirVenture this year I sat down in the Cirrus compound with Eamon Powers, the Director of Cirrus Approach — the man who owns every piece of training content Cirrus produces, for pilots and for mechanics.Twelve or fourteen years ago the fatal accident rate in the Cirrus fleet was, being generous, unremarkable, and there was a real argument in this industry about whether the parachute was helping at all. That number has moved a long way since. I wanted to know what actually moved it, how they know what moved it, and how much of it the rest of us can steal — because most of you listening aren't flying a Cirrus.What I got was a lot better than a company pitch. Eamon has a PhD in instructional design, an ATP, and an A&P, and he'll be the first to tell you the business card looks a little silly.We get into why every syllabus in America puts the first solo before lesson 20, and why that number is a leftover from World War II. What he calls "time to independence." How you keep a safety briefing from going rote. The CSIP standardization machine. The hardest number in aviation safety — the denominator. And the training nobody ever asks their mechanic about.Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questionsGet the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbriefLinks:Cirrus trainingCirrus Approach — the training platform, for pilots: https://www.cirrusapproach.com/pilots/Cirrus Approach course catalog: https://learning.cirrusapproach.com/learning-catalogCAPS course — free, open to anyone, you don't have to own or fly a Cirrus:https://learning.cirrusapproach.com/courses/424/overviewMission Ready 2026 Simulator Sessions: https://learning.cirrusapproach.com/courses/821/overviewCirrus Embark — complimentary transition training when you buy a pre-owned Cirrus:https://cirrusaircraft.com/embark/Cirrus Training Network — find a Cirrus Training Center or a CSIP near you:https://cirrusaircraft.com/training-network/Becoming a CSIP (Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot): http://csip.cirrusaircraft.comBecoming a Cirrus Training Center: https://cirrusaircraft.formstack.com/forms/ctc_applicationCirrus flight training overview: https://cirrusaircraft.com/approach/caps-training-course/Also mentionedCOPA — Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association: https://www.cirruspilots.org/Cirrus IQ (the data platform, built on the Garmin GDL 60): https://cirrusaircraft.com/cirrus-iq-faq/TRAC10 — the clean-sheet trainer Cirrus introduced in July 2026:https://cirrusaircraft.com/aircraft/trac10/Student Pilot CastRadio Check — leave me a voicemail: https://studentpilotcast.com/voicemail/The Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief/Three Simple Questions for ADM (free PDF): https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions/All episodes: <a href="https://studentpilotcast.com/episodes/" rel="noopener noref
- Aug 9, 202659 min
SPC094 [HS] Engine Out - Who Showed Up
In episode 94 of the Student Pilot Cast, Bill recounts an unplanned start to AirVenture 2026 after the engine in his Jabiru quit over far southeastern Colorado on July 18, forcing an off-airport landing in a cornfield with his son Trey; both were unhurt and the airplane remains repairable with minor gear damage and an unresolved engine issue. Rather than a debrief, Bill focuses on gratitude for the “rings” of people who helped: Trey’s calm, useful cockpit support; his wife Crystal’s steady response, prayer, and communication with worried family; airline crews relaying the mayday on guard; ATC/FAA personnel tracking him down by phone; local deputies and responders; fire chief Everett and his wife Becky transporting and hosting them; friend Kent flying a Mooney rescue to continue to Oshkosh; and the broader aviation community at Oshkosh that shared support, stories, and connections.This is not the debrief of the emergency...that comes later. This is arguably more important...the human side.Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questionsGet the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbriefLinks:Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
- Jul 31, 202647 min
SPC093 [HS] Day Four of Days Not Mattering
It's Thursday night at Camp Scholler, day four of days not mattering, and Kent and I sat down with one goal: be smart-asses about a few things we'd seen at AirVenture.So we get into it. Textron had us all convinced this was the year the Pipistrel Panthera would finally get certified under MOSAIC — and instead we got another two-seat trainer. The Camp Scholler bathhouse has quietly relocated the towel hooks inside the shower. The night air show is still the best thing in aviation, but somebody counted down "two minutes to hack" and then made us wait ten more for two drones and a flag. Also, everybody please sit down and stop filming it.Then Bob Bittner wandered into the conversation and blew up our whole gripe session, because the 2026 AirVenture Cup — the one Kent has rechristened the SmokeVenture Cup — turned out to be a much better story than anything we were complaining about.We tried to be snide. We learned things instead. That's episode 93.Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questionsGet the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbriefLinks:Links MentionedThe AirVenture CupAirVenture Cup Race — official site2026 race course2026 results — EAA Hangar FlyingWildfire smoke postpones the race (WSAW)The race finally launches from smoky Wausau skies (WSAW)Learn Build Fly — Wausau youth aviation programBob's airplaneCozy Mark IVRutan VariEze — where the canard family startedLong-EZ (EAA)Textron, Pipistrel & MOSAICPipistrel (a Textron eAviation company)Pipistrel PantheraTextron buys Pipistrel, 2022 (AOPA)FAA MOSAIC ruleMOSAIC explained — FAQ (AOPA)Other things we talked aboutSubSonex personal jet kit (Sonex Aircraft)Camp Scholler (EAA)Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flyi
- Jul 17, 202611 min
SPC092 [HS] Storms, Smoke, and Bladders...Let's Go!
In Episode 92, we join Bill and Trey talking briefly about their upcoming trip to OSH in a light sport aircraft, Lil' Rue. BGet the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questionsGet the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbriefLinks:Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
- Jul 10, 202625 min
SPC091 [BR] ADM in Three Simple Questions - Or How NOT to Become a Case Study
In Episode 91, Bill teaches a simple aeronautical decision-making framework for go/no-go and continue/divert decisions built around three simple questions: can the airplane do it? Can I do it? And is it legal? He breaks each question into three lenses—aircraft performance/envelopes/condition; pilot proficiency/physiology/capability under pressure; and legal airworthiness/mission-specific regs/paperwork—highlighting how pilots can miss risks or rationalize. He adds a “three strikes” rule where three “yellow” factors stacked together mean a no-go, and recommends post-flight learning with five quick debrief questions. He shares a headwind-induced fuel stop example, offers a free two-page PDF at studentpilotcast.com/threequestions, and invites listeners to connect, including at Oshkosh.Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questionsGet the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbriefLinks:Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
- Jul 3, 20261h 21m
SPC090 [BTC] A Tragic Past - Changing The Pilots (ATP-CTP)
In Episode 90, Beyond the Checkride, Bill and Kent reflect on the 2009 Colgan Air 3407 crash near Buffalo and how it drove regulatory changes including the 1,500-hour rule and the FAA-required ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP). They discuss what ATP-CTP is, how provider and instructor quality can vary, and what Kent experienced taking it independently (about $4,000) with nearly 3,000 hours and single-engine turbine Part 135 time. They outline regulatory requirements (30 hours ground, 10 hours simulator) covering high-altitude aerodynamics, weather radar, air carrier operations, and CRM/leadership, emphasizing lessons from accidents like Air France 447, Tenerife, United 232, and American 965. Kent describes key sim takeaways such as high-altitude stall recovery requiring nose-down and significant altitude loss, automation differences, EGPWS/windshear maneuvers, and the importance of mindset, SOPs, checklists, and professionalism.Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questionsGet the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbriefLinks:Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
- Jun 26, 202653 min
SPC089 [CS] Hi - Nice to Meet Rue
In Episode 89, we join Bill as he introduces everyone to his airplane, a 2008 Jabiru J230. Come along on a flight with him and he'll tell you all about the plane, but also dive into some of the interesting things from the flight. This is part of the Cockpit Series where we go on a flight together, learn what we can, and have a little fun.Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questionsGet the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbriefLinks:Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
- Jun 19, 202650 min
SPC088 [HS] Powered by Human Intelligence, a Discussion with Jason Miller
In Episode 88, Bill welcomes Jason Miller, two-time FAA Western Pacific CFI of the Year and founder of The Finer Points, to discuss how his platform evolved into an flight training app that models real-world lessons with briefings, flights, and debriefs across five courses. They talk about uneven student preparation, the 2015–2023 “explosive growth” period that left inexperienced CFIs training newer pilots, and signs of degraded proficiency and safety concerns, alongside the FAA’s overhaul of written tests to reduce memorization and align questions with the ACS. Jason explains the free CFI Club’s mentorship focus, monthly meetings, and “CFI Handbook” videos, and why he chose a career instructing path. They cover technology’s impact—YouTube safety content, EFB benefits and distractions, and best practices—plus thoughts on AI’s current limits and targeted uses. Miller also describes his mountain/canyon “airplane camp” adventure training emphasizing risk management and survival planning. This is Student Pilot Cast episode 087, Powered by Human Intelligence; A Conversation with Jason Miller.Links:Join The Finer Points on our Adventure Flying TripsThe Finer Points – Become a better pilotJoin The Finer Points CFI Club!Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for me and me alone in the situation that we happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams
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About The Student Pilot Cast
This is a podcast for anyone interested in aviation. While it started as a podcast to follow Bill's primary training, it has evolved into a podcast about how all of us can continually improve our flying. This is the audio only feed. The audio podcasts are not necessarily the same content as the video podcasts, so if you want all the content, please check out both. The video feed is mostly available on Youtube, now (including the back catalog), and you can find it by searching for "Student Pilot Cast" there.
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