The VSL Aviation Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome back to the VSL Aviation Podcast! I'm your host, Seth Lake, a CFI and DPE here to help you navigate checkrides and general aviation topics. This weekly podcast is recorded live on Discord, with additional streaming on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch.

In this episode, we dive into three major topics before opening the floor to listener questions:

01:04 ✈ ADS-B Compliance and Common Pitfalls

    How ADS-B has improved situational awareness but also led to complacency in traffic spotting.
    The dangers of assuming all aircraft are ADS-B equipped and a real-world mid-air collision case study.
    Ensuring your ADS-B system is functioning properly, including the FAA’s Public ADS-B Performance Report tool.
    The importance of transponder inspections (91.411 and 91.413) and how tail beacon installations impact compliance.
    Using the FAA’s ADS-B Deviation Authorization Tool to legally fly with an inoperative ADS-B unit.
    A radio call tip: Announcing "negative ADS-B" at non-towered fields to improve traffic awareness.

13:17 ✈ Forward Slips – Why Pilots Are Struggling

    Why many CFIs are hesitant to teach forward slips and how misconceptions about spins are leading to poor training.
    A step-by-step technique for practicing forward slips at altitude before using them in landing scenarios.
    How slips compare to skids—why skidding turns on base to final are far more dangerous.
    Using a forward slip for energy management, including a fun slow-flight competition exercise.
    When not to slip—understanding manufacturer restrictions (e.g., some Cessna models advising against slips with full flaps).

25:02 ✈ Special Emphasis Areas – What Happened to Them?

    How the FAA moved away from the "Special Emphasis Areas" of the Practical Test Standards (PTS) when transitioning to the Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
    Where instructors and pilots can still find these emphasis areas in the CFII PTS and why they’re still important.

27:56 ✈ Bonus: Checking Static RPM on Takeoff

    A reminder to verify your aircraft’s static RPM range from the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) before takeoff.
    How a pilot caught a low RPM issue that could have indicated an engine problem.

📢 Live Q&A Topics:

    32:22 Slipping with flaps – Is it ever okay?
    35:19 How to enter descent profiles in ForeFlight when POH data is missing.
   44:48 Understanding “established” on an ILS approach.
    41:07 How to evaluate performance calculations for aircraft with minimal performance data (e.g., J-3 Cub).
   38:35 Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and how to explain it to students.

🔗 Join the Discussion!
To participate in future live streams, join the VSL Aviation Discord. Find the invite link on https://VSL.Aero, and stay tuned for more aviation insights!

VSL Aviation Podcast – Episode Recap

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake dives into key aviation topics, answers listener questions, and shares insights from real-world flying experiences.
Topics Covered:

Chapters:
02:30 Understanding Part 135 Operators – How to verify if an employer is legally operating under Part 135, using FAA records to check approved aircraft, and avoiding illegal charter flights.

10:45 Truth in Leasing Agreements & Operational Control – Discussion of Advisory Circular 91-37B, how leasing agreements affect legal flight operations, and what documents should be onboard the aircraft.

16:03 Emergency Situations in Multi-Engine Aircraft – A real-world example of an engine failure in a Beechcraft Baron, handling unexpected in-flight vibrations, and decision-making during engine shutdown.

21:18 ForeFlight Navigation Tips – Demonstration of how to input radial/DME waypoints in ForeFlight, using the feature for situational awareness and ATC clearances.

25:30 CFI Checkride Advice – Strategies for initial flight instructor applicants, including incorporating FAA Wings program into lesson plans and understanding fundamentals of instruction (FOI).

30:24 Commercial Pilot Checkride Navigation – How to plan a VFR cross-country flight for a commercial checkride using ForeFlight, selecting pilotage and dead reckoning checkpoints, and preparing an effective nav log.

42:01 Night Vision and Hypoxia – The effects of oxygen deprivation on night vision and how pilots can recognize early signs of hypoxia.

49:18 RNP vs. RNAV vs. GPS Approaches – Understanding Required Navigation Performance (RNP), how it relates to GPS and RNAV approaches, and whether LPV approaches qualify as RNP.

55:05 Common Checkride Weaknesses – Areas where applicants frequently struggle, including traffic pattern entries at non-towered airports and decision-making skills in flight training.

Throughout the episode, Seth engages with live questions from pilots, CFIs, and aviation enthusiasts across Discord, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch, making this an interactive and educational discussion for anyone in the aviation community.
Join Us Live

The VSL Aviation Podcast is streamed every week on YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, and primarily on Discord, where listeners can ask questions live. Subscribe to stay up to date with aviation topics, flight training insights, and expert discussions!

Welcome to the first episode of our new series at VSL Aviation! I'm Seth Lake, an experienced FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, and in this video, I'm going to break down the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS) like never before. This series aims to provide detailed insights and practical tips for aspiring pilots. Whether you're a student pilot, an instructor, or just an aviation enthusiast, this series will deepen your understanding of the ACS, helping you become a more knowledgeable and confident pilot. Stay tuned for more episodes where we'll dive even deeper into the world of aviation standards and training!

Chapters:
00:50 - ACS Guide
01:40 - Part 61 Qualifications
03:35 - ACS Element Decoding
06:09 - Use of Written Test Report
07:40 - Checkride Script
10:22 - Introduction to Task A
12:32 - Scenario-Based Questioning
22:40 - BasicMed
25:25 - Private Pilot License (PPL) Limitations
28:13 - Discussion on Illegal Cost Sharing
46:40 - Closing Statements

Join Seth Lake, a designated pilot examiner, in this comprehensive Q&A session where we delve into key topics every aspiring pilot needs to know for their check ride and beyond. Packed with insights from my extensive experience, this video is an invaluable resource for pilots at all levels.

Chapters:

[01:35] - Inop Equipment for Checkride
[02:55] - ACE Inop Equipment Guide
[04:47] - Flight Manual Supplements
[08:19] - ARROW vs. SPARROW
[09:42] - AGI and IGI before CFI
[11:36] - CFII Weak Areas
[14:04] - Top 3 Hardest Checkrides
[15:28] - Instrument Rating – Now What?
[18:58] - CPL Holding Out
[24:46] - Best time to get SES and Tailwheel
[26:16] - Flaps at the FAF
[30:33] - Instrument weak areas
[36:05] - Instrument Checkride Endorsements
[40:43] - Private Pilot Diversion
[45:03] - Flight Manual Supps for LSA
[46:09] - Commercial Pilot Requirements
[47:40] - ACS vs PTS
[51:11] - Sheppard Air Test Prep
[53:23] - Private Carriage Vs. Common
[1:00:00] - Pitfalls of DPE Gouge

Whether you're preparing for your next check ride, looking to deepen your understanding of aviation regulations, or aiming to improve your flying skills, this video has something for everyone. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more content like this!

- Follow me on:

- Discord: https://discord.gg/vkanc5ax
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Your feedback is invaluable – drop your questions and comments below, and let's keep the conversation going!

In this highly informative video, we equip you with the essential know-how to confidently navigate an FAA ramp inspection. Whether you're a private pilot, commercial aviator, or part of an aviation team, understanding the FAA's ramp inspection checklist is crucial for a successful evaluation. Using the FAA Order 8900.1 as our compass, we take you through each stage of the inspection process, outlining precisely what FAA inspectors will be looking for. With this comprehensive guide at your fingertips, you can ensure your aircraft and documentation are in impeccable order, leaving no room for surprises during the inspection. Watch now and arm yourself with the knowledge to ace your next FAA ramp inspection! Don't forget to hit that like button and subscribe for more valuable aviation insights. Safe flying!

Join Seth Lake and Josh Campbell from  @FreePilotTraining  in a discussion on FAA Airworthiness Directives. This topic is a stumbling block for many new pilots, and our discussion will help you understand ADs better. Check out  @FreePilotTraining  for a ton of great free content!

Check out the podcast website to find the interactive ACS for both commercial and instrument. https://vsl.aero/podcast

Check my new Patreon page, where I will be adding a lot of exclusive content. https://www.patreon.com/sethlake

Join me as I continue the multi-engine add-on series.  In this episode, I continue the discussion of the commercial ACS and how I use it to conduct the commercial multi-engine add-on checkride. 

Check out the podcast website to find the interactive ACS for both commercial and instrument.  https://vsl.aero/podcast

Check my new Patreon page, where I will be adding a lot of exclusive content.  https://www.patreon.com/sethlake

Thanks for watching the channel!  I'm trying something new and building chapters for the shows so you can skip straight to things you might be more interested in.  Let me know what you think!

Join me as I start the multi-engine add-on series.  In this episode, I cover the training required for the multi-engine rating.  I also get into the commercial ACS and how I use it to conduct the commercial add-on checkride.

Check out the podcast website to find the interactive ACS for both commercial and instrument.  https://vsl.aero/podcast

Check my new Patreon page, where I will be adding a lot of exclusive content. https://www.patreon.com/sethlake

Join me as I discuss the disapproval process, more commonly known as failing your checkride.  Failure is always a significant cause for concern; however, I think the more you know about something, the less scary it is.  No one wants this outcome, but it happens and is simply a part of being a pilot.  Luckily, it’s usually not a big deal and will have few impacts on your long-term flying career.  It won’t be your favorite day in aviation, but you can easily overcome a checkride failure and have a good learning experience to take on afterward.

Thank you for all the feedback, I look forward to hearing more!  If you have anything you would like to share, please email me at: sethlake@vsl.aero.
I look forward to hearing from you!

For more information about VSL, including the option to purchase the interactive ACS and support the show, visit https://vsl.aero/podcast

Join me as I complete the Commercial Pilot ACS Series.  The commercial pilot checkride is just like any other FAA practical test and uses the Airman Certification Standards.  This test evaluates your knowledge and skills as a pilot to make sure you have what it takes to fly for compensation.  In the fourth and final episode of the series, I discuss the Commercial ACS Appendix, which has some amplifying remarks on previously discussed Areas of Operation.  Thank you for all the feedback, I look forward to hearing more!  If you have anything you would like to share, please email me at: sethlake@vsl.aero.
I look forward to hearing from you!

For more information about VSL, including the option to purchase the interactive ACS and support the show, visit https://vsl.aero/podcast