In this special episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with aviation industry expert Kit Darby for a deep dive into the pilot shortage, airline hiring trends, and what 2025 could look like for aspiring and current pilots. Is the shortage still real? Are airlines still desperate to hire? What do pilot retirements mean for your future career? Kit brings decades of insight and data to help you understand where the industry is headed—and whether now is the right time to start flight training.

We sit down with a seasoned Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) whose primary role involves conducting stage checks. He shares invaluable insights into the stage check process, offering tips to help student pilots prepare effectively. From understanding common pitfalls to mastering the mindset needed for success, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating their flight training journey.

They started as student pilots and now they’ve finished flight school and are just days away from becoming certified flight instructors. In this episode, we sit down with 2 of our students to talk about their full journey through flight training, the highs and lows, what surprised them the most, and what it really takes to make it all the way to CFI.