In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake interviews Nick Adcock, a designated pilot examiner (DPE) with a rich background in military and commercial aviation. They discuss common pitfalls applicants face during checkrides, including logbook issues, airworthiness checks, and the importance of preparation. Nick shares insights on the oral exam, highlighting knowledge gaps and stress management techniques. The conversation also covers challenges during flight tests, particularly in pattern work and decision-making, as well as common mistakes seen during instrument checkrides. Overall, the episode emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation and understanding of regulations to ensure a successful checkride experience.
takeaways

Preparation is key to reducing stress during checkrides.
Logbook audits should be done before the test.
Airworthiness checks require a compliance list for ADs.
Applicants often forget basic knowledge from private pilot training.
Situational awareness is crucial during pattern work.
Decision-making should be the applicant's responsibility during tests.
Understanding the ACS is essential for success.
Common mistakes include improper handling of procedure turns.
Communication with ATC during instrument checkrides is important.
A positive attitude can enhance the checkride experience.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Checkride Insights
01:47 Common Checkride Pitfalls
06:13 Logbook and Endorsement Essentials
11:36 Airworthiness and Compliance Checks
18:18 Navigating the Oral Exam
24:13 Flight Planning and Alternate Requirements
26:07 Understanding Alternate Planning in Aviation
30:16 The Importance of Conversational Checkrides
36:33 Navigating Pattern Entry and Situational Awareness
40:40 Instrument Checkride Challenges and Best Practices

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth interviews Adam Boyd, a designated pilot examiner (DPE) with extensive experience in aviation. They discuss the importance of preparation for check rides, common pitfalls applicants face, and the significance of briefings and debriefings. Adam shares insights on airworthiness, endorsements, and the oral exam process, emphasizing the need for instructors to teach students effectively. The conversation also covers flight maneuvers, instrument rating challenges, and multi-engine procedures, highlighting the critical skills necessary for success in aviation training.

Editor’s Note:
At 49:54, Adam stated there is "no high altitude endorsement." What he meant to say is that there is no high elevation endorsement. His point was that pilots who primarily operate at sea level may not receive adequate training on high density altitude operations, and there is no regulatory requirement mandating such training. The takeaway: if you don’t feel proficient in a particular environment or task, seek additional training—regardless of your certificate level.

Takeaways

Preparation is key for check rides.
Briefings and debriefings enhance learning.
Airworthiness knowledge is essential for pilots.
Endorsements must be clear and accurate.
Understanding weather is crucial for instrument pilots.
Energy management is vital for commercial maneuvers.
Teaching should focus on real-world applications.
Instructors must prepare students for unexpected scenarios.
Calmness in emergencies can save lives.
The future of aviation depends on quality training.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Check Ride Insights
01:48 Examining Experience and Background
03:45 Preparing for Check Rides
10:05 Effective Teaching Techniques for CFIs
15:08 Learning Through Examination
18:04 Importance of Paperwork
22:03 Understanding Endorsements
32:09 Airworthiness and Safety in Aviation
37:23 Understanding Airworthiness and Pilot Responsibility
38:19 Navigating Weather as an Instrument Pilot
42:04 Icing Conditions and Instrument Ratings
44:25 Commercial Pilot Expectations and Energy Management
46:47 Multi-Engine Performance and Decision Making
50:34 Correlation in Flight Training and Maneuvers
56:48 Examining Flight Maneuvers and Instructor Responsibilities
01:02:28 Instrument Approaches and Adaptability in Flight
01:08:05 Engine Shutdown Procedures and Calm Decision Making

In the premiere episode of Checkride Insights, Seth sits down with Tom Guillebeau, a seasoned Designated Pilot Examiner and C-130 instructor pilot with the Arkansas Air National Guard. Tom shares his journey from mowing lawns for flying lessons to becoming a military evaluator, and gives practical advice for checkride applicants—from setting expectations to avoiding the most common mistakes. Whether you're prepping for your first ride or sharpening your CFI game, this conversation is packed with insight.

✅ Common issues DPEs see on checkrides
✅ What examiners really expect from applicants
✅ The value of clear communication and scenario thinking

This series is part of the VSL Aviation Podcast and supports the FAA’s national CFI–DPE Forum initiative.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Check Ride Insights

02:51 Common Check Ride Pitfalls

06:43 Understanding Aircraft Systems

12:17 The Importance of Decision Making

19:58 Personal Minimums and Safety

32:44 Final Thoughts and Resources

33:13 Navigating Gusty Conditions

35:16 Personal Minimums and Risk Management

38:03 Cancellation Policies and Student Preparedness

40:38 Examiner Flexibility and Weather Challenges

43:18 Maneuvers and Flight Skills

44:17 Pilotage and Dead Reckoning

46:54 Stalls and Slow Flight Techniques

53:06 Emergency Procedures and Checklists

56:18 Ballistic Parachute Systems and Safety

01:00:07 Final Thoughts and Preparation Tips

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth dives deep into the often-misunderstood topic of personal minimums—how to build them, stick to them, and apply them on checkride day. Using FAA guidance and practical examples, he outlines real-world risk management techniques, including when to cancel a flight and how to safely mitigate marginal weather.

He also covers the training and testing requirements for Part 135 operators, breaking down the key differences between 293, 297, and 299 checks. Whether you're planning to move into a 135 role or preparing for your next checkride, this episode has the insights you need.

Finally, the episode wraps with a lively Q&A session covering:

Eights on pylons tips

Diversions and checkride discontinuations

Handling fuel leaks on test day

What ADM concepts are often overlooked

Proper decision-making around inop equipment

Whether you can build time in experimentals

And much more...

🛠️ Tools & References:

ACS personal minimums sections

FAA Risk Management Handbook (Ch. 2)

Advisory Circular 91-67A

FAA Safety Briefing (Mar/Apr 2015 edition)

Check the VSL Discord for links to all referenced materials and join the ongoing discussion.

Chapters:

00:00 Setting Personal Minimums for Pilots

22:49 Understanding Risk Management in Aviation

29:55 Exploring Part 135 Training

30:23 Preparing for Part 135 Cargo Interviews

34:13 Understanding Part 135 Regulations and Checkrides

38:02 Navigating Checkride Procedures and Diversions

40:26 Communicating in Congested Airspace

43:44 Inoperative Equipment and Risk Management

49:01 Differences in Pre-flight Assessments

52:19 Aeronautical Decision Making in Training

56:07 Memorization vs. Reference in Aviation

59:56 Weekly Recap and Community Engagement

This is Episode 5 in the Decoding the ACS series, where we break down the Airman Certification Standards one task at a time.

In this episode, we cover Area of Operation I, Task E: National Airspace System. Whether you're preparing for your Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, or CFI checkride, this session explains how this task is tested across all three levels—with a focus on scenario-based evaluation using ForeFlight.

You’ll learn how to:

Interpret ACS objectives at all certificate levels

Plan routes through Class B, C, D, E, and G airspace

Evaluate MOAs, TFRs, and Part 93 Special Airspace

Use ForeFlight’s aeronautical and profile tools

Apply risk management in real-world flight planning

Understand Special VFR rules and limitations

We also highlight useful FAA references, online courses, and tips for briefing airspace scenarios effectively on a checkride.

Referenced tools and documents are linked in the ACE Guide.

Chapters:

02:29 Objective Differences

04:57 Knowledge Topics

08:58 Risk Management

10:00 Skill Requirements

15:18 Scenario Flight Planning

16:10 ForeFlight Tools

16:31 MOA Avoidance

16:31 Restricted Airspace

26:37 SATR & SAFR

27:04 Flyway Charts

30:34 Training Courses

33:09 Airspace Examples

37:24 Class C & ADS-B

40:42 Class B & Clearance

47:48 Special VFR

In this live Q&A edition of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake dives into a wide range of topics submitted by the aviation community. From the myths around required CFI ground training hours to advice on whether getting your MEI is worth the investment, Seth provides practical, experience-based insights. He also tackles how to avoid inadvertently participating in illegal charter ops, how commercial pilots can understand operator responsibility, and answers listener questions about time-building, hypoxia training, and spatial disorientation.

If you're a student pilot, a CFI, or a seasoned commercial pilot brushing up on the regs, this episode is packed with value. Don’t miss the tips on interpreting Part 135 eligibility and how to recover after a long flying hiatus.

Regulatory Knowledge

• Misunderstandings around minimum CFI ground training hours

• How to validate endorsements with AC 61-65J

• Clarification on operational control vs. holding out (AC 120-12A)

• What Part 119.1(e) actually allows without a certificate

• Tips on checking if an aircraft is listed under a Part 135 certificate

Professional Development

• Cost/benefit analysis of pursuing an MEI

• How to maintain continual learning as a pilot

• FAA CAMI training options: hypoxia chamber, PROTE, vestibular illusions

Career Guidance

• Time-building strategies that airlines value

• Stage check failures: how to report and recover

• Advice for applicants to the DPE program

Practical Scenarios

• Instrument checkride failure from altimeter misreading

• Transitioning back to flying after a year-long break

• Risk of complacency in experienced pilots

In this episode, we celebrate new pilot certifications 🎉, tackle common logbook questions 📘, explain how ForeFlight sources winds aloft 🌬, and clarify cross-country time rules 🗺. We also walk through a real listener landing scenario at KVNY 🛬, give a quick weather symbol refresher 🌦, cover what to do if ADS-B is inoperative 📡, and answer listener questions ❓. Stick around to the end for shout-outs and closing notes!

👉 Join the Discord for more discussions: vsl.aero
🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

⏰ Chapters

00:00 🎙 Episode Introduction & Shout-outs

02:16 🎉 Celebrating New Pilot Certifications

03:42 📘 Logging PIC Time: Common Questions

06:22 🌬 How ForeFlight Sources Altitude Winds

09:44 🗺 Who Can Log Cross-Country Time

18:42 🛬 Listener Landing Scenario at KVNY

24:27 🌦 Quick Refresher on Weather Symbols

26:40 📡 ADS-B Inop

30:30 ❓ Q & A

➤ Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/46zt3N8ckx

➤ FAA ADS-B Deviation Tool: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/equipadsb/adapt

➤ UND Magneto Trainer: https://aero.und.edu/aviation/current-students/trainers.html

➤ ForeFlight Winds Aloft Article: https://support.foreflight.com/hc/en-us/articles/203313449-How-are-winds-aloft-used-in-NavLog-calculations

➤ FAA Legal Interpretations (Gebhart, Hillard):
Gebhart:
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FAA000000000LEGALINTPR2009024PDF.0001

Hillard:
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FAA000000000LEGALINTPR2009033PDF.0001

In this week's episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, we dig into three real-world flying topics pilots must know:

Runway Excursion Mitigation: A deep dive into Advisory Circular 91-79B, how to avoid overruns, and a real-world discussion led by Ryan Bow about common landing errors and risk factors.

Non-Standard Climb Gradients: Learn how to spot non-standard missed approach climb requirements, how to calculate if your aircraft can meet them, and why ignoring climb gradients is reckless even under Part 91 operations.

Weather Radar Layers Explained: Understand the differences between composite radar and lowest tilt radar on ForeFlight, and how they impact your decision-making in-flight.

As always, we wrap up with a live Q&A from Discord and YouTube covering logbook tips, Starlink for in-flight weather, advice for new commercial pilots, and power-off 180 strategies.

🔗 Join our free Discord for exclusive podcast companion threads, Q&A access, and a trusted CFI network: https://vsl.aero

Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

03:33 – AC 91-79B: Runway Excursion Mitigation Overview

12:41 – Guest Discussion with Ryan Bow on Landing Risk Factors

15:50 – Applying Runway Excursion Risk Management to GA

18:48 – Understanding Precision vs Accuracy in Landings

24:40 – Non-Standard Climb Gradients Explained (RAIL Approach Example)

32:19 – Objective Area Analysis with ForeFlight

37:44 – Radar Layers: Composite vs Lowest Tilt on ForeFlight

46:18 – Live Q&A: Logbook Comments, Starlink for Weather, Networking for Low-Time Pilots

52:36 – Commercial Checkride Tips: Power-Off 180s and Flap/Slip Techniques

57:45 – IFR Taildragger Training Challenges

59:47 – How to Get a Tower Tour (Operation Raincheck Discussion)

01:02:22 – Closing and Aftershow Invitation

Links:
Link to Discord: https://vsl.aero

FAA AC 91-79B
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-79B_FAA.pdf

FAA Weather Handbook
https://www.faa.gov/regulationspolicies/handbooksmanuals/aviation/faa-h-8083-28a-aviation-weather-handbook

FAA Safety Team website: https://www.faasafety.gov

Optional: Link to the Part 135 operator list download if you want to include that too
https://www.faa.gov/about/officeorg/headquartersoffices/avs/faa-certificated-aircraft-operators-legal-part-135-holders