In this week’s VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth dives deep into three critical topics for pilots and instructors alike. First, he breaks down how to get involved with the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) and make the most of the WINGS Program. Next, he explains the real why behind airspace design—offering a fresh approach for CFIs to improve student understanding beyond rote memorization. Then, he tackles an alarming Reddit story about improperly logged SIC time that cost a pilot their airline job. As always, Seth answers live listener questions, covering topics like logging PIC as a student pilot, scheduling hard-to-find CFI checkrides, and understanding how training time can (or can’t) be double-counted across certificates. If you’re a student, CFI, or examiner, this is a must-listen.
Chapters:
01:56 – FAASTeam and the WINGS Program Overview
12:15 – Responsibilities of a FAASTeam Representative
16:52 – Reddit Post: Invalid SIC Time and Logbook Accuracy
23:08 – Why Airspace Exists: A DPE’s Perspective
25:17 – ForeFlight Demo: Airspace Boundaries and Cloud Clearance Logic
33:04 – Service Difficulty Reports (SDRs) Explained
35:46 – Q&A: Can Student Pilots Log PIC Time?
38:41 – Q&A: Finding a CFI Checkride Examiner
43:04 – Q&A: Testing Instrument ACS Knowledge Areas
47:33 – Q&A: Logging Instrument Time for Private vs Commercial
53:43 – Wrap-Up and Discord Community Plug