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Brandon Martini & Carson Vasquez

🚀 We are The Aviation Mentors, a weekly podcast dedicated to creating an amazing space where we aviators can hang out and enjoy a wide range of conversations about anything aviation. We're aviators, we're mentors, and we're entrepreneurs. Whether you're a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or just an AV Geek like us, this is the podcast for you! 🌎 Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying! Sponsored by Stratus Financial www.stratus.finance

Aviation Mentors

Navigating thunderstorms, aircraft maintenance, and in-flight decision-making—what really happens behind the controls when things get tense? ⚡✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dig into real-world scenarios that every pilot can learn from. From forecasting convective weather to navigating point-of-no-return decisions over the Rockies, the hosts break down:

• How to determine if a forecasted thunderstorm is safe to navigate around

• What really happens when you get too close to convective activity

• Brandon’s intense near-storm experience with family onboard—and what he’d do differently today

• Key external pressures that quietly influence your aeronautical decision-making

• The most overlooked pre-buy inspection items for first-time aircraft owners

• How to handle aircraft logbooks, AD compliance, and title/registration pitfalls

• Recovering from radio mistakes (and why ATC isn’t as scary as new pilots think)

Whether you’re a student pilot, a new aircraft owner, or a seasoned flyer looking to sharpen your safety mindset, this episode is packed with practical, experience-based aviation insights.

🚀 Tune in and elevate your pilot decision-making, weather awareness, and maintenance knowledge—one episode at a time.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday. Stay inspired, stay safe, and keep chasing your aviation dreams.

Listener Questions (Part 12)

Pearl Harbor, aviation history, and real lessons for today’s pilots—how does a two-hour attack from 1941 still shape the way we fly today? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into the aviation side of the Pearl Harbor attack, exploring how 353 Japanese aircraft caught the U.S. by surprise and what modern pilots can learn from the event. From warbirds like the P-40 Warhawk, B-17 Flying Fortress, the Dauntless, and the Japanese Zero, to breakdowns in communication and readiness, the hosts connect one of history’s most significant aviation-driven moments to general aviation today.

They discuss:

• How the attack unfolded and the timeline of the first and second waves

• Why only a handful of U.S. aircraft were able to get airborne

• The roles of Zeros, Kates, and Vals—and their impact on the fleet

• Situational awareness lessons student pilots can apply today

• Communication breakdowns, ATC parallels, and traffic awareness

• Aircraft limitations, density altitude, V_NE, and pilot decision-making

• How warbirds demonstrate performance, energy management, and aircraft handling

• Personal insights, travel stories, and the importance of readiness in GA

🚀 Whether you’re a student pilot, history buff, or general aviation enthusiast, this episode blends real aviation knowledge with one of the most dramatic moments in military history—offering practical flying insights, safety takeaways, and a fascinating warbird breakdown.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us, learn, and stay inspired on your aviation journey.

The Aviation Side of Pearl Harbor: Surprises, Warbirds, and GA Takeaways

What’s the right way to tell your CFI you’re confused? Should student pilots buy their own headset early? And is it normal to feel like you’re getting worse before you get better? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into real student-pilot frustrations and answer top questions pulled from Reddit and listeners, including:

• Why regressing during flight training is completely normal—and how to push through it

• How to stop overthinking your landings and build true pilot instinct

• Whether to trust school-provided headsets or invest in Bose, Lightspeed, or David Clarks early

• How to confidently tell your CFI you don’t understand something (without feeling embarrassed)

• The best weekly flight-training schedule for faster progress and lower overall cost

They also share personal stories—from Brandon learning instrument scan embarrassingly late to Carson’s early headset upgrade and even a tangent about parachutes, spins, burnout, and staying healthy enough to stay current.

🚀 If you’re a student pilot, a new private pilot, or someone trying to learn smarter—not harder—this episode is packed with practical tips, relatable training struggles, and humor from the cockpit.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—follow, subscribe, and keep leveling up your aviation journey.

— Sponsored by Stratus Financial, supporting the next generation of pilots.

Listener Questions (Part 11)

Keeping an airplane clean isn’t just about appearance—it’s a key part of aviation safety, professionalism, and building trust with students and passengers. ✈️✨

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson dive into the critical but often overlooked world of aircraft cleanliness. They break down why a clean airplane matters, how it impacts safety and perception, and what every pilot, renter, CFI, and aircraft owner should expect from a well-maintained fleet.

They cover:

• Why aircraft cleanliness directly affects safety, visibility, and first impressions

• Which parts of an airplane are neglected most—and why they matter

• Proper techniques for cleaning windshields, belly panels, static ports, and leading edges

• The best products, tools, and materials for safely cleaning general aviation aircraft

• What high-quality flight schools do to maintain their airplanes

• Major red flags in aircraft care—and when it’s time to switch schools

🚀 Whether you’re a student pilot, private pilot, or aircraft owner, this episode is packed with practical, real-world insights to help you fly safer, protect your aircraft, and uphold the standards of aviation professionalism.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—learn, improve, and stay inspired with Aviation Mentors.

Overlooked Aircraft Cleaning Tips That Improve Safety

Flying for currency, reconnecting with your flight school roots, and keeping safety at the center of aviation growth—this episode covers it all. ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson kick things off with fresh flying stories: short-approach fun in the ICON A5, a post-office moment that turned into an impromptu A5 fanboy encounter, and getting the RV back in the air after months on the ground. From taxiing tips to hangar-shuffling adventures, the hosts share what real general aviation days look like.

Then, they dive into the featured topic: scaling a flight school without sacrificing safety standards. Drawing from years of experience running a busy training environment, they break down:

• Why a solid operational foundation matters before you scale

• What preflight, post-flight, and cleanliness standards should never be skipped

• How safety documents and clear minimums protect pilots and schools

• The role of a dedicated safety manager as student numbers grow

• Real-world examples of training deficiencies—and how to fix them early

• The hidden costs schools face, from insurance to maintenance cycles

Whether you’re a student pilot, an instructor, a flight school operator, or simply passionate about safe flying, this episode delivers practical insights on building aviation programs the right way—without cutting corners.

🚀 Perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about flight school operations, aviation safety systems, and what it truly takes to run a high-quality training environment.

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us, learn, and stay inspired in aviation.

Ep 201 - The Hidden Risks in Flight Schools—and How to Fix Them Before You Scale

In this special milestone episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez celebrate 200 episodes of inspiring stories, mentorship, and aviation community growth. 🥂

From humble beginnings recording in a noisy RV at Oshkosh to becoming one of aviation’s most engaging podcasts, Brandon and Carson reflect on their journey, share behind-the-scenes stories, and revisit their favorite moments and guests.

💬 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How the podcast started — from scripted beginnings to genuine hangar talk

• The inspiration behind Aviation Mentors and the power of mentorship in aviation

• Favorite moments, guests, and community stories from the past 200 episodes

• Lessons learned about podcasting, persistence, and connection

• A heartfelt message to listeners and fellow aviators around the world

🎙️ Aviation Mentors Podcast is where pilots, student pilots, and aviation enthusiasts come together to learn, laugh, and share their passion for flying. Whether you’re just starting flight training or deep into your aviation career, there’s always something new to discover.

🌎 Join us every Friday as we share real stories from the cockpit, the classroom, and beyond.

Subscribe, leave a comment, and celebrate 200 episodes with us!

🛫 Listen to more episodes:

www.aviationmentors.com

🎟️ Check out Stratus AeroSummit:

www.stratusaerosummit.com

💼 Sponsored by Stratus Financial

www.stratus.finance

Celebrating 200 Episodes – Aviation Mentors Reflect on Growth, Stories & the Journey Ahead

Flying VFR? Understanding IFR traffic is critical for safety even at non-towered airports.

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon Martini and Carson explore IFR approaches, shared airspace, and practical VFR safety tips. Using examples from Corona Airport (KAJO) and nearby VORs, they explain how VFR and IFR operations coexist, how to anticipate faster instrument traffic, and what to watch for when flying in general aviation environments.

Key topics include:

IFR approaches and handoff procedures for VFR pilots

Recognizing speed and pattern differences between aircraft

Airspace awareness and safety strategies for student pilots

🚀 Aviation Mentors Podcast is dedicated to helping pilots and aviation enthusiasts improve skills, safety, and career growth. Whether you’re a student pilot, professional pilot, or GA enthusiast, this podcast is for you!

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—tune in and elevate your pilot awareness!

www.aviationmentors.com

www.stratusaerosummit.com

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

www.stratus.finance

S02E63: VFR Safety & IFR Traffic Awareness – Non-Towered Airport

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson catch up in their brand-new studio to talk about Brandon’s long-hidden Cessna 120 and the challenges of bringing it back to life.

They share stories about aircraft maintenance, the true cost of airplane ownership, and why so many planes end up sitting idle in hangars. Brandon dives into his personal experience with maintenance delays, expensive repairs, and how quickly costs can add up—even for a vintage tailwheel like his.

The hosts also discuss risk tolerance, flight readiness, and decision-making when returning to flying after time away. Packed with humor, personal insight, and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for any pilot thinking about owning, maintaining, or reviving their own aircraft.

🚀 The Aviation Mentors Podcast is your space to connect with passionate aviators, learn practical insights, and stay inspired in aviation. Whether you’re a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or AvGeek, this episode is packed with knowledge and perspective.

🌎 Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying!

www.aviationmentors.com

www.stratusaerosummit.com

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

www.stratus.finance

S02E62: Hidden Airplanes, Tailwheel Flying & The Real Cost of Aircraft Ownership

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson discuss aviation news, insights, and trends shaping the general aviation industry. ✈️

From Brandon’s flight to Camarillo to the Burbank Tower’s temporary ATC shutdown, they cover what pilots need to know to stay safe and confident in non-towered operations. They also break down public reactions to the Mosaic rule changes, debunk cost misconceptions in flight training, and discuss how new regulations could make flying more accessible and affordable.

🚀 The Aviation Mentors Podcast is your space to connect with passionate aviators, learn practical insights, and stay inspired in aviation. Whether you’re a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or AvGeek, this episode is packed with knowledge and perspective.

🌎 Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying!

www.aviationmentors.com

www.stratusaerosummit.com

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

www.stratus.finance

S02E61: Reacting to Your Comments Part 1: MOSAIC, GA Costs & Burbank Tower

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, hosts Brandon Martini and Carson Vasquez share an inspiring story of resilience, rediscovery, and passion for flight as Carson takes to the skies again after more than two years away from the cockpit.

Join Brandon and Carson as they relive Carson’s first flight back on September 19, 2025, in a Cessna 182, marking his return to flying since February 12, 2023. From preflight jitters and rusty radio calls to picture-perfect landings, this episode is packed with lessons for student pilots and general aviation enthusiasts alike.

Brandon, speaking from his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) perspective, shares valuable insights on how instructors can help returning pilots rebuild their confidence, while Carson reflects on the emotions, muscle memory, and satisfaction of regaining proficiency after time away.

Whether you’re a student pilot taking your first steps, a lapsed aviator thinking about getting current again, or just someone who loves the journey of flight, this episode reminds us that once aviation is in your heart—it never truly leaves.

🚀 We are the Aviation Mentors, a podcast dedicated to creating an amazing space where aviators can hang out and talk all things aviation. We’re aviators, we’re mentors, and we’re entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or just an AvGeek like us, this is the podcast for you!

🌎 New episodes drop every Friday—join us and be part of the journey.

🔗 www.aviationmentors.com

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

💻 www.stratus.finance

S02E60: Back in the Left Seat – Carson’s First Flight in Two Years

🎙️ In this episode of the Aviation Mentors podcast, we’re soaring ✈️ through some exciting topics! First, we’ll share all the details about the $10,000 #FlyToSuccess Scholarship from Stratus Financial—an incredible opportunity for aspiring pilots to fund their training. 💵 Then, we’ll talk about the upcoming AeroSummit and why it’s a must-attend event for aviation enthusiasts. And of course, we’ll dive into the world of pilot pay scales, breaking down salaries, perks, and what makes a career in aviation so rewarding. ↗️ Buckle up for an episode packed with insights, opportunities, and inspiration!

🚀 We are the Aviation Mentors, a podcast dedicated to creating an amazing space where we aviators can hang out and enjoy a wide range of conversations about anything aviation. We're aviators, we're mentors, and we're entrepreneurs. Whether you're a student pilot, professional pilot, general aviation enthusiast, or just an AV Geek like us, this is the podcast for you!

🌎 Join us every Friday as we share our passion for flying!

Sponsored by Stratus Financial

www.stratus.finance

S02E20: From Training to Takeoff: How Pilot Salaries Stack Up

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