The VSL Aviation Podcast · Seth Lake

Live Q&A: CFI Renewals, MEI Training Tips, Wet vs Dry Leases, Aircraft Ownership & More

·52 min·3 clips
Seth says a bad VMC demo can drive a dead-engine wing toward stall and spin.
Seth Lake frames the episode as an open Q&A rather than a planned lesson. He says the session is being streamed live on Discord, and they are also trying to livestream on Instagram. John, a CFI, CFII, MEI, and FAST team representative based in the Northeast America, helps field questions and keep Discord running smoothly. Seth mentions that the Instagram side is giving him some trouble. That live pressure becomes part of the episode's shape. When there are not enough questions at the start, he moves to questions that arrived on Discord during the previous week. One question leads into a legal interpretation about instructor authority. Seth says his understanding is that the underlying instructor certificate has to be in place to give flight instruction. Another question asks about MEIs and special considerations for teaching. He treats that as a practical instruction question rather than a theoretical one. A listener then asks about E6Bs versus flight computers. Seth says he is completely fine with an electronic E6B or an app. He does not see any reason a pilot must use a slide rule unless they simply prefer it. He mentions that he uses Sporty's and usually relies on his phone. ForeFlight is his default tool most of the time. He also answers a question about which C-130J he flies. He says it is the 8.1, with the 8.2 expected soon and testing underway. The discussion then turns to what people miss on instrument checkrides. Seth says SIDs and STARs are a common weak area. He also points to icing and how to fly in icing conditions as another recurring problem. He ties that back to the need for CFII instructors to teach those topics directly. The episode closes with a reminder that the conversation continues on Discord. Seth also encourages listeners to like, subscribe, and leave reviews so more people can find the show.

As heard by us

A live, practical Q&A that turns aviation edge cases into usable judgment.

This episode reads like a live aviation Q&A, with Seth Lake taking questions from Discord, YouTube, and Instagram while John helps keep Discord on track.

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Why you'd press play

You want live answers on checkrides, instructor questions, and IFR weak spots.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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