Should student pilots pay extra for glass cockpit trainers, or stick with steam gauges to save money? What about learning Class Bravo procedures early? ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson answer critical listener questions that every student pilot and low-time pilot faces during their first 250 hours. The hosts tackle real-world training decisions and share lessons learned about:

• Whether modern glass cockpit trainers are worth the premium cost vs. traditional six-pack aircraft
• What pilots wish they'd done differently in their first 250 hours—from saving money to logging PIC time strategically
• Are used avionics upgrades worth it in 2026, or should you wait for new technology?
• When student pilots should start practicing IFR-style flying (hint: earlier than you think)
• Class Bravo procedures—should students learn them now or wait until later in training?

🚀 Whether you're deciding between flight schools, managing training costs, or planning your path from student to private pilot, this Q&A episode delivers practical guidance based on real experience.

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

FAA medical certification—what every pilot needs to know before their first (or next) aviation medical exam. ✈️

In this episode of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Brandon and Carson welcome Dr. Daniel Monlux, FAA Senior HIMS AME, board-certified in family medicine and aerospace medicine, and former F-18 naval aviator with 3,500+ flight hours. Dr. Monlux, medical director of Wingman Med, breaks down the FAA medical certification process and dispels common myths that keep pilots grounded:

• The truth about medical denials: 90%+ of pilots get certified on the spot
• Why transparency and honesty are your best strategy on MedXPress applications
• How to handle existing medical conditions, medications, and mental health history
• What documentation you need before scheduling your AME appointment
• Common mistakes that delay certification (and how to avoid them)
• Three critical pieces of advice for first-time medical applicants

🚀 Whether you're a student pilot preparing for your first medical exam, renewing your certificate, or dealing with a complex medical situation, this episode delivers expert guidance to help you navigate the FAA medical process with confidence.

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

Aviation history was made—but should it have been? The first real emergency Autoland sparks massive debate. ✈️

On December 20, 2025, Garmin's Emergency Autoland system completed its first-ever real-world emergency landing when a Beechcraft King Air 200 experienced rapid depressurization at 23,000 feet. But here's the controversy: the two pilots were fully conscious, wearing oxygen masks, and capable of flying—yet they chose to let the computer land the plane.

In Episode 208 of the Aviation Mentors Podcast, Carson breaks down this groundbreaking and controversial event that's dividing the aviation community:

• What happened: The complete timeline from depressurization to autonomous landing
• The technology: How Garmin's Autoland actually works and why it won the Collier Trophy
• The controversy: Did the pilots make the right call or misuse the system?
• The debate: Industry reactions from both sides—proper emergency management vs. dangerous precedent
• The future: What this means for aviation automation, pilot training, and single-pilot operations
• The investigation: FAA and NTSB response to this historic event

Buffalo River Aviation CEO Chris Townsley defended the crew's decision, citing IMC conditions, mountainous terrain, active icing, and unknown failure causes. But critics argue Garmin explicitly states Autoland is "designed ONLY for pilot incapacitation"—and these pilots weren't incapacitated.

So what do YOU think? Was this smart use of certified safety technology, or automation dependency gone too far?

🎙️ This deep dive explores the technical details, pilot decision-making under pressure, the role of automation in modern aviation, and what this precedent-setting event means for the future of flight.

Whether you're a pilot, student pilot, aviation professional, or technology enthusiast—this episode raises critical questions about human judgment vs. machine capability in emergency situations.

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