Claim OwnershipPilots Say What?
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The ultimate podcast for aviation! Join us as we dive into the world of aviation, with each episode featuring candid conversations with real students and pilots from Thrust Flight! From sharing invaluable advice to recounting thrilling tales from their journeys in the sky, our guests offer unique perspectives on the challenges of becoming or being a pilot!
If you're interested in becoming a pilot, visit our website: Thrustflight.com! We will get you there!
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101 Episodes
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In this episode of Pilots Say What, we talk with Adrian, a student pilot at Thrust Flight who recently completed his Private Pilot License (PPL) and is now starting instrument training. Adrian’s aviation journey started on the maintenance side. After working as an A&P aircraft mechanic, he decided to pursue flying and eventually made the leap into full-time flight training. In this conversation, he shares what pushed him to start training and what the private pilot experience is really like from a student perspective.
What does a 38-year career at American Airlines actually teach you about becoming a pilot? In this special 100th episode of Pilots Say What, we sit down with Bill Peterson, a retired American Airlines pilot who now mentors students and instructors at Thrust Flight. Bill shares insights from decades in aviation including airline hiring cycles, the realities of pilot lifestyle, how new pilots should approach their careers, and the biggest mistakes aspiring airline pilots make. Whether you're considering flight training, working toward the airlines, or just curious about aviation careers, this episode offers rare perspective from someone who spent nearly four decades flying for one of the largest airlines in the world.
What does it actually look like to start flight training later than most students? In Episode 99 of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Tim — a newly minted CFI who made the decision to leave a stable tech career and pursue aviation full-time.
Ashley didn’t grow up planning to be a pilot. She was on track for a business and healthcare degree — until one discovery flight completely changed her life. In this episode of Pilots Say What?, Ashley shares what it’s really like transitioning from a Part 61 flight school to an accelerated Part 141 program, overcoming comparison, surviving commercial checkride pressure, and preparing for CFI training.
What if high school wasn’t just about checking boxes… but actually launching careers? In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Scott Meehan, founder of Rising Aviation High School at Addison Airport. Scott shares how he built an aviation-focused high school from scratch — and why putting teenagers in real airplanes can be life-changing.
Jordan shares her journey from college classrooms to the cockpit as she works through commercial pilot training. In this episode, we talk honestly about choosing aviation over a traditional 9–5, what flight training actually feels like as a new student, and the mental challenges that come with private, instrument, and commercial training. This episode is perfect for anyone considering flight training, feeling overwhelmed early on, or wondering if aviation is really for them.
Most pilots think learning stops once you pass a checkride — but the real understanding often begins when you start teaching. In this video, we talk with a flight instructor about why becoming a CFI forces pilots to move beyond memorization and into true understanding. Teaching aviation concepts exposes gaps in knowledge, sharpens aeronautical decision making, and builds confidence in a way that flying alone never can.
What is it really like interviewing for a regional airline once you hit 1,500 hours? In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with a Thrust Flight CFI who recently crossed the 1,500-hour mark and started interviewing for the regionals. He breaks down the full process — from preparing your application and résumé to studying for the interview, managing nerves, and understanding what airlines are actually looking for.
We sit down with Casey Talbot, a flight instructor at Thrust Flight, to talk about her journey from working as a flight attendant at Delta to becoming a certified flight instructor. Casey shares what it was really like to leave a stable airline career, start flight training in her mid-30s, and commit fully to aviation while raising two kids. We dive into fear, motivation, study habits, Part 141 flight training, checkrides, failures, and what helped her push through moments of doubt—especially during instrument training.
Getting stuck in the FAA medical process is one of the most frustrating—and least talked about—parts of becoming a pilot. In this episode, Tyler shares what it was really like having his medical deferred, waiting nearly a year with no clear timeline, and pushing through the uncertainty without quitting. We talk about what happens when your paperwork is “just sitting in line,” how medical delays affect motivation, and why patience becomes part of the pilot journey whether you expect it or not.
There’s a moment in flight training when things finally click—when you stop second-guessing and start trusting what you’ve been taught. In this episode of Pilots Say What?, Zach sits down with Austin, a flight instructor at Thrust Flight, to talk about how that confidence shift happens. They discuss the role instructors play in building trust, why first solo is such a turning point, how community impacts student success, and why most pilots are far more capable than they think.
What does flight training really look like once the honeymoon phase is over? In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Zane, who started flight training from zero time in January 2024 and quickly worked his way through the program to become a CFI and Assistant Chief Instructor. Since his last appearance on the podcast, Zane has gained a completely new perspective—one that goes far beyond just flying airplanes.
In this episode of Pilots Say What?, Zach sits down with Justin, a former mechanical engineer who spent years working in the oil field before making the leap into full-time, accelerated flight training. Justin shares what pushed him to change careers, how he navigated finances and family support, and what it’s like transitioning from Instrument to Commercial training in a fast-paced Part 141 environment.
In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Sean — a former high school teacher and coach who completely changed careers at 32 to pursue aviation. Sean opens up about discovering flight training later in life, learning from scratch with no aviation background, navigating the financial and emotional challenges of switching careers, and balancing flight school with being a husband and father.
In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Tyler Brown, a Thrust Flight CFI whose path into flying wasn’t traditional — but it proves something every new pilot needs to hear: your mindset matters far more than having everything perfectly figured out.
Today on Pilots Say What? we sit down with Don to hear a pilot story with a totally different perspective — one that shows just how meaningful flying can be, even outside the traditional career path. Don shares how he got into aviation, what drew him to flying in the first place, and how owning and flying an aircraft opened doors in his life, helped him overcome huge travel challenges, and gave him a sense of independence that most people never experience.
In today’s episode, we sit down with Nate — a pilot whose aviation path is one of the most unconventional we’ve ever featured. He started as a CFI, moved into the regional airlines, jumped into the Air Force Reserve flying C-17s, then returned to major airline flying… all while building Backseat Pilot, a training resource used by CFIs around the country.
In this episode of Pilots Say What?, we sit down with Caitlin, who started flight training under Part 61, stalled out at 80 hours, and then transformed her entire training journey after switching to Part 141. She became Thrust Flight’s very first Finish Line student — and went from stuck to fully rated (Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI) in under a year.
In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, Austin shares his incredible journey from pursuing veterinary school to becoming a Certified Flight Instructor at Thrust Flight. He talks about how he made the leap into aviation, balancing family life during training, and what it’s like teaching the next generation of pilots. If you’ve ever thought about switching careers or wondered what it’s really like to start flight training from scratch, Austin’s story is a must-watch.
This week, we sit down with Jamail, the FAA’s Ambassador for Aviation and Space Education and founder of AviationStart.org, to talk about the growing aviation workforce crisis — and why it could actually be the opportunity of a lifetime for anyone considering a career in aviation. From pilot and mechanic shortages to ATC hiring surges, Jamail breaks down what’s really happening behind the numbers and how new students, mid-career changers, and aviation enthusiasts can prepare to step into the gap.
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