PODCAST · leisure
The Student Pilot Cast
by Bill Williams
This is a podcast for anyone interested in aviation. While it started as a podcast to follow Bill's primary training, it has evolved into a podcast about how all of us can continually improve our flying. This is the audio only feed. The audio podcasts are not necessarily the same content as the video podcasts, so if you want all the content, please check out both. The video feed is mostly available on Youtube, now (inlcuding the back catalog), and you can find it by searching for "Student Pilot Cast" there or use this link: https://www.youtube.com/@studentpilotcast.
Episodes
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SPC097 [BR] Never Skip the Debrief — Five Questions After Every Flight
Your logbook knows you flew. It has no idea what you learned. In this Briefing Room episode: five questions to ask after every flight (Surprise, Workload, Skill, Decision, and Goal), where the self-debrief came from (FITS and learner-centered grading), and a simple system to capture your goal,...
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SPC096 [HS] Logging Is Not Learning — Inside FlyORKA's Feedback Loop
At AirVenture 2026 I sat down with Adriana, founder of FlyORKA, expecting an app demo. I walked away with a line I haven't been able to shake: logging is not learning. Adriana spent her career as a flight test engineer, learning to fly airplanes nobody had flown before. That path led her into...
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SPC095 [HS] Pull Early, Pull Often — Inside Cirrus Training
At AirVenture this year I sat down in the Cirrus compound with Eamon Powers, the Director of Cirrus Approach — the man who owns every piece of training content Cirrus produces, for pilots and for mechanics. Twelve or fourteen years ago the fatal accident rate in the Cirrus fleet was, being...
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SPC094 [HS] Engine Out - Who Showed Up
In episode 94 of the Student Pilot Cast, Bill recounts an unplanned start to AirVenture 2026 after the engine in his Jabiru quit over far southeastern Colorado on July 18, forcing an off-airport landing in a cornfield with his son Trey; both were unhurt and the airplane remains repairable with...
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SPC093 [HS] Day Four of Days Not Mattering
It's Thursday night at Camp Scholler, day four of days not mattering, and Kent and I sat down with one goal: be smart-asses about a few things we'd seen at AirVenture. So we get into it. Textron had us all convinced this was the year the Pipistrel Panthera would finally get certified under MOSAIC…
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SPC092 [HS] Storms, Smoke, and Bladders...Let's Go!
In Episode 92, we join Bill and Trey talking briefly about their upcoming trip to OSH in a light sport aircraft, Lil' Rue. B Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbrief Links: Hope you enjoy the...
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SPC091 [BR] ADM in Three Simple Questions - Or How NOT to Become a Case Study
In Episode 91, Bill teaches a simple aeronautical decision-making framework for go/no-go and continue/divert decisions built around three simple questions: can the airplane do it? Can I do it? And is it legal? He breaks each question into three lenses—aircraft performance/envelopes/condition…
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SPC090 [BTC] A Tragic Past - Changing The Pilots (ATP-CTP)
In Episode 90, Beyond the Checkride, Bill and Kent reflect on the 2009 Colgan Air 3407 crash near Buffalo and how it drove regulatory changes including the 1,500-hour rule and the FAA-required ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP). They discuss what ATP-CTP is, how provider and instructor...
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SPC089 [CS] Hi - Nice to Meet Rue
In Episode 89, we join Bill as he introduces everyone to his airplane, a 2008 Jabiru J230. Come along on a flight with him and he'll tell you all about the plane, but also dive into some of the interesting things from the flight. This is part of the Cockpit Series where we go on a flight…
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SPC088 [HS] Powered by Human Intelligence, a Discussion with Jason Miller
In Episode 88, Bill welcomes Jason Miller, two-time FAA Western Pacific CFI of the Year and founder of The Finer Points, to discuss how his platform evolved into an flight training app that models real-world lessons with briefings, flights, and debriefs across five courses. They talk about uneven...
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SPC087 [BTC] Vroom, Vroom or What Does the Turbo Say?
In Episode 87, we join Bill and Kent as they discuss forced induction in general aviation, contrasting normally aspirated engines with superchargers, turbochargers, and turbo-normalizers, and explaining how turbos use exhaust-driven turbines and wastegates (automatic, manual—separate or...
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SPC086 [BR] Fly. Learn. Repeat. Our New Mission
In Episode 86, we join Bill as he relaunches the podcast. Four distinct series, a new look, and more bad puns. I do a Briefing Room episode to launch things back off, and explain how things are changing, how they're staying the same, and what we want to focus on. Get the free Go or No-Go guide:...
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SPC#85 - Expanding Your Minimums | Suck Less at Flying
In Episode 85, we join Bill and Kent as they talk about how to expand the envelope of your flying. In other words, how to fly good and not suck...or at least get better and reduce your personal minimums. Links: Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at...
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SPC#84 - Just Go
In Episode 84, we join Bill and Kent again for another Beyond the Checkride segment. In this one we talk about getting out there on the proverbial open road, and going places with GA, in whatever airplane you have access to. Hope you enjoy our discussion on cross country flying and expanding your...
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SPC#83 - That Pilotcast Episode with Rob Holland
In Episode 83, we go back to the days of the Pilotcast. Due to the tragic events of the past weekend, we wanted to re-release a Pilotcast Episode from 2018 where Kent, Tiffany, and Bill interview Aerobatic Champion and Airshow start Rob Holland. Rob tragically was killed this in an aviation...
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SPC#82 - Making a List and Checking it Twice...or Never.
Welcome back SPC listeners and Merry Christmas! In this special Christmas day episode, hosts Bill and Kent delve into the pilot's lifeline – checklists. Episode 82 of the Student Pilot Cast titled 'Making a List and Checking it Twice...or Never' brings forth a comprehensive discussion on the...
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SPC#81 - An Evening with Legion Air
In Episode 81 Bill goes on location to interview some of the guys who started a new flight school recently. Legion Air wants to teach people to be the best aviators they can be, so let's find out what makes them tick, what their approach is, and how to turn a large fortune into a small fortune in...
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SPC#80 - Back to Part Time
In Episode 80 of the Student Pilot Cast we reunite with Nick Smith from Part Time Pilot to discuss the latest developments in his online ground school platform. We explore the addition of new features, such as an IFR ground school and a mobile app, and delve into the challenges of aviation...
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SPC#79 - And Don't Call Me Shirley
In Episode 79, we join Bill and guest host Tiffany Wolf as they navigate the flight path of AI with an interview with Alex List of FlyShirley.com. Fly Shirley is a tech startup dedicated to using AI for aviation. While we are in the infancy of this technology as it pertains to aviation, the...
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SPC#78 – Low to High and High Performance – Transitioning
In Episode 78, we go back in time a bit. Back when Bill was a brand new pilot and was transitioning into a couple of new airplanes. The Cessna 182 has become one of my favorites and because it's coming up again for me right now, it got me thinking about my original transition into the 182 and my...
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SPC#77 – Logging for Mere Mortals
Join us in this 'Beyond the Checkride' only episode of the Student Pilot Cast with hosts Kent Shook and Bill Williams as they delve into the intricacies of logging Pilot in Command (PIC) time. They discuss the nuances of FAA regulations, personal flying experiences, and scenarios like instructor...
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SPC#76 – Last Call
In Episode 76 of The Student Pilot Cast, host Bill recounts a challenging instrument training flight under the guidance of instructor Eddie. The flight proved difficult due to busier-than-usual airport conditions, turbulence, and Bill's struggle to stay ahead of the airplane. Flying under the…
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SPC#75 – We Have that Extra Foot
In Episode 75, we join Bill as he does another instrument training flight, more instrument pattern flying for practice, and an all new Beyond the Checkride Segment about buttoning up the airplane when doing cross country flying, or even at home. Enjoy. Links: Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks...
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SPC#74 – Tanks for the Memories; How Not to Make Fuelish Mistakes
In Episode 74, we join Bill as he finishes up his first "under the hood" instrument training flight. We also include a 'Beyond the Checkride' segment on fueling your airplane which is something many new pilots were never taught before the checkride. Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for...
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SPC#73 – A Different Kind of Pattern
In Episode 73, we join Bill as he starts his training under the hood for simulated IMC. We also introduce a new segment in this week's episode, "Beyond the Checkride". In this edition of the segment a special guest and I will talk about our first topic for actual, real-world flying that maybe...
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SPC#72 – The First Step to the Clouds
In Episode 72, we join Bill as he embarks on his instrument rating. This is the first flight lesson in that endeavor as he gets familiar with the airplane and a new instructor. Links: Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com.…
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SPC #71 – Homage to 2009 – Nexair Update
In Episode 71, we join Bill as he as he catches up with Nexair Avionics after 15 years, and we talk about the G3 Cirrus SR-22 Turbo that they've updated and have for sale. Links: Video Version of the Episode: https://youtu.be/WvtUix8JLmY Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit...
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SPC #70 – Let’s Talk
In Episode 70, sit down with Bill and talk all about some upcoming plans for Airventure, for the podcast, and this episode includes a BIG announcement, so enjoy. This episode has a video version as well which can be found HERE. Links: Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the...
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SPC #69 – World’s Okayest Pilot
In Episode 69, we join Bill as he finishes up his flight review after a long hiatus from flying and is once again legal to fly. Watch out as the world's okayest pilot starts hitting altitude again. I definitely needed a lot more practice, but I knew I was headed directly into my instrument…
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SPC #68 – Bam! Back in the Saddle, Baby.
In Episode 68, we join Bill as he finishes flight one of his Flight Review with Ryan on his way back to being a pilot. Hope you enjoy the episode and thanks for listening! Visit the SPC website at https://studentpilotcast.com. Please keep the feedback coming. You can use the contact form on the...
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SPC #67 – Here We Go Again
In Episode 67 we join Bill as he becomes a pilot again after an 11-year break from flying. This is the first part of his first flight review flight back after the hiatus. It's full of re-learning and discovery, and we're happy to have you back along with me in the cockpit as I try to shake off…
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SPC #66 – Legacy
Today we talk about legacy, and legends of aviation. I recently found some old audio in the SPC archives from OSH 2011, and it brought me back, got me thinking about the legacy of some of the people we sometimes get to cross paths with. Some are important to the world and some are important more…
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SPC #65 – AFTA What?
Welcome back, SPC listeners. I’m super happy to bring you a chat with Dan Justman from the airplane Owners and Pilots Association, or AOPA, about their program designed to help part 61 students and instructors with their training. AOPA is trying to tackle what is likely part of the reason so many...
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SPC #64 – Why Part Time?
For this episode I got a chance to talk to Nick Smith from Part Time Pilot, an online private pilot ground school that packs a lot of personalized value into a rather inexpensive service. Learn about how he’s taking a more personal approach to online training and also learn how to get a…
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SPC #63 – OSH22 – The 700 Mile-Long Runway (Samaritan Aviation)
This is the audio version of the Student Pilot Cast audio Episode 63. The video version of this can be found in the video feed of this podcast, or in highest resolution on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/-GhDPNoQcj4 In this episode I get to talk to Mark Palm, the CEO and Co-Founder of Samaritan...
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SPC #62 – OSH22 – OK OAC
The state of Oklahoma has gotten serious about aviation, STEM education, and the whole aeronautics industry. I talk here briefly with Grayson Ardies, Director of the Oklahoma Aeronautical Commision, about what the state is doing to further aviation education and aeronautics in general in the…
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SPC #61 – OSH22 – State of Oklahoma and the Aviation Teacher
The state of Oklahoma has gotten serious about aviation, STEM education, and the whole aeronautics industry. I caught up with a High School teacher in Oklahoma, Chris Eckler, to talk about what he’s doing in his school district with regard to Aviation Education and how he fell in love with…
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SPC #60 – OSH22 – Opener BlackFly
In this episode I have an impromptu conversation with Celia Oakley of Opener. We had been hearing about their electric STOL aircraft but hadn’t planned on doing a feature on it until my crew took a spin in their 3D simulator and we found the evolution and the atypical flight characteristics of…
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SPC #59 – OSH22 – Infinite Flight
In this episode I catch up with Laura and Jay of Infinite Flight to talk about their flight simulator. We cover what it is, how it started, is it a tool or a game, and what’s coming next. This is a fun discussion about something I hadn’t really been keeping up on the last decade or so; the flight...
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SPC #58 – Fly High to Showlow
We finally make it to Showlow the morning after our diversion to Payson. I categorized this flight as a grateful nod to aviation and I dive into how I was feeling at this point in my flying career. I hope you enjoy this flight.
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SPC #57 – First Family Mission
This one is awesome for me. I got to take my wife on our first mission together to the high country of Arizona for a weekend away with friends. Being the PIC on these flights was teaching me a lot, and on this day I had some weather decisions to make. Follow along as we have this flying adventure...
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SPC #56 – Oshkosh Out and In, Part 2 (updated audio)
CORRECTION and UPDATE: I had published the episode 55 audio as episode 56 in error. On July 6th, 2022, I realized the mistake, and have updated this episode release with the correct file. Sorry for the inconvenience. Episode Description: Back to a cockpit audio episode this week, but you may be...
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SPC #55 – Oshkosh Out and In, Part 1
Back to a cockpit audio episode this week, but you may be asking what it is since I finished my primary training episodes. Well, this is an Oshkosh departure and next week we’ll do an arrival…and yes, in that order. More explanation when we get into the episode…but I hope you enjoy.
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SPC #54 – Zero Time to Airline
This episode is an interview with Stu Stevenson, Co-Owner of Thrust Flight, an ab initio flight school in the Dallas area with additional locations on the horizon. Stu is also one of the co-hosts and the creator of A Pilot’s Journey Podcast, and is a CFI, ATP, and generally great guy. In this...
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SPC #53 – Checking my Ride
Welcome back SPC listeners. Big day today…time for my check ride. It’s finally here…and after all these years, we’ll finally figure out if I made it or not. Hope you enjoy Episode 53, “Checking my Ride.” Yup, the time had finally come to see if I had learned what I needed to learn to be able to...
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SPC #52 – Am I Ready Yet?
Back to my training, we’ll be doing the second half of my makeup flight. This is the continuation of the flight from Episode 50. Enjoy episode 52, “Am I Ready Yet?” I was only a few days from my rescheduled check ride, and I was getting even more nervous and excited. Glad you can join me for this...
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SPC #51 – A Sit Down with a New Pilot – Tim Omta
This week week’s episode is something a little different. We’ll get back to part two of my Instrument make-up flight next week, but I wanted to throw in the audio from a sit-down I had with an old friend and colleague, Tim Omta, when we recently re-connected after several years because of…
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SPC #50 – Not Today, Baby!
This is episode 50, where you may have been expecting an episode about my check ride, but alas, there was a bit of a snag, so you can get all of the information in this week’s episode. This episode will include part one of some makeup flying and we even go and land at Pinal Airpark to look at…
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SPC #49 – Wait, it’s Tomorrow?
In this episode we’ll cover a quick flight to get the additional .3 hours I needed to be ready for my check ride. The previous day I had 3 flights (see episodes 46, 47, and 48 for those). Today I would do this one flight, and be studying like crazy for my oral and check ride the next morning. I...
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SPC #48 – How About a Third
For this episode we’ll be doing a dual flight with Lary, getting some of that hood time I needed, and practicing a takeoff under the hood. We’d be flying in N81658. Keep in mind this is now my 3rd training flight of the day and the fourth in the past two days. To recap, I had a solo flight in the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This is a podcast for anyone interested in aviation. While it started as a podcast to follow Bill's primary training, it has evolved into a podcast about how all of us can continually improve our flying. This is the audio only feed. The audio podcasts are not necessarily the same content as the video podcasts, so if you want all the content, please check out both. The video feed is mostly available on Youtube, now (inlcuding the back catalog), and you can find it by searching for "Student Pilot Cast" there or use this link: https://www.youtube.com/@studentpilotcast.
HOSTED BY
Bill Williams
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Student Pilot Cast have?
The Student Pilot Cast currently has 97 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Student Pilot Cast about?
This is a podcast for anyone interested in aviation. While it started as a podcast to follow Bill's primary training, it has evolved into a podcast about how all of us can continually improve our flying. This is the audio only feed. The audio podcasts are not necessarily the same content as the...
How often does The Student Pilot Cast release new episodes?
The Student Pilot Cast has 97 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Student Pilot Cast?
You can listen to The Student Pilot Cast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Student Pilot Cast?
The Student Pilot Cast is created and hosted by Bill Williams.
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