Flight Training The Way I See It

The first day of every CFI Bootcamp Initial CFI class is now a full day on using AI as a learner and teacher. In this episode, Mike covers the five vetted AI tools, recording lessons in flight and on the ground, turning summaries into podcasts, generating quizzes on the fly, building 5-minute preflight briefings, and the Code of Ethics that defines when and how AI should be used in flight training. Attend the AI day alone or add other themed days. Details: https://www.cfibootcamp.com/simpl-e-schedule

This month: the FAA's plan to end knowledge test question harvesting starting October 27, 2026 (Instrument Rating Airplane and Remote Pilot tests first), a proposal to standardize DPE checkrides and kill the "what's the gouge" culture, a look at the scholarships available for flight training, and updates on CFI Bootcamp's GAPS course and September classes.

ForeFlight's Premium tier now connects to ChatGPT for flight planning, weather interpretation, and NOTAM parsing. It can't make your go/no-go call — it doesn't know your fatigue, your currency, or your comfort in that terrain — but it can compress hours of planning into minutes. The bigger point: your students are already using AI. They're just not telling you. That's why the entire first day of our 7-day Initial CFI class is now devoted to teaching AI tools for both instructors and learners, starting August 10th. Also in this issue: the Aeronautical Knowledge Gaps bundle at $300 instead of $1,400, the new Pipistrel/Textron Voyager and Cirrus TRAC10 trainers built to MOSAIC standards, and three ProTips on scheduling and preflight briefings.

Flight instructor candidates must command not only the stick-and-rudder skills required on a checkride but also the regulatory framework that governs how and under what authority they exercise their certificate privileges. This outline draws from CFI Bootcamp source material covering three essential knowledge areas: the medical certificate requirements applicable to flight instructors under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart H, rudder coordination demands during the rollout phase of a Chandelle, and professional risk management habits every CFI should model from day one. Whether you are preparing for your CFI initial checkride or deepening your instructional practice, mastering these areas will sharpen your ability to brief students accurately, fly precisely, and operate safely on every flight.

This episode breaks down the most important flight training, regulatory, safety, and career updates affecting pilots and instructors in 2026.

We begin with the FAA's upcoming knowledge test changes, including the removal of public supplement books and the introduction of embedded, variable images inside the online test environment. The first major change is scheduled for the Instrument Rating knowledge test on October 27, 2026, with other tests expected to follow.

We also discuss the current airline hiring slowdown and why students should avoid stopping their training just because the market feels uncertain. Aviation hiring has always moved in cycles, and pilots who continue building certificates, staying current, and networking are often better prepared when opportunities return.

The episode then moves into practical thunderstorm-season flying in South Florida. We talk about afternoon airmass thunderstorms, local timing patterns, radar interpretation, lightning, rain shafts, microburst risk, and why avoiding thunderstorms is not just a recommendation — it is a survival decision.

You'll also hear about the upcoming 300th Power Hour, a major milestone for CFI Bootcamp's weekly aviation education community, along with the release of the new CFI Aeronautical Knowledge Gaps Course, built to help CFI applicants master the difficult areas many initial CFI programs miss.

We close with practical CFI ProTips covering aircraft handling on the ground, tow bar discipline, and how to understand glide range using real-world sight picture.

This is flight training discussed honestly and practically — from an instructor's perspective, with a focus on understanding, safety, and long-term success.

This episode covers major training, regulatory, and instructional developments shaping flight training right now — and what they mean for CFIs, students, and the industry moving forward.

We begin with the FAA's recently released MOSAIC InFO, which has sparked significant debate within the instructor community. We break down what the guidance says about operating under Sport Pilot privileges, why many instructors disagree with the interpretation, and how this could impact flight reviews, instructional authority, and certification privileges.

We also discuss the closing window for Part 141 Modernization comments, why this is a critical moment for instructors and schools to provide input, and what the long-term implications could be for structured flight training.

You'll hear updates from Sun 'n Fun, including insights from the live Power Hour, along with the rollout of Weekly Power Hour Re-Runs, designed to give students a consistent second opportunity to stay engaged and reinforce key concepts.

We then cover the expansion of Virtual Ground Instruction, the importance of consistent academic training, and introduce a new upcoming course focused on closing CFI knowledge gaps, including FOI, endorsements, and real-world instructional expectations.

Finally, we address one of the biggest issues in flight training today — the lack of structured syllabi — and why this continues to impact student progress, motivation, and training efficiency across the industry.

This is flight training discussed from a real instructor's perspective — focused on clarity, structure, and preparing pilots not just to pass, but to perform.

In this episode:

• FAA MOSAIC InFO controversy and instructor privilege implications
• Sport Pilot vs Subpart H instructional authority explained
• Part 141 modernization comment deadline and what it means
• Live Power Hour insights from Sun 'n Fun
• Weekly Power Hour Re-Runs launch (Wednesdays at 8 PM ET)
• Growth of Virtual Ground Instruction and instructor consistency
• New CFI Aeronautical Knowledge Gaps Course preview
• Why most students still don't receive a syllabus
• How structured training improves outcomes and confidence
• CFI Prep Course and transitioning into the instructor role
• Audio-only Power Hour lessons now available on streaming platforms
• ProTips: heat safety, taxi technique, and ASA AI study tools

This episode covers major regulatory updates, training clarifications, and instructional insights that every CFI and instrument pilot should understand heading into 2026.

We begin with Mike's upcoming presentation at Redbird Migration on "Teaching the Hard Stuff for Initial CFI Training," including how to teach the fundamentals of instructing, endorsements and testing requirements, and how to tailor lesson plans for individual learners.

We then break down important instrument training updates, including why LPV approaches are now officially classified as precision approaches, what that means for checkrides and IPCs, and the critical differences between approved vertical guidance and advisory LNAV+V glidepaths.

You'll also hear a detailed explanation of localizer versus VOR CDI sensing, why OBS behavior differs, and how to properly set up an HSI to avoid reverse sensing. We dive into often-missed teaching points in chandelles, including proper power application and rudder logic during rollout.

Finally, we review current ACS appendix requirements for non-precision approaches on checkrides and IPCs, discuss sport pilot privilege updates, and close with practical ProTips on knowledge test timing, flight recording liability, and lesser-known ForeFlight features.

This is flight training explained clearly and practically — focused on understanding the standards, avoiding common teaching mistakes, and strengthening instructional precision.

In this episode:

• Redbird Migration presentation preview

• Teaching fundamentals, endorsements, and lesson delivery in initial CFI training

• LPV approaches now defined as precision approaches

• Difference between LNAV+V advisory glidepaths and approved vertical guidance

• Localizer vs VOR CDI sensing explained

• OBS and HSI setup best practices

• Chandelle power application and rudder logic

• Non-precision approach requirements for checkrides and IPCs

• Sport pilot privileges using a driver's license

• Knowledge test timing strategy for ratings

• Liability considerations when recording flight lessons

• ForeFlight airport comments and AI summary feature

This episode focuses on how to teach the hard parts of flight training and how to fly with a deeper understanding of what the airplane and instruments are actually doing.

We preview Mike Shiflett's upcoming presentation at the Redbird Migration Flight Training Conference, where he'll be covering how to teach the fundamentals of instructing, use scenarios and flowcharts effectively, and adapt the same lesson to different learner levels. We also share updates on new CFI Bootcamp offerings, including Online Ground Instruction, Remote Private Pilot Ground School, and the release of IFR Smart Study Pro.

You'll hear detailed explanations of instrument concepts that are often misunderstood, including how a localizer works differently from a VOR, why OBS selection behaves differently, and how CDI sensing actually determines left/right course guidance. The episode also dives into commonly missed teaching points in chandelles, including proper power application and rudder usage during rollout.

We close with practical IFR and CFI ProTips you can apply immediately, covering CDI bracketing, glideslope control techniques, and estimating distance on a standard 3° glidepath.

This is flight training explained from an instructor's perspective — focused on clarity, technique, and real understanding, not rote procedures.

In this episode:

• Teaching the hard parts of initial CFI training

• Using scenarios and flowcharts to teach ratings and endorsements

• Adapting lessons to different learner levels

• Online Ground Instruction and Remote PPL Ground School updates

• IFR Smart Study Pro overview

• How a localizer actually differs from a VOR

• OBS and HSI setup best practices

• Chandelles: power and rudder techniques most pilots miss

• CDI bracketing for course tracking

• Flying the glideslope with pitch, not power

• Estimating distance using a 3° glidepath

This episode breaks down the most important training, regulatory, and instructional updates heading into 2026 — and what they mean for CFIs, flight schools, and students.

We discuss upcoming Sport Pilot and Sport Pilot Instructor PTS changes aligned with MOSAIC, what to expect from the Part 141 Modernization meetings, and why real change takes time even when the FAA is fast-tracking reform.

You'll also hear a deep dive into errors found in the Airplane Flying Handbook, including why common ground reference maneuver diagrams can mislead students, and how to better explain wind correction, crabbing, and sight picture in real-world instruction.

We close with practical CFI ProTips covering passenger currency, recency of experience tracking, and how to adopt new technology in stages without overwhelming yourself or your students.

This is flight training discussed honestly, practically, and from an instructor's perspective — focused on understanding, not just passing checkrides.

In this episode:

• Sport Pilot & Sport Pilot Instructor PTS changes tied to MOSAIC

• What the Part 141 rewrite process really looks like

• Why FAA handbook illustrations can confuse students

• How to properly explain crabbing in ground reference maneuvers

• Vy vs Vx explained visually and operationally

• CFI passenger currency cost-saving tips

• How to verify CFI recency of experience

• Learning aviation technology in stages without overload