Ever wondered what airline pilot life is really like behind the scenes? In this episode of Pilot's Say What?, we sit down with retired Captain Philip Stromer to uncover the highs and lows of an aviation career. From the excitement of getting hired to the burnout that comes later, Philip shares raw, unfiltered stories from decades in the cockpit.

Is becoming a pilot really about the paycheck — or the passion? In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, Gregory shares his journey from theater to aviation, and why he believes passion, not money, is the only way to survive flight training and succeed as a pilot. We dive into the challenges of private pilot training, strategies for avoiding burnout, and the mindset needed to truly enjoy the grind of becoming a pilot. Gregory explains why chasing passion leads to success, and why money alone won’t get you through.

In this episode of Pilot's Say What?, we talk with Nick about his journey from a long training delay at his first flight school to completing ratings faster through Thrust Flight’s Finish Line Program. Nick shares why he made the tough decision to switch schools, the challenges of transferring hours, and how our in-house check rides and accelerated training helped him move forward without losing momentum.

In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, AJ shares his powerful story of walking away from flight training for two years—then risking everything to come back. From ministry to the cockpit, AJ talks through the fear, the finances, and the fire that never went away. We get into what it’s like to take out a huge loan, restart flight training after years off, and why he believes it’s never too late if you love flying enough to fight for it.

What's it really like flying into the world's biggest aviation event for the first time? In this episode, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor Chisholm Brewer shares his first experience at Oshkosh — from landing at the legendary Fisk Arrival to representing Thrust Flight at our first-ever booth. He breaks down why Oshkosh is called the “Woodstock of Aviation,” what makes it so powerful for pilots, and how it reignited his passion for aviation. Whether you’re a seasoned flyer or just dreaming of the cockpit, this insider look at Oshkosh will get you fired up.

Hayden started his flight training at a classic “mom-and-pop” flight school — but quickly realized he needed more structure, more support, and a faster path. In this episode, he shares why he switched to a Part 141 school, what the transition was like, and what he’s learned now that he’s instructing students making that same move.

In this episode of Pilot’s Say What?, CFI Ryan Whitaker returns to share what he’s learned since stepping into the right seat as an examiner. From the mental battles of imposter syndrome to the practical techniques for nailing a power-off 180, Ryan opens up about his growth, setbacks, and how he's preparing for the next big step in his aviation career.

This episode pulls back the curtain on how aviation scholarships really work in 2025. Guest Jamal Larkins has spent nearly two decades traveling the country connecting future pilots with financial opportunities—and he’s not sugarcoating anything.

In this episode of Pilot's Say What?, we welcome back Hayden Hayes—one of Thrust Flight’s own CFIs—for a real and raw conversation about what life is actually like as a flight instructor.

Host Zach digs into how Hayden’s perspective has evolved since becoming a full-time CFI, what it’s like working with students daily, and the biggest technical and emotional challenges of the job. Whether you're a student thinking about instructing or a current CFI looking for a relatable voice, Hayden's insights hit home.

Meet Hamilton Grant—one of the youngest Certified Flight Instructors at Thrust Flight. In this episode, Hamilton walks us through his accelerated path from high school to the right seat as a CFI. We talk about his time at Rising Aviation High School, how he got started at just 16, the challenges of commercial training, and what it’s like teaching students while still being early in his own career.