The Daily Preflight

By Faa Designated Pilot Examiner Jeff Gerencser

This show is to provide aviation related material to those wanting to learn and grow in their training and career as professional pilots, for a Designated Pilot Examiner.

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FAQs about The Daily Preflight:

How many episodes does The Daily Preflight have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.

The Daily Preflight episodes:

March 24, 2026Mastery vs. Hours: The 2026 Training Shift
In this episode, we’re diving into the biggest shift in aviation training for 2026: the move from "logging hours" to Competency-Based Training (CBT). As the FAA pushes for evaluation based on measurable mastery rather than just raw logbook totals, how does your training need to change?
We break down:
The 2026 CBT Shift: Why repeatable performance and decision-making are the new gold standard for checkrides.
The Time-Building Trap: Why 1,500 hours doesn’t always equal "ready" and how to ensure every hour in your logbook actually builds skill.
Multi-Engine Mastery: Moving beyond definitions to a deep, aerodynamic understanding of Vmc and critical engine factors.
TAA Proficiency: Why being a "systems manager" in a Technically Advanced Aircraft is now a baseline expectation, not an elective.
Whether you're an aspiring airline pilot or a flight instructor, this episode is about evolving your mindset to match the new standards of the modern flight deck.
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6min
March 23, 2026 The Zero Sideslip Deep Dive
Zero sideslip is a performance technique, not a comfort technique. In most light twins, including the PA-30 Twin Comanche training context, a small bank into the operating engine—typically 2 to 3 degrees—reduces the rudder required to maintain coordination. Less rudder generally means less drag and better single-engine performance. The common “5 degrees” callout is frequently misused as a target; it is better treated as a limit unless a specific procedure requires otherwise.
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8min
March 20, 2026 The Science of the Shout
"Ever feel like you’re just shouting into a void in the Phoenix practice areas? In this Deep Dive Friday, Jeff Gerencser breaks down a revealing ASU study on 'Closed-Loop Communication Deviations' and why standard radio calls are failing in high-stress environments. Learn the science behind why we get 'stepped on,' how to manage a crowded frequency like a pro, and the simple 'Hearback' trick that ensures your position report actually lands. Don't just make noise—close the loop and build a safer mental model of the sky."
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8min
March 19, 2026 Building Multi-Engine Time Without Going Broke
"Multi-engine time is the ultimate career bottleneck, but it doesn’t have to be a slow-motion drain on your bank account. In this episode, Jeff Gerencser breaks down the pro-pilot roadmap to racking up multi-engine hours fast. From the efficiency of the PA-30 Twin Comanche and the 'golden ticket' of the MEI rating to leveraging safety pilot logging under 14 CFR 61.51, learn how to build a high-quality logbook that airline recruiters actually want to see. Stop boring holes in the sky and start flying with a mission."
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7min
March 18, 2026 Emergency Roadway Landings The ADM Behind the Ultimate Choice
The engine goes quiet, the glide is set, and the nearest runway is five miles too far. Suddenly, that stretch of local highway starts looking like a lifeline—but is it a sanctuary or a trap? In this episode, Jeff breaks down the high-stakes Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) behind choosing a roadway over a field. We’re talking about the hidden killers like power lines, the "traffic factor," and the mental discipline required to fly the airplane all the way into the flare when your options are narrowing. It’s the ultimate "Choose Your Own Adventure" scenario, and your success depends entirely on the choices you make before the wheels ever touch the asphalt.
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7min
March 17, 2026 Engine Fires in Flight Why Your SOPs Are Your Only Friend
When the fire bell rings at 5,000 feet, your IQ drops by about 50 points instantly. In this episode, Jeff dives into the nightmare scenario every pilot trains for but hopes never to see: an engine fire. We’re moving past the "textbook" answers and getting into the grit of why rigid adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is the only thing that keeps you alive when the cockpit starts filling with smoke. From muscle memory to the specific multi-engine protocols in the Twin Comanche, learn how to stay cool when things get hot. Because in a crisis, you don't rise to the occasion—you sink to the level of your training.
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7min
March 16, 2026 You don't need glass to be a pro
Is your iPad doing the flying, or are you? In this episode, we’re calling out the "Digital Crutch" and explaining why staring at a G1000 doesn't automatically make you a professional. We dive into the magic of the traditional "Six Pack" scan and why mastering the basics is the only way to build true stick-and-rudder soul. Whether you’re hand-flying a 1970s trainer or prepping for a multi-engine career, remember: the most important piece of equipment in the cockpit is the six inches between your ears. Stop being a passenger in the left seat and start being a pilot.
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6min
February 08, 2024 Episode 10: Practice Area Radio Communications
Proper way to communicate the busy practice area frequencies, as well as good resources to use to continue to learn and grow in your aviation career.
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8min
October 13, 2023 Episode 1: The Dreaded Turnback
This episode is about the dreaded turnback, a maneuver that is attempted after having an engine failure soon after departure, and my take on this topic.
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5min
October 13, 2023 Episode 3: Taxi Tips
Little tips to help you create good habits while taxing.
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6min

FAQs about The Daily Preflight:

How many episodes does The Daily Preflight have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.