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The Student Pilot CastFly. Learn. Repeat. A Podcast about learning to fly. Author: 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. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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SPC090 [BTC] A Tragic Past - Changing The Pilots (ATP-CTP)
Episode 90
Friday, 3 July, 2026
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 quality can vary, and what Kent experienced taking it independently (about $4,000) with nearly 3,000 hours and single-engine turbine Part 135 time. They outline regulatory requirements (30 hours ground, 10 hours simulator) covering high-altitude aerodynamics, weather radar, air carrier operations, and CRM/leadership, emphasizing lessons from accidents like Air France 447, Tenerife, United 232, and American 965. Kent describes key sim takeaways such as high-altitude stall recovery requiring nose-down and significant altitude loss, automation differences, EGPWS/windshear maneuvers, and the importance of mindset, SOPs, checklists, and professionalism.Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questionsGet the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/flightbriefLinks: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 website or send email to bill at student pilot cast dot com. The theme song for our episodes is "To Be an Angel" by the band, "Uncle Seth".Legal Notice: Remember, any instruction that you hear in this podcast was meant for the student and only for the situation that they happened to be in at the time. Please do not try to apply anything you see or hear in this episode or any other episode to your own flying. If you have questions about any aspect of your flying, please consult a qualified CFI.Copyright 2008-2026, studentpilotcast.com and Bill Williams





