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The Student Pilot CastLearning to fly...in front of the world. A Podcast about flight training. Author: Bill Williams
Follow Bill as he progresses through his flight training. This is the audio only feed. The audio podcasts are not 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. The audio feed is more tied to the student experience, in cockpit training, with a few features and special events. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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SPC087 [BTC] Vroom, Vroom or What Does the Turbo Say?
Episode 87
Friday, 12 June, 2026
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 throttle-linked—and fixed) to manage boost. They cover turbocharged vs turbo-normalized manifold pressure, the role of intercoolers in cooling compressed intake air, and operational considerations like avoiding overboost on takeoff/go-arounds, critical altitude (example: Seneca around 12,000 feet), and high-altitude issues including cooling challenges, pressurized mags, and pilot oxygen needs. They recommend FAA hypoxia training (including nitrogen-based options and a spatial disorientation simulator) and discuss descent and shutdown considerations, including turbo cool-down and the debate around shock cooling. Finally, they outline why pilots choose turbos (terrain, takeoff/climb performance, speed on long legs, weather/icing avoidance) and why some shouldn’t (cost, shorter TBO, more fuel burn, maintenance complexity, limited benefit on short legs, and discomfort using oxygen), using a Mooney vs Mooney Bravo comparison to illustrate time vs fuel tradeoffs.Links: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 me and me alone in the situation that we 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
