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The Student Pilot Cast

The Student Pilot Cast

Bill Williams 95 Episodes Aug 9, 2026

This podcast is for anyone interested in aviation, originally tracking Bill's primary flight training and evolving into discussions on how all pilots can continually improve their flying. It is the audio-only feed, with a separate video version available on YouTube. The content differs between the two formats, so listeners are encouraged to explore both.

Episodes

SPC094 [HS] Engine Out - Who Showed Up
SPC094 [HS] Engine Out - Who Showed Up Aug 9, 2026 59:10 In episode 94 of the Student Pilot Cast, Bill recounts an unplanned start to AirVenture 2026 after the engine in his Jabiru quit over far southeastern Colorado on July 18, forcing an off-airport landing in a cornfield with his son Trey; both were unhurt and the airplane remains repairable with minor gear damage and an unresolved engine issue. Rather than a debrief, Bill focuses on gratitude for th
SPC093 [HS] Day Four of Days Not Mattering
SPC093 [HS] Day Four of Days Not Mattering Jul 31, 2026 47:20 It's Thursday night at Camp Scholler, day four of days not mattering, and Kent and I sat down with one goal: be smart-asses about a few things we'd seen at AirVenture.So we get into it. Textron had us all convinced this was the year the Pipistrel Panthera would finally get certified under MOSAIC — and instead we got another two-seat trainer. The Camp Scholler bathhouse has quietly relocated the to
SPC092 [HS] Storms, Smoke, and Bladders...Let's Go!
SPC092 [HS] Storms, Smoke, and Bladders...Let's Go! Jul 17, 2026 11:53 In Episode 92, we join Bill and Trey talking briefly about their upcoming trip to OSH in a light sport aircraft, Lil' Rue. BGet 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 f
SPC091 [BR] ADM in Three Simple Questions - Or How NOT to Become a Case Study
SPC091 [BR] ADM in Three Simple Questions - Or How NOT to Become a Case Study Jul 10, 2026 25:44 In Episode 91, Bill teaches a simple aeronautical decision-making framework for go/no-go and continue/divert decisions built around three simple questions: can the airplane do it? Can I do it? And is it legal? He breaks each question into three lenses—aircraft performance/envelopes/condition; pilot proficiency/physiology/capability under pressure; and legal airworthiness/mission-specific regs/pape
SPC090 [BTC] A Tragic Past - Changing The Pilots (ATP-CTP)
SPC090 [BTC] A Tragic Past - Changing The Pilots (ATP-CTP) Jul 3, 2026 01:21:12 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 ho
SPC089 [CS] Hi - Nice to Meet Rue
SPC089 [CS] Hi - Nice to Meet Rue Jun 26, 2026 53:34 In Episode 89, we join Bill as he introduces everyone to his airplane, a 2008 Jabiru J230. Come along on a flight with him and he'll tell you all about the plane, but also dive into some of the interesting things from the flight. This is part of the Cockpit Series where we go on a flight together, learn what we can, and have a little fun.Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com
SPC088 [HS] Powered by Human Intelligence, a Discussion with Jason Miller
SPC088 [HS] Powered by Human Intelligence, a Discussion with Jason Miller Jun 19, 2026 50:44 In Episode 88, Bill welcomes Jason Miller, two-time FAA Western Pacific CFI of the Year and founder of The Finer Points, to discuss how his platform evolved into an flight training app that models real-world lessons with briefings, flights, and debriefs across five courses. They talk about uneven student preparation, the 2015–2023 “explosive growth” period that left inexperienced CFIs training new
SPC087 [BTC] Vroom, Vroom or What Does the Turbo Say?
SPC087 [BTC] Vroom, Vroom or What Does the Turbo Say? Jun 12, 2026 53:05 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 r
SPC086 [BR] Fly. Learn. Repeat. Our New Mission
SPC086 [BR] Fly. Learn. Repeat. Our New Mission Jun 8, 2026 19:27 In Episode 86, we join Bill as he relaunches the podcast. Four distinct series, a new look, and more bad puns. I do a Briefing Room episode to launch things back off, and explain how things are changing, how they're staying the same, and what we want to focus on.Get the free Go or No-Go guide: https://studentpilotcast.com/three-questions Get the Friday Flight Brief: https://studentpilotcast.com/fl
SPC#85 - Expanding Your Minimums | Suck Less at Flying
SPC#85 - Expanding Your Minimums | Suck Less at Flying Jun 30, 2025 45:37 In Episode 85, we join Bill and Kent as they talk about how to expand the envelope of your flying. In other words, how to fly good and not suck...or at least get better and reduce your personal minimums. 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 s
SPC#84 - Just Go
SPC#84 - Just Go Jun 21, 2025 01:00:20 In Episode 84, we join Bill and Kent again for another Beyond the Checkride segment. In this one we talk about getting out there on the proverbial open road, and going places with GA, in whatever airplane you have access to. Hope you enjoy our discussion on cross country flying and expanding your comfort zone a bit.Links:Video of this Episode - Video version of Episode of SPC #84.Hope you enjoy t
SPC#83 - That Pilotcast Episode with Rob Holland
SPC#83 - That Pilotcast Episode with Rob Holland Apr 28, 2025 49:35 In Episode 83, we go back to the days of the Pilotcast. Due to the tragic events of the past weekend, we wanted to re-release a Pilotcast Episode from 2018 where Kent, Tiffany, and Bill interview Aerobatic Champion and Airshow start Rob Holland. Rob tragically was killed this in an aviation accident a few days ago and since the Pilotcast is no longer hosted anywhere, we wanted to get this content

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