English
On Centerline
by Sam Tarrel, The Northwest Aeronaut
A show by aviators, for aviators. Join the discussion with real aviators as we explore the trials and tribulations of flight training from the student and flight instructor perspectives. Listen to stories from pilots in all different stages of their careers to hear the challenges they faced, and how they overcame those challenges.
Episodes
Understanding the Steep Spiral | Back to the Airplane Flying Handbook
29 Oct 2026 · 19 min
In this episode of the On Centerline Podcast, we're going back to the Airplane Flying Handbook to take a closer look at the steep spiral. As we've done with previous episodes in this series, we'll read directly from the FAA's handbook, discuss what it has to say about the maneuver, and break down…
Ground Reference Maneuvers - Straight From the Airplane Flying Handbook
24 Sept 2026 · 40 min
Ground reference maneuvers are often taught as a collection of separate maneuvers—rectangular courses, turns around a point, S-turns across a road, and eights around pylons etc. But are they really different maneuvers? In this episode, we go straight to the FAA’s Airplane Flying Handbook to look…
Slow Flight Myths Vs. The Airplane Flying Handbook
3 Sept 2026 · 31 min
Welcome to the On Centerline Podcast! Slow flight is one of those maneuvers that seems to generate endless debate, myths, and misconceptions. How slow should you fly? What configuration should you use? How should the airplane be controlled? In this episode, we’re setting opinions aside and going…
Turns Around A Point ISN'T THE POINT!
13 Aug 2026 · 29 min
Welcome to the On Centerline video podcast! Episode Content starts at 10:47 Today we take a closer look at how instructors teach maneuvers — and why jumping straight into any given maneuver may be missing the bigger lesson. We will be using turns around a point as a case study today. Turns around…
Proposed Changes to the CFII Check Ride
25 Jun 2026 · 32 min
The CFI-I check ride is designed to ensure flight instructors can safely and effectively teach instrument flying—but does the current practical test truly evaluate the skills that matter most in today's training environment? In this episode of the On Centerline Podcast, I share my personal…
5 Signs of a Professional Pilot
11 Jun 2026 · 21 min
What separates a professional pilot from everyone else? It’s often not the big things—it’s the small habits and skills that consistently show up in every phase of flight. In this episode of the On Centerline Podcast, we discuss five telltale signs of a true professional pilot: disciplined brake…
The Importance of Takeoff Briefings
30 May 2026 · 25 min
Before every takeoff, pilots brief engine failures, abort points, runway lengths, terrain, weather, and emergency plans… or at least they should. In this episode of the On Centerline Podcast, we dive into the often-overlooked art of the takeoff briefing and why so many pilots either skip it…
360s in the PATTERN!
16 May 2026 · 25 min
The airport traffic pattern is one of the highest-risk environments in aviation for mid-air collisions — and non-standard maneuvering is often a major factor. In this episode of the On Centerline Podcast, we break down the dangers of performing 360° turns in the traffic pattern, especially at…
Additional Pilot Training (and the endorsements you'll need)
2 May 2026 · 41 min
A good pilot is always learning! These are words I live by and that's why today we will be discussing additional training you may want or NEED as you go through your aviation career! For you flight instructors out there, there will be times you will have well established and accomplished pilots…
Do you need a medical to fly?
18 Apr 2026 · 26 min
With the passage of MOSAIC things have changed in a dramatic way in the world of aviation when it comes to medicals and the privileges of all pilots when it comes to not having a medical! Today we discuss these changes and talk about all the things you can do WITHOUT a medical! Send us Fan Mail…
Multi-Engine Ground School Part 3: Performance and Limitations
4 Apr 2026 · 35 min
Multi-Engine flying is some of the most fun and rewarding flying you can do! As multi-engine pilots it's critical to understand the performance capabilities and limitations of our aircraft. Today we discuss the performance and limitations a multi-engine aircraft and how they can differ from…
Multi-Engine Ground School Part 2! - VMC
21 Mar 2026 · 34 min
Multi-Engine flying is some of the most fun and rewarding flying you can do! As multi-engine pilots there are some key aerodynamic principles we need to understand and be proficient with handling. Today we discuss Vmc and the perils of flying on a single engine in a multi-engine aircraft! Send us…
Multi-Engine Ground School - Aerodynamics and the Critical Engine
7 Mar 2026 · 28 min
Multi-Engine flying is some of the most fun and rewarding flying you can do! As multi-engine pilots there are some key aerodynamic principles we need to understand and be proficient with handling. Today we discuss the aerodynamics involved with the critical engine in our first installment of our…
GPS Is Making Us Dumb!
21 Feb 2026 · 29 min
As with everything in aviation, there are no human instincts that come into play or naturally inherited traits. Flying is something that is completely foreign to human beings so everything we do in an airplane is a LEARNED trait. Unfortunately we don't always teach, or get taught the right things…
Assessments - How instructors learn to teach!
7 Feb 2026 · 21 min
Learning to be an effective flight instructor can be TOUGH. They say the best way to learn something is to TEACH it and that is what proper assessments can help us to do! Today we discuss the different kinds of assessments and how we as flight instructors can actually use our own students to teach…
Do you know the THREE types of weather reports?
23 Dec 2025 · 18 min
If there is one thing all pilots struggle with UNIVERSALLY, it's WEATHER! Today we discuss the THREE types of weather reports available to us, and try to gain a better understanding of how to compare and contrast these reports to one another to gain the most vivid picture of what the weather is…
How to train a Helicopter Pilot - Advanced Endorsements
13 Sept 2025 · 30 min
As a flight instructor not everyone you will be working with are student pilots. There will be times you will have well established and accomplished pilots come to you for additional training, and you will need to know how to best structure their training and how to properly qualify them for their…
Endorsements for Student Pilots
6 Sept 2025 · 49 min
Learning to be an effective flight instructor is hard enough for most people as it is. Add to that all the regulatory requirements and record keeping you have to do and it can become overwhelming for many people! Endorsements are typically one of the things new flight instructors struggle the most…
Certificates VS. Ratings - What's the Difference!?
30 Aug 2025 · 19 min
In aviation, communication is critical for safety. Being sloppy with our words can have unintended consequences that can lead to accidents and incidents. So it's imperative we are always using the right words to refer to the right things at the right times. When it comes to the difference between…
CFI Intervention! HOW and WHEN to take control!
23 Aug 2025 · 18 min
Knowing HOW and WHEN to intervene as a flight instructor is one of the hardest things for new CFIs to learn and even harder for any CFI to master. Today we discuss the different types of intervention we can utilize and when we should utilize them. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Receive early…