This is Episode 5 in the Decoding the ACS series, where we break down the Airman Certification Standards one task at a time.

In this episode, we cover Area of Operation I, Task E: National Airspace System. Whether you're preparing for your Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, or CFI checkride, this session explains how this task is tested across all three levels—with a focus on scenario-based evaluation using ForeFlight.

You’ll learn how to:

Interpret ACS objectives at all certificate levels

Plan routes through Class B, C, D, E, and G airspace

Evaluate MOAs, TFRs, and Part 93 Special Airspace

Use ForeFlight’s aeronautical and profile tools

Apply risk management in real-world flight planning

Understand Special VFR rules and limitations

We also highlight useful FAA references, online courses, and tips for briefing airspace scenarios effectively on a checkride.

Referenced tools and documents are linked in the ACE Guide.

Chapters:

02:29 Objective Differences

04:57 Knowledge Topics

08:58 Risk Management

10:00 Skill Requirements

15:18 Scenario Flight Planning

16:10 ForeFlight Tools

16:31 MOA Avoidance

16:31 Restricted Airspace

26:37 SATR & SAFR

27:04 Flyway Charts

30:34 Training Courses

33:09 Airspace Examples

37:24 Class C & ADS-B

40:42 Class B & Clearance

47:48 Special VFR

In this live Q&A edition of the VSL Aviation Podcast, host Seth Lake dives into a wide range of topics submitted by the aviation community. From the myths around required CFI ground training hours to advice on whether getting your MEI is worth the investment, Seth provides practical, experience-based insights. He also tackles how to avoid inadvertently participating in illegal charter ops, how commercial pilots can understand operator responsibility, and answers listener questions about time-building, hypoxia training, and spatial disorientation.

If you're a student pilot, a CFI, or a seasoned commercial pilot brushing up on the regs, this episode is packed with value. Don’t miss the tips on interpreting Part 135 eligibility and how to recover after a long flying hiatus.

Regulatory Knowledge

• Misunderstandings around minimum CFI ground training hours

• How to validate endorsements with AC 61-65J

• Clarification on operational control vs. holding out (AC 120-12A)

• What Part 119.1(e) actually allows without a certificate

• Tips on checking if an aircraft is listed under a Part 135 certificate

Professional Development

• Cost/benefit analysis of pursuing an MEI

• How to maintain continual learning as a pilot

• FAA CAMI training options: hypoxia chamber, PROTE, vestibular illusions

Career Guidance

• Time-building strategies that airlines value

• Stage check failures: how to report and recover

• Advice for applicants to the DPE program

Practical Scenarios

• Instrument checkride failure from altimeter misreading

• Transitioning back to flying after a year-long break

• Risk of complacency in experienced pilots

In this episode, we celebrate new pilot certifications 🎉, tackle common logbook questions 📘, explain how ForeFlight sources winds aloft 🌬, and clarify cross-country time rules 🗺. We also walk through a real listener landing scenario at KVNY 🛬, give a quick weather symbol refresher 🌦, cover what to do if ADS-B is inoperative 📡, and answer listener questions ❓. Stick around to the end for shout-outs and closing notes!

👉 Join the Discord for more discussions: vsl.aero
🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast app!

⏰ Chapters

00:00 🎙 Episode Introduction & Shout-outs

02:16 🎉 Celebrating New Pilot Certifications

03:42 📘 Logging PIC Time: Common Questions

06:22 🌬 How ForeFlight Sources Altitude Winds

09:44 🗺 Who Can Log Cross-Country Time

18:42 🛬 Listener Landing Scenario at KVNY

24:27 🌦 Quick Refresher on Weather Symbols

26:40 📡 ADS-B Inop

30:30 ❓ Q & A

➤ Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/46zt3N8ckx

➤ FAA ADS-B Deviation Tool: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/equipadsb/adapt

➤ UND Magneto Trainer: https://aero.und.edu/aviation/current-students/trainers.html

➤ ForeFlight Winds Aloft Article: https://support.foreflight.com/hc/en-us/articles/203313449-How-are-winds-aloft-used-in-NavLog-calculations

➤ FAA Legal Interpretations (Gebhart, Hillard):
Gebhart:
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FAA000000000LEGALINTPR2009024PDF.0001

Hillard:
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/FAA000000000LEGALINTPR2009033PDF.0001

In this week's episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, we dig into three real-world flying topics pilots must know:

Runway Excursion Mitigation: A deep dive into Advisory Circular 91-79B, how to avoid overruns, and a real-world discussion led by Ryan Bow about common landing errors and risk factors.

Non-Standard Climb Gradients: Learn how to spot non-standard missed approach climb requirements, how to calculate if your aircraft can meet them, and why ignoring climb gradients is reckless even under Part 91 operations.

Weather Radar Layers Explained: Understand the differences between composite radar and lowest tilt radar on ForeFlight, and how they impact your decision-making in-flight.

As always, we wrap up with a live Q&A from Discord and YouTube covering logbook tips, Starlink for in-flight weather, advice for new commercial pilots, and power-off 180 strategies.

🔗 Join our free Discord for exclusive podcast companion threads, Q&A access, and a trusted CFI network: https://vsl.aero

Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

03:33 – AC 91-79B: Runway Excursion Mitigation Overview

12:41 – Guest Discussion with Ryan Bow on Landing Risk Factors

15:50 – Applying Runway Excursion Risk Management to GA

18:48 – Understanding Precision vs Accuracy in Landings

24:40 – Non-Standard Climb Gradients Explained (RAIL Approach Example)

32:19 – Objective Area Analysis with ForeFlight

37:44 – Radar Layers: Composite vs Lowest Tilt on ForeFlight

46:18 – Live Q&A: Logbook Comments, Starlink for Weather, Networking for Low-Time Pilots

52:36 – Commercial Checkride Tips: Power-Off 180s and Flap/Slip Techniques

57:45 – IFR Taildragger Training Challenges

59:47 – How to Get a Tower Tour (Operation Raincheck Discussion)

01:02:22 – Closing and Aftershow Invitation

Links:
Link to Discord: https://vsl.aero

FAA AC 91-79B
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-79B_FAA.pdf

FAA Weather Handbook
https://www.faa.gov/regulationspolicies/handbooksmanuals/aviation/faa-h-8083-28a-aviation-weather-handbook

FAA Safety Team website: https://www.faasafety.gov

Optional: Link to the Part 135 operator list download if you want to include that too
https://www.faa.gov/about/officeorg/headquartersoffices/avs/faa-certificated-aircraft-operators-legal-part-135-holders

This week on the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth dives into three major topics that affect pilots across the training and professional spectrum. First, he breaks down the difference between wet and dry leases — why it's critical to understand operational control, how to avoid illegal charter situations, and what lease paperwork needs to be in place. Then he addresses a crucial question: should you get a second opinion before a checkride? (Spoiler: Yes.) Finally, he tackles a deep-dive into manifold pressure gauge requirements, clearing up widespread confusion using ECFR archives and FAA history.

Other topics include:

Tips for MEI and Commercial Multi Add-On Checkrides

Minimum takeoff fuel logic for commercial ops

Partial panel IFR approaches: realistic failures

Required checkride stall scenarios and types of hypoxia

Thoughts on aviation YouTube channels

Scenario-based checkride prep advice

Join us live on YouTube or Discord next time, and submit your own questions at https://vsl.aero!

Discord: https://discord.gg/YnkV4pxm

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & John’s Co-Host Introduction

03:10 – Wet Lease vs Dry Lease Explained

12:48 – How Lease Agreements Can Protect You from Certificate Action

14:36 – Truth-in-Leasing Questions Pilots Should Ask

17:32 – Why Every Student Pilot Needs a Second Opinion Before a Checkride

22:12 – Virtual Mock Checkrides & New Coaching Services

23:26 – Manifold Pressure: Who Needs the Gauge and Why

28:02 – How Turbochargers & Superchargers Actually Work

41:46 – Using Historical ECFR to Find Manifold Requirements

50:20 – MEI and Multi Add-On Checkride Tips

01:01:32 – Logging Approaches: VMC vs IMC Clarified

01:03:46 – Commercial Checkride Scenario: Minimum Takeoff Fuel

01:10:46 – Partial Panel: What’s Realistic Today?

01:16:20 – Stalls in Turns vs Straight Flight – What the ACS Requires

01:18:47 – Hypoxia Types: What You Actually Need to Know

01:21:00 – Closing Thoughts & Post-Show Discord Hangout

Links:

Truth in Leasing – AC 91-37B
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-37B.pdf

Flying Light Twins Safely
https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2015/Nov/FAA_P-8740-66.pdf

Airplane Flying Handbook – Chapter 13 (Multi-engine operations)
https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/14_afh_ch13.pdf

FAA Info for Operators 150-12 (IFR Approach Logging)
https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/InFO15012.pdf

In this episode, Seth dives into three critical areas for every pilot: what to do after an accident, how modern digital avionics like MEMS sensors work, and a practical breakdown of maintenance responsibilities and required equipment. You'll get clear, no-nonsense guidance on pilot responsibilities at the scene of an accident, how to interpret complex avionics systems, and how to stay legal when things go wrong in the airplane. Pulled straight from Discord and real-world checkride experiences, this episode is a must-listen.

Chapters:
03:11 - Defining an accident

10:12 - Initial steps after an accident

18:51 - Digital avionics

22:57 - MEMS Video

28:23 - TMR Video

32:54 - Maintenance and required equipment

39:14 - AC 91-67A

40:23 - Maintenance Manual Intro

42:45 - Flying with a cracked windshield?

46:28 - Maintenance acceptable methods of repair

48:20 - Q&A

49:59 - MEMS failure modes

53:11 - TAA or Complex time without doing the landing

55:21 - Switch to ground without being told by tower?

1:00:20 - Chris the controller, answers a question

1:01:46 - Practice approach and missed approach

1:10:41 - Written test question

Links:
NTSB 830: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/part-830

NTSB Form 6120: https://www.ntsb.gov/Documents/6120_1_Form.pdf

Inside a MEMS: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/29ifw1AVgcI

TMR Description: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PMbN0PVyy0

How MEMS work: https://jewellinstruments.com/support/how-does-a-mems-sensor-work/

AC 91-67A: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91-67A.pdf

Cessna 172 Maintenance Manual Page 18-4: http://www.aeroelectric.com/Reference_Docs/Cessna/cessna-maintenance-manuals/Cessna%20172%20&%20Skyhawk%20Series%20Service%20Manual%20(1969%20-%201976).pdf

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/FAA-H-8083-31B_Aviation_Maintenance_Technician_Handbook.pdf

In this episode of the VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth Lake dives into runway incursion avoidance, a critical focus area for the FAA and a common checkride discussion point. He shares insights from the FAA’s From the Flight Deck initiative and explains how this content can help applicants prepare—especially for CFI-level checkrides. The second half features a live Q&A pulled from the VSL Discord and YouTube chat, covering a range of real-world aviation questions from the community.

Chapters:
02:50 – Topic 1: Runway Incursion Avoidance & FAA’s “From the Flight Deck”
07:42 - Airworthiness Advisory: Primer Issue Sheet
11:28 - What maneuvers help you learn your airplane?
29:43 - How to fly an NDB approach.
42:31 - Teardrop pattern entry question.
45:26 - How does weight impact stall speed?
48:45 - CFI Initial checkride question
50:31 - ForeFlight Question
52:14 - Tips when instructing an aircraft owner
56:01 - AOPA Focused Flight Review and WINGS
57:42 - Aircraft instability
59:27 - Ground adjustable trim tab question
1:05:00 - Sport Pilot instructor question
1:10:34 - CFI Checkride lesson plans question
1:14:07 - Commercial pilot restrictions question

Links:
VSL Discord Channel
https://vsl.aero/discord – For joining the community and submitting future questions.

From the Flight Deck (FAA)
https://www.faa.gov/fromtheflightdeck – FAA’s video series on runway safety, including airport-specific content and pilot handbooks.

FAA Taxi Simulator
https://www.faa.gov/runway_safety_pilot_simulator

ForeFlight Procedures Tab
Open any airport (e.g., KCOS) → go to the “Procedures” tab → look for “Airfield” and “Pilot Handbook.” These often link to From the Flight Deck videos.

PDF Primer Issue Sheet (linked in Discord)
https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2025/Mar/FAA_ACS_-_7EC_Fuel_Primer_Pump.pdf

https://www.aopa.org/landing-pages/airworthiness-concern-sheets

In this week’s VSL Aviation Podcast, Seth dives deep into three critical topics for pilots and instructors alike. First, he breaks down how to get involved with the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) and make the most of the WINGS Program. Next, he explains the real why behind airspace design—offering a fresh approach for CFIs to improve student understanding beyond rote memorization. Then, he tackles an alarming Reddit story about improperly logged SIC time that cost a pilot their airline job. As always, Seth answers live listener questions, covering topics like logging PIC as a student pilot, scheduling hard-to-find CFI checkrides, and understanding how training time can (or can’t) be double-counted across certificates. If you’re a student, CFI, or examiner, this is a must-listen.

Chapters:
01:56 – FAASTeam and the WINGS Program Overview

12:15 – Responsibilities of a FAASTeam Representative

16:52 – Reddit Post: Invalid SIC Time and Logbook Accuracy

23:08 – Why Airspace Exists: A DPE’s Perspective

25:17 – ForeFlight Demo: Airspace Boundaries and Cloud Clearance Logic

33:04 – Service Difficulty Reports (SDRs) Explained

35:46 – Q&A: Can Student Pilots Log PIC Time?

38:41 – Q&A: Finding a CFI Checkride Examiner

43:04 – Q&A: Testing Instrument ACS Knowledge Areas

47:33 – Q&A: Logging Instrument Time for Private vs Commercial

53:43 – Wrap-Up and Discord Community Plug