What does an FAA Flight Inspection Pilot actually do, and how does this specialized work help keep the National Airspace System safe?

In this episode of the Stuck Mic AvCast, Carl Valeri interviews Russ Roslewski about his career as an FAA Flight Inspection Pilot. Russ takes us behind the scenes of flight inspection missions and explains how pilots and mission specialists evaluate the navigational facilities, instrument procedures, and systems used by aircraft throughout the aviation system.

We discuss the qualifications needed to pursue this unique aviation career, the FAA hiring process, the aircraft and equipment used during missions, and what a typical flight inspection assignment may involve.

Russ also shares memorable experiences from his career and offers practical advice for pilots interested in working for the FAA or exploring aviation careers beyond the airlines.

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The post SMAC358 Life Of An FAA Flight Inspection Pilot appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Today we will discuss aging challenges and provide tools to continue flying as you, your friends, or learners approach and navigate the golden years.

There is no mandatory retirement age for General Aviation (GA) pilots flying non-commercial aircraft in the U.S. While airline pilots face a strict mandatory retirement age of 65, GA pilots simply need to hold a valid medical certificate and maintain proficiency to continue flying.

Medical Considerations: FAA Medical/Basic Med/Transition to Sport Pilot?

Insurance Considerations

Adjusting to the Aging Process (short summary of AOPA’s Aging & the GA Pilot course)
Vision
· Yearly eye exam
· Low-level white light vs red at night
· Haze-cutting prescription sunglasses
· ADSB-in for situational awareness
Hearing
· Noise cancelling headset, hearing aids?
· “Say again”
· LiveATC.net, scripts, role-playing
Endurance
· Regular physicals, lab work, check meds
· Regular exercise and mobility exercises
· Time of day: mornings/late afternoons for smoother air, avoid after lunch
· Eating/drinking: Coffee, hydration, snacks, shorter legs
· Lack of rest = Early onset fatigue
Memory
· Use a notepad/pen especially when talking to ATC
· Mornings are generally best
· Consider flying with friends
Decision Making
· Thorough preflight, think about different scenarios and contingency plans
· Always know where you are at
· Always have a Plan B

Studies show that experience plays a huge role in offsetting cognitive decline in older pilots.
Fly regularly & actively
Adjusting personal minimums as needed
Go above & beyond with recurrent training (yearly flight review and IPC, WINGS, seek out a new rating)
Regularly & honestly assess your skills beyond stick & rudder (memory, information processing, decision making, task saturation)

When should the aging pilot slow down, or call it quits?

How to keep flying even when you must call it quits?
Find a friend to fly with.
Training for another rating to keep sharp even if you can’t use the rating.
Find an instructor who needs to build hours and take them on a cross country flight and buy them lunch.

After Landing Checklist:

Pick Of The Week:

Leslie – AOPA Rusty Pilots Program: In-person seminars, webinars, and online course
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/lapsed-pilots/rusty-pilots

Carl –
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning/safety-spotlights/aging-gracefully

Alex – The MOSAIC Rule in plain English
Mad Props Aero

https://youtu.be/cfRy6VRcr6w?si=czthhgO06Scu0HsL

Russ – A Higher Call by Adam Makos: https://www.amazon.com/Higher-Call-Incredible-Chivalry-War-Torn-ebook/dp/B0095ZQ36G/

Links

https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/MOSAIC

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/fact_sheets/MOSAIC_Fact_Sheet.pdf
https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/

Coaching, Courses, and Scholarships.

Upcoming Events and Air Shows:

https://FlySnf.org 2027 – April 6-11

The post SMAC357 The Aging Pilot appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

What happens when Porsches, airplanes, aviation enthusiasts, young aviators, and community organizations all come together in one hangar?

In this episode of the Stuck Mic AvCast, we visit the Porsche & Planes Morning Social, presented by Jeremy & Kilo Aviation at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL). The event brought together premium automobiles, aircraft, pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and members of the local community for a morning centered around a shared passion for cars and flying.

We also sit down for several conversations highlighting different sides of the aviation community.

1. Fly With Jeremy
   We talk with Jeremy about the idea behind Porsche & Planes, why he created an event combining automobiles and aviation, and how gatherings like this can introduce more people to general aviation. We also discuss building community around the airport and Jeremy’s passion for sharing aviation with others.
2. Young Aviator Wyatt
   One of the highlights of the event is meeting Wyatt, a young aviation enthusiast with big aviation dreams. We talk about what sparked his interest in airplanes, what he hopes to accomplish in aviation, and why exposing young people to aircraft, pilots, and airports can have such an impact on their future.
3. American Red Cross
   We speak with representatives from the American Red Cross about its mission, its role in the community, and opportunities for aviation professionals and volunteers to use their skills to help others.

The Porsche & Planes Morning Social was held Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Xavier Hangar & Ramp at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL).

The morning included Porsche displays, premium aircraft, aviation and automotive conversations, networking, cockpit and aircraft viewing, coffee and donuts, giveaways, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts.

Cars. Aviation. Community.

Question for Our Listeners

What aviation event, pilot, or experience first inspired you to become involved in aviation?

Share your story in the comments.

And if you know someone like Wyatt who dreams of flying, invite them to an airport, introduce them to a pilot, or take them flying. You might change the direction of their life.

Sponsor:

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/ Coaching, Courses, and Scholarships.

Upcoming Events and Air Shows:

http://flysnf.org/ 2027 – April 6-11

The post SMAC356 Porsche & Planes appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Today we have a special guest Jan Cress Dondi author of The Navigator’s Letter The Navigator’s Letter, a USA Today bestseller and WWII narrative nonfiction, follows the Ploesti campaign through the experiences of two B-24 navigators, John B. and Bob—Jan’s uncle and father—friends from the same small Illinois town whose lives unfolded in strikingly parallel ways.

Sponsor:

https://pilotcounsel.com/

Talking Points:

The discovery of 500-600 wartime letters
• Why Ploesti matters
• Operation Tidal Wave—audacious as planned; obstacles in execution
• The two navigators’ parallel journeys, their voices throughout the book
• Research and personal connection
• Operation Reunion—overlooked humanitarian mission, forgotten history

Links:

The Navigator’s Letter: The True Story of Two WWII Airmen, a Doomed Mission, and the Woman Who Bound Them Together

Find The Book On Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4pNOHvi

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/ Coaching, Courses, and Scholarships.

Upcoming Events and Air Shows:

https://FlySnf.org 2027 – April 6-11

Website: https://jancressdondi.com/
IG: @b24navigators
FB: The Navigator’s Letter
LinkedIn: Jan Cress Dondi

The post SMAC355 The Navigator’s Letter appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Today, we have a special guest, Peter Buffington, an airline pilot and amazing aviation-themed musician. His high-energy and visually exciting channel can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@SpeedBrakeArmed

Preflight:

Sponsor:

https://pilotcounsel.com/

Cruise Flight:

Talking Points:

Peter’s aviation journey and what inspired him to fly.
He was able to meld his passion for aviation with a passion for music.
What is SpeedBrake Armed?
Why he feels SpeedBrake armed resonates with those who love to fly.
Where can we find Peter online?
What is next?

After Landing Checklist:

Pick Of The Week:
No pick of the week if an interview.

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/@SpeedBrakeArmed

Upcoming Events and Air Shows:

https://FlySnf.org 2027 – April 6-11

SpeeBrake Armed Airshows:

Oshkosh 2026 – July 20 – 26 (Night Airshow Music Wed & Sat.)
Northern Alabama Airvest 2026 Sept 11 (VIP) 12 – 13 (Public) Pryor Field Regional Airport (DCU) in Tanner, Alabama
National Light Sport Aircraft and Ultralight Fly-in 2026, Oct 1 – 3. Hodges Field Ultralight Fly-In in Andersonville, GA

The post SMAC354 Speed Brake Armed appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Today, we have a special guest, Matt Ryan. Matt is AVweb’s lead editor. His eyes have been turned to the sky for as long as he can remember. Now a fixed-wing pilot, instructor, and aviation writer, Matt also teaches in
a college aviation program in the Dallas area. Today, we discuss Matt’s lifelong love for aviation and how a spark at a young age lit the flame that is seen by aviation enthusiasts throughout the world.

Sponsor:

https://pilotcounsel.com/

Links

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/

Coaching, Courses, and Scholarships.

https://avweb.com/

Upcoming Events and Air Shows:

https://FlySnf.org 2027 – April 6-11

The post SMAC353 Matt Ryan AvWeb Lead Editor appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Did you know the International Committee of the Red Cross runs one of the
most complex humanitarian flight operations in the world? Today we have a
special guest ICRC’s Head of Air Ops Laurent Camisa to describe the life
saving and humanitarian efforts of the ICRC and specifically their flight
operations.

Preflight:

Sponsor:
https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/

Coaching, Courses, and Scholarships.

Cruise Flight:
Talking Points:

What is the ICRC: https://blogs.icrc.org/intercross/
The aviation mission of the ICRC.
What type and how many aircraft do you have?
Who flies the aircraft?
Describe a “typical” mission.
Why the mission is critical and how we can help.
After Landing Checklist:

Links:

ICRC Aviation YouTube
https://blogs.icrc.org/intercross/2026/04/16/cleared-for-takeoff-how-the-international-red-cross-navigates-the-world-s-most-dangerous-skies/
https://x.com/ICRC
https://x.com/ICRC_dc

The post SMAC352 International Red Cross Navigates The World’s Most Dangerous Skies appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.

Today we have a special guest Alex Koziol better known as Alpha Kilo Warrior on YouTube. Alex was a volunteer this year at Sun N Fun and has been encouraging and entertaining pilots through his YouTube Channel.

Preflight:

Sponsor:

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/ Courses, Coaching, and Scholarships.

Cruise Flight:

Talking Points:

Alpha Kilo Warrior 51-Year-Old.
General Aviation Private Pilot 300 hours. Started Flying in 2001 after 9/11. Took 10-years off, Rusty Pilot started a YouTube channel due to being Rusty.
Aviation Ambassador in New England.
Aviation Entertainment videos since Feb 2024
Target audience: Non-Pilots
Successful Videos: Class-C Airport Arrivals
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube

Is there anything in your content that stands out compared to some other flying/aviation channels?
How many cameras do you typically fly with? Where are they mounted?
How long does it take to edit one of your videos?
What is your favorite airplane to fly?
What is your favorite airport to fly into?
What is your favorite airport to visit?
Which video was your favorite to film or edit?
I’m coming up to New England for the first time and going to rent a plane. What advice would you give?
Has anyone you know of been inspired to start flight training by finding your content?

After Landing Checklist:

Pick Of The Week:
No pick of the week since this is an interview.

Links

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/ Courses, Coaching, and Scholarships.

https://www.alphakilowarrior.com/

Upcoming Events and Air Shows:

FlySnf.org 2027 – April 6-11

The post SMAC351 Alpha Kilo Warrior YouTuber and Pilot Advocate appeared first on Stuck Mic AvCast.