CFI Checkride Tips, Runway Incursions, and Live Q&A

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_pil... 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/notic... https://www.aopa.org/landing-pages/ai...