An in-depth interview format with one or more guests covering subject matter that crosses a wide spectrum of topics. Curated by NAFI Staff and Board member, the NAFI Briefing Room video series is both entertaining and educational in today's environment. Briefing room consists of anything from product demonstrations, instructional techniques, instructor profiles, round-table discussions, and unique, specialized programing of interest to NAFI members and all CFIs. To suggest a guest, topic, or any other type of content, email us at [email protected]


Ep. 14 At the Peak of Flight Training- Tales of a Mountain Pilot: Join us for our conversation with Art Hayssen Owner of Hayssen Aviation Mountain Flying Adventures (https://www.mountainflyingtraining.com/) as we discuss tips and advice for learning mountain flying and getting into mountain flying flight instruction. Art shares some of his stories of flying at high altitude airports and what he did to break into the business teaching this type of niche flight instruction. Hosted by NAFI Program Director John Niehaus


Ep. 13 Teaching the 8's: Lazy 8's and 8's on Pylons:
 Join our panel of experienced NAFI flight instructors Elizabeth Vulgamore, Jason Miller (www.learnthefinerpoints.com), Ned Parks, and Jim Pitman (flywithjim.com) as they discuss the commercial maneuvers that flight instructors tend to struggle teaching the most, Lazy 8s and 8s on Pylons. Watch for tips, techniques, and gotchas that can help just about any instructor improve their abilities to teach these two commonly misunderstood maneuvers. Hosted by NAFI Program Director John Niehaus


Ep. 12 Multi Talk: The Most Dangerous Game- Loss of Control Accidents:
 Join our panel of experienced NAFI flight instructors PilotSafety.org Founder Gary "GPS" Reeves, Nick Frisch, and NAFI Board Member Captain Brian Schiff as they discuss the fact that loss of control accidents are prevalent in multi-engine aircraft. The panel also discusses possible mitigation techniques and ideas for potential training/regulatory changes. Hosted by NAFI Program Director John Niehaus


Ep. 11 "Balloon Instructor TAKEOVER":
 Join our panel of experienced NAFI flight instructors Kim Magee, Al Nels, and Burt Padelt as they discuss how being a Balloon Flight Instructor can be incredibly rewarding and what fix wing pilots can learn from training in a lighter than air category aircraft. Hosted by Adam Magee LTA Instructor/DPE and NAFI Board Member.


Ep. 10 "Want an Easier Type Rating Experience: Be a CFI": 
Join our panel of experienced NAFI flight instructors Brandon Brown, Nick Schmall, and Evan Youngblood as they discuss how being a CFI helped them prepare and earn their first type rating. Hosted by John Niehaus NAFI Program Director, the panel offers the keys to a successful training experience like only flight instructors can, while offering up words of encouragement for those looking to follow the same path.

 

Ep. 9 "A Talk with New Flight Instructors": Join our panel of new flight instructors Joe Rucinski, Peter Amato, and Jakob Harris. Hosted by Program Director John Niehaus, the panel discusses what inspired them to become flight instructors, and what it is like to be a new instructor in the flight training industry.

Ep. 8 "Rotor-Talk: Rotorcraft Flight Instruction" Join our panel of experienced NAFI flight instructors Ned Parks, Chris Anderson MCFI, Mick Harper, and Board Member Tom Dorl as they discuss rotorcraft flight instruction and pertinent issues revolving around teaching in helicopters. They also discuss the shared skills for those looking to cross train between fixed wing and rotorcraft.


Ep. 7 "International Operations and Flight Instruction" Join our panel of experienced NAFI flight instructors Randall Williams, Adam Webster, and NAFI Master Instructor Sarah Rovner to answer a member submitted question on what it takes to operate internationally and how flight instructors can use international operations to provide valuable training to students and increase their own notable resume of experience.

 

Ep. 6.2 "Story Time" Chairmen Round-table Discussion with Bob Meder, Phil Poynor, and Ken Hoffman Join the last three NAFI Chairmen as they recount the history of the National Association of Flight Instructors, and they share stories of being NAFI Chairman, and their memorable interactions with NAFI Members.

 

Ep. 6.1 "Origin Stories" Chairmen Round-table Discussion with Bob Meder, Phil Poynor, and Ken Hoffman Join the last three NAFI Chairmen as they recount the history of the National Association of Flight Instructors, and their own personal journey's to leading the organization. They also share their thoughts on the flight instruction industry and some interesting stories of their time as both CFIs and representatives of NAFI.

 

Ep. 5 What is Light Sport Aviation and LSA Flight Instruction?, Co-hosted by NAFI Members Krishnan Swaminathan, Dustin Jones, George Allen and Program Director John Niehaus. Light Sport Aviation seems to be an often ignored segment of our pilot community, and it continues to be misunderstood even by flight instructors. This episode is intended to clear up misconceptions of what LSA is, and promote the positive aspects of what teaching and flying LSA can offer.

 

Ep. 4.5 "Surprise Instructor Chat" Co-hosted by NAFI Chairman Bob Meder, 4x MCFI Aaron Dabney, NAFI Board Member Brian Schiff, and Program Director John Niehaus. Getting Instructors to stop teaching can be difficult, this is why we keep recording after episodes are "over" our panel talks about traffic pattern calls, collision avoidance, and radio calls

 

Ep. 4 Teaching Straight and Level, Co-hosted by NAFI Chairman Bob Meder, 4x MCFI Aaron Dabney, NAFI Board Member Brian Schiff, and Program Director John Niehaus. This episode is a panel discussion on tips for teaching straight and level to students in VMC/IMC and how the student's ability to master this seemingly simple task lays the foundation for everything to follow in training.

 

Ep. 3: Power-off 180's Part 2 An Instructor's Perspective Co-hosted by NAFI Board-Member Capt. Brian Schiff and Executive Director of the American Bonanza Society's Air Safety Foundation Tom Turner: As a follow up to Power-off 180's Part 1 who's purpose was to focus on the testing and common failures within the ACS, Part 2 is the maneuver from the instructors lens on how to teach the difficult maneuver and tips for student success.

 

Ep. 2. COVID-19 Solutions with Sporty's Pilot Shop/Academy: NAFI Director of Business Development Matt Mathias sits down with Eric Radtke and John Zimmerman of Sporty's Academy and Sporty's Pilot Shop respectively to chat about flight instructing in a COVID-19 world and solutions Sporty's can provide to make the activity safer for both instructor and student.
For More information about Sporty's Pilot Shop: www.sportys.com Sporty's Academy: https://sportysacademy.com/

 

 

Ep. 1. Power-Off 180's w/Capt. Brian Schiff and DPE Joey Johnson: A deeper dive discussion on the testing requirements and common mistakes of the commercial maneuver the power-off 180.

Brian Schiff is a captain for a major US airline and is type-rated on the Airbus A320, Boeing 727, 757, 767, DC-9 (MD-80), CL-65, LR-JET, and G-V. Schiff’s roots are deeply planted in general aviation where he has flown a wide variety of aircraft (95 types). His total flying time is over 20,000 hours. He is a Gold Seal flight instructor and FAA Safety Team Representative and holds several flight instructor ratings. He is recognized for his enthusiasm and ability to teach in way that simplifies complex procedures and concepts. He has been actively instructing since earning his flight and ground instructor certificates in 1985. Schiff also has been an FAA-designated examiner. He attended San Jose State University, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his Master of Science Degree in Aviation Safety from the University of Central Missouri. He regularly teaches and conducts seminars about aviation safety and techniques to student and professional pilots alike. Learn more about Brian's Activities: https://www.captainschiff.com/

Joey Johnson is a American Airlines Captain, DPE in the Dallas TX FSDO and is ATP/CFI/MEI