More Right Rudder

Join NAFI today to gain access to exclusive content, mentoring opportunities, and a community of dedicated CFIs. Join here: https://nafimentor.org/become-a-member/ Flight school marketing is about much more than having a website. In this episode of More Right Rudder, Sarah Staudt talks with Tim Jedrek, founder of Right Rudder Marketing, about the strategies that help flight schools and independent CFIs attract, convert, and retain students. Tim shares his journey from manufacturing to aviation entrepreneur before breaking down his five-part Flight School Marketing System, covering website design, SEO, online reputation, paid advertising, CRM systems, and the business metrics that drive sustainable growth. Whether you're managing a growing flight school or building your own instruction business, this episode offers practical marketing insights you can start applying today.

In This Episode:

Tim's journey from manufacturing to aviation entrepreneur

The five-part Flight School Marketing System

Website design that converts visitors into students

SEO and online reputation management

Google and social media advertising

CRM systems and lead follow-up

Measuring marketing success with business metrics

Practical marketing advice for flight schools and independent CFIs

This episode is sponsored by Sporty's:

Join NAFI today to gain access to exclusive content, mentoring opportunities, and a community of dedicated CFIs. Join here: https://nafimentor.org/become-a-member/

What do flight instruction, medical education, and professional music have in common? More than you might think.

In this episode of More Right Rudder, Beth Stanton sits down with Ed Stefan, Gold Seal CFI, accomplished musician, and principal timpanist with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, to explore the surprising parallels between mastering music and mastering aviation.

The conversation expands on Ed's Mentor magazine article, Instrument Approach: Comparing Flight Training and Musical Mastery, and complements the July/August 2026 Mentor feature, Teaching for Judgment: Shared Lessons from Medical Education and Flight Training, by Erin Dabney and the late Dr. Victor Vogel.

Together, they discuss:

- Why great instructors do far more than teach technical skills

- How deliberate practice builds lasting expertise

- The importance of finding the right instructor and developing a productive student-teacher relationship

- What aviation can learn from music and medical education about judgment, feedback, and continuous improvement

- The concept of "mastering mastery" and why learning how to learn is one of the most valuable skills any pilot can develop

- How experienced professionals transfer lessons between seemingly unrelated disciplines

Whether you're a flight instructor, student pilot, aviation mentor, or lifelong learner, this conversation offers practical insights into becoming a better teacher, a better learner, and ultimately a better aviator.

#FlightTraining #FlightInstructor #CFI #Aviation #LearnToFly #ProfessionalDevelopment #NAFI #MoreRightRudder

Join NAFI today to gain access to exclusive content, mentoring opportunities, and a community of dedicated CFIs. Join here: https://nafimentor.org/become-a-member/

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday life, and many student pilots are already using tools like ChatGPT to study, ask aviation questions, and even help plan flights. The question isn't whether they're using AI. It's whether they're using it safely.

In this episode of the More Right Rudder Podcast, host Sarah Staudt sits down with Kauai Mansur, a private pilot, cybersecurity professional, and AI developer specializing in high-risk industries, to explore the growing role of AI in flight training.

Together they discuss:

Why today's students are already relying on AI as a "shadow CFI"

The biggest risks of trusting AI without instructor oversight

How AI can confidently provide incorrect or fabricated information

Why flight instructors should establish "AI personal minimums" with their students

Practical ways AI can improve studying, flashcards, and knowledge retention

How to use FAA publications as trusted sources instead of relying on general internet responses

Why AI should remain a learning tool, not a decision-making tool for flight operations

The FAA's approach to AI and personification

How CFIs can embrace AI without compromising safety

AI isn't going away, and neither are the students using it. This conversation offers practical guidance for flight instructors, student pilots, and aviation educators who want to understand both the opportunities and the limitations of today's AI tools.

Guest Resources
AI Study Guide & Handout from Kauai Mansur:
https://nafimentor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AI_Study_Tool_Guide_for_CFIs.pdf

Watch Next
Interested in another perspective on AI in flight training?

Watch our previous episode on how flight instructors can use AI to create lesson plans, training scenarios, and educational materials while understanding the technology's limitations:
https://youtu.be/BlGd5TolzgM

The aviation hiring market has shifted, and for many newly certificated flight instructors, finding that first instructional position can feel more challenging than ever. In this episode of More Right Rudder, NAFI’s program development manager and host Sarah Staudt sits down with Rick Miller, Chief Flight Instructor at Lunken Flight Training Center, to discuss what flight schools are really looking for when evaluating instructor candidates.

Drawing on years of hiring experience, Miller shares practical advice for every stage of the application process, from building a strong resume and cover letter to navigating phone screenings and in-person interviews. He highlights common mistakes that cause applications to be overlooked, discusses ways candidates can differentiate themselves in a competitive market, and explains why networking remains one of the most valuable career-building tools available to aspiring instructors.

Whether you're a newly certificated CFI searching for your first position or an experienced instructor looking for your next opportunity, this episode offers actionable strategies to help you present yourself professionally, communicate your value, and improve your chances of landing the job.

In This Episode

Building a resume that highlights measurable accomplishments

Common cover letter mistakes and AI-generated application pitfalls

How to stand out in a crowded applicant pool

Effective networking strategies for flight instructors

What to expect during phone screenings

Questions flight schools may ask during in-person interviews

Appropriate interview attire and first impressions

Understanding flight school culture and evaluating potential employers

Why continuous professional development matters

Maintaining perspective during industry hiring slowdowns

If you aren't already a NAFI member, join us today at https://nafimentor.org.

Thank you to Sporty's for sponsoring this episode.

What happens when a curious flight instructor candidate decides to “call TOPGUN?” 

In this episode of More to the Story, host Beth Stanton, NAFI’s director of publications and editor, talks with Mentor author Xavier Piar about the story behind his two-part article series: “So I Called TOPGUN,” which appeared in the March/April issue, and “So I Called TOPGUN Back,” which appeared in the May/June issue. 

What started as a few emails to The Fighter Pilot Podcast led Piar to conversations with four former TOPGUN aviators: Vincent “Jell-O” Aiello, Craig “Crunch” Snyder, Greg “Hoser” Hansen, and Dave “Bio” Baranek.

Together, Stanton and Piar explore:

What civilian CFIs can learn from TOPGUN instructional philosophy

Why debriefing may be one of the most overlooked tools in flight training

The humility and honesty shared by elite military aviators

How curiosity turned into two Mentor magazine articles and enhanced digital content

From CFII struggles to Tomcat stories, this episode is packed with insight for instructors, students, and aviation enthusiasts alike.

If you aren't already a NAFI member, join us for access to more great content and a network of professional flight instructors. It's quick and easy online at https://nafimentor.org.

Thank you to Sporty's for sponsoring this episode.