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Think Right for a Safer Flight

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The Schiff Show logoMore from The Schiff Show · Episode 6

Proudly sponsored by Avemco Insurance Company

Captain Brian Schiff and instructor Aaron Dabney examine the human side of aviation safety through a real-world tragedy caused not by weather or mechanical failure but by mindset. You'll learn how an instructor's poor judgment and a student pilot's deference led to fatal consequences, and how to sharpen your own decision-making.

How to earn WINGS credit ↓

Read more in About this course ↓

Chapters & program details from theschiffshow.tv

Chapters 15
  1. 0:00 Avemco intro and welcome
  2. 5:40 Meet guest Aaron Dabney, Baylor aviation lecturer
  3. 8:40 Quiz: thunderstorms, lightning and thunder
  4. 12:20 The human side: traits behind risky pilots
  5. 17:00 Accident review: a training flight into a supercell
  6. 22:00 A YouTuber's take on the Kentucky PA-28 breakup
  7. 27:00 Instructor behavior: public criticism and mistakes
  8. 34:20 "Time builders" vs real flight instructors
  9. 37:40 Regulations: preflight action and pilot responsibility
  10. 44:00 The instructor's code of ethics
  11. 47:20 Risk-assessment exercise: likelihood vs severity
  12. 55:20 Advice for students, pilots and instructors
  13. 1:01:20 Tech tips: NEXRAD is history, not now
  14. 1:05:20 Game time answers: winds, chop and St. Elmo's fire
  15. 1:11:40 Final thoughts and next month

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About This Course

THE SCHIFF SHOW Episode 6 – "THINK RIGHT FOR A SAFER FLIGHT"

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF.

With Special Guest AARON DABNEY

Flying safely begins with thinking smartly. In this gripping episode of THE SCHIFF SHOW, renowned aviator Captain Brian Schiff is joined by respected instructor Aaron Dabney for a deep dive into the human side of aviation safety.

Together, they’ll unpack a real-world tragedy: a flight that ended in disaster not because of weather, equipment, or mechanical failure—but because of mindset. You'll learn how an instructor’s poor judgment led to fatal consequences, and how a student pilot's deference became deadly.

This episode will challenge your assumptions and sharpen your decision-making. Like AVEMCO insurance, the best training is the kind you hope you never need—but are grateful to have.

Topics discussed will include:

  • How subtle pilot behaviors can affect performance
  • The role of external pressures in shaping poor choices
  • Ways to identify and counteract inherent biases
  • Strategies for making sound aeronautical decisions under stress

Whether you're a student pilot, instructor, or seasoned aviator, this episode will help you “think right”—so you can always fly smart.

* * * * * * *

The Schiff Show is a monthly aviation education variety show hosted by Brian Schiff and sponsored by AVEMCO. It is offered for FAA WINGS credit. Brian will discuss a specific theme across five program segments on the second Thursday of each month. The themes will be chosen from a hit list of common accident causes. Each episode will be one hour long and focus on a particular causal accident factor, and will include the following segments:

  • Accident Review
  • Regulatory Review
  • Training Topic
  • Technology Tips and Tricks
  • Knowledge and Trivia Questions

Registration is not required. Go to TheSchiffShow.tv at 7:00 PM Central Time on the second Thursday of the month and join the show. All episodes are archived on TheSchiffShow.tv and available to watch (for WINGS credit) anytime after the original air time. (NOTE: you must be watching live to participate in the game show portion.)

The Schiff Show promises to be an hour well spent, which will fly by while you have fun and learn to be a safer pilot.

Course Resources 5

COURSE RESOURCES for "THINK RIGHT FOR A SAFER FLIGHT"

  • CLICK HERE PDF for NTSB Preliminary Report ERA23FA380
  • CLICK HERE PDF for The Most Important Wings by Barry Schiff
  • CLICK HERE PDF for When Instructors Crash by Josh Flowers
  • CLICK HERE PDF for The Schiff Show #6 Web Links
  • CLICK HERE PDF for "Death by Time Builder by Meg Godlewski"
Presenters

Captain Brian Schiff

Presenter and Instructor

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. His total flying time is over 21,000 hours.

He is a Gold Seal flight instructor and FAASTeam Representative and holds several flight instructor ratings. He is recognized for his enthusiasm and ability to teach in a 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 B.S. degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his M.S. 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.

Aaron Dabney

Guest Presenter

Aaron Dabney earned his Flight Instructor certificate in 2009, and has been an active instructor ever since. He has provided more than 5,000 hours of instruction in more than 30 models of aircraft, mentoring pilots from their first hour through becoming accomplished instructors themselves, and all points in between.

Dabney grew up in an aviation family. His maternal grandfather Joe was a World War II fighter pilot, and much of his childhood was spent in the family J-3 Cub with his grandfather or his uncle Mark. Aaron completed his first solo in that Cub in 1999 and is now its caretaker

Aaron is a 6-time NAFI Master Flight Instructor, owns a small flight school, and has served as an adjunct lecturer for Baylor University's Aviation Sciences program since 2010. He serves on NAFI's Board of Directors and serves in several volunteer roles including coordinating MentorLIVE.

Aaron lives in Waco, Texas with his wife of 20 years Alisa.

WINGS Credit Details
Earn WINGS Credit FAASafety.gov course ID: 1421

Click below to access the course quiz and earn immediate WINGS Credit

CLICK HERE to go to the WINGS Quiz

Step 1 - Login to your FAASafety WINGS account

Step 2- Take Quiz - Receive Immediate WINGS Credit

If you are not registered on the FAASafety website you may do so below

CLICK HERE to register on the FAA Safety website

About Avemco

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Not all aircraft insurance policies and premiums are the same. As the only direct writer in the market, Avemco never uses third-party insurance agents and instead, connects you directly with an aviation underwriter in their Frederick, Maryland office ready to solve problems and approve coverage based on what you fly and how you fly it. Avemco provides lightning-fast quotes, competitive rates, and personalized policies that are easy to read and tailored to you. Call 800-276-5199 for your free quote or visit avemco.com/theschiffshow. Don’t forget to tell them you’re a Schiff Show subscriber and save 5%!

Avemco Insurance Company never works with third-party insurance agents or brokers and believes you’re better off going right to the source instead of through a middleman. We connect you with an aviation underwriter ready to answer your questions and personalize coverage based on what you fly and how you fly it. So, unless you reach out to them yourself, you’ll never experience the Avemco advantage of going direct. Listeners of The Schiff Show save 5% and are eligible for even more savings through the Avemco Safety Rewards Program. Call 800-276-5199 for a free quote or visit avemco.com/schiffshow today.

For decades, Avemco Insurance Company has been an advocate for pilot safety by promoting and sponsoring continuous pilot training and learning. One of their initiatives has been to reward pilots who actively participate in being more proficient with savings on their insurance premium through the Avemco Safety Rewards Program. Safe pilots save by earning new ratings, getting recurrent training, participating in the FAASTeam WINGS Program, and listening to safety podcasts like ours and other Avemco-recognized courses and training. Call 800-276-5199 for a free quote or visit avemco.com/schiffshow today. Don’t forget to tell them The Schiff Show sent you for an automatic 5% off!

The Schiff Show Archives

CLICK HERE to view past presentations and earn WINGS Credit!

Content above is from the original episode page: https://www.theschiffshow.tv/6/

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