THE SCHIFF SHOW PODCAST

"Weather or Not? Avoiding the Bad Stuff"

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:00:00 -0600

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF

With special guest presenter GREG REVERDIAU

An upgraded Cessna 421C, advanced weather tools, a professional pilot, and plenty of warnings—yet N4467D still penetrated a severe storm, lost control, and came apart in the Gulf of Mexico with five fatalities. In this episode, THE SCHIFF SHOW welcomes Greg Reverdiau, aviation educator, human factors specialist, and co-founder of Pilot Institute, one of the largest online training platforms for manned and unmanned pilots. Together, we will replay the flight, the ATC exchanges, the convective SIGMET environment, and the weather technology picture that set this crew up for disaster.

Using the same teaching style and tools Greg’s team applies in Pilot Institute’s online ground schools and accident case studies, we will slow the event down and visually compare what the pilot likely saw on XM weather versus what was really happening on radar and satellite imagery. We will examine attenuation, radar shadowing, distance limits, and radar tilt management in a single pilot IFR workload, along with the 10 to 15 minute latency “gotcha” that can turn a seemingly safe gap into the core of a mature thunderstorm.

By the end of this presentation, you’ll be able to:

Recognize the specific limitations of onboard radar and XM / satellite weather—and why “seeing red” is not the whole story in convective environments.
Apply practical techniques for using strategic (XM) versus tactical (airborne radar) tools, so you do not “thread the needle” through a moving line of storms.
Identify human factor traps highlighted in this accident, including expectation bias from airline PIREPs, pressure to continue, and over-trust in what ATC “is painting” on their scopes.
Decide earlier and more confidently when to divert, hold, or turn back—even when technology, ATC, and other pilots seem to be telling you it’s fine to continue.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/14 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

This podcast qualifies for FAA WINGS credit. After listening, go HERE to test your knowledge and earn immediate FAA WINGS credit upon successful completion of the quiz. You must be registered on the FAA Safety Team website to access this quiz and credits. If you have not yet registered, you may do so HERE.

THE SCHIFF SHOW is proudly sponsored by AVEMCO. Learn more about Avemco Insurance Company HERE or give them a call 800-276-5199. Tell them THE SCHIFF SHOW sent you and earn a 5% discount on your aircraft insurance.

"When Confidence Outpaces Preparation: Stepping Up Your Mental Game"

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:00:00 -0600

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF

With special guest presenter Lt. Col. TAMMY BARLETTE

A thought-provoking episode of THE SCHIFF SHOW that dissects how a successful, highly educated attorney bought “too much airplane,” skipped ahead in training, and paid the ultimate price. We’ll discuss how intelligence, confidence, and a big checkbook can combine into a deadly form of overconfidence when pilots outfly their experience and underestimate the learning curve of complex, high-performance aircraft.

In this presentation, Brian Schiff and Tammy Barlette break down the accident from both the aeronautical and mental perspectives, highlighting the human factors, cognitive traps, and decision-making errors that led a competent professional to make fatally dumb choices in the cockpit. Pilots will learn practical strategies to recognize when ego is driving the airplane, safely manage the “step up” to more capable machines, and build a mental game that is at least as strong as their bank account and logbook.

Pilots will walk away with practical techniques to:

Recognize when ego is PIC and the brain is just along for the ride.
Plan a sane, structured transition to higher-performance aircraft.
Build a **mental** game that keeps them from becoming the cautionary tale other pilots learn from at the next safety seminar

Our special guest is Tammy Barlette. Tammy brings deep knowledge of mental performance training to the discussion.

Many in-flight performance issues are actually cognitive margin problems rather than competence problems. As demands stack—new aircraft or avionics, IMC, approach changes, emotional pressure—mental bandwidth gets saturated, which can lead to stress-induced errors or even spatial disorientation. Training teaches procedures, but mental performance determines whether pilots can think clearly and access those skills under stress. Topics like early recognition of overload, emotional regulation, reframing emergency declarations as workload-management tools, and understanding how passengers increase cognitive load would help viewers see that the goal in overload is stability first, not speed or progress.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a tragic event and enhance your operational safety and piloting expertise.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/13 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

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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, an

"Final Approach to Tragedy - Checklist and Discipline Gone Wrong"

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0600

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF

With special guest presenter JOHN NIEHAUS

During this episode of THE SCHIFF SHOW, your monthly destination for in-depth aviation safety discussions and expert insights, we will dive into a detailed case study of a Learjet crash and its contribution to a catastrophic accident.

Our special guest is John Niehaus, a veteran flight instructor and aviation safety expert with extensive experience in commercial, business, and general aviation as well as flight training development. John brings deep knowledge of pilot skills, standard operating procedures, and operational best practices to the discussion.

Through a detailed case study, we’ll explore the accident’s causes, the investigative findings, and the lessons learned for pilots and operators. If you want to deepen your understanding of stabilized approaches and aviation safety procedures, this session will provide knowledge, real-world context, and advice to help you sharpen your skills and improve safety outcomes.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a tragic event and enhance your operational safety and piloting expertise.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/12 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

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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.)

Wake Turbulence A Silent Killer - What You Can’t See Might Hurt You"

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:00:00 -0600

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF

With special guest presenter NED PARKS

During this episode of THE SCHIFF SHOW, your monthly destination for in-depth aviation safety discussions and expert insights, we will dive into a rare but critical topic: wake turbulence, and in particular, helicopter wake turbulence, and its contribution to a catastrophic accident.

Our special guest is Ned Parks, a leading authority on helicopter wake turbulence, who will share his expertise on how these invisible forces can affect aircraft operations, especially at airports. Through a detailed case study, we’ll explore the accident’s causes, the investigative findings, and the lessons learned for pilots and operators.

Whether you fly airplanes or helicopters, work in air traffic control, or want to deepen your understanding of this invisible monster, this session will provide knowledge, real-world context, and advice to help you operate near helicopters and large aircraft. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s foremost experts and enhance your ability to avoid the “invisible beast” called wake turbulence.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/11 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

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

"PILOT-MECHANIC CHECKS AND BALANCES" - When Maintenance Errors and Missed Preflights Lead to Disaster

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 18:00:00 -0500

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF

With special guest presenter JEFF SIMON

On this episode of THE SCHIFF SHOW, Brian welcomes Jeff Simon from SocialFlight (www.SocialFlight.com) for an engaging discussion about a real-world accident where a mechanic’s mistake created a hidden hazard that the pilot failed to detect during preflight inspection, followed by a failure to follow emergency procedures, and how that combination led do tragic results.

They’ll explore how small errors in rigging, installation, or maintenance oversight can cascade into major in-flight emergencies, and the critical role pilots play as the final safety checkpoint.

Through accident analysis, and a review of procedures, techniques and technology, we’ll highlight some warning signs often overlooked by pilots, common maintenance pitfalls, and best practices for preflight discipline that can help you catch errors before takeoff.

Designed for pilots, mechanics, and instructors, this episode will help you to strengthen pilot-mechanic communication and sharpen your eye for details that will prevent equipment-related accidents.

Training goals:

Identify common types of maintenance errors that can lead to hidden in-flight hazards, using real accident case studies as examples
Strengthen preflight inspection skills to better detect subtle signs of mechanical mistakes or overlooked maintenance issues before flight
Understand the importance of effective pilot-mechanic communication and specific questions pilots should ask after maintenance is performed
Apply best practices for verifying airworthiness and implementing safety habits (SOPs) that prevent maintenance-related accidents
The importance of following established procedures to serve as a safety barrier

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/10 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

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

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED" Lessons Learned From A Legendary Tragedy

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:00:00 -0500

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF.

With special guest presenter CAPTAIN BARRY SCHIFF

Join The Schiff Show for a compelling episode as we delve into the tragic February 3, 1959, plane crash that claimed the lives of rock and roll legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Taking off from Clear Lake, Iowa, during the Winter Dance Party Tour, the Beechcraft Bonanza crashed shortly after takeoff amid poor weather conditions.

This tragedy, immortalized as "The Day the Music Died," was the result of several critical factors, including the pilot’s lack of an instrument rating and inclement weather. In this episode, we analyze the lessons learned from the crash investigation, revealing how gaps in pilot training and weather preparedness contributed to shaping aviation safety reforms.

Tune in to explore how this historic event continues to resonate today—both in music history and in the ongoing quest for safer skies.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/9 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

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

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.

THE COURAGE TO WAIT: PILOTS AND THE WISDOM OR NO-GO

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:00:00 -0500

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF.

With Special Guest JEFFREY MADISON

Fasten your seat belts—it’s time for THE SCHIFF SHOW: during this episode, we will learn how the “oops” moments of others could save your tail! Captain Brian Schiff teams up with Jeffrey Madison, the author of YIKES! 100 Smart Pilots and the Dumb Things They Did Yet Lived to Tell About 'Em. We will examine the anonymous confession of pilots after they narrowly avoided disaster. It turns out that the FAA keeps receipts, and so does Jeffrey—straight from NASA’s database of “what-was-I-thinking?” moments.

To go or not to go, that is the question. In this episode, we’ll take a learning opportunity out of a close call and reveal why sometimes the bravest move is staying on the ground. We’ll rethink the classic “go, no-go” decision, challenge your aviation instincts, and tune up your approach to risk—because, like your AVEMCO insurance policy, the best lessons are the ones you pray you’ll never use.

It’s education, entertainment, and just enough schadenfreude to make you double-check your preflight.

Whether you're a student pilot, instructor, or seasoned aviator, this episode will help you tame stalls and spins.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/8 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

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

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.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE COLGAN AIR TRADEGY

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 10:00:00 -0500

"LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE COLGAN AIR TRAGEDY"

Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF.

With Special Guest BARRY SCHIFF

Join Barry and Brian Schiff for an episode with twice the Schiff! They will break down what happened in the Colgan Air 3407 tragedy—and, more importantly, what every pilot can learn from it. Mismanagement of stall warnings and improper recovery actions can lead to disaster. Learn the recommended techniques for airplane stall and spin prevention and recovery.

No jargon—just practical advice you can use to keep yourself and your passengers safe. Don’t miss this fun-filled episode presented in a way that only this father and son pair can, and elevate your safety and proficiency by increasing your knowledge about stalls and spins.

Like AVEMCO insurance, the best training is the kind you hope you never need—but are grateful to have.

Topics discussed will include:

How prevent stalls and spins.
How to recognize an impending stall or spin.
Ways to fly that will reduce your chances of getting into an inadvertent stall or spin.
The recovery techniques that will save your bacon if you find yourself in a stall or spin.
The proper way to practice stalls and spins.

Whether you're a student pilot, instructor, or seasoned aviator, this episode will help you tame stalls and spins.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/7 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

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

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.

THINK RIGHT FOR A SAFER FLIGHT

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0500

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.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/6 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

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

FLY LIKE A PRO - SOPs Aren't Just for Airline Pilots

Sat, 17 May 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Standard Operating Procedures aren’t just airline stuff — they’re the secret sauce to safer flying. Join Brian and Jason as they cut through the fluff and lay out how SOPs can save your flight — and your butt. This deep dive into the power of SOPs will elevate your safety, confidence, and performance in the cockpit.

Topics discussed will include:

Personal Minimums
Standard Operating Practices
Industry Best Practices
Cockpit Resource Management

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/5 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including audience comments and polling.

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

"A WORLD WAR II TRAGEDY THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE"

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0500

During this episode you will hear about a devastating disaster that happened during World War II in Prestwick Scotland.

Topics discussed will include:

Altimetry
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)
Collision Avoidance
Minimum Safet Altitudes

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/4 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including course resources and other information.

Enjoy THE SCHIFF SHOW PODCAST and stay tuned for a new episode every month.

HANDLING EMERGENCIES & PERSONAL INFLIGHT AIRLINE EMERGENCY: "SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT!"

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 16:00:00 -0500

This episode of THE SCHIFF SHOW is dedicated to equipping pilots with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to handle emergencies confidently. It also will explore subjects often overlooked in conventional training but crucial for emergency preparedness.

You also will hear a frightening, firsthand account of a life-threatening emergency that Brian Schiff experienced. We hope this unique knowledge will spark your curiosity and serve as an additional insurance policy you’ll never need.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/3 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including course resources and other information.

Enjoy THE SCHIFF SHOW PODCAST and stay tuned for a new episode every month.

"A TURN FOR THE BETTER"

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0600

During this episode, we will break down the key aerodynamics of turning flight: lift, load factor, bank angle, and airspeed, giving you the tools to understand and manage turns confidently. What you don’t know can be dangerous!

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/2 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including course resources and other information.

Enjoy THE SCHIFF SHOW PODCAST and stay tuned for a new episode every month.

FUEL PLANNING, EXHAUSTION & STARVATION

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600

During this episode, we review an accident that resulted from fuel mismanagement, the regulations involved, what could have been done diﬀerently, and tech tips for fuel planning and management so this doesn't happen to you.

This podcast is the audio part of the original live video broadcast available at https://www.theschiffshow.tv/1 If you wish, please visit that website to view the archived version of the live event - including course resources and other information.

Enjoy THE SCHIFF SHOW PODCAST and stay tuned for a new episode every month.