The Aviator's Guide: Novice to Pilot

The Aviator's Guide: Novice to Pilot

by Hollie Bellino
How ToAviation
Season 1
Meet Vietnam Veteran, F/A-18 Pioneer and CEO and President of Mercy Medical Angels: Rear Admiral James "Gib" Godwin III
Join Hollie Bellino on The Aviator’s Guide as she sits down with Rear Admiral James Gib Godwin III — a U.S. Navy veteran with 33 years of service, missions in Vietnam and Desert Storm, and thousands of hours in two of the Navy’s most legendary aircraft: the A-7 Corsair and the F/A-18 Hornet. Admiral Godwin shares his incredible journey from fleet pilot and Landing Signal Officer (LSO) to F-18 design contributor and instructor, and now President & CEO of Mercy Medical Angels. Hear first-hand stories of: Flying over 2,000 hours in the A-7 Corsair and 2,000 hours in the F/A-18 Hornet 34 combat missions during Desert Storm Helping design and instruct in the F-18 program Serving as an LSO and mentoring the next generation of naval aviators His current mission with Mercy Medical Angels, providing life-saving medical transportation to those in need This is an inspiring conversation for pilots, veterans, and anyone fascinated by naval aviation history. Podcast Platforms for Listening to The Episodes: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide Support The Aviator's Guide: https://www.patreon.com/c/theaviatorsguide https://account.venmo.com/u/hollie-bellino https://cash.app/$holliebellino Find The Aviator's Guide on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide https://www.facebook.com/theaviatorsguide/ Intro music was produced by Jacob Watson. I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This channel is for entertainment purposes only and represents solely my opinion and not the opinion, views, or position of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.
S1 · E26
Sep 19, 2025
1:12:15
2025 Update for Career Pilots: Pathway Programs, Hiring Requirements & Types of Flying (Besides Airlines!)
Thinking about becoming a professional pilot — or already on the path and wondering what’s next? In this 2025 update, we break down the latest changes in pilot hiring, what regional and major airlines are looking for, and the real-world options outside of airline flying that you might not have considered. In this episode, you'll learn: ✍️ The newest pathway and cadet programs in 2025 ✅ Current hiring requirements (TT, ATP mins, flight hours, etc.) 🚁 Unique flying careers outside the airlines: corporate, medevac, charter, cargo, government flying and more 💡 Tips straight from recruiters' mouths from the WAI conference Details about part 91, 135 and your ATP certificate Whether you're just starting your training, in the right seat of a regional jet, or looking to pivot your flying career, this episode will give you clear, updated insights to help you make informed decisions. 🎧 Subscribe and follow for more pilot career guidance, interviews with aviation pros, and honest talk about life in the skies. youraviatorsguide@gmail.com Find The Aviator’s Guide Video Versions: https://www.youtube.com/@the_aviatorsguide Podcast Platforms for Listening to The Episodes: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide Support The Aviator's Guide: https://www.patreon.com/c/theaviatorsguide https://account.venmo.com/u/hollie-bellino https://cash.app/$holliebellino Find The Aviator's Guide on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide https://www.facebook.com/theaviatorsguide/ Intro music was produced by Jacob Watson. This channel is for entertainment purposes only and represents solely my opinion and not the opinion, views, or position of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. Flight School Questions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X5XdeA4AhFLvYDzJYEhKEENu9Ox4T-8q/view?usp=sharing
S1 · E25
Jun 6, 2025
32:13
7 Things You Need To Understand If You Want To Be A Professional Pilot
Description: In this episode, Hollie Bellino reviews some important things you need to be aware of before you decide to jump into the industry of aviation for your career. It’s better to be prepared, and this short episode will help you do just that in getting mentally prepared for your pilot journey! youraviatorsguide@gmail.com Podcast Platforms for Listening to The Episodes: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide Find The Aviator’s Guide Video Versions: https://www.youtube.com/@the_aviatorsguide Support The Aviator's Guide: https://www.patreon.com/c/theaviatorsguide https://account.venmo.com/u/hollie-bellino https://cash.app/$holliebellino Find The Aviator's Guide on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide https://www.facebook.com/theaviatorsguide/ Intro music was produced by Jacob Watson. This channel is for entertainment purposes only and represents solely my opinion and not the opinion, views, or position of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. No copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to their respective owners. Sources: ATP pilot privileges (instructing): https://www.faa.gov/media/14031#:~:text=Since%20the%20ATP%20is%20not,be%20counted%20as%20instructional%20time
S1 · E24
Apr 11, 2025
11:02
CEO & Co-Founder of Plane English on Pilot Training & Aviation's Future
Description: In this episode, Hollie Bellino has a worldly conversation with Muharrem Mane, the CEO and Co-Founder of the Plane English ARSim application for iPhone and Android. The main goal of this app is to help pilots learn how to speak correctly on the radios. If you’re a new pilot or will be starting your pilot journey soon, this is a great episode for you to help you prep for your flight training, including some first hand experience from two pilots and talks about the future of aviation. This is not a sponsored video. youraviatorsguide@gmail.com Podcast Platforms for Listening to The Episodes: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide Support The Aviator's Guide: https://www.patreon.com/c/theaviatorsguide https://account.venmo.com/u/hollie-bellino https://cash.app/$holliebellino Find The Aviator's Guide on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide https://www.facebook.com/theaviatorsguide/ Resources: Plane English ARSim Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=llc.planeenglish.planeenglish&utm_source=pe-website&pcampaignid=MKT-Other-global-all-co-prtnr-py-PartBadge-Mar2515-1 Plane English ARSim Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/planeenglish-arsim/id1461037185 Intro music was produced by Jacob Watson. I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This channel is for entertainment purposes only and represents solely my opinion and not the opinion, views, or position of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. No copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to their respective owners.
S1 · E23
Mar 21, 2025
1:01:47
How To Pick A Flight School: Questions You Need To Be Asking
In this episode, learn from Hollie Bellino about all the questions you need to be asking flight schools before you decide which one to complete your pilot training! This is a particularly helpful episode for you aspiring pilots out there who would like extra guidance to pick the right flight school for you. Related Videos: Private Pilot Certificate with Part 61 & 141 Differences: https://youtu.be/_CTAJbz1OdU?si=O6S-GGJl-ApuQhLg Instrument Rating with Part 61 & 141 Differences: https://youtu.be/U0GPfI-kbB8?si=fM09KKD83q6mQFyL Flight School Supplies Part 1: https://youtu.be/VpES7EaIBfA?si=H4YWxKh9DAS7mD2u Flight School Supplies Part 2: https://youtu.be/RWGgcBhTAPM?si=QaSYNgSvwRcmJiqO Should YOU Be A Pilot? https://youtu.be/3mrm9TWpW1Y?si=A2PbwqRFoF7r5Y3c youraviatorsguide@gmail.com Podcast Platforms for Listening to The Episodes: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide Support The Aviator's Guide: https://www.patreon.com/c/theaviatorsguide https://account.venmo.com/u/hollie-bellino https://cash.app/$holliebellino Find The Aviator's Guide on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide https://www.facebook.com/theaviatorsguide/ Intro music was produced by Jacob Watson. This channel is for entertainment purposes only and represents solely my opinion and not the opinion, views, or position of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. Resources: Flight School Questions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X5XdeA4AhFLvYDzJYEhKEENu9Ox4T-8q/view?usp=sharing Flight School Supplies: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S5KbbWUJBymM7KOvTPtodBBor2pwPSwP/view?usp=drive_link FAR 61.113: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.113
S1 · E22
Mar 7, 2025
13:08
Ways To Build Flight Hours Mini Series Continued: Glider Towing, Safety Pilot and Military!
Explicit
In this penultimate episode of the flight hour minis series, Hollie Bellino covers 3 more ways you can build your flight time to help you reach your career goals faster. Hollie, also, does a quick recap on all the other methods that have been mentioned in this mini series. Find out what you need to do! youraviatorsguide@gmail.com Podcast Platforms for Listening to The Episodes: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide Support The Aviator's Guide: https://www.patreon.com/c/theaviatorsguide https://account.venmo.com/u/hollie-bellino https://cash.app/$holliebellino Find The Aviator's Guide on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide https://www.facebook.com/theaviatorsguide/ Intro music was produced by Jacob Watson. I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This channel is for entertainment purposes only and represents solely my opinion and not the opinion, views, or position of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. No copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to their respective owners. Resources: Perlan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSy3GhdtZ68&t=378s 61.69: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-B/section-61.69 Military: https://www.defense.gov/About/our-forces/
S1 · E21
Feb 21, 2025
8:54
Airplane Accidents: A Dive Into Aviation History
Explicit
In this episode, Hollie Bellino takes a dive into the history of aviation accidents and depicts how air travel has progressed throughout the years. Email me at youraviatorsguide@gmail.com Support my show at https://dot.cards/holliebellino Check out my INSTAGRAM at https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-aircraft-crash-9d79051a9e535bd855df5a4e5553b2e9, https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/02/04/dca-crash-victims-recovered/ https://skyvector.com/ https://www.wdsu.com/article/houston-airport-engine-fire-evacuation/63651287# https://youtu.be/XeWuUXKJjPQ?si=ivdiodp8UXZNNU-j https://www.faa.gov/lessons_learned/transport_airplane/accidents/N93119 https://www.faa.gov/lessons_learned/transport_airplane/accidents/N726DA https://www.nps.gov/flni/learn/historyculture/flight93story.htm https://www.fbi.gov/history/artifacts/richard-reids-shoes https://www.faa.gov/lessons_learned/transport_airplane/accidents/N200WQ https://ourworldindata.org/airline-hijackings-were-once-common-but-are-very-rare-today https://www.panish.law/aviation_accident_statistics.html https://www.globalrescue.com/common/blog/detail/travel-crisis-on-trains/ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/planecrash/risky.html https://www.faa.gov/lessons_learned This channel is for entertainment purposes only and represents solely my opinion and not the opinion, views, or position of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.
S1 · E20
Feb 7, 2025
15:51
Rotor to Rank: A Warrant Officer's Journey to an Army Helicopter Pilot
SHOW NOTES RSS: In this special guest episode, Hollie Bellino introduces her husband, Joe Bellino, who is a Warrant Officer and trained Blackhawk and Lakota helicopter pilot for the Army National Guard. Joe shares the steps he took to get where he is to help any future army aviators traverse the path to get their wings. QUESTIONS? Email me! youraviatorsguide@gmail.com Listen to my PODCAST on any platform: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide SUPPORT my show: https://dot.cards/holliebellino See my YOUTUBE for video versions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCea-ZadSYN2QJMKTkwHv0HQ Check out my INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ Find me on TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide Jobs: https://www.usajobs.gov/ Checklist: https://recruiting.army.mil/Portals/15/Applicant%20Checklist_1%20Feb%202023.pdf Warrant Officer Site: https://recruiting.army.mil/ISO/AWOR/qualifications_MOSlist/ Asvab Test: https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab, https://www.goarmy.com/how-to-join/steps/asvab SIFT Test: https://militaryflighttests.com/sift-test/ Army dudes: https://www.pexels.com/video/close-up-video-of-american-flag-patch-on-military-uniform-7467577/ CFR 61.159: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-G/section-61.159 CFR 61.160: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-G/section-61.160 Intro music was produced by Jacob Watson. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.
S1 · E19
Jan 24, 2025
23:27
Ways to Build Flight Hours Mini Series: Banner Tow, Ferry Flying, Tours & Charters
Explicit
In this episode of The Aviator’s Guide, Hollie Bellino continues her mini series “Ways to Build Flight Hours” to help you all figure out what to do after you finish your flight training. Featured here will be tour piloting, ferry flying, banner towing and charter flying. Listen to see if any of these fit what you want to do! QUESTIONS? Email me! youraviatorsguide@gmail.com Listen to my PODCAST on any platform: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide SUPPORT my show: https://dot.cards/holliebellino See my YOUTUBE for video versions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCea-ZadSYN2QJMKTkwHv0HQ Check out my INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ Find me on TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide Resources: Banner Tow Waiver: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N_8900_481.pdf FAR 61.31: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.31 “Banner Tow Goes Wrong in Florida”: https://youtu.be/qeHPz8IQQpE?si=kKPxQxhEC_zO84g4 FAR91.311: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-91/subpart-D/section-91.311 Drone Towing: https://cuashub.com/en/content/faa-issues-authorization-for-drones-to-tow-full-size-ad-banners/ FAR 61.159: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-G/section-61.159 Pilot Jobs: https://pilotcareercenter.com/ Intro music was produced by Jacob Watson. I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.
S1 · E18
Jan 10, 2025
10:10
Night Flying Ground Lesson for Private Pilot: Logging Night Landings Correctly, 3 Types of Night, Illusions, Night Vision
In this first ever ground lesson of The Aviator’s Guide, Hollie Bellino covers some pertinent topics when it comes to night flying! Be sure you don’t miss this one, especially if you have a checkride coming up for your Private Pilot Certificate. QUESTIONS? Email me! youraviatorsguide@gmail.com Listen to my PODCAST on any platform: https://linktr.ee/TheAviatorsGuide SUPPORT my show: https://dot.cards/holliebellino See my YOUTUBE for video versions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCea-ZadSYN2QJMKTkwHv0HQ Check out my INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/the_aviators_guide/ Find me on TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaviatorsguide Night Flying Ground Crossword Puzzle: https://crosswordlabs.com/embed/night-flying-ground Resources: The Air Almanac: https://aa.usno.navy.mil/publications/aira The Airplane Flying Handbook: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook Autokinesis: https://indjaerospacemed.com/autokinesis-illusion-in-fighter-flying-revisited/ Civil Twilight Calculator that works: https://www.almanac.com/astronomy/sun-rise-and-set FAA Civil Twilight Tool Link that doesn’t work: https://avcams.faa.gov/sunrise_sunset.php The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak Rods & Cones video: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/processing-the-environment/sight/v/photoreceptors-rods-cones Sunglasses: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/sunglasses.pdf Ecfr.gov Intro music was produced by Jacob Watson. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of any company, institution or corporation. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.
S1 · E17
Dec 27, 2024
20:49
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