Episodi

  • Mentour Pilot with Petter Hörnfeldt – Aviation, Mentorship & the Mentour Group

    Mentour Pilot with Petter Hörnfeldt – Aviation, Mentorship & the Mentour Group
    Feb 22 2026
    In this special 16th episode of aviation-quest.cc – Stories from Above, host Jürgen Reis welcomes Petter Hörnfeldt, widely known as the creator of Mentour Pilot, and today the driving force behind a growing aviation media ecosystem. What started more than ten years ago as a single YouTube channel has evolved into what Petter now calls the Mentour Group — including Mentour Pilot, Mentour Now!, and The Captain’s Speaking – An Aviation Podcast. Behind these projects stands a dedicated team, clearly defined roles, and countless hours of preparation, research, and production to deliver aviation content at the highest professional level. In this wide-ranging conversation, Petter speaks openly about his own aviation background, the phases of his career that shaped him most, and how mentorship became a central pillar of his work. Together, they discuss: - The origins and growth of Mentour Pilot and its expansion into multiple channels - Mentour Now! and The Captain’s Speaking – An Aviation Podcast as new formats for deeper discussion - The people and roles working behind the scenes of the Mentour Group - The workload and responsibility that come with large-scale aviation education - The mission statement behind Mentour Pilot and its focus on safety and realism - Honest, experience-based advice for young pilots considering a professional career - Crucial factors to evaluate before investing time and money into flight training - Which phases of Petter’s own career influenced him most as a pilot and mentor - Future plans for the continued growth of the Mentour Group - Petter’s personal definition of success — measured not in clicks or downloads, but in impact Recorded on January 20th, 2026, this episode offers rare insight into the person behind some of aviation’s most influential educational platforms. A thoughtful and grounded conversation for aspiring pilots, aviation professionals, and anyone interested in how modern aviation mentorship works in practice.
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    47 min
  • 20 Years of FSClips – Inside a YouTube Aviation Legend

    20 Years of FSClips – Inside a YouTube Aviation Legend
    Feb 15 2026
    Episode 15 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above Few YouTube channels can claim a 20-year history — and even fewer have aged as gracefully as FSClips. In this episode, Stefan joins host Jürgen Reis for a rare, honest, and deeply insightful conversation about what it really means to run a high-quality aviation channel across two decades of constant platform change. Recorded in January 2026, ahead of FSClips’ 20th anniversary in early July, this episode also serves as a small piece of YouTube history: Stefan explains how the platform worked in its early days, why FSClips didn’t start as a clockwork-style weekly channel — and how it eventually evolved into the calm, consistent, and professional format viewers know today. Together, they explore: - The origins of FSClips and how long-term success on YouTube looked before algorithms ruled everything - Stefan’s understated style, from A320 deep dives to other aircraft, real cockpit footage, simulations, and games - A rare strategic outlook on which types of videos he wants to pursue in the future — and which he consciously leaves behind - A detailed walkthrough of the famous Kai Tak chessboard approach, from research and flight planning to recording, editing, and upload - The surprising number of hours behind a 15–20 minute YouTube video - Recommended PC hardware for enjoying flight simulation as a hobby — not just as a content creator - What Stefan is most proud of after 20 years of FSClips One unforgettable story stands out: “Can we fly 23 hrs non-stop?” — a flight-sim recreation of a real-world record flight. A night that ended with step climbs at 4 a.m., a wake-up call from his son at 5:30, and something very close to real jet lag — all for a YouTube video. This episode is not about chasing trends. It’s about craft, consistency, curiosity, and calm authority — and why FSClips remains relevant after two decades in one of the fastest-moving digital environments imaginable.
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    43 min
  • Seaplane Flying with Christoph Barszczewski – Lakes, Floatplanes & the Call of the Wilderness

    Seaplane Flying with Christoph Barszczewski – Lakes, Floatplanes & the Call of the Wilderness
    Feb 8 2026
    Episode 14 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above brings a special guest into the cockpit: Christoph Barszczewski, one of Europe’s most experienced seaplane instructors and the founder of Seaplanes.at. At 68 years old, he continues to fly — and teach — with the spirit of an explorer, splitting his time between Austria, Poland, and floatplane adventures in Alaska. Together with host Jürgen Reis, Christoph dives into: - His remarkable journey into the world of seaplanes - Water flying from Europe to Africa to Alaska - How pilots can obtain the EASA SEP(sea) rating - What landplane pilots gain from training on floats - Safety essentials and the unique mindset of lake landings - How to judge wind, conditions, and terrain when no runway exists - The growing seaplane community and meetings on Austria’s most beautiful lakes From remote bush-style operations to structured EASA training, this episode blends aviation wisdom with pure storytelling. Whether you dream of touching down on a glassy lake or simply love aviation’s more adventurous side — this episode will pull you right into the floatplane world.
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    51 min
  • ATPL Insights, Part 3 – From Frozen ATPL to the Right Seat

    ATPL Insights, Part 3 – From Frozen ATPL to the Right Seat
    Feb 1 2026
    Episode 13 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above concludes the ATPL Insight Series with the phase every flight student dreams of — and often underestimates: turning a frozen ATPL into a real airline cockpit seat. Airbus A320 first officer Stefan Lorenz takes host Jürgen Reis through the most demanding stretch of his journey: the years after flight school. Recorded with a 2025 industry perspective, Stefan explains why today’s pilot shortage offers unprecedented opportunities — while airlines remain as selective as ever when it comes to screening and selection. Drawing from his own career during the financial crisis of 2008–2009, Stefan shares how he faced hundreds of applications, long periods without job offers, and the financial pressure of maintaining licenses. Instead of giving up, he kept his skills sharp through networking, simulator work on aircraft like the Boeing 737 and even the iconic 747, and relentless preparation. The episode offers rare first-hand insight into high-end airline assessments — including psychological testing, simulator evaluations, and the mindset required to succeed at elite selection centers such as the DLR. Stefan explains why finishing flight school is often just the beginning, why persistence matters more than talent, and why global mobility can be a decisive factor in a pilot’s career. Honest, motivating, and grounded in real-world experience, this episode is essential listening for anyone aiming for an airline career — revealing what it truly takes to move from frozen ATPL to the right seat of an Airbus.
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    40 min
  • ATPL Insights, Part 2 – Flight Training Across Canada, the US & the UK

    ATPL Insights, Part 2 – Flight Training Across Canada, the US & the UK
    Jan 25 2026
    Episode 12 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above continues the three-part ATPL journey, this time diving into the intense, hands-on flight phase of pilot training. After conquering ground school in Part 1, A320 first officer Stefan Lorenz shares with host Jürgen Reis what it really meant to take his training into the sky — across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Listeners get a vivid look at: - Winter operations in Canada — low jetstream, freezing temperatures, and the unique challenges they bring - High-temperature flying in the U.S. — density altitude, aircraft performance, and staying sharp under physical stress - The “eat, fly, study, sleep, repeat” lifestyle — months dedicated entirely to aviation - The transition from PPL to multi-engine IFR — mastering complexity step by step - Entering the multi-crew world — CRM, airline-style procedures, and preparing for real cockpit environments Stefan describes how these intense months shaped his airmanship, discipline, and mindset — and why the international training environment was invaluable preparation for an airline cockpit. Packed with guidance and real-world insight, this episode is a must-listen for anyone dreaming of a professional pilot career or curious about what ATPL flight training truly feels like behind the scenes.
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    37 min
  • ATPL Insights, Part 1 – Inside Europe’s Elite Pilot Training

    ATPL Insights, Part 1 – Inside Europe’s Elite Pilot Training
    Jan 18 2026
    Episode 11 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above launches a brand-new three-part series exploring how Airbus A320 first officer Stefan Lorenz worked his way from student to airline pilot. In this first chapter, Stefan takes host Jürgen Reis back to the very beginning: his time at the Oxford Aviation Academy, one of Europe’s most respected pilot training institutions. He shares what life in full-time ATPL training really looks like — from strict uniforms, long study nights, and 14 demanding theoretical subjects to the discipline, focus, and mindset needed to succeed. Listeners get a rare behind-the-scenes look at how high-pressure ground school shapes future pilots, why mentorship matters, and how to decide whether a professional pilot path is truly the right choice. Stefan also explains how he managed social life, stress, and expectations while staying motivated and finishing as one of his class’s top students. Packed with practical insights for aspiring aviators, this episode offers a realistic, inspiring, and highly informative guide to what awaits behind the doors of Europe’s big aviation academies — before a single engine even starts turning.
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    40 min
  • Glider Insights, Part 2 – Landing Without a Go-Around

    Glider Insights, Part 2 – Landing Without a Go-Around
    Jan 11 2026
    Episode 10 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above continues the deep dive into gliding — focusing on one of its most fascinating aspects: the landing. How can you touch down safely when a go-around simply isn’t an option? Former glider pilot and host Jürgen Reis shares how training, energy awareness, and constant planning create multiple safe landing options, even without power. Together with A320 first officer Stefan Lorenz, he contrasts glider approaches with those of modern airliners, revealing surprising overlaps and crucial differences. Jürgen also offers hands-on advice for flight sim enthusiasts on how to configure simulators like FSX or Microsoft Flight Simulator for a realistic glider setup — including the art of coordinated flight with the yaw string and mastering the side-slip. This episode celebrates the discipline and finesse behind every silent landing — where judgment, skill, and calm decision-making define true airmanship.
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    39 min
  • Glider Insights, Part 1 – Flying Before Driving

    Glider Insights, Part 1 – Flying Before Driving
    Jan 4 2026
    Episode 9 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above begins a brand-new series exploring the world of gliding — flight in its most elemental form. This time, the microphones are turned around: Airbus A320 first officer Stefan Lorenz interviews his co-host Jürgen Reis, who earned his glider pilot license at just 17, long before getting a driver’s license. Jürgen shares what it’s like to learn real stick-and-rudder flying at a young age, take full responsibility for the aircraft and the airspace, and experience the thrill of silent flight powered only by nature. Together, they discuss how gliding builds strong foundations for a professional aviation career, the steps to get started today, and why this path remains one of the most affordable, inspiring entries into aviation. Whether you’re a teenager dreaming of flight or a seasoned pilot nostalgic for your first thermals — this episode captures the freedom, discipline, and beauty of flying without an engine.
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    36 min