Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Nov 19 2024 91 ep. 37 mins 124
Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's Podcast artwork

Pilot's Discretion brings you authentic conversations with some of aviation's most interesting people. From honest discussions about flight training to fascinating stories from airshow pilots, this podcast is for anyone who loves to fly. Stay tuned for our rapid-fire "ready to copy" segment at the end of every episode, where we go beyond the cliches to find out what each guest really thinks. Brought to you by Sporty's Pilot Shop, training and equipping pilots worldwide since 1961. Have a comment? Email us: [email protected]

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91. Why owner-performed maintenance is essential, with Jeff Simon

Nov 19 2024 48 mins  
A critical shortage of A&Ps means airplane owners have no choice but to get involved in maintenance. Mechanic, pilot, and writer Jeff Simon explains how to get started, how to find the right shop, and what the impact could be from proposed FAA rules on remote maintenance. Jeff is also the founder of SocialFlight, so he shares his tips for keeping flying fun and involving family

90. How to abolish the 3rd class medical, with Brent Blue

Nov 05 2024 38 mins  
The success of BasicMed proves the third class medical is obsolete—that’s according to senior AME Brent Blue. He covers a wide range of medical topics in this episode, including how to fill out the FAA medical application, what the latest rules are on mental health treatment, and whether new drugs like Ozempic are safe for pilots. Dr. Blue is also a leading advocate for pulse o

89. The state of the homebuilt market, with Marc Cook

Oct 22 2024 42 mins  
Experimental airplanes make up an increasingly large share of the general aviation market, and Marc Cook knows that world better than anyone. He traces the history of homebuilts, from the radical plans of the 1980s to the refined kits of today, and describes the current state of the industry. He also talks about the causes of Van’s recent bankruptcy ordeal, and shares why he’s

88. What’s new in flight simulators, with Evan Reiter

Oct 08 2024 33 mins  
Home flight simulators can be valuable training tools, and they don’t necessarily teach bad flying habits. Evan Reiter, co-founder of the Flight Simulator Association, shares the data to back up those statements in this sim-centric episode. He also explains why virtual ATC services are so important for simulator pilots, and he offers a preview of the highly anticipated Microsoft

87. Preventing loss of control accidents, with Randy Brooks

Sep 24 2024 42 mins  
New technology has made flying safer over the last two decades, but it hasn’t done much to prevent loss of control accidents. These are still the number one cause of fatalities in aviation, and according to upset prevention instructor Randy Brooks the only answer is better pilot training. He explains why upset training is different from aerobatics, why your first instinct should

86. Airline industry predictions, with Courtney Miller

Sep 10 2024 44 mins  
Is the post-pandemic boom over for the airlines? Industry analyst and former airline pilot Courtney Miller says the answer is both yes and no. He talks about which airlines are winning and losing in 2024, whether pilot salaries have overshot, and what to make of Boeing’s latest struggles. In the Ready to Copy segment, Courtney explains why oil prices don’t affect air fares, why

85. Flying seaplanes in the Bahamas, with Paul Harding

Aug 27 2024 34 mins  
Paul Harding bought a seaplane before he was even a pilot, but went on to log 14,000 hours flying on floats all around the Bahamas. In this fun episode, he shares the details of that fascinating career, with tips on flying seaplanes, learning to fly later in life, and exploring the Out Islands. In the Ready to Copy segment, Paul talks about flying with celebrities, how to determine

84. Living the Cirrus Life, with Todd Simmons

Aug 13 2024 47 mins  
A quarter of Cirrus customers are not pilots when they buy their airplane. Todd Simmons explains how the company succeeds with these non-pilots, including their focus on enabling a lifestyle instead of just selling specs, providing a complete ownership solution, and tackling safety head-on. Todd is also a passionate backcountry pilot, so he talks about the risks and rewards of that

83. New flight control technology and helicopters, with Matt Thurber

Jul 30 2024 37 mins  
Learning to fly is hard, but revolutionary new fly-by-wire technology just might change that. Matt Thurber, an experienced pilot and journalist, describes how Skyryse has modified a Robinson helicopter and why it could be big news for general aviation. Matt is well-placed to evaluate this new aircraft because he recently learned to fly helicopters, and he shares what that was like,

82. Modern engine management, with Martin Pauly

Jul 16 2024 39 mins  
Operating a piston engine lean of peak can save fuel and reduce engine temperatures, but the topic is shrouded in mystery and even controversy. Flight instructor and YouTube pilot Martin Pauly breaks it all down in this episode, including what the tradeoffs are, why engine monitors matter, and when to watch CHT. Martin is also an expert on modern autopilots like the Garmin GFC 600,