Advertise on podcast: Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Bruce Gordon learned to fly in Aspen over 40 years ago and has been flying in the Rockies ever since. He uses that experience to share tips for flying piston airplanes out West, name some of his favorite airports, and explain why the Cessna T210 is the perfect airplane for his missions. Bruce also talks about EcoFlight, the organization he founded that uses light airplanes to promote conservation, and how short flights can change people’s perspectives about the world. In the Ready to Copy segment, Bruce talks about flying with John Denver, lessons learned from mountain climbing, and the best soccer player of all time. SHOW LINKS: * EcoFlight: https://ecoflight.org/ * Aspen Hall of Fame: https://aspenhalloffame.org/inductee/bruce-gordon/ * Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

Plenty of pilots read accident reports, but airline pilot and author JJ Madison says NASA reports are even better—because you’re hearing directly from the pilot. He shares common themes and memorable stories from these reports, and reminds pilots how to submit one. JJ also talks about his career as an airline pilot, including the appeal of regional airlines and the importance of scheduling. In the Ready to Copy segment, JJ talks about flying turboprops, why staying in shape is critical for pilots, and how to be a Hollywood writer. SHOW LINKS: * JJ’s book Yikes!: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZ1R9BS * Victor Kilo Fund: https://www.victorkilofund.org/ * NASA reports database: https://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/ * Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

Pro pilot doesn’t have to mean airline pilot. Longtime corporate pilot and safety advocate Mark McIntyre explains the appeal of business aviation, why safety has to be the focus for a flight department, the unique challenges of international flying, and how to use new debriefing tools to fly safer. Mark began his career as a seaplane pilot, so he also shares lessons learned in this demanding environment. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about the best seaplane, managing fatigue, and fun places to fly in the Pacific Northwest. SHOW LINKS: * NBAA international operations: https://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/international/ * Kenmore Air: https://kenmoreair.com/ * Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

Legendary instructor Doug Stewart has a lot of strong opinions about flight training, from inadvertent IMC maneuvers to instrument procedures to engine failures. In this episode, Doug offers a sweeping view of the flight instructor’s role, with practical advice for pilots and instructors alike. Doug is also an active pilot examiner, so he shares checkride tips and tricks based on his decades of experience. In the Ready to Copy segment, Doug talks about flight simulators, bad communication habits, jazz musicians, and lessons from cycling. SHOW LINKS: * Doug Stewart Flight Instruction: https://www.dsflight.com/ * Improving on the 180-degree turn: https://www.dsflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/VMC-INTO-IMC-Mindstar.pdf * Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

Whether he’s circling the globe in his Bonanza or crossing the Pacific in a Gulfstream, Adrian Eichhorn says he monitors four key risks on every flight. In this episode, he explains why they matter and how preflight preparation is the key to preventing mistakes. An expert on multiple topics, Adrian also shares night flying tips, lessons learned from a decade of borescope use, and some wild stories from his long distance flights. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about the strangest airport Adrian ever landed at, why he loves the Bonanza, and what he learned as strategic nuclear advisor to the President. SHOW LINKS: * Night flying tips: https://safepilots.org/library/contributed/Safety_GoodNIGHT_12-31-15.pdf * Adrian’s long flights: https://flybluehorizons.com/ * Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

As an astronaut for Virgin Galactic, Mike Masucci flies one of the most unique aircraft ever built, but at the end of the day he says his job is to be a great glider pilot. In this fascinating episode, he takes us inside the spaceship to describe what it’s like to see Earth from above, what it sounds like in space, and how he guides the aircraft back to a safe landing. Mike also spent many years flying the U-2 in the Air Force and the Citation X for a fractional provider, and he shares lessons learned from both jobs. In the Ready to Copy segment, Mike talks about test pilot school, staying awake on long flights, and tips for flight instructors. SHOW LINKS: * Virgin Galactic: https://www.virgingalactic.com/ * Tim Decker episode: https://www.sportys.com/blog/episode-56-fuel-management-and-flying-the-u-2-with-tim-decker/ * Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

Making good decisions is a critical skill for safe flying, but it’s something most pilots rarely think about. Not Ken Stahl. He explains how to think smarter, especially under pressure, with valuable insights from his experience in cardiac surgery and the cockpit. Dr. Stahl also talks about the value of a “dopamine holiday,” how to monitor your flying performance as you age, and crew resource management. In the Ready to Copy segment, he talks about whether doctors are good pilots, how to live a healthier life, and his favorite question from patients. SHOW LINKS: * Dr. Stahl’s articles: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/articles-by-author/kenneth-stahl * Dopamine holiday: https://psychcentral.com/blog/dopamine-fasting-probably-doesnt-work-try-this-instead * Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip-of-the-week/

Should drones have the right of way over airplanes? The FAA has proposed just that (under certain conditions) in its recent Part 108 rule, but Christian Ramsey says it doesn’t have to be bad news for GA pilots. The UAS expert and private pilot explains how drones and GA aircraft can share airspace below 400 feet, including the potential use of new electronic conspicuity devices. Christian also worked on the ADS-B network roll-out, so he shares his thoughts on datalink traffic and why it’s essential for safety. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn about unique drone applications, ADS-B tips, and whether angle of attack indicators matter. * Part 108 summary: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/fact_sheets/Fact_Sheet_BVLOS.pdf * Christian’s article on ADS-B traffic: https://uavionix.com/blog/a-rant-about-ads-bs-role-in-preventing-mid-air-collisions/ * Lightspeed Zulu 4: https://www.sportys.com/lightspeed-zulu-4-aviation-headset.html

David Gagliardi has spent many summers flying big airplanes at low altitude, dropping fire retardant on wildfires all over North America. In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes, explaining how pilots maintain situational awareness, what it’s like managing 60-year old airliners, and what the future of the industry looks like. David is also a longtime flight instructor and pilot examiner, so he shares invaluable tips for anyone preparing for a checkride, including how to avoid “failing yourself.” In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about flying warbirds, the best airport in British Columbia, and decision-making lessons learned in the navy. SHOW LINKS: * Video of Electra working a fire: https://youtu.be/idwUaJadn_M * David’s article on engine failures: https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/aviation-safety-letter/issue-1-2025/are-instructors-preparing-their-students-actual-engine-failures-just-preparing-them-pass-flight-test * PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/

Designing a clean sheet airplane and introducing it to the world by flying to Oshkosh is a bold plan, but that’s exactly what Steve Wood did this year. He tells us all about the Spirit Engineering SE-1, including why staying quiet was important for the company, why good looks matter in an airplane, and why they designed their own engine. Steve also worked at Cessna many years ago, so he talks about the glory days of GA, including the launch of the Cessna Caravan. In the Ready to Copy segment, Steve discusses common design mistakes, the Skypup ultralight, and the Cessna T303. SHOW LINKS: * Spirit Engineering: https://spiriteng.com/se-1-aircraft/ * SE-1 video: https://youtu.be/9BMg5ECULm0 * PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/

Flying a turbine airplane like a Citation Mustang requires a new approach to training and procedures. Longtime jet pilot and safety expert David Miller shares what he’s learned over 50+ years of flying, including how to fly stabilized approaches, preparing for simulator training, and the value of a lead passenger. David also offers advice on the insurance process and when to fly with a second pilot. In the Ready to Copy segment, David talks about the Sabreliner, the Special Olympics Airlift, and detailing clay for cars. SHOW LINKS: * CJP safety videos: https://www.citationjetpilots.com/safety/videos * David’s Baron project: https://www.twinandturbine.com/remake-of-a-classic/ * Lightspeed Zulu 4: https://www.sportys.com/zulu4

Experienced airplane broker and all-around Cessna expert Mark Pilkington shares invaluable tips for avoiding disaster when buying an airplane, including his advice for first-time buyers, the right way to do a pre-buy inspection, and what to look for when buying a utility airplane like a Cessna 185. He also explains how he became an accidental YouTube star, and what his newest video series is all about (think Airplane Repo). In the Ready to Copy segment, Mark talks about the worst airplane model to buy, handling engine failures, and English pubs. SHOW LINKS: * Skywagons: https://www.skywagons.com/ * Skywagons University: https://www.youtube.com/@skywagonuniversity5023 * Lightspeed Zulu 4: https://www.sportys.com/zulu4

Learning to fly does not mean learning to travel by light airplane. In this episode, longtime aviation journalist Tom Haines shares tips he’s learned from a lifetime of cross-country flying in piston airplanes, including many he learned while flying with the late Richard Collins. Tom is also deeply involved in efforts to prevent poaching in Africa, so he describes the unique uses of CubCrafters airplanes in Namibia. In the Ready to Copy segment, Tom talks about flying the B-25, when he thinks unleaded avgas will be available, and his advice for new airplane owners. SHOW LINKS: * ERP Air Wing: https://www.erp.ngo/ * Air Care Alliance: https://www.aircarealliance.org/ * Lightspeed Zulu 4: https://www.sportys.com/zulu4

The job market for pilots has been through some wild swings lately, but aviation career coach (and former airline pilot) James Onieal says it’s neither as good nor as bad as you might think. He offers frank advice about the dangers of social media for aspiring pilots, explains why networking matters now more than ever, and discusses the differences between airline jobs and corporate jobs. In the Ready to Copy segment, James talks about the biggest career mistakes to avoid, what it’s like to flight check instrument approaches, and his favorite joke about cops.

Learning to fly is all about the challenge for YouTube creator Ethan O’Rourke. That meant training in a J-3 Cub with no electrical system and now traveling the country in an Aeronca Chief. Ethan explains the joy of low and slow flights, shares his approach to making memorable aviation films, and describes what it was like to fly over the North Atlantic in a WWII bomber. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn tips for hand-propping airplanes, what it was like to fly a MiG-15, and how to land on a frozen lake.