Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Latest Episodes:

42. Why GA is experiencing a renaissance, with Flying magazine's Craig Fuller Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

GA is booming, and new Flying magazine owner Craig Fuller says this isn't just a passing fad. He explains why he believes the industry is experiencing a renaissance right now, with a new generation of pilots attracted by YouTube and a new generation of aviation businesses funded by venture capital. He also shares why he's such a believer in print magazines, what the new business model is for media companies, and how a fly-in community is part of his strategy. In the Ready to Copy segment, Craig talks about Top Gun, a potential eVTOL bust, and the lessons aviation can learn from the trucker shortage.

Show Links

Flying magazine: https://www.flyingmag.com

The Fields fly-in community: https://www.flythefields.com

Sporty's Pilot Training app: http://sportys.com/discover

41. What's killing pilots and how to stay safe, with the NTSB's Bruce Landsberg Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

There are four major causes of general aviation accidents, according to NTSB Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg. He reviews the latest safety trends, from VFR-into-IMC accidents to engine failures, and offers his tips for staying safe. He also shares some surprising statistics about the possible role of ADS-B traffic in reducing midair collisions, and explains why flight data monitoring should be adopted by far more GA pilots. In the Ready to Copy segment, Bruce talks about angle of attack indicators, whole airplane parachute systems, flight simulators, and even his time as a missile launch officer in the US Air Force.

Show links:

NTSB safety alerts: https://www.ntsb.gov/advocacy/safety-alerts/Pages/safetyalerts.aspx

NTSB on flight data monitoring: https://www.ntsb.gov/Advocacy/mwl/Pages/mwl-21-22/mwl-as-02.aspx

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://sportys.com/discover

40. From YouTube astronomer to Cirrus pilot, with Scott Manley Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

Scott Manley has been described as a scientist, a gamer, an astrophysicist, a software engineer, a DJ, and a YouTube star. He brings all of those unique skills to his latest adventure: learning to fly. He explains what drew him to aviation, why the written test was easy for a physicist, and what it's like to train in an SR20. He also offers some tips for using flight simulators during flight training and shares which programs are his favorite. In the Ready to Copy segment, Scott talks about riding the zero-G "vomit comet," what he thinks about Navy videos of possible UFOs, and whether you can see a laser pointer from the International Space Station.

Scott's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxzC4EngIsMrPmbm6Nxvb-A

Riding the vomit comet: https://youtu.be/M67YP-f-LyI

Sporty's PJ2+ COM Radio: https://www.sportys.com/pj2-plus-com-radio.html

39. Exploring the world in a Boeing 787, with author Mark Vanhoenacker Nov 22, 2022

Show notes

As a London-based airline pilot, Mark Vanhoenacker has traveled the world—and along the way he became a bestselling author. He explains how he stays curious as he travels, what "airplane mode" means for your brain, and why long-haul flying can be a lonely experience. He also describes the unique personalities of the Boeing 747 and 787, including what it's like to sit two stories above the runway and why he loves flying with a HUD. In the Ready to Copy segment, Mark shares the best overnight destination for an airline pilot, why "wilco" is useful in everyday life, and what he thinks of Moby Dick.

Imagine a City: https://www.amazon.com/Imagine-City-Pilots-Journey-Across/dp/0525657509/

Skyfaring: https://www.amazon.com/Skyfaring-Journey-Pilot-Mark-Vanhoenacker/dp/038535181X/

Mark's website: http://markvanhoenacker.com

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://www.sportys.com/sporty-s-pilot-training-app.html

38. Flying helicopters and climbing mountains, with Jessica Meiris Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

What do helicopter flying and mountain climbing have in common? Jessica Meiris is both a professional helicopter pilot and a record-setting rock climber—she says it's all about thinking ahead and working as a team. She shares the incredible story of how she got into aviation, the latest trends in helicopter safety, and tips for overcoming challenges with the FAA medical. She also explains what "energy management" means for pilots and the lessons she's learned about mountain weather. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jessica picks her favorite helicopter, tells airplane pilots how to avoid rotor wash from nearby helicopters, and explains what her favorite place to climb is.

US Helicopter Safety Team: https://ushst.org

Jessica's award: https://rotormedia.com/jessica_meiris_hai_michelle_north_scholarship_for-safety/

Sporty's Pilot Training Courses: http://sportys.com/discover

37. Why eVTOLs are for real and flying the A-10 Warthog, with Beta's Chris Caputo Oct 25, 2022

Show notes

Chris Caputo spent over 30 years in the Air Force flying A-10s and F-16s, so he might not be the first person you think of when you hear "electric vertical takeoff and landing advocate." But he's a believer, and in this episode he explains why. He also talks about what it's like to fly the Beta Technologies Alia aircraft, why the company is different from other electric aircraft startups, and why cargo may be a better business model than passenger flights. Chris also talks about his Air Force days, including the differences between the A-10 and the F-16, why military training is so valuable for an airline career, and what sound the A-10 gun really makes. In the Ready to Copy segment, he answers whether the last fighter pilot has been born, whether the Boeing 757 or 767 is more fun to fly, and when he thinks you'll be able to book at eVTOL flight.

BETA Technologies: https://www.beta.team

Watch the Alia fly: https://youtu.be/yraISXJgW8k

Sporty's Pilot Training Courses: https://www.sportys.com/learn-to-fly/sporty-s-courses.html

36. Learning to fly while YouTube watches, with Kim and Kristoffer from Baron Pilot Oct 11, 2022

Show notes

Learning to fly is fun and rewarding, but it can also be frustrating and even scary at times—and that's exactly what Kim and Kristoffer from the Baron Pilot YouTube channel wanted to show in their new video series. They talk about the ups and downs of flight training, how much work goes into every YouTube episode, and why they were surprised by viewers' reactions. Kristoffer also explains how he uses his Baron to commute to work and what it's like to fly jets when the weather isn't great. In the Ready to Copy segment, you'll learn the difference between a Mooney and a Beechcraft, the biggest mistake pilots make during flight training, and what their final flights would be.

Baron Pilot on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BaronPilot/featured

Kim's Flight Training videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-PiaX0xemXt4NxA1H7HX4CiyfmB5JWbg

Sporty's Pilot Training Courses: https://www.sportys.com/learn-to-fly/sporty-s-courses.html

35. Understanding aerodynamics and checkride tips, with Catherine Cavagnaro Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

Catherine Cavagnaro learned aerobatics from legendary instructor Bill Kershner and is a math professor on the side, which gives her a unique perspective on key topics in flight training. She explains what "the back side of the power curve" really means, why takeoffs are an overlooked risk for most pilots, and when you should use flaps on a power-off 180. She also shares her tips as a pilot examiner, including how to handle nerves and whether it's OK to admit "I don't know" on a checkride. In the Ready to Copy segment, Catherine explains the right way to use a sick sack, whether spins should be required for the Private Pilot test, and what geometric topology is.

Ace Aerobatic school: https://www.aceaerobaticschool.com

Catherine's articles for AOPA: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/articles-by-author/catherine-cavagnaro

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://www.sportys.com/sporty-s-pilot-training-app.html

34. Top Gun training and test pilot stories, with Chuck Coleman Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

Test pilot. Airshow pilot. Instructor for Top Gun: Maverick actors. Chuck Coleman might have one of the most interesting resumes in aviation, and he has plenty of stories to back up this experience. He talks about training actors to pull Gs for Tom Cruise's blockbuster movie, working with Burt Rutan on the SpaceShip One project, and what it's like to fly the Proteus high altitude jet. In the Ready to Copy segment, Chuck answers whether the Icon A5 is a safe airplane, shares the hardest airplane to fly that he's ever logged time in, and describes the most important character trait for a homebuilder.

Fly with Chuck: https://ctcoleman.com

Actor training for Top Gun: https://youtu.be/yM389FbhlRQ

Sporty's Pilot Training app: http://sportys.com/discover

33. Aviation trends, both hype and reality, with Richard Aboulafia Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

Are you excited about supersonic business jets or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft? Richard Aboulafia is going to disappoint you: "I'm here with my bucket of cold water.” The always-entertaining aviation analyst explains why these buzzy projects probably won't happen, what technology will become a reality, and why business jets are hot right now. He also analyzes the airlines' summer of misery and shares the right lessons to learn from the 737 MAX disaster. In the "Ready to Copy" segment, Richard tells us about the Concorde, the Collier Trophy, and China's airliner ambitions.

Richard's website: https://richardaboulafia.com

Richard's articles at Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardaboulafia/

Sporty's Pilot Training app: http://sportys.com/discover

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