Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Latest Episodes:

22. An astrophysicist learns to fly, with Dr. Katie Mack Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

As a theoretical cosmologist, Katie Mack (better known as AstroKatie online) isn't afraid of a little math—so when she learned to fly, she dove right into physics and aerodynamics. What she didn't expect was how much fun it would be, and how much her interest in airplanes would consume her life. She talks about the flight training process, whether Newton or Bernoulli is more correct about lift, and what she thinks of the emerging world of private spaceflight. In the Ready to Copy segment, Katie shares her pick for the best science fiction book for pilots, her theory of how the universe will end, and the story of her cameo in a Reese Witherspoon movie.

Katie's science writing: https://www.astrokatie.com

Katie's book, The End of Everything: https://bookshop.org/books/the-end-of-everything-astrophysically-speaking/9781982103552

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

21. Lessons learned as a pilot and mechanic, with Chelsea Smith Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

Pilot, mechanic, social media influencer - Chelsea Smith stays busy, but her passion for aviation is the common thread in all that she does. In this episode, she talks about how to do a better preflight inspection, why post-maintenance flights can be risky, and when owners should get involved with their mechanic. She also shares her unique aviation story, including why she never thought she'd become a mechanic and why she bought a Cessna 150 and flew it solo across the US. In the Ready to Copy segment, Chelsea talks about maintaining radial engines, what competitive shooting taught her, and where to find the best Kentucky hot brown.

Follow Chelsea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highmaintenance_chels/

Watch Chelsea earn her instrument rating: https://youtu.be/_mF9_4YUgBQ

Shop aircraft gear: https://www.sportys.com/aircraft-supplies.html

20. Living in the age of electric airplanes, with Joby's Greg Bowles Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

"We are living in the age of electric airplanes," says Greg Bowles. He would know, since he works at eVTOL pioneer Joby Aviation. Greg, an airplane and helicopter pilot, explains why this time might really be different for electric aviation, why noise is as important as safety for communities, and what the trickle-down benefits of the electric investment boom might be for general aviation. He also shares his perspective as an aircraft certification expert, including the new MOSAIC program from the FAA. In the "ready to copy" segment, Greg tells us whether airplanes or helicopters are more fun, when we might see an electric kitplane, and what the future holds for pilotless airplanes.

Joby Aviation: https://www.jobyaviation.com

NASA study on regional aviation: https://sacd.larc.nasa.gov/ram/

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

19. Writing America's story from a Cirrus, with James Fallows Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

Flying a small airplane is “like being in a skyscraper that moves,” according to award-winning author James Fallows. He used that view to research his latest book, Our Towns, flying his Cirrus SR22 to more than 50 American cities that lie beyond the airline routes and highways. He explains how small airports can be a point of connection for these communities and why safety is so important for general aviation's image. Jim also talks about why Cirrus has survived while other airplane companies have failed, and how being a pilot has changed his behavior, from everyday conversations to his assessment of risk. In the "Ready to copy" segment, Jim shares his pick for best aviation book, his favorite airport craft brewery, and why leaf blowers are so bad.

Our Towns book: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Towns-000-Mile-Journey-America/dp/1101871849

Our Towns on HBO: https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/our-towns

Jim's Substack newsletter: https://fallows.substack.com/

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sportys-pilot-training/id1272775528

18. How technology has changed flying, with Max Trescott Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

As one of the premier Cirrus flight instructors in the country, Max Trescott has strong opinions about pilots and technology, including: "the debate about the parachute is over" and "the autopilot is the glass cockpit." In this fast-paced episode, Max makes the case that technology has changed and pilots need to change too. He also shares tips for flying stabilized approaches, how to use an iPad to avoid terrain, and why the track vector on glass cockpits is often overlooked. In the "Ready to copy" segment, Max tells us why you're probably pouring oil into your airplane's engine the wrong way, the best part of being an independent flight instructor, and why sumping fuel doesn't guarantee you'll notice misfueling.

Max's podcast: https://aviationnewstalk.com

Max's books: https://www.maxtrescott.com/max_trescott_on_general_a/books/

Sentry ADS-B Receiver: https://www.sportys.com/foreflight-sentry-ads-b-receiver.html

17. Flying across the Atlantic in a Cessna, with Ian Seager Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

Lots of pilots fly to Oshkosh. Ian Seager flew his Cessna all the way from England to get there—with no autopilot! In this episode, the British writer and pilot shares what that experience was like, from the stunning views in Greenland to the frustrating paperwork. He also gives a European perspective on general aviation, including why privatized air traffic control is a disaster, how the basic instrument rating works, and what he thinks about electric airplanes replacing 100LL. In the Ready to Copy segment, Ian tells us his favorite country for flying, what the best British movie about World War II is, and why pilots should look in the mirror when thinking about safety.

Flyer magazine: https://www.flyer.co.uk

Pilot Career News: https://www.pilotcareernews.com

Sporty's Commercial Pilot Course: https://www.sportys.com/commercial-pilot-prep-course.html

16. Bucket lists and women in aviation, with flyGIRL's Natalie Kelley Jan 04, 2022

Show notes

Lots of people talk about bucket lists—Natalie Kelley lives by one. At a low point in her life, she pulled out that list and decided to chase her dream of becoming a pilot. Now a flight instructor and Citation pilot, she shares her journey and explains how she overcame her doubts. She also talks about starting her company, flyGIRL, which supports women in aviation through scholarships and mentoring. In the "Ready to copy" segment, Natalie tells us what skill she learned as a mother that helped her as a pilot, how she uses social media as a positive tool, and what her first flight in a jet was like.

flyGIRL gear: https://www.sportys.com/apparel-and-gifts/flygirl-store.html

flyGIRL scholarships: https://flygirlllc.com

Follow Natalie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flygirlkelley/

15. Debating "the impossible turn," with Capt. Brian Schiff Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

The engine just quit on takeoff—should you try to turn back to the airport? Conventional wisdom says no, but airline captain and flight instructor Brian Schiff says the truth is more complicated than that. He explains why the so-called "impossible turn" isn't so impossible, and what pilots need to practice before considering the turn-back. He also shares his advice for aspiring airline pilots, why pilots can't turn off their brain when they turn on the autopilot, and what it was like to grow up in an aviation family. In the "Ready to Copy" segment, Brian describes what it's like to fly a Category III instrument approach, his favorite business jet, and his advice for pilots taking a checkride.

Brian's website: https://www.captainschiff.com

Brian's webinar: https://youtu.be/HMu-GdKZe_8

Sporty's Commercial Pilot Training Course: https://www.sportys.com/commercial-pilot-prep-course.html

14. Busting maintenance myths with Mike Busch Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

There are two simple rules for improving engine longevity, says Mike Busch, and corrosion is a much bigger problem than wear. He should know—as aviation's best known mechanic, he has been leading the revolution in "reliability-centered maintenance." In this episode, Mike explains what that means, why more maintenance isn't always better, and how hot is too hot when it comes to cylinder head temperature. He also shares his views on oil additives, lean of peak operation, and owner-performed maintenance. Whether you're an experienced aircraft owner or a new student pilot, there's plenty to learn from this packed episode.

Savvy Aviation: https://www.savvyaviation.com/

Mike's books: https://resources.savvyaviation.com/resources/mikes-books/

Aircraft supplies: https://www.sportys.com/aircraft-supplies.html

NOTICE THE NEW NAME? Fast Five is now Pilot's Discretion. Same great content, same format—just a new name.

13. New weather tools and forecast tips, with Dr. Scott Dennstaedt Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Weather geeks, this episode is for you! Dr. Scott Dennstaedt, a former National Weather Service meteorologist and an active flight instructor, joins the podcast to talk about his preflight weather briefing routine, why you can't simply learn weather from left seat, and how datalink weather has changed flying. He also offers tips for avoiding VFR-into-IMC accidents, what his favorite weather books are, and his opinion on more obscure weather products like Skew-T log-p and MOS forecasts. Whether you're a student pilot or an experienced pro, there are plenty of tips here to make your next flight safer and more comfortable.

EZWxBrief: https://ezwxbrief.com

1-on-1 weather training: https://avwxtraining.com/

Scott's new weather book: https://www.pilotweatherbook.com

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sportys-pilot-training/id1272775528

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