Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Latest Episodes:

12. Understanding the flight simulator boom, with Chris McGonegle Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

Why are flight simulators so hot right now? Can pilots use them for real training or just for fun? What are the pros and cons of the different simulator software options? Chris McGonegle, a Commercial Pilot who heads the flight simulator department at Sporty's, answers all these questions and more. If you're thinking about adding a home flight simulator to your training toolkit, this podcast will give you the information you need to save money and avoid frustration. Chris also shares his tips for avoiding the "rusty pilot" label, suggestions for making passengers comfortable on first flights, and his pick for best aviation book.

Flight Simulator Central: https://www.sportys.com/blog/flight-simulator-central/

Chris's picks for best gear: https://www.sportys.com/blog/flight-simulator-buyers-guide-2021/

11. GA trends and urban air mobility hype, with Mac McClellan Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

As Editor-in-Chief at Flying magazine for 20 years, Mac McClellan flew just about every new airplane delivered after 1976. In this episode he shares his favorite ones and some that he wished he'd never flown. As a keen observer of general aviation trends, Mac also explains why pilots are flying fewer cross countries (except for Cirrus owners), why personal flying inevitably means tradeoffs between safety and efficiency, and what the future holds for urban air mobility/eVTOL proposals. In the "ready to copy" segment, Mac shares why he thinks personal minimums are a bad idea, the best places to fly in Michigan, and what sailing and flying have in common. You might disagree with some of Mac's opinions, but he'll definitely make you think.

Mac's articles at Air Facts: https://airfactsjournal.com/author/macmcclellan/

Mac on Eclipse: https://www.flyingmag.com/what-went-wrong-eclipse/

10. Aviation families and rusty pilot dreams, with Flight Outfitters' Mark Glassmeyer Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

Mark Glassmeyer has a simple plan for his student pilot son: "We’re gonna talk about aviation for the rest of our lives." He understands the power of these multi-generational connections because his grandfather, a B-24 pilot in World War II, first introduced him to aviation at age 7 with a trip to Oshkosh. But even with that memorable start and some lessons as a teenager, it would take more than 25 years for him to actually earn his license. In this episode, he explains why shaking the rusty pilot label meant he had to get a little selfish and take control of his life. Other topics include: why aviation can look surprisingly affordable compared to youth sports, how being a pilot helped him overcome a learning disability, and why Flight Outfitters' tagline is "pilot your own adventure."

The Flight Outfitters story: https://www.flightoutfitters.com

EAA-Flight Outfitters contest: https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/pilot-your-own-adventure

Flight Outfitters bags: https://www.sportys.com/flight-bags-kneeboards/flight-outfitters.html

9. Flying around the world and embracing adventure, with JP Schulze Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

"A real adventure is never just roses... it's a genuinely challenging experience." That's what JP Schulze (aka the_candourist on YouTube) believes, and he should know—he's flown around the world with over 2 million people watching live, he's biked across the United States solo, and he grew up flying in Africa. In this wide-ranging episode, he explains what he learned from his around-the-world adventure, why he's doing it again in an experimental airplane, and what it's really like to make YouTube videos. He also shares why being a pilot can make you a more self-aware person, his favorite place to fly, and what he thinks about the future of general aviation.

JP's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyyfkfhgG1UMz1icWGABNaw

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

8. Controversial aviation opinions, with AOPA's Dave Hirschman Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Flight instructors should talk less. Experimental airplanes are clearly better than certified ones. Waterskiing an airplane is a terrible idea. Dave Hirschman, a well-known writer for AOPA and a pilot with wide range of experience in everything from taildraggers to jets, doesn't think these are controversial opinions. He believes them because the facts support them, and more people should just admit it. This episode of Fast Five covers all of these interesting topics, plus many more: why he uses a video camera on most flights, why pilots need to be good at both technology and manual flying, and what the most important trait is for safe flying. He also shares some stories from his time as a flight instructor and ferry pilot, and some of the personalities he's met along the way—some good, some bad.

7. Backcountry flying and family airplanes, with the RAF's John McKenna Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Flying in the backcountry means "dispensing with the direct-to button," says Recreational Aviation Foundation Chairman John McKenna. The rewards for doing so include true adventure and stunning views—far beyond the $100 hamburger. He explains why you don't need big bushwheels to fly these trips, how his organization preserves remote landing strips all over the US, and what he has learned from over 6,000 hours in tailwheel airplanes. He also shares his tips for including family in your flying adventures. In the "Ready to Copy" segment, John picks his favorite backcountry airport, describes how to make great cowboy coffee, and explains why he once loaded over 60 dogs in a single airplane.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop

Guest: John McKenna, Recreational Aviation Foundation

RAF: https://theraf.org

6. Life as an EMS helicopter pilot, with Matt Johnson Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

Are helicopters harder to fly than airplanes? What's it like to fly an instrument approach to a parking lot in an EC145 helicopter? And how has the iPad changed the air medical pilot's job? Professional helicopter pilot Matt Johnson takes us inside the fascinating world of rotary wing flight in this episode, from the basics of helicopters to the latest advances in technology. He's also an FAA designated pilot examiner, so he shares his tips for applicants—including why he wants you to pass! In the rapid-fire "Ready to Copy" segment, Matt shares his favorite helicopter, the strangest place he's ever landed, and whether he would ride on an autonomous air taxi one day. Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop Guest: Matt Johnson, air medical helicopter pilot and designated pilot examiner Sporty's Helicopter Course: https://www.sportys.com/so-you-want-to-fly-helicopters-course-online-app-and-tv.html

5. Behind the scenes at air traffic control, with Eddie Albert Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

Air traffic control and pilots work together every day, but often the two sides don't fully understand each other. In this episode, longtime controller (and pilot) Eddie Albert takes us behind the scenes. You'll hear why "roger" is not a read back, what kind of weather ATC sees on their radar screen, and why declaring an emergency usually isn't a big deal. Eddie also explains how he picks an IFR route to file and how to manage weather deviations with a controller. In the fast-paced "Ready to Copy" segment, Eddie shares whether controllers prefer IFR or VFR flight following, what advice he gave to his son as a new controller, and what the best movie is with air traffic control.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop

Guest: Eddie Albert, Support Specialist, Cincinnati Approach

Sporty's Instrument Rating Course: Sportys.com/instrument

4. Aerobatics and flying in Africa, with Patty Wagstaff Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

Patty Wagstaff is one of the most famous airshow pilots in history, but her aviation story includes so much more than just aerobatics. In this wide-ranging podcast episode, Patty talks about what's going through her mind during an airshow, what pilots can learn from an upset recovery course, why she chose to fly as a wildfire spotter for Cal Fire, and why she loves flying in Africa. As you'll hear, she has flown an incredible variety of airplanes. In the fast-paced "Ready to Copy" segment, Patty shares her favorite warbird, what pilots can learn from horses, and what it was like to grow up in Japan.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop

Guest: Patty Wagstaff, https://pattywagstaff.com

Basic Aerobatics Course with Patty Wagstaff: Sportys.com/aerobatics

3. iPad apps and legal weather briefings with iPad Pilot News Editor Bret Koebbe Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

Has the iPad made flying safer? What counts as a legal weather briefing these days? And what are the latest trends in aviation apps? Nobody knows the world of electronic flight bags better than Bret Koebbe, a corporate pilot, active flight instructor, and Editor at iPad Pilot News. He shares his tips for integrating an iPad into primary flight training, flying with datalink weather, and using flight simulators to learn a new app. In the fast-paced "Ready to copy" segment, Bret shares his favorite app, what it's like to fly Sporty's 1963 Piper Aztec, and his best tip for smoking meat.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop

Guest: Bret Koebbe, iPadPilotNews.com

Flight Gear iPad Battery Pack: Sportys.com/battery

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