Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Latest Episodes:

Promoting conservation from a Cessna 210, with Bruce Gordon Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

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

Learning from other pilots' mistakes, with JJ Madison Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

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

The life of a corporate pilot, with Mark McIntyre Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

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

Rethinking flight instruction, with Doug Stewart Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

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

Bonanzas, Gulfstreams, and airlines, with Adrian Eichhorn Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

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

Flying passengers to space, with Mike Masucci Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

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

Thinking about thinking, with Dr. Kenneth Stahl Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

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/

How drones and airplanes can coexist, with Christian Ramsey Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

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

Fighting forest fires from a DC-6, with David Gagliardi Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

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 brand new sport plane, with Steve Wood Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

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/