Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Latest Episodes:

72. Why most airports are poorly managed, with Mike Jones Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Airports are missing out on $35 billion in economic impact because they're not well run - that's according to pilot and airport management expert Michael Jones. He explains the cause of this underperformance and why the structure of an airport management team is so important. Mike is also a longtime Cessna 210 owner, so he shares stories about this do-everything piston single, including the time he took one to 27,000 feet. In the Ready to Copy segment you'll hear tips for successful Young Eagles flights, what skills Mike learned as an air traffic controller in Vietnam, and the best golf course in the Carolinas.

SHOW LINKS:

- Mike's article at Air Facts: https://airfactsjournal.com/2023/12/g-a-airports-suffer-from-costly-mismanagement/

- PilotWorkshops at Sporty's: https://sportys.com/pilotworkshops

71. IFR proficiency and remote flight instruction, with Ryan Koch Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

Earning an instrument rating can unlock new flying adventures, but only if you keep your skills sharp. In this episode, CFII Ryan Koch offers some tips for doing that, including: staying mentally engaged when you can’t fly, using scenarios instead of maneuvers, and simple techniques for improving your instrument scan. Ryan also talks about delivering remote flight instruction with flight simulators, including for avionics training and high school classes. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear how Ryan uses checklists during IFR flight, what he likes best about the Stearman, and his favorite guitarist.

SHOW LINKS:

- IFR Procedures Manual: https://www.sportys.com/pilot-workshops-ifr-procedures-manual-digital-copy.html

- PilotWorkshops IFR Mastery Membership: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/ifr-mastery/?disc=36

70. How musicians and pilots are similar, with Randy Waldman Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

When you go on tour with Frank Sinatra at age 21, it’s hard to be intimidated—so it’s no surprise Randy Waldman jumped into the exciting world of helicopters with both feet. In this episode he shares his unique aviation journey, from model airplanes to owning a Mooney to setting a speed record in a Bell OH-58. As one of LA’s most experienced studio musicians and an active helicopter CFI, Randy talks about the similarities between music and flying, including how pilots can develop feel, whether having a career plan B makes sense, and how to use all your senses. In the Ready to Copy segment, Randy shares the most challenging part of flying in LA, his favorite turbine helicopter, and the most underrated jazz musician.

SHOW LINKS:

- Randy’s website: https://www.jazzpilot.com

- Randy playing live: https://youtu.be/CrQStTecDk4

- Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

69. Engine failure lessons and flight simulator tips, with Josh Harnagel Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

On his way to Sun ’n Fun 2023, the engine on Josh Harnagel’s Bonanza quit, leading to a forced landing in a cow pasture. While no one was hurt, Josh learned a lot from this harrowing experience. He shares those lessons in this episode, including why partial engine failures are hard to diagnose, why hope can kill you in an emergency, and what he has changed about his habits since the incident. Josh works at Redbird, so he also offers plenty of practical tips for using flight simulators to maintain proficiency, whether at the airport or at home. In the Ready to Copy Segment, you’ll hear the biggest marketing mistake flight schools make, the best Bonanza model, and Josh’s favorite Texas barbecue.

SHOW LINKS:

Video of Josh's landing: https://www.redbirdflight.com/landing/its-the-hope-that-kills-you
Redbird flight simulators: https://www.sportys.com/flight-simulator/redbird.html
AeroWear: http://aerowear.co

68. Business aviation trends and new technology, with Brian Foley Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

How much of the recent boom in private aviation will last now that the pandemic is over? Aviation analyst Brian Foley says about 10%, which is good for the industry but not enough to sustain some overly optimistic business models. In this episode, he talks about the current state of the market, the fate of Wheels Up, and Cirrus Aircraft’s plan to go public. Brian is also getting current as a pilot after 15 years, and he offers some realistic advice for other rusty pilots. In the Ready to Copy segment, Brian shares his famously blunt opinion about Sustainable Aviation Fuel, electric airplanes, hydrogen power, and the best-looking Falcon jets. SHOW LINKS: - Brian Foley Associates: https://www.brifo.com - Brian on private aviation trends: https://www.brifo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Private-Aviation-Popularity-Falls-Back-To-Earth.pdf - AeroWear: http://aerowear.co

67. Year in review, with John Zimmerman and Rob Reider Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

In this special year-end episode, host John Zimmerman sits down with producer Rob Reider for a behind-the-scenes look at Pilot’s Discretion. They talk about what traits make for a good guest, the two rules for podcast hosts, and tips for getting better audio. You’ll also learn the most popular Pilot’s Discretion episodes of 2023, what John and Rob’s favorite episodes are, and what lessons they have learned about flying after 66 interviews. In the back-and-forth Ready to Copy segment, they share the most famous pilots they’ve flown with, their nominee for most underrated airplane, and their favorite airports. SHOW LINKS: - Pilot’s Discretion archives: https://www.sportys.com/podcast - I Learned About Flying From That podcast: https://www.flyingmag.com/ilafft-podcast/ - AeroWear apparel for pilots: https://aerowear.co

66. Flying like a pro in a Boeing and a Bonanza, with Don Wykoff Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

From F-16 to 737 to Citation to Bonanza, Don Wykoff has flown a lot of different airplanes in his 50-year flying career. In this episode he explains how he stayed safe by approaching every flight with professionalism, using checklists the right way, and building training into simple trips. He also talks about losing the engine in his F-16, why pilot rest rules matter, and how to transition back to GA after a career flying jets. In the Ready to Copy segment, Don explains why he doesn’t like the GUMPS checklist, why he liked to hand-fly Cat III approaches in the 737, and what flight instructors can learn from airline pilots.

SHOW LINKS:

Pilot rest rules: http://www3.alpa.org/portals/alpa/committees/ftdt/Guide-to-FTDT-Limits-6-A-ed-June-04.pdf
LaGuardia visual approach: https://youtu.be/wxRFIneSTT4
Sporty's Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

65. Why learning to fly can be lonely, with Patrick Chovanec Nov 21, 2023

Show notes

After a lifetime of riding on airplanes, economist Patrick Chovanec decided to learn how to fly them. In this episode, he explains how a combination of Covid-19 and Microsoft Flight Simulator started him on a path to earning his Private Pilot certificate, and what he learned along the way. He explains how flight training can be lonely, why modern flight simulators are much more than a game now, and why airplanes are so expensive. In the Ready to Copy segment, Patrick shares the biggest myth in flight training, his preferred flight sim equipment, underrated countries to visit, and his favorite economics joke.

SHOW LINKS:

Patrick’s new book: https://www.sportys.com/cleared-for-the-option-a-year-learning-to-fly-book.html
Patrick’s website: https://www.patrickchovanec.com
Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

64. Safety lessons learned at the NTSB, with Robert Sumwalt Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

The point of an accident investigation is “to find out what happened, so that we can prevent it from happening again,” says longtime airline pilot and former NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt. He shares what he's learned after decades of working this process, including: how pilots should read an NTSB report, why flight path monitoring matters, what professionalism means for GA pilots, and how flight data monitoring can improve safety. In the Ready to Copy segment, Robert talks about landmark accidents, why NOTAMs are often useless, and his favorite food from South Carolina.

SHOW LINKS:

- Robert's article at Aviation Week: https://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/safety-ops-regulation/time-refocus-get-back-basics

- Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety: https://erau.edu/research/industry-collaboration/center-for-aviation-and-aerospace-safety

- Sporty's Pilot Training+ Membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

63. Epic Cub videos and entitled airline pilots, with Joe Costanza Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

Mist swirls as a yellow Cub touches down on a grass runway—Joe Costanza (better known as @Bananasssssssss on Instagram) is the man behind those viral videos, and in this episode he takes us behind the scenes. He explains why stick and rudder flying is a nice break from his day job flying an Airbus, how to have fun flying with kids (he has four), and the good parts of social media. He also shares his slightly controversial advice for new airline pilots and how training is changing to adapt to a new generation. In the Ready to Copy segment, he describes what it’s like to land on a grass strip, what the Cub teaches him about flying the Airbus, and how to take better aviation photos.

SHOW LINKS:

- Bananasssssssss on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bananasssssssss/ - Joe's advice for new airline pilots: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw7g2awuBZy/ - Buy a model of Joe’s Cub: https://www.wright-bros.com/2024-limited-edition-piper-j-3-cub-die-cast-model.html

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