Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

James Onieal, an aviation career coach and former airline pilot, shares invaluable insights into the current job market for pilots. He discusses the impact of social media on career expectations and stresses the importance of networking in today's landscape. James highlights the differences between airline and corporate jobs, provides tips on avoiding career pitfalls, and emphasizes the significance of personal fulfillment over salary. He also lightens the conversation with humorous stories and his favorite joke about law enforcement.

Learning to fly is all about the challenge for YouTube creator Ethan O’Rourke. That meant training in a J-3 Cub with no electrical system and now traveling the country in an Aeronca Chief. Ethan explains the joy of low and slow flights, shares his approach to making memorable aviation films, and describes what it was like to fly over the North Atlantic in a WWII bomber. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn tips for hand-propping airplanes, what it was like to fly a MiG-15, and how to land on a frozen lake.

We train mechanics to attack airplanes with tools, but A&P/IA Colleen Sterling says there’s a better way. She shares her advice for using modern tools like engine monitors and borescopes to maintain airplanes on condition instead of by the calendar. She also talks about her fascinating day job, which involves searching for lost airplanes—including her role in finding the Air France 447 wreckage. In the Ready to Copy segment, Colleen explains why compression checks are overrated, how to be a better air racer, and what it’s like to fly aerobatics in a biplane.SHOW LINKS:- Savvy borescope initiative: https://www.savvyaviation.com/borescope-initiative/- Air France 447 search: https://www.metsci.com/what-we-do/featured-projects/the-search-for-air-france-447/- PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/- Buy a borescope: https://www.sportys.com/rigid-one-way-articulating-borescope.html

From ATC modernization to the new MOSAIC rule to unleaded avgas, AOPA is involved in all the key issues for pilots. New President Darren Pleasance shares his opinion on each of these topics and explains what role his organization is playing. Darren is a longtime pilot, flying everything from aerobatic airplanes to warbirds, so he also shares many lessons learned from his 8000+ hours. In the Ready to Copy segment, Darren talks about flying a P-51 solo, pursuing innovation at Google, and kiteboarding.- AOPA advocacy: https://aopa.org/advocacy- Darren’s book: https://darrenpleasance.com/book/- PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/- New Air Facts podcast: https://airfactsjournal.com/podcast/

Breaking the sound barrier isn’t like the movies, and Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg would know: he’s done it both as a Navy F/A-18 fighter pilot and as a test pilot in Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft. He talks about Boom’s plans for supersonic airline travel, learning to fly an all-new design, and the aerodynamics of flight at Mach 1.1 Tristan also talks about his Navy career, including what it was like to make his first carrier landing. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear what it was like to fly the F-104 Starfighter, what flutter is, and tips for better landings in a Mooney.SHOW LINKS:* Boom Supersonic: https://boomsupersonic.com* XB-1 test flight videos: https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1* PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/* New Air Facts podcast: https://airfactsjournal.com/podcast/

As the first CEO of Robinson Helicopter not named Robinson, David Smith has combined the company’s old fashioned manufacturing philosophy with a new focus on innovation. He talks about the result of that work, including the launch of the new R88 turbine helicopter and the first flight of a hydrogen-powered Robinson. David is also an experienced engineer, so he dives into the details of mast bumping and explains why many eVTOL aircraft will never succeed. In the Ready to Copy segment, David talks about the helicopter job market, heli-camping, and flight simulator myths.

Jack Long, an adventurous entrepreneur and experienced pilot, has circumnavigated the globe in his Pilatus PC-12. He shares his meticulous pre-flight planning and safety procedures that ensure smooth journeys. Jack's passion for conservation shines through as he recounts transporting gray wolves across Canada and Colorado. He also discusses the joy of exploring diverse cultures from the sky, shares insights on unique airports, and emphasizes the need for careful logistics in aviation. Tune in for inspiring tales and invaluable advice for aspiring pilots!

Aircraft owners have more choices for avionics upgrades than ever before, but a fun project can quickly become a nightmare if you don’t do your homework. Larry Anglisano, a pilot, avionics technician, and editor at Aviation Consumer magazine, offers practical advice for avoiding disappointment, from glass cockpits to autopilots. He also shares why Rotax may be the answer for new engine technology and what the state of the aviation insurance market is right now. In the Ready to Copy segment, Larry talks about the risk of post-maintenance test flights, the future of unleaded avgas, and riding motorcycles.SHOW LINKS:* Aviation Consumer magazine: https://aviationconsumer.com/* Staying insured: https://aviationconsumer.com/safety/insurance/staying-insured-training-loyalty-downsizing/* PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/* Check out the new Air Facts podcast: https://airfactsjournal.com/podcast/

From the Lockheed Constellation to the Boeing 747 to competition gliders, Wally Moran’s flying career has covered an incredible variety of airplanes. He describes some key concepts that have stayed the same across all those airplanes, from using the rudder properly to managing technology, plus his personal connection to the TWA 800 tragedy and his advice for successful checkrides (he has given more than 2400). In the Ready to Copy section, Wally shares what he looked for when hiring airline pilots, the best place to fly gliders, and his favorite aviation books.* Wally’s webinar on rudder use: https://pilotworkshop.com/videos/rudder-skills-back-basics/* TWA 800 review: https://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/documents/moriches_ny-TWA_800_Overview.pdf* PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/

In this special episode, we turn the tables on host John Zimmerman and put him in the guest chair to reflect on a Pilot’s Discretion milestone. Sporty’s Eric Radtke asks John about his favorite episodes, what he’s learned about the aviation community by talking to 99 pilots, and his predictions for the industry’s future. You’ll also learn about John’s background, including why he learned to fly in high school and why he thinks writing is so important. In the Ready to Copy segment, John talks about live music, baseball rule changes, and his favorite aviation book.SHOW LINKS:* Pilot’s Discretion Archives: https://www.sportys.com/podcast* John’s articles at Air Facts: https://airfactsjournal.com/author/johnz/* Fast Five: http://sportys.com/fastfive