Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Scheduling a checkride in 2024 might mean waiting three months. What’s going on, and how can applicants prepare for the big day? Longtime examiner Jason Blair shares a host of helpful tips is this episode, including: why DPEs are overwhelmed, what critical skill pilots need to demonstrate, what CFIs can do to support their client, and what technology can be used on the checkride. Jason also spends a lot of time flying cabin class piston twins, so he offers advice for new owners and explains why middle altitude weather can be a challenge. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jason talks about flight training stats, defensive flying tips, and whether you have to be in a cloud to log actual IFR. - Jason’s blog: https://jasonblair.net/ - Article on the flight training boom: https://airfactsjournal.com/2024/04/what-a-difference-a-decade-makes-the-ga-boom-in-statistics/ - Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

A new generation of kids is entering the aviation industry right now, and that’s exciting for Amy Laboda. The longtime flight instructor and writer explains why today’s student pilots are different, how writing can make you a better pilot, and what new flight instructors need to succeed. Amy also shares the lessons learned from ditching a Cessna 210 off Key West, including the critical skill to practice and what survival gear matters. In the Ready to Copy segment, Amy describes a good passenger briefing, picks her favorite Van’s airplane, and shares what it’s like to live on an airpark.

Kevin Garrison grew up riding his bike to the local airport, then built time flying freight before enjoying a 30-year career as an airline pilot. In this honest (and hilarious) episode, he shares what he experienced along the way, including: what you learn when you scare yourself in an airplane, how to be a good airline captain, and why habit patterns matter. He also urges pilots to have fun when they fly and explains why many pilots talk too much on the radio. In the Ready to Copy segment, Kevin busts an airline pilot myth, shares his favorite Boeing model, and describes how to be a good airport bum. SHOW LINKS: Kevin's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kevin-Garrison/author/B001KI6FCS Kevin's articles at Avweb: https://www.avweb.com/author/kevin-garrison/ Sporty's Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

Are the latest headlines about slowing airline pilot hiring just a temporary pause or the start of a downward trend? In this episode, aviation career mentors Mike Martin and Sean Richey explain what the real state of the industry is. They also talk about the right approach to flight training, how to build time, and whether airline interviews still matter. Mike and Sean have lots of experience as corporate pilots, so they share tips from the world of private jets, including the different skills required for that type of job. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about tough checkrides, how to be a good copilot, and the best airports in America. SHOW LINKS: Pro-Pilot Playbook: https://www.propilotplaybook.com Boeing Pilot Outlook: https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/pilot-technician-outlook Pilot Training+ Membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

Having flown everything from aerobatic airplanes to airliners to seaplanes, Patrick Carter loves to apply the lessons from one part of aviation to another. In this episode, he takes us inside the world of Alaskan bush pilots to explain the skills they need to stay safe, how to evaluate off-airport landing sites, and how to manage changing weather. Patrick also talks about handling emergencies far from airports, as he learned first hand on a recent flight in a Super Cub. Patrick is an advocate for flying with video cameras, so he shares practical advice for mounting cameras externally and capturing audio. In the Ready to Copy segment, Patrick shares a helpful airline travel tip, his favorite aerobatic maneuver, and what he looks for on test flights after maintenance. LINKS: Patrick’s article on Air Facts: https://airfactsjournal.com/2024/04/quick-land-to-quicksand/ NFlight camera gear: https://www.nflightcam.com Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

New aerospace businesses seem to be launching every month, including electric ultralights, eVTOL air taxis, drone delivery services, and private space flight. As a longtime pilot and venture capitalist, Ben Marcus is the perfect person to sort through the hype. He explains which business models will work first, why Walmart is finding success with drone delivery, and what benefits GA pilots might see as a result of this investment boom. Ben also founded JetAviva, a popular airplane broker, so he talks about the light jet boom of the last 25 years and what it takes to transition from a piston airplane to a single pilot turbine. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about common charging standards for eVTOLs, the best light jet on the market, and Ben’s favorite backcountry strip in Arkansas. SHOW LINKS: The Moving World Report: https://up.partners/movingworld/ The GameBird: https://youtu.be/pnFFyjkvDEg Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

A spur-of-the-moment airplane purchase presented David Tulis with the adventure of a lifetime: flying a 1953 Tri-Pacer across the country. He tells the story of this fun and challenging trip in this episode, including what it was like to cross the Rockies with a 135-horsepower engine, the value of mentors, and the appeal of vintage airplanes. David is also a highly accomplished photographer, so he explains why photos still matter in a world of videos and offers some practical tips for taking better in-flight photos. In the Ready to Copy segment, David tells us his favorite photo of all time, his best best tip for podcasters, and his opinion about famous Atlanta drinks. SHOW LINKS: Tri-Pacer story Flying with reluctant passengers Pilot Training+ membership

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

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

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