Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Author: Sporty's Pilot Shop Language: English Episodes: 100
There’s a particular kind of conversation that happens in the cockpit or after a flight, where the real stories and honest opinions come out. Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's captures that feeling, sitting down for genuine talks with some of the most compelling people in aviation. You’ll hear from flight instructors breaking down the real challenges of training, alongside airshow performers sharing the moments that truly tested their skill. Each episode goes deeper than the usual hangar talk, aiming to connect with anyone who feels that pull to the sky. Wrapping up every conversation is a favorite segment, “ready to copy,” a rapid-fire round that cuts past the cliches to reveal what each guest truly believes. This podcast, presented by Sporty's Pilot Shop, is built for those who live and breathe flying, offering a mix of grounded advice and unforgettable stories from the people who know aviation best. It’s about the shared language and passion that defines the flying life.
Episodes
Using an Eclipse for charitable flights, with Mark Hanson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:36
Public benefit flying might mean transporting a cancer patient or relocating turtles, but regardless of the mission Mark Hanson says it’s rewarding, fun, and great for keeping your pilot skills sharp. He talks about mana…
Is GA dying or thriving, with Tom Charpentier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:20
More new pilots, more flying hours, and fewer accidents—that’s the positive picture EAA’s Tom Charpentier sees when he looks at the latest FAA numbers. He shares how to be an optimist about aviation, why the 1970s are no…
The challenges and rewards of taildraggers, with Damian DelGaizo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:11
Tailwheel airplanes demand excellent situational awareness and sharp manual flying skills, two things that modern pilots often lack according to taildragger expert Damian DelGaizo. The longtime flight school owner, who l…
Hard truths about aviation safety, with Douglas Boyd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:10
The GA accident rate is getting better, but aviation safety researcher Douglas Boyd says there’s still plenty of work to do. He shares a fascinating array of statistics in this episode, pulled from the 300+ papers he has…
Legal gray areas for pilots, with Mark Kolber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:22
Too many pilots miss out on fun and rewarding flying experiences because they’re afraid of legal gray areas, according to aviation lawyer and flight instructor Mark Kolber. He shares the facts about cost sharing, ramp ch…
What pilots should know about ATC, with Marcus Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
Air traffic controllers and pilots are on the same team, they just have different perspectives. Marcus Miller, a center controller and the creator of the PropHatCat TikTok channel, explains those differences and much mor…
Crossing the Atlantic at age 89, with Ed Galkin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
Ed Galkin has flown his Cessna 210 around the world in both directions, and last year he flew a circle around the Atlantic Ocean at age 89. In his uniquely energetic way, he explains how much planning goes into each trip…
Space Shuttle lessons for private pilots, with Charlie Precourt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:28
From the Space Shuttle to F-15 fighter jets to his homebuilt VariEze, Charlie Precourt approaches every flight with the same discipline. In this episode he shares some of the lessons learned from his one-of-a-kind career…
The killing zone for pilots, with Paul Craig [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:27
Pilots with 50-350 hours are involved in more fatal accidents than anyone else, according to research from flight instructor Paul Craig. In this safety-focused episode, he explains the numbers behind this “killing zone,”…
Promoting conservation from a Cessna 210, with Bruce Gordon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:21
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 ex…