54. ATC for flight simulators and SimVenture, with Kevin from PilotEdge

54. ATC for flight simulators and SimVenture, with Kevin from PilotEdge

Author: Sporty's Pilot Shop June 20, 2023 Duration: 37:56

Flight simulators boomed in 2020 and have barely slowed down since, but many pilots don’t use all the available tools for flight training. Kevin from PilotEdge has watched it all unfold over the last decade and he explains what flight sims are good for (and what they aren't). He talks about how Microsoft changed the game, whether you can log simulator time, and how virtual ATC plug-ins can make training more realistic. Kevin also created SimVenture, and he describes how pilots can prepare to fly to the world’s busiest airport by talking to real AirVenture controllers during this live online event. In the Ready to Copy segment, he tells us his favorite flight sim airplane, what upgrade he wants to see from sim developers, and whether AI will ever replace human controllers.


SHOW LINKS:


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's
Podcast Episodes
Taildraggers and $50 fill-ups, with Ethan O’Rourke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:28
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 a…
The right way to maintain your airplane, with Colleen Sterling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:25
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 conditio…
The future of general aviation, with AOPA’s Darren Pleasance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:26
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 org…
Going supersonic, with Tristan Brandenburg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:47
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 ta…
eVTOL hype and helicopter reality, with David Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:43
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…
Flying around the world, with Jack Long [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:09
Jack Long’s urge to explore is stronger than most people: he has flown his Pilatus PC-12 around the world in both directions, over the north and south poles, and completed two dozen Atlantic crossings. But he insists he’…
Becoming an educated aircraft owner, with Larry Anglisano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:37
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 Aviat…
Don’t forget the rudder pedals, with Wally Moran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:48
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 th…
100. Celebrating 100 podcast episodes, with John Zimmerman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:07
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 learne…
99. Pursuing excellence in aviation and business, with Chuck Surack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:50
After building a billion-dollar music business, Chuck Surack is applying the lessons he learned to save an aviation icon. He talks about his passion for flying helicopters, why he decided to buy Enstrom, and the challeng…