Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Author: Sporty's Pilot Shop Language: English Episodes: 127
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
17. Flying across the Atlantic in a Cessna, with Ian Seager [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:44
Lots of pilots fly to Oshkosh. Ian Seager flew his Cessna all the way from England to get there—with no autopilot! In this episode, the British writer and pilot shares what that experience was like, from the stunning vie…
16. Bucket lists and women in aviation, with flyGIRL's Natalie Kelley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:52
Lots of people talk about bucket lists—Natalie Kelley lives by one. At a low point in her life, she pulled out that list and decided to chase her dream of becoming a pilot. Now a flight instructor and Citation pilot, she…
15. Debating "the impossible turn," with Capt. Brian Schiff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:17
The engine just quit on takeoff—should you try to turn back to the airport? Conventional wisdom says no, but airline captain and flight instructor Brian Schiff says the truth is more complicated than that. He explains wh…
14. Busting maintenance myths with Mike Busch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:38
There are two simple rules for improving engine longevity, says Mike Busch, and corrosion is a much bigger problem than wear. He should know—as aviation's best known mechanic, he has been leading the revolution in "relia…
13. New weather tools and forecast tips, with Dr. Scott Dennstaedt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:51
Weather geeks, this episode is for you! Dr. Scott Dennstaedt, a former National Weather Service meteorologist and an active flight instructor, joins the podcast to talk about his preflight weather briefing routine, why y…
12. Understanding the flight simulator boom, with Chris McGonegle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:15
Why are flight simulators so hot right now? Can pilots use them for real training or just for fun? What are the pros and cons of the different simulator software options? Chris McGonegle, a Commercial Pilot who heads the…
11. GA trends and urban air mobility hype, with Mac McClellan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:35
As Editor-in-Chief at Flying magazine for 20 years, Mac McClellan flew just about every new airplane delivered after 1976. In this episode he shares his favorite ones and some that he wished he'd never flown. As a keen o…
9. Flying around the world and embracing adventure, with JP Schulze [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:52
"A real adventure is never just roses... it's a genuinely challenging experience." That's what JP Schulze (aka the_candourist on YouTube) believes, and he should know—he's flown around the world with over 2 million peopl…
8. Controversial aviation opinions, with AOPA's Dave Hirschman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:36
Flight instructors should talk less. Experimental airplanes are clearly better than certified ones. Waterskiing an airplane is a terrible idea. Dave Hirschman, a well-known writer for AOPA and a pilot with wide range of…