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
Learning from other pilots' mistakes, with JJ Madison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:08
Plenty of pilots read accident reports, but airline pilot and author JJ Madison says NASA reports are even better—because you’re hearing directly from the pilot. He shares common themes and memorable stories from these r…
The life of a corporate pilot, with Mark McIntyre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:25
Pro pilot doesn’t have to mean airline pilot. Longtime corporate pilot and safety advocate Mark McIntyre explains the appeal of business aviation, why safety has to be the focus for a flight department, the unique challe…
Rethinking flight instruction, with Doug Stewart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:40
Legendary instructor Doug Stewart has a lot of strong opinions about flight training, from inadvertent IMC maneuvers to instrument procedures to engine failures. In this episode, Doug offers a sweeping view of the flight…
Bonanzas, Gulfstreams, and airlines, with Adrian Eichhorn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:51
Whether he’s circling the globe in his Bonanza or crossing the Pacific in a Gulfstream, Adrian Eichhorn says he monitors four key risks on every flight. In this episode, he explains why they matter and how preflight prep…
Flying passengers to space, with Mike Masucci [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:04
As an astronaut for Virgin Galactic, Mike Masucci flies one of the most unique aircraft ever built, but at the end of the day he says his job is to be a great glider pilot. In this fascinating episode, he takes us inside…
Thinking about thinking, with Dr. Kenneth Stahl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:58
Making good decisions is a critical skill for safe flying, but it’s something most pilots rarely think about. Not Ken Stahl. He explains how to think smarter, especially under pressure, with valuable insights from his ex…
How drones and airplanes can coexist, with Christian Ramsey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:40
Should drones have the right of way over airplanes? The FAA has proposed just that (under certain conditions) in its recent Part 108 rule, but Christian Ramsey says it doesn’t have to be bad news for GA pilots. The UAS e…
Fighting forest fires from a DC-6, with David Gagliardi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:29
David Gagliardi has spent many summers flying big airplanes at low altitude, dropping fire retardant on wildfires all over North America. In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes, explaining how pilots maintain sit…
Designing a brand new sport plane, with Steve Wood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:19
Designing a clean sheet airplane and introducing it to the world by flying to Oshkosh is a bold plan, but that’s exactly what Steve Wood did this year. He tells us all about the Spirit Engineering SE-1, including why sta…
Single pilot jet safety tips, with David Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:01
Flying a turbine airplane like a Citation Mustang requires a new approach to training and procedures. Longtime jet pilot and safety expert David Miller shares what he’s learned over 50+ years of flying, including how to…