The right way to maintain your airplane, with Colleen Sterling

The right way to maintain your airplane, with Colleen Sterling

Author: Sporty's Pilot Shop July 1, 2025 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 condition instead of by the calendar. She also talks about her fascinating day job, which involves searching for lost airplanes—including her role in finding the Air France 447 wreckage. In the Ready to Copy segment, Colleen explains why compression checks are overrated, how to be a better air racer, and what it’s like to fly aerobatics in a biplane.

SHOW LINKS:

- Savvy borescope initiative: https://www.savvyaviation.com/borescope-initiative/

- Air France 447 search: https://www.metsci.com/what-we-do/featured-projects/the-search-for-air-france-447/

- PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/

- Buy a borescope: https://www.sportys.com/rigid-one-way-articulating-borescope.html



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
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