Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Chris Caputo spent over 30 years in the Air Force flying A-10s and F-16s, so he might not be the first person you think of when you hear "electric vertical takeoff and landing advocate." But he's a believer, and in this episode he explains why. He also talks about what it's like to fly the Beta Technologies Alia aircraft, why the company is different from other electric aircraft startups, and why cargo may be a better business model than passenger flights. Chris also talks about his Air Force days, including the differences between the A-10 and the F-16, why military training is so valuable for an airline career, and what sound the A-10 gun really makes. In the Ready to Copy segment, he answers whether the last fighter pilot has been born, whether the Boeing 757 or 767 is more fun to fly, and when he thinks you'll be able to book at eVTOL flight.

BETA Technologies: https://www.beta.team

Watch the Alia fly: https://youtu.be/yraISXJgW8k

Sporty's Pilot Training Courses: https://www.sportys.com/learn-to-fly/sporty-s-courses.html

Learning to fly is fun and rewarding, but it can also be frustrating and even scary at times—and that's exactly what Kim and Kristoffer from the Baron Pilot YouTube channel wanted to show in their new video series. They talk about the ups and downs of flight training, how much work goes into every YouTube episode, and why they were surprised by viewers' reactions. Kristoffer also explains how he uses his Baron to commute to work and what it's like to fly jets when the weather isn't great. In the Ready to Copy segment, you'll learn the difference between a Mooney and a Beechcraft, the biggest mistake pilots make during flight training, and what their final flights would be.

Baron Pilot on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BaronPilot/featured

Kim's Flight Training videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-PiaX0xemXt4NxA1H7HX4CiyfmB5JWbg

Sporty's Pilot Training Courses: https://www.sportys.com/learn-to-fly/sporty-s-courses.html

Catherine Cavagnaro learned aerobatics from legendary instructor Bill Kershner and is a math professor on the side, which gives her a unique perspective on key topics in flight training. She explains what "the back side of the power curve" really means, why takeoffs are an overlooked risk for most pilots, and when you should use flaps on a power-off 180. She also shares her tips as a pilot examiner, including how to handle nerves and whether it's OK to admit "I don't know" on a checkride. In the Ready to Copy segment, Catherine explains the right way to use a sick sack, whether spins should be required for the Private Pilot test, and what geometric topology is.

Ace Aerobatic school: https://www.aceaerobaticschool.com

Catherine's articles for AOPA: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/articles-by-author/catherine-cavagnaro

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://www.sportys.com/sporty-s-pilot-training-app.html

Test pilot. Airshow pilot. Instructor for Top Gun: Maverick actors. Chuck Coleman might have one of the most interesting resumes in aviation, and he has plenty of stories to back up this experience. He talks about training actors to pull Gs for Tom Cruise's blockbuster movie, working with Burt Rutan on the SpaceShip One project, and what it's like to fly the Proteus high altitude jet. In the Ready to Copy segment, Chuck answers whether the Icon A5 is a safe airplane, shares the hardest airplane to fly that he's ever logged time in, and describes the most important character trait for a homebuilder.

Fly with Chuck: https://ctcoleman.com

Actor training for Top Gun: https://youtu.be/yM389FbhlRQ

Sporty's Pilot Training app: http://sportys.com/discover

Are you excited about supersonic business jets or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft? Richard Aboulafia is going to disappoint you: "I'm here with my bucket of cold water.” The always-entertaining aviation analyst explains why these buzzy projects probably won't happen, what technology will become a reality, and why business jets are hot right now. He also analyzes the airlines' summer of misery and shares the right lessons to learn from the 737 MAX disaster. In the "Ready to Copy" segment, Richard tells us about the Concorde, the Collier Trophy, and China's airliner ambitions.

Richard's website: https://richardaboulafia.com

Richard's articles at Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardaboulafia/

Sporty's Pilot Training app: http://sportys.com/discover

Do controllers like to get PIREPs? Do you need to read back a Class B clearance? What is a Brasher warning? Experienced air traffic controller (and active GA pilot) RJ Ratliff answers these questions and many more in this wide-ranging episode that's packed with practical advice. In addition to answering common pilot questions, he also explains how technology like ADS-B and datalink communications is changing the job of ATC, and whether remote towers are here to stay. In the Ready to Copy segment, RJ shares what "on the landline" means, what pilot mistake is guaranteed to upset a controller, and what the best college basketball rivalry is.  

ATC hiring: https://www.faa.gov/be-atc

Shop aviation headsets: https://www.sportys.com/aviation-headsets.html

What are the most revolutionary aviation products of the last 25 years? If you immediately thought of a glass panel or a new airplane, Doug Ranly wants you to think again. As the director of new products at Sporty's Pilot Shop, he's seen a lot of technology come and go, and he believes portable products have the biggest impact because they affect the most pilots. In this gear-focused episode, he names his top four products, shares some less successful inventions, and describes his process for evaluating a new gadget. Doug also talks about his first experience with active noise reduction headsets (in Iraq, not in an airplane), what products he'd like to see invented, and what product he wishes companies would stop inventing. In the Ready to Copy segment, you'll hear why Doug loves the RV-12, his pet peeve about flashlights, and what he learned as a carny.

Sporty's new products: https://www.sportys.com/new-products

Product PIREP videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBHmEXretS0q8UrerauNHAdwFk_ccci6l

Sentry Plus ADS-B receiver: https://www.sportys.com/sentry-plus-ads-b-receiver.html

Bruce Williams had a front row seat to some exciting developments in flight simulators, working at Microsoft as their program grew from a simple DOS program to a visually stunning virtual world. He offers some practical tips for using a sim for home training (have a plan, don't stress about the controls) and weighs in on the "game vs. simulator" debate. Bruce is also a longtime flight instructor, so he shares his tips for flying long cross-country flights, how to master glass cockpits, and learning aerobatics. In the ready to copy segment, Bruce tells us his favorite preflight weather tools, why pilots should use the autopilot more, and his favorite author.

Bruce's website: http://www.bruceair.com

Bruce's book: https://www.amazon.com/Scenario-Based-Training-X-Plane-Microsoft-Simulator/dp/1118105028/

Flight simulator gear: https://www.sportys.com/flight-simulator.html

People come to Oshkosh for the airplanes, but they stay for the people. That's according to EAA Chairman Jack Pelton, who explains why the culture at AirVenture is so unique, why America needs more of this spirit in everyday life, and his favorite place to visit at the big show. He also shares the organization's big plans for the 30th year of the Young Eagles program, why experimental airplanes are so popular right now, and what his top priorities are for the FAA. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jack explains why you can't build a new Cessna 172 for $100,000, shares his favorite vintage airplane, and identifies some underrated aviation museums.

AirVenture Oshkosh: https://www.eaa.org/airventure

EAA Young Eagles: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/free-ye-flights

Sporty's Pilot Training courses: https://www.sportys.com/learn-to-fly-course-private-pilot-test-prep-online-app-and-tv.html

ForeFlight is one of aviation's biggest success stories, growing from a hobby to an industry-leading business in less than a decade. Tyson Weihs was there at the beginning, and in this episode he shares some early memories and some lessons learned about aviation and business. He also explains how he uses ForeFlight both for pre-flight planning and for in-flight navigation, plus tips for using datalink weather to stay safe. In the Ready to Copy segment, he opines on everything from his favorite app feature to what emerging technology he's watching to the best tennis player.  

ForeFlight Mobile: https://foreflight.com/

What's new in ForeFlight: https://www.foreflight.com/releases/

Sentry Plus ADS-B receiver: https://www.sportys.com/sentry

As one of Hollywood's top aerial coordinators, Kevin LaRosa has been around plenty of big budget movies—but Top Gun: Maverick was a completely different experience. He takes us behind the scenes to explain how they got all those incredible shots, including fighter jets flying at 600 knots through narrow valleys. The equipment, including the unique CineJet platform, makes some of these scenes possible, but the key to staying safe is planning and practice. Kevin also describes how the actors all took flight training to prepare for the movie, what he's learned from flying a huge variety of aircraft, and how he landed a helicopter on a moving train.

Top Gun: Maverick behind the scenes: https://youtu.be/Nz9lnIDdkMo 

Kevin's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/k2_larosa/

Sporty's aerobatics course: https://www.sportys.com/basic-aerobatics-with-patty-wagstaffa.html

After a lifetime of flying on space shuttles and Air Force jets, Mike Mullane believes that “humility keeps you alive,” whether you’re an astronaut or a student pilot. He shares the hair-raising experiences that taught him that lesson, and explains what normalization of deviance means in the context of aviation safety. Mike's son Patrick, a new private pilot, also joins the podcast and explains what makes flight training weird for older students and what earning an MBA taught him about flying. This is a back-and-forth episode about aviation families, risk management, and flying dreams.

Mike's blog: https://mikemullane.com

Mike's book: https://www.amazon.com/Riding-Rockets-Outrageous-Shuttle-Astronaut/dp/0743276833/

Patrick's book: https://www.amazon.com/Father-Son-Holy-Shuttle-Astronauts/dp/B088BF1D3G/

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://www.sportys.com/sporty-s-pilot-training-app.html

Finding a replacement for 100LL has been a "galactically slow train wreck," according to longtime aviation journalist Paul Bertorelli. In his famously blunt way, he explains what's going on with GAMI's unleaded fuel candidate, when you might be able to pump some of it, and why he thinks the FAA has dropped the ball. He also speculates on the future of electric airplanes following Textron's purchase of Pipistrel, plus what he thinks of the latest eVTOL concepts from Joby and Archer. In the rapid-fire "Ready to Copy" segment, Paul comments on everything from the Cirrus parachute to whether the Air Force has seen alien spacecraft. If you know Paul's work, you know he doesn't lack opinions, but he always backs it up with facts learned from a long career of covering aviation.

Paul's blog at Avweb: https://www.avweb.com/author/paulb/

Paul's videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/AVweb/videos

Shop headsets at Sporty's: https://www.sportys.com/aviation-headsets.html

Why do good pilots make bad decisions? The AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Richard McSpadden says it’s because the human brain wasn't made to work well at 100 knots. He offers some practical tips for managing that limitation, explains why VFR-into-IMC accidents persist, and describes the right approach to aircraft transitions. Richard also talks about his time as leader of the US Air Force Thunderbirds, the joy of backcountry flying, and what it was like to teach his kids to fly. From practical safety tips to great flying stories, this podcast is loaded with insight for pilots.

AOPA Air Safety Institute - https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/air-safety-institute

General Aviation Joint Safety Committee - https://www.gajsc.org

Sporty's PJ2 radio: https://www.sportys.com/pj2-handheld-com-radio.html

What's it like to complete 98 inverted flat spins from 24,000 feet in a Pitts? Spencer Suderman is the only person in the world who knows, and he describes that incredible experience in this fast-moving episode. He also shares his opinion on what airmanship is and why it is so important for safe flying: "Pilots communicate with the airplane through the flight controls… you have to know how speak the language." Spencer has plenty of tips, including which flight control really makes the airplane turn, what his favorite maneuver is for improving airmanship skills, and how he handled the loss of a propeller in flight.

Spencer's website: http://spencersuderman.com

Inverted flat spins record: https://youtu.be/kIF8OJ2Q51A

Spencer's new YouTube series on airmanship: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBHmEXretS0o_ZBP7zyO7FTjBI25fjM1F

Sporty's Tailwheel Checkout Course: https://www.sportys.com/tailwheel-checkout-course-with-patty-wagstaff.html

As a theoretical cosmologist, Katie Mack (better known as AstroKatie online) isn't afraid of a little math—so when she learned to fly, she dove right into physics and aerodynamics. What she didn't expect was how much fun it would be, and how much her interest in airplanes would consume her life. She talks about the flight training process, whether Newton or Bernoulli is more correct about lift, and what she thinks of the emerging world of private spaceflight. In the Ready to Copy segment, Katie shares her pick for the best science fiction book for pilots, her theory of how the universe will end, and the story of her cameo in a Reese Witherspoon movie.

Katie's science writing: https://www.astrokatie.com

Katie's book, The End of Everything: https://bookshop.org/books/the-end-of-everything-astrophysically-speaking/9781982103552

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://sportys.com/demo

Pilot, mechanic, social media influencer - Chelsea Smith stays busy, but her passion for aviation is the common thread in all that she does. In this episode, she talks about how to do a better preflight inspection, why post-maintenance flights can be risky, and when owners should get involved with their mechanic. She also shares her unique aviation story, including why she never thought she'd become a mechanic and why she bought a Cessna 150 and flew it solo across the US. In the Ready to Copy segment, Chelsea talks about maintaining radial engines, what competitive shooting taught her, and where to find the best Kentucky hot brown.

Follow Chelsea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highmaintenance_chels/

Watch Chelsea earn her instrument rating: https://youtu.be/_mF9_4YUgBQ

Shop aircraft gear: https://www.sportys.com/aircraft-supplies.html

"We are living in the age of electric airplanes," says Greg Bowles. He would know, since he works at eVTOL pioneer Joby Aviation. Greg, an airplane and helicopter pilot, explains why this time might really be different for electric aviation, why noise is as important as safety for communities, and what the trickle-down benefits of the electric investment boom might be for general aviation. He also shares his perspective as an aircraft certification expert, including the new MOSAIC program from the FAA. In the "ready to copy" segment, Greg tells us whether airplanes or helicopters are more fun, when we might see an electric kitplane, and what the future holds for pilotless airplanes.

Joby Aviation: https://www.jobyaviation.com

NASA study on regional aviation: https://sacd.larc.nasa.gov/ram/

Sporty's PJ2 COM Radio: https://www.sportys.com/pj2-handheld-com-radio.html

Flying a small airplane is “like being in a skyscraper that moves,” according to award-winning author James Fallows. He used that view to research his latest book, Our Towns, flying his Cirrus SR22 to more than 50 American cities that lie beyond the airline routes and highways. He explains how small airports can be a point of connection for these communities and why safety is so important for general aviation's image. Jim also talks about why Cirrus has survived while other airplane companies have failed, and how being a pilot has changed his behavior, from everyday conversations to his assessment of risk. In the "Ready to copy" segment, Jim shares his pick for best aviation book, his favorite airport craft brewery, and why leaf blowers are so bad. 

Our Towns book: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Towns-000-Mile-Journey-America/dp/1101871849  

Our Towns on HBO: https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/our-towns  

Jim's Substack newsletter: https://fallows.substack.com/  

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sportys-pilot-training/id1272775528

As one of the premier Cirrus flight instructors in the country, Max Trescott has strong opinions about pilots and technology, including: "the debate about the parachute is over" and "the autopilot is the glass cockpit." In this fast-paced episode, Max makes the case that technology has changed and pilots need to change too. He also shares tips for flying stabilized approaches, how to use an iPad to avoid terrain, and why the track vector on glass cockpits is often overlooked. In the "Ready to copy" segment, Max tells us why you're probably pouring oil into your airplane's engine the wrong way, the best part of being an independent flight instructor, and why sumping fuel doesn't guarantee you'll notice misfueling. 

Max's podcast: https://aviationnewstalk.com 

Max's books: https://www.maxtrescott.com/max_trescott_on_general_a/books/

Sentry ADS-B Receiver: https://www.sportys.com/foreflight-sentry-ads-b-receiver.html

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 views in Greenland to the frustrating paperwork. He also gives a European perspective on general aviation, including why privatized air traffic control is a disaster, how the basic instrument rating works, and what he thinks about electric airplanes replacing 100LL. In the Ready to Copy segment, Ian tells us his favorite country for flying, what the best British movie about World War II is, and why pilots should look in the mirror when thinking about safety.

Flyer magazine: https://www.flyer.co.uk

Pilot Career News: https://www.pilotcareernews.com

Sporty's Commercial Pilot Course: https://www.sportys.com/commercial-pilot-prep-course.html

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 shares her journey and explains how she overcame her doubts. She also talks about starting her company, flyGIRL, which supports women in aviation through scholarships and mentoring. In the "Ready to copy" segment, Natalie tells us what skill she learned as a mother that helped her as a pilot, how she uses social media as a positive tool, and what her first flight in a jet was like.

flyGIRL gear: https://www.sportys.com/apparel-and-gifts/flygirl-store.html

flyGIRL scholarships: https://flygirlllc.com

Follow Natalie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flygirlkelley/

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 why the so-called "impossible turn" isn't so impossible, and what pilots need to practice before considering the turn-back. He also shares his advice for aspiring airline pilots, why pilots can't turn off their brain when they turn on the autopilot, and what it was like to grow up in an aviation family. In the "Ready to Copy" segment, Brian describes what it's like to fly a Category III instrument approach, his favorite business jet, and his advice for pilots taking a checkride.

Brian's website: https://www.captainschiff.com

Brian's webinar: https://youtu.be/HMu-GdKZe_8

Sporty's Commercial Pilot Training Course: https://www.sportys.com/commercial-pilot-prep-course.html

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 "reliability-centered maintenance." In this episode, Mike explains what that means, why more maintenance isn't always better, and how hot is too hot when it comes to cylinder head temperature. He also shares his views on oil additives, lean of peak operation, and owner-performed maintenance. Whether you're an experienced aircraft owner or a new student pilot, there's plenty to learn from this packed episode.

Savvy Aviation: https://www.savvyaviation.com/

Mike's books: https://resources.savvyaviation.com/resources/mikes-books/

Aircraft supplies: https://www.sportys.com/aircraft-supplies.html

NOTICE THE NEW NAME? Fast Five is now Pilot's Discretion. Same great content, same format—just a new name. 

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 you can't simply learn weather from left seat, and how datalink weather has changed flying. He also offers tips for avoiding VFR-into-IMC accidents, what his favorite weather books are, and his opinion on more obscure weather products like Skew-T log-p and MOS forecasts. Whether you're a student pilot or an experienced pro, there are plenty of tips here to make your next flight safer and more comfortable.

EZWxBrief: https://ezwxbrief.com

1-on-1 weather training: https://avwxtraining.com/

Scott's new weather book: https://www.pilotweatherbook.com

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sportys-pilot-training/id1272775528

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 flight simulator department at Sporty's, answers all these questions and more. If you're thinking about adding a home flight simulator to your training toolkit, this podcast will give you the information you need to save money and avoid frustration. Chris also shares his tips for avoiding the "rusty pilot" label, suggestions for making passengers comfortable on first flights, and his pick for best aviation book. 

Flight Simulator Central: https://www.sportys.com/blog/flight-simulator-central/

Chris's picks for best gear: https://www.sportys.com/blog/flight-simulator-buyers-guide-2021/

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 observer of general aviation trends, Mac also explains why pilots are flying fewer cross countries (except for Cirrus owners), why personal flying inevitably means tradeoffs between safety and efficiency, and what the future holds for urban air mobility/eVTOL proposals. In the "ready to copy" segment, Mac shares why he thinks personal minimums are a bad idea, the best places to fly in Michigan, and what sailing and flying have in common. You might disagree with some of Mac's opinions, but he'll definitely make you think.

Mac's articles at Air Facts: https://airfactsjournal.com/author/macmcclellan/

Mac on Eclipse: https://www.flyingmag.com/what-went-wrong-eclipse/

Mark Glassmeyer has a simple plan for his student pilot son: "We’re gonna talk about aviation for the rest of our lives." He understands the power of these multi-generational connections because his grandfather, a B-24 pilot in World War II, first introduced him to aviation at age 7 with a trip to Oshkosh. But even with that memorable start and some lessons as a teenager, it would take more than 25 years for him to actually earn his license. In this episode, he explains why shaking the rusty pilot label meant he had to get a little selfish and take control of his life. Other topics include: why aviation can look surprisingly affordable compared to youth sports, how being a pilot helped him overcome a learning disability, and why Flight Outfitters' tagline is "pilot your own adventure."

The Flight Outfitters story: https://www.flightoutfitters.com

EAA-Flight Outfitters contest: https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/pilot-your-own-adventure

Flight Outfitters bags: https://www.sportys.com/flight-bags-kneeboards/flight-outfitters.html

"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 people watching live, he's biked across the United States solo, and he grew up flying in Africa. In this wide-ranging episode, he explains what he learned from his around-the-world adventure, why he's doing it again in an experimental airplane, and what it's really like to make YouTube videos. He also shares why being a pilot can make you a more self-aware person, his favorite place to fly, and what he thinks about the future of general aviation.

JP's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyyfkfhgG1UMz1icWGABNaw

Sporty's Pilot Training app: https://www.sportys.com/sporty-s-pilot-training-app.html

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 experience in everything from taildraggers to jets, doesn't think these are controversial opinions. He believes them because the facts support them, and more people should just admit it. This episode of Fast Five covers all of these interesting topics, plus many more: why he uses a video camera on most flights, why pilots need to be good at both technology and manual flying, and what the most important trait is for safe flying. He also shares some stories from his time as a flight instructor and ferry pilot, and some of the personalities he's met along the way—some good, some bad.

Flying in the backcountry means "dispensing with the direct-to button," says Recreational Aviation Foundation Chairman John McKenna. The rewards for doing so include true adventure and stunning views—far beyond the $100 hamburger. He explains why you don't need big bushwheels to fly these trips, how his organization preserves remote landing strips all over the US, and what he has learned from over 6,000 hours in tailwheel airplanes. He also shares his tips for including family in your flying adventures. In the "Ready to Copy" segment, John picks his favorite backcountry airport, describes how to make great cowboy coffee, and explains why he once loaded over 60 dogs in a single airplane.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop 

Guest: John McKenna, Recreational Aviation Foundation

RAF: https://theraf.org

Air traffic control and pilots work together every day, but often the two sides don't fully understand each other. In this episode, longtime controller (and pilot) Eddie Albert takes us behind the scenes. You'll hear why "roger" is not a read back, what kind of weather ATC sees on their radar screen, and why declaring an emergency usually isn't a big deal. Eddie also explains how he picks an IFR route to file and how to manage weather deviations with a controller. In the fast-paced "Ready to Copy" segment, Eddie shares whether controllers prefer IFR or VFR flight following, what advice he gave to his son as a new controller, and what the best movie is with air traffic control.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop

Guest: Eddie Albert, Support Specialist, Cincinnati Approach

Sporty's Instrument Rating Course: Sportys.com/instrument

Patty Wagstaff is one of the most famous airshow pilots in history, but her aviation story includes so much more than just aerobatics. In this wide-ranging podcast episode, Patty talks about what's going through her mind during an airshow, what pilots can learn from an upset recovery course, why she chose to fly as a wildfire spotter for Cal Fire, and why she loves flying in Africa. As you'll hear, she has flown an incredible variety of airplanes. In the fast-paced "Ready to Copy" segment, Patty shares her favorite warbird, what pilots can learn from horses, and what it was like to grow up in Japan.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop

Guest: Patty Wagstaff, https://pattywagstaff.com

Basic Aerobatics Course with Patty Wagstaff: Sportys.com/aerobatics

Has the iPad made flying safer? What counts as a legal weather briefing these days? And what are the latest trends in aviation apps? Nobody knows the world of electronic flight bags better than Bret Koebbe, a corporate pilot, active flight instructor, and Editor at iPad Pilot News. He shares his tips for integrating an iPad into primary flight training, flying with datalink weather, and using flight simulators to learn a new app. In the fast-paced "Ready to copy" segment, Bret shares his favorite app, what it's like to fly Sporty's 1963 Piper Aztec, and his best tip for smoking meat.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop

Guest: Bret Koebbe, iPadPilotNews.com

Flight Gear iPad Battery Pack: Sportys.com/battery

Rob Reider is a renaissance man: he's a well-known airshow announcer, honorary Blue Angel, Van's RV-7A owner, 5-time Emmy award winner, and an accomplished musician. In this wide-ranging episode, Sporty's John Zimmerman asks Rob about all of these topics, from the behind-the-scenes world of airshow performers to commuting by light airplane to his brief role in a legendary movie. In the fast-paced "ready to copy" segment, Rob talks about his favorite airshow food, the best banjo players, and his idea of the perfect flight.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop

Guest: Rob Reider, RobReiderVoice.com

Sporty's PJ2 Radio: Sportys.com/PJ2

Why is flight training so strong, even after a pandemic that stopped airline pilot hiring? What do flight instructors wish students knew about learning to fly? Eric Radtke answers these questions and many more, in the first episode of Sporty's Fast Five Podcast. Eric and host John Zimmerman also talk about what it's like to be an airline pilot, why flying with family is the best, and whether YouTube is good or bad for student pilots. In the "ready to copy" segment, Eric talks about the best Cincinnati chili restaurants, whether he prefers steam gauges or glass cockpits, and his favorite airplane.

Host: John Zimmerman (@jtzim), Sporty's Pilot Shop

Guest: Eric Radtke, President - Sporty's Academy (SportysAcademy.com)

Try Sporty's Learn to Fly Course: Sportys.com/Demo