Experienced airplane broker and all-around Cessna expert Mark Pilkington shares invaluable tips for avoiding disaster when buying an airplane, including his advice for first-time buyers, the right way to do a pre-buy inspection, and what to look for when buying a utility airplane like a Cessna 185. He also explains how he became an accidental YouTube star, and what his newest video series is all about (think Airplane Repo). In the Ready to Copy segment, Mark talks about the worst airplane model to buy, handling engine failures, and English pubs.
SHOW LINKS:
* Skywagons: https://www.skywagons.com/
* Skywagons University: https://www.youtube.com/@skywagonuniversity5023
* Lightspeed Zulu 4: https://www.sportys.com/zulu4
Learning to fly does not mean learning to travel by light airplane. In this episode, longtime aviation journalist Tom Haines shares tips he’s learned from a lifetime of cross-country flying in piston airplanes, including many he learned while flying with the late Richard Collins. Tom is also deeply involved in efforts to prevent poaching in Africa, so he describes the unique uses of CubCrafters airplanes in Namibia. In the Ready to Copy segment, Tom talks about flying the B-25, when he thinks unleaded avgas will be available, and his advice for new airplane owners.
SHOW LINKS:
* ERP Air Wing: https://www.erp.ngo/
* Air Care Alliance: https://www.aircarealliance.org/
* Lightspeed Zulu 4: https://www.sportys.com/zulu4
The job market for pilots has been through some wild swings lately, but aviation career coach (and former airline pilot) James Onieal says it’s neither as good nor as bad as you might think. He offers frank advice about the dangers of social media for aspiring pilots, explains why networking matters now more than ever, and discusses the differences between airline jobs and corporate jobs. In the Ready to Copy segment, James talks about the biggest career mistakes to avoid, what it’s like to flight check instrument approaches, and his favorite joke about cops.
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 and slow flights, shares his approach to making memorable aviation films, and describes what it was like to fly over the North Atlantic in a WWII bomber. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn tips for hand-propping airplanes, what it was like to fly a MiG-15, and how to land on a frozen lake.
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
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 organization is playing. Darren is a longtime pilot, flying everything from aerobatic airplanes to warbirds, so he also shares many lessons learned from his 8000+ hours. In the Ready to Copy segment, Darren talks about flying a P-51 solo, pursuing innovation at Google, and kiteboarding.
- AOPA advocacy: https://aopa.org/advocacy
- Darren’s book: https://darrenpleasance.com/book/
- PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/
- New Air Facts podcast: https://airfactsjournal.com/podcast/
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 talks about Boom’s plans for supersonic airline travel, learning to fly an all-new design, and the aerodynamics of flight at Mach 1.1 Tristan also talks about his Navy career, including what it was like to make his first carrier landing. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear what it was like to fly the F-104 Starfighter, what flutter is, and tips for better landings in a Mooney.
SHOW LINKS:
* Boom Supersonic: https://boomsupersonic.com
* XB-1 test flight videos: https://boomsupersonic.com/xb-1
* PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/
* New Air Facts podcast: https://airfactsjournal.com/podcast/
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 the launch of the new R88 turbine helicopter and the first flight of a hydrogen-powered Robinson. David is also an experienced engineer, so he dives into the details of mast bumping and explains why many eVTOL aircraft will never succeed. In the Ready to Copy segment, David talks about the helicopter job market, heli-camping, and flight simulator myths.
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’s no daredevil, and in this episode he explains his detailed approach to pre-flight planning and his comprehensive standard operating procedures manual that keeps him safe. Jack is also passionate about conservation flying, and talks about a memorable flight when he transported gray wolves from Canada to Colorado. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jack shares the most unique airport he’s visited, his favorite survival gear, and how his business background helps him as a pilot.
* Jack’s flying blogs: https://wjlblogs.blogspot.com/2022/10/blogs-round-world-flight-2015-round.html
* LightHawk: https://lighthawk.org/
* PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/
* Check out the new Air Facts podcast: https://airfactsjournal.com/podcast/
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 Aviation Consumer magazine, offers practical advice for avoiding disappointment, from glass cockpits to autopilots. He also shares why Rotax may be the answer for new engine technology and what the state of the aviation insurance market is right now. In the Ready to Copy segment, Larry talks about the risk of post-maintenance test flights, the future of unleaded avgas, and riding motorcycles.
SHOW LINKS:
* Aviation Consumer magazine: https://aviationconsumer.com/
* Staying insured: https://aviationconsumer.com/safety/insurance/staying-insured-training-loyalty-downsizing/
* PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/
* Check out the new Air Facts podcast: https://airfactsjournal.com/podcast/
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 those airplanes, from using the rudder properly to managing technology, plus his personal connection to the TWA 800 tragedy and his advice for successful checkrides (he has given more than 2400). In the Ready to Copy section, Wally shares what he looked for when hiring airline pilots, the best place to fly gliders, and his favorite aviation books.
* Wally’s webinar on rudder use: https://pilotworkshop.com/videos/rudder-skills-back-basics/
* TWA 800 review: https://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/documents/moriches_ny-TWA_800_Overview.pdf
* PilotWorkshops Mastery: https://pilotworkshop.com/products/vfr-mastery/
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 learned about the aviation community by talking to 99 pilots, and his predictions for the industry’s future. You’ll also learn about John’s background, including why he learned to fly in high school and why he thinks writing is so important. In the Ready to Copy segment, John talks about live music, baseball rule changes, and his favorite aviation book.
SHOW LINKS:
* Pilot’s Discretion Archives: https://www.sportys.com/podcast
* John’s articles at Air Facts: https://airfactsjournal.com/author/johnz/
* Fast Five: http://sportys.com/fastfive
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 challenge of restarting production. Chuck also offers plenty of tips for growing a business and creating a culture of excellence, with some peeks behind the scenes at Sweetwater. In the Ready to Copy segment, Chuck shares his favorite place to land a helicopter, what he looks for when hiring an employee, and what it was like to work with Stevie Wonder.
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Whether it’s an open cockpit biplane or a brand new Cirrus, Shane Vande Voort says “good stick and rudder skills carry through into every airplane.” He explains why the Cirrus accident record has improved so much, how to teach modern avionics to new pilots, and why systems knowledge still matters. Shane also loves flying with family, so he talks about going up in an open cockpit biplane with his kids and taking a memorable flight to Kitty Hawk with his father in a Cessna 120. In the Ready to Copy segment, Shane shares his advice for taking checkrides, how taildragger flying helps jet pilots, and whether shock cooling is a myth.
SHOW LINKS
Few pilots have lived as interesting a life as Martha Lunken: from giving checkrides in DC-3s to teaching Neil Armstrong’s wife to fly, she has met some of aviation’s most colorful characters and flown some of aviation’s most iconic machines. She tells plenty of those fascinating stories in this episode—and shares some controversial opinions along the way. In the Ready to Copy section, Martha talks about what she would do as FAA administrator, flying the Lockheed Lodestar, and life as an accident investigator.
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Over 40% of active student pilots are under age 30 and Clay Simmons is one of them (he even built a Carbon Cub at age 22). He explains the unique expectations this new generation of pilots has, how the GA industry can be more successful in reaching out, and why mentors are so important. Clay is also an active backcountry pilot, so he shares advice for pilots who want to fly taildraggers and explore off-airport destinations. In the Ready to Copy segment, Clay talks about homebuilding tips, campfire cooking, and great architecture.
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Not all airline careers are smooth, but veteran pilot Steve McNeilly says the rewards make the turbulence worthwhile. He talks about the value of building experience in piston twins, learning to land the Boeing 737, and what it means to be a professional pilot. Steve also built a full-scale Vulcan bomber simulator, so he talks about the process of building one-of-a-kind sims and explains why he’s so interested in jets from the 1950s. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn what it was like to fly the DC-8, why the A&P certificates are so hard to earn, and why playing music and flying airplanes are similar.
Show Links:
Vulcan pictures: https://www.avtutorials.com/vulcan_simulator/
The O’Hare Comet story: https://youtu.be/NjkO-8OUMYQ
Sporty’s 2025 Pilot Training Courses: http://sportys.com/discover
The legendary T-38 Talon has been the aerial classroom for generations of Air Force pilots, and Matt Johnson spent many hours teaching there. He shares what he learned from that time, including the benefits of standardization, the importance of pre-flight briefings, and when to let a student make a mistake. These days Matt flies a Citation and a Lancair IVP, so he talks about applying those Air Force lessons to GA operations, and some mistakes he’s made along the way. In the Ready to Copy segment you’ll learn how to give a good discovery flight, what SR-71 pilots called the airplane, how cold it really is in his hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.
SHOW LINKS:
Matt’s articles on Air Facts: https://airfactsjournal.com/author/mattjohnson/
Matt’s recent article at Aviation Safety: https://www.avweb.com/features/behind-the-airplane/
Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://sportys.com/pilottraining
Juan Browne has flown everything from Air Force jets to vintage biplanes, but he’s best known for his accident analysis channel on YouTube, blancolirio. In this wide-ranging episode, he describes his unique approach to researching crashes and explains why he thinks all pilots can learn from others’ misfortunes. Juan also talks about his varied flying career, including fighting fires with the US Forest Service, flying C-141s all around the world, and life as an international airline pilot. In the Ready to Copy segment, Juan tells us what he’s changed his mind about since starting his channel, flying the open-cockpit Waco, and the best place to eat in Sydney, Australia.
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Advanced avionics are changing GA airplanes, but all that technology is useless if you don’t know how to use it. Jessica Koss, Garmin’s chief flight instructor, shares her time-tested tips for avionics mastery in this episode, from understanding integrated panels to managing autopilots. She also talks about the latest Garmin technology, like Emergency Autoland and touchscreen panels in jets. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jessica describes what it’s like to land with auto-throttles, explains how to teach better ground schools, and shares her pick for the best barbecue in Kansas City.
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