Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's cover art

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

By: Sporty's Pilot Shop
Listen for free

Pilot's Discretion brings you authentic conversations with some of aviation's most interesting people. From honest discussions about flight training to fascinating stories from airshow pilots, this podcast is for anyone who loves to fly. Stay tuned for our rapid-fire "ready to copy" segment at the end of every episode, where we go beyond the cliches to find out what each guest really thinks. Brought to you by Sporty's Pilot Shop, training and equipping pilots worldwide since 1961. Have a comment? Email us: podcast@sportys.comSporty's Pilot Shop
Episodes
  • Stick and rudder skills for modern pilots, with Rich Stowell
    Jun 16 2026

    Master flight instructor Rich Stowell says manual flying skills and decision-making skills are complementary, but they’re often presented as an either/or choice. The spin master explains why that’s wrong and illustrates it with his “power-push-roll” recovery for spiral dives, an overlooked threat in aviation. He also shares a new way to train pilots, which he calls “learn-do-fly,” emphasizing the importance of teaching at the correlation level. In the Ready to Copy segment, Rich talks about the biggest mistake CFIs make during stall training, tips for hand-propping vintage airplanes, and what martial arts taught him about flying.

    SHOW LINKS:

    * Learn-Do-Fly Training Standard: https://www.communityaviation.com/standard

    * Standardizing Roll Recovery: https://www.richstowell.com/standardizing-roll-recovery-in-general-aviation/

    * Learn to Turn: https://www.richstowell.com/learn-to-turn/

    * IFR Mastery from PilotWorkshops: https://sportys.com/mastery

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Using an Eclipse for charitable flights, with Mark Hanson
    Jun 2 2026

    Public benefit flying might mean transporting a cancer patient or relocating turtles, but regardless of the mission Mark Hanson says it’s rewarding, fun, and great for keeping your pilot skills sharp. He talks about managing the pressure of these flights, how to get started with a volunteer pilot organization, and why his Eclipse is the perfect airplane. In the Ready to Copy segment, Mark talks about his most memorable passenger, tips for flying into busy airports, and a new aviation weather tool he likes.

    SHOW LINKS:

    * Become a volunteer pilot: https://vpoids.aircarealliance.org/join

    * Air Care Alliance webinars: https://www.youtube.com/@aircarealliance6167

    * IFR Mastery from PilotWorkshops: https://sportys.com/mastery

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • Is GA dying or thriving, with Tom Charpentier
    May 19 2026

    More new pilots, more flying hours, and fewer accidents—that’s the positive picture EAA’s Tom Charpentier sees when he looks at the latest FAA numbers. He shares how to be an optimist about aviation, why the 1970s are not a fair comparison, and what issues could disrupt the current growth cycle. Tom is deeply involved in EAA’s regulatory work, and he explains the importance of FAA orders and what to expect from MOSAIC. In the Ready to Copy segment, Tom talks about his favorite part of AirVenture, flying the Cessna 170, and wilderness canoeing.

    SHOW LINKS:

    * EAA Green Dot podcast: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/news-and-publications/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/eaa-the-green-dot-podcast

    * Article: “How Safe Is It?” https://inspire.eaa.org/2017/05/11/how-safe-is-it/

    * PJ2 GPS Radio: https://sportys.com/PJ2GPS

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet