Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

The GA accident rate is getting better, but aviation safety researcher Douglas Boyd says there’s still plenty of work to do. He shares a fascinating array of statistics in this episode, pulled from the 300+ papers he has authored, including how many hours is enough to stay proficient, what really causes landing accidents, and the truth about older pilots’ safety record. In the Ready to Copy segment, Dr. Boyd talks about flying out of CG, whether engine TBO really matters, and the best places to visit in Scotland.
SHOW LINKS:
* Airline vs. GA pilot safety:https://commons.erau.edu/publication/1494/
* Aging pilots study: https://commons.erau.edu/publication/2419/
* PJ2 GPS Radio: https://sportys.com/PJ2GPS

Too many pilots miss out on fun and rewarding flying experiences because they’re afraid of legal gray areas, according to aviation lawyer and flight instructor Mark Kolber. He shares the facts about cost sharing, ramp checks, and medical applications, with practical advice for staying out of trouble with the FAA. Mark is also a longtime CFI, so he also offers tips for learning to fly later in life and transitioning to new airplanes. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about flying in Colorado, Carolina barbecue, and lawyer jokes.
SHOW LINKS:
* Mark’s legal webinar: https://youtu.be/sWZ5INyRhfE
* Mark’s article on IFR departures: https://ifr-magazine.com/avionics/ifr-departures/
* PJ2 GPS Radio: https://sportys.com/PJ2GPS

Air traffic controllers and pilots are on the same team, they just have different perspectives. Marcus Miller, a center controller and the creator of the PropHatCat TikTok channel, explains those differences and much more in this fast-paced episode, including: when to fly a piston airplane into an airline airport, how to ask for help as a student pilot, and what he thinks of all the jokes on guard frequency. He also talks about pursuing ATC as a career, including the role of simulators and the benefits of musical theater training. In the Ready to Copy segment, Marcus shares the number one misconception about ATC, his favorite Broadway show, and tips for pulling off magic tricks.
SHOW LINKS:
* PropHatCat on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@prophatcat
* PropHatCat t-shirts: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4449530402/prophatcat-shirt
* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

Ed Galkin has flown his Cessna 210 around the world in both directions, and last year he flew a circle around the Atlantic Ocean at age 89. In his uniquely energetic way, he explains how much planning goes into each trip, how he stays focused in flight, and the best places he’s visited along the way. Ed also shares some tips for staying sharp as a pilot, even well into your 80s, including the value of an instrument rating. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn about managing your bladder on 14-hour flights, landing at Easter Island, and what Ed learned as an oral surgeon that helped in the cockpit.
SHOW LINKS:
* Flight to End Polio: https://www.flighttoendpolio.com/
* Fly for the Cure: https://flyforthecure.org/
* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

From the Space Shuttle to F-15 fighter jets to his homebuilt VariEze, Charlie Precourt approaches every flight with the same discipline. In this episode he shares some of the lessons learned from his one-of-a-kind career, including the power of visualization, realistic personal minimums, and flight training that goes beyond checking the box. Charlie also shares some fascinating stories from his days at NASA, including landing the Space Shuttle and docking with the Mir space station. In the Ready to Copy segment, Charlie talks about underrated airplanes, flying with a test pilot’s mindset, and lessons learned from Russian pilots.
SHOW LINKS:
* The biggest myth in aviation: ⁠https://flighttrainingcentral.com/2025/08/the-biggest-myth-in-aviation-that-great-pilots-are-defined-by-great-flying-skills/⁠
* Space Shuttle landing video: https://youtu.be/q5qyOWv0fHk
* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip