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Artwork for Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Sporty's Pilot Shop
General Aviation
Aviation Safety
Flight Training
Pilot Training
Air Traffic Control
Aviation
Air Force
Flight Instruction
Business Aviation
Bush Flying
Instrument Flying
Aviation Industry
Checkrides
Air Facts
Instrument Rating
Simulators
Pilot Workshops
Alaska
T-38
Lancair IVP

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. Broug... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes129Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureAviation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Latest Episodes

Tailwheel airplanes demand excellent situational awareness and sharp manual flying skills, two things that modern pilots often lack according to taildragger expert Damian DelGaizo. The longtime flight school owner, who learned from an aviation legend... more

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 ... more

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... more

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, ... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Damian DelGaizo
Tailwheel expert, instructor, host of Tailwheel 101
Andover Flight Academy; Tailwheel 101 YouTube series
Episode: The challenges and rewards of taildraggers, with Damian DelGaizo
Douglas Boyd
Aviation Safety Researcher and Pilot
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; FAA/Aerospace Medical Institute collaborator
Episode: Hard truths about aviation safety, with Douglas Boyd
Mark Kolber
Lawyer with 40+ years of aviation experience; flight instructor and pilot
Independent aviation attorney and instructor
Episode: Legal gray areas for pilots, with Mark Kolber
Marcus Miller
Air traffic controller and PropHatCat creator
Air Route Traffic Control Center
Episode: What pilots should know about ATC, with Marcus Miller
Ed Galkin
New Jersey pilot with six decades of aviation experience
Independent pilot, octogenarian ocean crosser
Episode: Crossing the Atlantic at age 89, with Ed Galkin
Paul Craig
Flight instructor and author of The Killing Zone
Middle Tennessee State University
Episode: The killing zone for pilots, with Paul Craig
JJ Madison
Airline pilot and author of 'Yikes: 100 Smart Pilots and the Dumb Things They Did, Yet Lived to Tell About Them'
Episode: Learning from other pilots' mistakes, with JJ Madison
Mark McIntyre
Business aviation expert with extensive experience as a corporate pilot and flight instructor.
Episode: The life of a corporate pilot, with Mark McIntyre
Doug Stewart
Legendary flight instructor and designated pilot examiner.
Episode: Rethinking flight instruction, with Doug Stewart

Host

John Zimmerman
Host of Pilot's Discretion, Sporty's Pilot Shop

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 286 ratings
  • Professional and Educational

    I enjoyed the thorough discussion and professional presentation, I have recommended this podcast to other aviators.

    Audible
    5
    ctkell
    United States4 months ago
  • I enjoyed the thorough discussion and professional presentation, I have recommended this podcast to other aviators.

    Audible
    5
    ctkell
    United States4 months ago
  • Great great podcast

    The Pilot’s Discretion Podcast from Sporty’s is an outstanding gem in the world of aviation podcasts. Hosted by a team of passionate and knowledgeable aviation experts, this show is a must-listen for anyone who loves flying or wants to delve deeper into the aviation world.

    From the first episode, it’s clear that this podcast is crafted with care and expertise. The hosts effortlessly blend practical flying tips, insightful industry news, and captivating personal stories, making each episode both... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    King 111112
    Israel2 years ago
  • Very Imfomative

    This Podcast features humble pilots willing to come on the show and tell their experiences so others can learn from their mistakes. It is a valuable service.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mars Explore
    United States2 years ago
  • Best podcast!

    This is my favorite podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    frewdyby
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently engaging and bring hard-won aviation wisdom.
The format and guests occasionally feel repetitive for long-time listeners.
Production quality is high and topics feel practical for pilots at all levels.
Some episodes spark discussions beyond US aviation, broadening the scope.
Listeners value the mix of safety insights and real-world flying stories.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#12
United States/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#191
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#23
Canada/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#42
United Kingdom/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#35
France/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#53
Australia/Leisure/Aviation

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The challenges and rewards of taildraggers, with Damian DelGaizo
Q: How does grass impact learning tailwheel skills?
Grass offers a more forgiving surface for tracking and allows more time to correct issues, reducing the immediate consequences of small deviations while teaching the importance of control harmony and flare timing.
The challenges and rewards of taildraggers, with Damian DelGaizo
Q: What is the most important skill for someone transitioning into a tailwheel aircraft?
A combination of stick-and-rudder proficiency, good directional control on the ground, and strong situational awareness to monitor airspeed and pitch throughout the approach and rollout.
The challenges and rewards of taildraggers, with Damian DelGaizo
Q: Why are landings the area where most GA pilots bend metal, even beyond taildraggers?
Lack of situational awareness and reduced rudder skills, with overreliance on cockpit instruments and glass, leads to delayed responses and mismanagement of airspeed and pitch, especially during the critical touchdown phase.
Hard truths about aviation safety, with Douglas Boyd
Q: What is the single best lesson that GA pilots should learn from airline operations?
The most important takeaway is the frequency of flight and recurrent flight training; regular practice and refreshers help GA pilots maintain skills and readiness for emergencies.
The killing zone for pilots, with Paul Craig
Q: Should some people simply not pursue aviation?
While it's rare, certain traits like impulsiveness can be detrimental, but generally, anyone can become a pilot with the right attitude and adjustments.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

What is Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show's conversations center on aviation culture, safety, training, and real-world flying experiences, featuring pilots, instructors, engineers, authors, and regulators who share practical insights, lessons learned, and perspectives from both traditional aviation and emerging areas like unmanned systems and space travel. Listeners routinely get actionable safety takeaways, thought-provoking discussions about decision-making and training, and behind-the-scenes looks at how aviation culture shapes pilot performance. A standout aspect is the blend of high-skill expertise with approachable storytelling, plus a recurring rapid-fire segment that pushes guests to reveal candid views beyond standard industry clichés.

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Which podcasts are similar to Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's:

1. I Learned About Flying From That
2. "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast
3. Hangar Talk - An Aviation News Podcast
4. Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News
5. AOPA Never Again

How many episodes of Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's are there?

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's launched 5 years ago and published 129 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's?

Recent guests on Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's include:

1. Damian DelGaizo
2. Douglas Boyd
3. Mark Kolber
4. Marcus Miller
5. Ed Galkin
6. Paul Craig
7. JJ Madison
8. Mark McIntyre

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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