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Artwork for Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Sporty's Pilot Shop
Flight Training
Aviation Safety
Instrument Rating
Simulators
Pilot Workshops
Instrument Flying
Bush Flying
General Aviation
Aviation
Alaska
Podcasting
General Aviation Airports
Weather Challenges
Flight Simulators
FAA Regulations
Learning To Fly
Business Aviation
Wheels Up
Emergency Landing
Engine Failure

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 monthlyEpisodes125Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AviationLeisure

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Artwork for Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's

Latest Episodes

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 flig... more

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 visua... more

YouTube

Pilots with 50-350 hours are involved in more fatal accidents than anyone else, according to research from flight instructor Paul Craig. In this safety-focused episode, he explains the numbers behind this “killing zone,” how to avoid its traps, and w... more

Bruce Gordon learned to fly in Aspen over 40 years ago and has been flying in the Rockies ever since. He uses that experience to share tips for flying piston airplanes out West, name some of his favorite airports, and explain why the Cessna T210 is t... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Dr. Kenneth Stahl
Surgeon, pilot, and expert on decision-making in aviation and medicine
Episode: Thinking about thinking, with Dr. Kenneth Stahl
Christian Ramsey
Chief Commercial Officer at UAVionics and expert on unmanned aerial systems
UAVionics
Episode: How drones and airplanes can coexist, with Christian Ramsey
David Gagliardi
Fire Bomber Pilot and Flight Instructor
Episode: Fighting forest fires from a DC-6, with David Gagliardi
Steve Wood
Airplane designer known for creating the SE-1 single seat sport plane and former engineer at Cessna.
Spirit Engineering
Episode: Designing a brand new sport plane, with Steve Wood

Host

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

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 283 ratings
  • I enjoyed the thorough discussion and professional presentation, I have recommended this podcast to other aviators.

    Audible
    5
    ctkell
    United States2 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
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    Podchaser
    5
    roysawney
    2 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
#17
United States/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#182
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#13
United Kingdom/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#21
Canada/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#19
Italy/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#32
Australia/Leisure/Aviation

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The killing zone for pilots, with Paul Craig
Q: How do pilots survive the Killing Zone?
Pilots should gain airmanship faster than they accumulate flight hours by developing mature decision-making and situational awareness.
The killing zone for pilots, with Paul Craig
Q: What is The Killing Zone, and does it still exist in 2026?
The Killing Zone is a phase where inexperienced pilots (with 50 to 350 hours) experience higher accident rates, and yes, it still exists today despite overall accident rates decreasing.
Learning from other pilots' mistakes, with JJ Madison
Q: What is something you do as an airline pilot that all GA pilots should do as well?
Use checklists and do not pretend that you've got them memorized.
Rethinking flight instruction, with Doug Stewart
Q: What is the best upgrade we could make to the FA Wings program?
To implement changes specified by the GAJSC nearly 10 years ago that focus on enhancing general aviation safety.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 125 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. Ed Galkin
2. Paul Craig
3. JJ Madison
4. Mark McIntyre
5. Doug Stewart
6. Dr. Kenneth Stahl
7. Christian Ramsey
8. David Gagliardi

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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