As one of the premier Cirrus flight instructors in the country, Max Trescott has strong opinions about pilots and technology, including: "the debate about the parachute is over" and "the autopilot is the glass cockpit." In this fast-paced episode, Max makes the case that technology has changed and pilots need to change too. He also shares tips for flying stabilized approaches, how to use an iPad to avoid terrain, and why the track vector on glass cockpits is often overlooked. In the "Ready to copy" segment, Max tells us why you're probably pouring oil into your airplane's engine the wrong way, the best part of being an independent flight instructor, and why sumping fuel doesn't guarantee you'll notice misfueling. 

Tens of thousands of pilots fly to Oshkosh every year. Ian Seager flew his Cessna all the way from England to get there—with no autopilot! In this episode, the British writer and pilot shares what that experience was like, from the stunning views in Greenland to the frustrating paperwork. He also gives a European perspective on general aviation, including why privatized air traffic control is a disaster, how the basic instrument rating works, and what he thinks about electric airplanes replacing 100LL. In the Ready to Copy segment, Ian tells us his favorite country for flying, what the best British movie about World War II is, and why pilots should look in the mirror when thinking about safety.

Lots of people talk about bucket lists—Natalie Kelley lives by one. At a low point in her life, she pulled out that list and decided to chase her dream of becoming a pilot. Now a flight instructor and Citation pilot, she shares her journey and explains how she overcame her doubts. She also talks about starting her company, flyGIRL, which supports women in aviation through scholarships and mentoring. In the "Ready to copy" segment, Natalie tells us what skill she learned as a mother that helped her as a pilot, how she uses social media as a positive tool, and what her first flight in a jet was like.

The engine just quit on takeoff—should you try to turn back to the airport? Conventional wisdom says no, but airline captain and flight instructor Brian Schiff says the truth is more complicated than that. He explains why the so-called "impossible turn" isn't so impossible, and what pilots need to practice before considering the turn-back. He also shares his advice for aspiring airline pilots, why pilots can't turn off their brain when they turn on the autopilot, and what it was like to grow up in an aviation family. In the "Ready to Copy" segment, Brian describes what it's like to fly a Category III instrument approach, his favorite business jet, and his advice for pilots taking a checkride.

There are two simple rules for improving engine longevity, says Mike Busch, and corrosion is a much bigger problem than wear. He should know—as aviation's best known mechanic, he has been leading the revolution in "reliability-centered maintenance." In this episode, Mike explains what that means, why more maintenance isn't always better, and how hot is too hot when it comes to cylinder head temperature. He also shares his views on oil additives, lean of peak operation, and owner-performed maintenance. Whether you're an experienced aircraft owner or a new student pilot, there's plenty to learn from this packed episode.

Weather geeks, this episode is for you! Dr. Scott Dennstaedt, a former National Weather Service meteorologist and an active flight instructor, joins the podcast to talk about his preflight weather briefing routine, why you can't simply learn weather from the left seat, and how datalink weather has changed flying. He also offers tips for avoiding VFR-into-IMC accidents, what his favorite weather books are, and his opinion on more obscure weather products like Skew-T log-p and MOS forecasts. Whether you're a student pilot or an experienced pro, there are plenty of tips here to make your next flight safer and more comfortable.

Why are flight simulators so hot right now? Can pilots use them for real training or just for fun? What are the pros and cons of the different simulator software options? Chris McGonegle, a Commercial Pilot who heads the flight simulator department at Sporty's, answers all these questions and more. If you're thinking about adding a home flight simulator to your training toolkit, this podcast will give you the information you need to save money and avoid frustration. Chris also shares his tips for avoiding the "rusty pilot" label, suggestions for making passengers comfortable on first flights, and his pick for best aviation book. 

As Editor-in-Chief at Flying magazine for 20 years, Mac McClellan flew just about every new airplane delivered after 1976. In this episode he shares his favorite ones and some that he wished he'd never flown. As a keen observer of general aviation trends, Mac also explains why pilots are flying fewer cross countries (except for Cirrus owners), why personal flying inevitably means tradeoffs between safety and efficiency, and what the future holds for urban air mobility/eVTOL proposals. In the "ready to copy" segment, Mac shares why he thinks personal minimums are a bad idea, the best places to fly in Michigan, and what sailing and flying have in common. You might disagree with some of Mac's opinions, but he'll definitely make you think.

Mark Glassmeyer has a simple plan for his student pilot son: "We’re gonna talk about aviation for the rest of our lives." He understands the power of these multi-generational connections because his grandfather, a B-24 pilot in World War II, first introduced him to aviation at age 7 with a trip to Oshkosh. But even with that memorable start and some lessons as a teenager, it would take more than 25 years for him to actually earn his license. In this episode, he explains why shaking the rusty pilot label meant he had to get a little selfish and take control of his life. Other topics include: why aviation can look surprisingly affordable compared to youth sports, how being a pilot helped him overcome a learning disability, and why Flight Outfitters' tagline is "pilot your own adventure."

"A real adventure is never just roses... it's a genuinely challenging experience." That's what JP Schulze (aka the_candourist on YouTube) believes, and he should know—he's flown around the world with over 2 million people watching live, he's biked across the United States solo, and he grew up flying in Africa. In this wide-ranging episode, he explains what he learned from his around-the-world adventure, why he's doing it again in an experimental airplane, and what it's really like to make YouTube videos. He also shares why being a pilot can make you a more self-aware person, his favorite place to fly, and what he thinks about the future of general aviation.