John Zimmerman

A headset is one of the most important investments a pilot will ever make, and not simply because of the expense. A quality aviation headset can protect your hearing, reduce fatigue, and even improve flight safety. That's why Sporty's offers a variety of tools and resources to make your next headset purchase fast, easy and affordable. We are proud to be the #1 headset retailer in aviation.

The success of BasicMed proves the third-class medical is obsolete—that’s according to senior AME Brent Blue. He covers a wide range of medical topics in this episode, including how to fill out the FAA medical application, what the latest rules are on mental health treatment, and whether new drugs like Ozempic are safe for pilots. Dr. Blue is also a leading advocate for pulse oximeters and carbon monoxide detectors, and he shares his rules of thumb for using both in the cockpit. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear why patients need to occasionally say no, a simple habit for healthy living, and what it’s like to fly a Canadian bushplane.

In each “Sentry Story,” we’ll describe an actual flight and share the view out the window and ForeFlight mobile app screenshots. You’ll see how Sentry ADS-B Receivers can be used to make flying safer and easier, plus you’ll learn some tips for flying with datalink weather. Want to share your story? Email ipad@sportys.com for a chance to be featured in one of our Sentry Stories.

Experimental airplanes make up an increasingly large share of the general aviation market, and Marc Cook knows that world better than anyone. He traces the history of homebuilts, from the radical plans of the 1980s to the refined kits of today, and describes the current state of the industry. He also talks about the causes of Van’s recent bankruptcy ordeal, and shares why he’s very optimistic about the upcoming MOSAIC rule—but also why it won’t lead to $20,000 airplanes. In the Ready to Copy segment, Marc names the biggest mistake homebuilders make, chooses the most underrated experimental airplane, and explains why riding motorcycles and flying airplanes requires the same approach to risk. 

Winter flying is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to layer up and prepare for those colder flights. Not every jacket is suitable for the cockpit, but that’s where we come in—let Sporty’s help you pick the right one for you. We’ll break down some of the most popular jackets we sell, focusing on weight, fit, durability, weather resistance, and warmth.

In an industry famous for its ridiculous acronyms, ADS-B stands out for being uniquely confusing. Lots of pilots use the term, but not everyone really knows what it means. And who can blame them - it’s incredibly complicated. So what is ADS-B? Why should you care about it? Can you just ignore it? No. While ADS-B may be confusing, it’s probably the most important technological change you will have to deal with as a pilot over the next two decades. So it's worth the effort to learn this new language.

Home flight simulators can be valuable training tools, and they don’t necessarily teach bad flying habits. Evan Reiter, co-founder of the Flight Simulation Association, shares the data to back up those statements in this sim-centric episode. He also explains why virtual ATC services are so important for simulator pilots, and he offers a preview of the highly anticipated Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. In the Ready to Copy segment, Evan (who is also an airline pilot) talks about his favorite flight sim hardware, how to sound better on the radio, and the surprising way flying helps him on the ski slopes.

New technology has made flying safer over the last two decades, but it hasn’t done much to prevent loss of control accidents. These are still the number one cause of fatalities in aviation, and according to upset prevention instructor Randy Brooks the only answer is better pilot training. He explains why upset training is different from aerobatics, why your first instinct should be to push, and why simulators aren’t a replacement for pulling Gs. Randy is also a longtime airshow pilot, so in the Ready to Copy segment he talks about flying formation aerobatics, what it’s like to perform an airshow in a glider, and flying the L-39 jet trainer.

This is the first in a series of articles about flying with Sentry ADS-B receivers and the ForeFlight Mobile app. In each “Sentry Story,” we’ll describe an actual flight and share the view out the window and ForeFlight screenshots. You’ll see how Sentry can be used to make flying safer and easier, plus you’ll learn some tips for flying with datalink weather. Want to share your story? Email ipad@sportys.com for a chance to be featured in one of our Sentry Stories.

Is the post-pandemic boom over for the airlines? Industry analyst and former airline pilot Courtney Miller says the answer is both yes and no. He talks about which airlines are winning and losing in 2024, whether pilot salaries have overshot, and what to make of Boeing’s latest struggles. In the Ready to Copy segment, Courtney explains why oil prices don’t affect airfares, why the 737 MAX was not a mistake, and how to lie with statistics.