Learning From Other Pilots’ Mistakes, With JJ Madison

By John Zimmerman
Jan 13, 2026
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Pilot's Discretion Podcast, episode 121

Plenty of pilots read accident reports, but airline pilot and author JJ Madison says NASA reports are even better—because you’re hearing directly from the pilot. He shares common themes and memorable stories from these reports, and reminds pilots how to submit one. JJ also talks about his career as an airline pilot, including the appeal of regional airlines and the importance of scheduling. In the Ready to Copy segment, JJ talks about flying turboprops, why staying in shape is critical for pilots, and how to be a Hollywood writer.

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Quotes:

Reading a NASA report: “ask yourself as you're reading this, ‘have I ever had a moment in time where I've done something kind of dumb, but lived to tell about it?’ And if you ever have, in any phase of your life, you'll have a lot more empathy.”
The cause of most incidents: “it's because the human has had a bad day or is fatigued or it doesn't recognize that they're dehydrated or wasn't paying attention for a minute.”
Remaining skeptical as a pilot: “in short, I would say I look at it now as what's wrong with this picture, not what's right with this picture.”
Why NASA reports are useful: “it's really important to figure out a way to get people to virtually hangar fly in public, confess to their snafus, and post it so that other people can learn from that.”
Why they’re different from an accident report: “NASA reports are hopeful. NTSB reports are… after-action, aftermath reports.”
Airline career advice: “even if you only get to the regionals, you can make a good career.”
What pilots can do to promote aviation: “reach back to the next generation. We're not a dying breed, but we are dwindling.”
Learning from Tuskegee Airmen: “They helped mentor and guide me on how to act like a pilot, be a professional, and network with other folks.”
The surprising thing about flying for a living: “I think the biggest thing I didn't understand was the sleep disruption that you get from being a pilot.”
Flying the Jetstream 32: “we called it the ‘no plane’ because it had no bathroom, no flight attendant, and no cockpit door.”
Why physical fitness matters for pilots: “flying for the airlines is a sport. Stay in shape and if you're not in shape, get in shape and then stay in shape.”
How to succeed as a writer in Hollywood: “resilience, tenacity, and networking.”